The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-01-17
MERE AMUSEMENT NOT
THE ONLY THING IN LIFE

In one of his regular pulpit cdi-
torials.'' Rev. Noble Strong Elderkin,
Ut the First Congregational church
last night, scored the Increased de.
sires for public amusement. The
editorial follows:
! were foolish to deny the neceS
sity for relaxation. The need OF
amusement do not do 1t But we
face another situation when the cry
is for a dance every night. a no
ton is gaining currency that life is
one ceaseless quest alter diverting
experience. The chief end Of man.
according TO the new catechism, is
to be relieved OF serious moments,
We count days only as they are 10
beStow upon US some pleasure. The
day which marches ont burdened
with stern calls to duty. marches out
into ignominious darkness. The day
with a dance at the end wears the
halo
The church has entered the amuse-
ment business with a vengeance. Per
haps the amusement-hall attachment
to the meeting house serves its pur-
pose. l hope 1t does.
But we miSiudge our serious young
people We dangle chocolate drop
on the end of a string and fancy that
that holds them to the pew. We flut-
ter around asking, What can be done
to keep our young people Interested?
How shall their enthusiasm be main.
tn!ned2" And We answer our queries
by planning series OF entertain
ments for them.
For those outside the church, II
may be 4 problem of wholesome
amusement. | am sure It is. But
within the church In these unauthori-
tatiye days are the thoughtful and
purPoseful We mock them when we
think they are infants crying for
sugar plum. To me the young men
and young women who gather here
from week to week are potential lead.
ers. | should wrong them II | thought
them less, / have heard each one
say time and again, with Emerson,
Il wish that life should not be cheap
but sacred" And not much sacred
ness attaches TO "highlonesome"
The Ogden Betterment league Is
waving its hands traniically and pro-
testing against the excess of Sunday
amusements, when 1t might better be
mand for "A hot time In the old town
every night"
In reality the problem of the pool
room and the public dance and the
cigar store annex as they touch our
best young life Is Z problem OF sup
planting the desire for ceaseless d.
version with a desire for fragrant
usefulness. That these institutions
do touch our best young life viii not |
he denied when one studies their In
f!uence upon the young people OF our
high school.
But we have set up the ideals for |
them, We make them believe that |
HE is all in the perpetual smile, or |
the silly tete tete. or the new gown,
and quite naturally they begin 10 be- I
lieye that We know what we arc talk"
ing about, They must so nowhere
save as they are amused
| ran across a product OF this false
philosophy not long since. He was
formerly trustee of a Gentle church
in town. 1t WAS noticed that he alb
sented himself from Sunday services
shortly after the advent OF the new
preacher. Inquiry brought out the
reason. He went TO church Just as
he went TO the theeter. to be amused
and entertained and when the new
preacher didn't amuse and entertain
him. be didn't propose TO waste his
time lettering around the sacred pre-
ciucts.
Ihat may be one way Of looking at
II. Inc church may interest because
inc minister Is good at buck and
wing speclalues or 1t may interest