Chapter 79—Recreation is Essential
Extreme Views Regarding Recreation—There are persons with
a diseased imagination to whom religion is a tyrant, ruling them as
with a rod of iron. Such are constantly mourning over their depravity
and groaning over supposed evil. Love does not exist in their hearts; a
frown is ever upon their countenances. They are chilled by the innocent
laugh from the youth or from anyone. They consider all recreation or
amusement a sin and think that the mind must be constantly wrought
up to just such a stern, severe pitch. This is one extreme. Others think
that the mind must be ever on the stretch to invent new amusements and
diversions in order to gain health. They learn to depend on excitement
and are uneasy without it. Such are not true Christians. They go to
another extreme. The true principles of Christianity open before all a
source of happiness, the height and depth, the length and breadth of
which are immeasurable
To Refresh the Spirits and Invigorate the Body—It is the privi-
lege and duty of Christians to seek to refresh their spirits and invigorate
their bodies by innocent recreation, with the purpose of using their
physical and mental powers to the glory of God. Our recreations should
not be scenes of senseless mirth, taking the form of the nonsensical.
We can conduct them in such a manner as will benefit and elevate
those with whom we associate, and better qualify us and them to more
successfully attend to the duties devolving upon us as Christians
[494]
I was shown that Sabbathkeepers as a people labor too hard without
allowing themselves change or periods of rest. Recreation is needful
to those who are engaged in physical labor and is still more essential
for those whose labor is principally mental. It is not essential to our
salvation, nor for the glory of God, to keep the mind laboring constantly
and excessively, even upon religious themes
1
Testimonies For The Church 1, 565
.
2
The Health Reformer, July, 1871
.
3
Testimonies For The Church 1, 514
.
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