The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-06-08
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
Proper AmuSements.

| are assembled. They abound in the
forms of the various benevolent socities
where both sexes attend. Mere pleas
ure should never be substituted in these
gatherings for utility. In these and in
evening parties let there be freedom of
social enjoyment, never however losing
sight of the fact of our accountability.
There are variety of parlor games
that add to the interest of party and
help make the occasion pleasant.
The Russian game of gossip" illus
trates one of the evils of society and
shows the folly and wickedness of Cos
sip. The game of the Poets is literary
and gives good opportunity to show
your knowledge of the poets.
The game of Characters, when by
questions we learn and give out our in
form alton on the freak characters of
different countries and cities and of
the world.
Charadesl Yes, bit prosy now be-
cause they require mental exertion and
if rightly conducted may be made an
educator. Other games to which the
ingenuity OF the young can devise draw
the mind from serious and toilsome
duties and fit it to resume life's duties
with new zeal. Though they may be
called tame, they blend utility with
amusement.
Why not spend an evening in read
ing and recreation. Let one read for
the benefit of the company. There's
amusement and profit. Everyone should
find time for reading. Select books of
history, biography, travel, science,
morals and religion. You thus learn of
the past, get the advantage of the
travels Of others and travel with them
where they travel. We can fathom the
deep places of the sea or make the ac-
quaintance of the great and noble of
earth.
Reading combines pleasure, recre-
alton, profit and amusement. 1t need
neither poison the mind nor exhaust it.
1t is invigorating, furnishes relax
alton, and fits for the duties of life and
enlarges the soul.
Here Is where the benefits of good
reading room comes in. We have op-
portunities to enjoy ourselves without
being patrons Of vice and we can easily
secure them, Travelling is a factor in
our education and affords something to
talk about, and after all isn't it true
that the chief reason why society is
compelled to resort to childish amuse-
ments is the lack of ability to talk flu
emily.
Contact with the world gives expan-
sion of soul. The cost of travelling
places it beyond the means of most
people, yet is it not true that many in
five years spend enough on dances,
theatres, movies etc. to give the m
trip to Europe or the Golden Gate
Many young man in one year squand-
ers enough to pay his fare to N. Y.
and home by the Lakes. Who shall de-
spise the luxury of a ramble in the
woods with gun or fishing excursion;
or croquet or tennis party or a game
of ball.
There is an amusement that is a de-
light to all. The songs of home chase
dull care away. Music gladdens the
heart ard soothes the spirit "He that
hath no music in his soul is fit for trea-
son, anarchy and spoils." Music is
God given and ennobling and though
the yileness of man has dragged it down
into vicious uses it may be made, as it
was designed to be, means of an ele-
waited moral culture. 1t is soul inspir-
ing to be reared amidst the melody of
musical instruments and the sound of
voices. and it has fascination for all.
You can sing your way into the heart
when every avenue of the being is
closed against other means The ancient
Hebrews every where mingled it with
joy and sorrow. 1t was their chief
source of amusement. Luther received
his baths with songs and notes of his
flute.
Greeks and Romans went to battle TO
the sound of melody. If you want to
enthuse a Highlander sound the bag
pipe, Would you nerve the wavering
column for the fearful charge, let the
band strike up some enhvening air.
Music has an incalculable influence on
young natures. 1t rests the body and
mind dispels sadness, routs the unruly
temper, quiets rising passions, bright
ems the soul and sweetens disaster.
What better amusement than a good
concert? 1t elevates your thoughts to
heaven.
How the pleasure of doing good lights
up the eye, dispels the gloom and
quickens the pulsations of the heart, a
word fifty spoken; kind act, or a
part of our money spent for the re-
lief of suffering. The joy of doing
good is recreation of the grandest kind.
AS looked at the rapids of Niagara, one