Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-26
Sunday School Lesson
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

t1ans must face these facts and grapple
with the public problems they present
with an alertness, aggresSiveneSs and
an attitude that will use the social,
physical, mental and moral values in
the development If Christian character
and the prevention of delinquency.
Christianity was introduced into the
world as a message of great Joy. No
people are better fitted to enjoy life in
all its various phases than the Chris
tians. Recreation should promote
health, happiness and the home life of
the people If it is to have the stamp of
approval of the Christians. Recreation
that fails to promote ones mental and
spiritual life is detrimental. Play is an
inevitable influence upon ones charac-
ter. Any form Of recreation that breaks
ones communion with God, attendance
of His church and share in the work of
developing His kingdom calls for the
Christians refusal to participate. All
things are permissible for Christian,
but whenever anything that one enjoys
along recreational lines is injurious to
his own life or binders his influence as
a Christian, then he should refuse to
take part in it for the glory of his Lord
and the advancement of His kingdom
among men.
Christ's reference to the games of the
children reveals His interest in their
life. He may have taken part as boy
in mimicking wedding. and possibly
even a funeral. He failed to say word
in condemnation of the sports that had
been introduced by the Romans. Paul
showed his keen interest in athletics
and drew illustrations from the stadium.
The Masters controversy with His enc
mics over His disciples plucking corn
as they passed through a field on the
cIIhfoHf great
controversy. His statement that the
Sabbath was made for man" has been
misconStrued when used for the secu-
larization of the Sabbath. 1t was set
apart so that man could commune with
God and recreate by the ministries of
that day his spiritual, physical and in
tellectual life.
RecreatiOnaI Activities.
Recreational activities that will re-
ceive the Endorsement of the Christian
should be of change of occupation.
Recreation to be of real value must
call into action all the physical, mental
and spiritual forces in a way that will
have a keen interest and a sense of abb
solute freedom. 1t ought to call into
action the otherwise unused powers in a
way that would make one better fitted
to perform his task in life. This lesson
does not seek to impress the need of
recreation, but does call for us to con-
slider the proper form our recreation
should take. Scientists tell us that it is
wrong to repress natural longings. I'm
less that desire is guided by Christian
ideals and principles so that responding
to the natural desire should promote the
clean community cooperation in recrea-
tional activities, it would convert "the
community into a madhouse."
During the days of the prophets the
children could play with safety and JOY
| in the city streets. Not so today. This
places upon the church and community
| the duty of providing for the recrea-
tional life of the children. There, in
their play, they will learn to be honest
truthful. courageous and thoroughly CO.
| operative in team work. PLAY is q
| sacred thing. divine ordinance for de-
veloping in the child harmonious ano
health organism and preparing thai
organism for the commencement of the
work of life" In playing together the
child learns how to live and labor witt
others. Play properly supervised vii
reduce vice and. end the crime waves o.
'ImcdeTns Lice