Chapter 82—How the Christian Chooses His
Recreation
Christian Recreation Versus Worldly Amusement—There is a
distinction between recreation and amusement. Recreation, when true
to its name, re-creation, tends to strengthen and build up. Calling us
aside from our ordinary cares and occupations, it affords refreshment
for mind and body and thus enables us to return with new vigor to the
earnest work of life.
Amusement, on the other hand, is sought for the sake of pleasure
and is often carried to excess; it absorbs the energies that are required
for useful work and thus proves a hindrance to life’s true success
Between the associations of the followers of Christ for Christian
recreation and worldly gatherings for pleasure and amusement will
exist a marked contrast. Instead of prayer and the mentioning of Christ
and sacred things will be heard from the lips of worldlings the silly
laugh and the trifling conversation. Their idea is to have a general high
time. Their amusements commence in folly and end in vanity
There is great need of temperance in amusements, as in every other
pursuit. And the character of these amusements should be carefully
and thoroughly considered. Every youth should ask himself, What
influence will these amusements have on physical, mental, and moral
health? Will my mind become so infatuated as to forget God? Shall I
cease to have His glory before me
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A Rule by Which Lawful Pleasures May Be Recognized—Let
us never lose sight of the fact that Jesus is a wellspring of joy. He does
not delight in the misery of human beings, but loves to see them happy.
Christians have many sources of happiness at their command, and
they may tell with unerring accuracy what pleasures are lawful and
right. They may enjoy such recreations as will not dissipate the mind
or debase the soul, such as will not disappoint and leave a sad after-
1
Education, 207
.
2
The Review and Herald, May 25, 1886
.
3
Counsels to Teachers, Parents, and Students, 333, 334
.
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