The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-06-01
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
Proper Amusements.

cards. Let me in this give some sug
gestions as to proper amusements. 1t
IS admitted that there is need of amuse-
ment--that is proper recreation. 1t is
well to heed Paul's injunction to use
this world as not abusing it.
When DO we abuse the world? When
ever we allow it to take the place in
our hearts that ought to be occupied
by the Saviour. He must have the first
love, the chief place in our affections.
We do it when we Danish the future
world from our affections and allow our
thoughts to be wholly absorbed in
things of this world. If we carry the
lawful use of it to excess, we are guilty.
Things lawful in themselves, if carried
to excess become an abuse. We are to
use the things of this world as So
journers; with a generous spirit. This
is the duty of ALL
God has made this world for the en-
/ i0yment OF his children and for their
comfort, but they are to hold it lightly.
He that would get the greatest amount
of pleasure from the world must use it
sparingly.
Two men were walking in a garden
when each plucked rose. One handled
his very carefully, smelled it sparingly
and seldom. The other squeezed his in
his hand and kept it to his nose almost
constantly and in short time both color
and sweetness had gone, while his
friends retained sweetness and frag-
rance. Emblems of the best and sweet
est creature enjoyments of the world.
| Used and enjoyed moderately they may
yield pleasure long time. But if the
| affections seize on them too greedily
and squeeze them too hard, they will
soon wither IN our hands and the COM
| fort of them is lost, either because the
soul surfeits on them, or the Lord takes
them away because our affections are
excessively placed on them. 1t is said
| If you prescribe limits are you not liable
to make the Christian life system of
| hardships and privations? There must
be limit, so we will place it just where
| the word of God does, God wants US to
be happy. This then is an innate de-
! sire. We feel desire for recreation.
1t is necessary. Anything that makes
US healthier in body and clearer in mind
that invlgorates the immortal powers,
is Christian recreation. 1t is an in
fringement on Christian liberty to re-
strain others from this. Whatever
pleasure or play tends to improve body,
mind and soul is proper. A necessity
of our nature drives US to seek recre-
alton, but this propensity sometimes
leads Us to dangerous extremes, when
it becomes satiation. That which makes
US feel worse after participation than
we did before is not good and whatever
play or pleasure inhames the evil pas
sion of our nature is sinful Nor is
anything, however fascinating it may
be, that is not in accord with the prin-
ciple of the Bible, to be INDUCED. This
is the principle to which every popular
amusement that solicits the support of
the church, must be submitted Why
not let amusements alone is asked? The
truth is that we cannot close our eyes
to the fact that fashionable amuse-
ments of the day are destroying vital
goodness in the heart of those addicted
to them. | know it Is sad. There is
time forevery purpose under the heaven.
Solomon was on the throne. He sought
pleasure in the things about him for a
while. He tried to crafty that innate
desire for happiness but failed Moth
ing was spared to contribute to his
happiness. but the pleasure turned
into loathing and disgust. He pursued
the phantom until he was exhausted,
it was an ignus faturs He found that
earthly pursuits had no abiding bliss
and he turned away saying, vanity of
vanity, all is vanity" He warns,
cautions and entreats against a course
of sin.
| LUZ VIC must nave recreation. w e
cannot toll all the time
Man is fitted for enjoyment as well
as labor and is susceptible of pleasure
BILE emotions. Why that thrill through
your frame when music swells? What
causes the eye to diiate and the nerves
to Jingle with delight? 1t is because
God has given you a physical system
that is like harp and may be touched
to any tune. A very flood of happiness
may pour into the soul through the
gates of the senses. We are capable
of pleasure and seek it, hence when
the days work is over many go to places
where they find it. Let this desire be
directed in the proper chanel.
Sinful amusements and worldly
pleasures can have no place in the
church, but proper ard innocent ones
may. Relaxation we must and will
have and if we cannot get 1t at home
we seek it away. How sad the COM
plant of parents that they can't keep
the children at home, they don't seem
to love it, and so they wander away
from mothers influence and fathers