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Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
Relaxation and Amusement
Those who are engaged in study should have relaxation. The
mind must not be constantly confined to close thought, for the del-
icate mental machinery becomes worn. The body as well as the
mind must have exercise. But 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
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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?
Card playing should be prohibited. The associations and tenden-
cies are dangerous.... There is nothing in such amusements beneficial
to soul or body. There is nothing to strengthen the intellect, nothing
to store it with valuable ideas for future use. The conversation is
often upon trivial and degrading subjects....
Expertness in handling cards often leads to a desire to put his
knowledge and tact to some use for personal benefit. A small sum is
staked, and then a larger, until a thirst for gaming is acquired, which
leads to certain ruin. How many has this pernicious amusement led
to every sinful practice, to poverty, to prison, to murder, and to the
gallows! And yet many parents do not see the terrible gulf of ruin
that is yawning for our youth.
Among the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the theater.
Instead of being a school for morality and virtue, as is so often
claimed, it is the very hotbed of immorality. Vicious habits and sinful
propensities are strengthened and confirmed by these entertainments.
Low songs, lewd gestures, expressions, and attitudes, deprave the
imagination and debase the morals. Every youth who habitually
attends such exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is no
influence in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to
destroy religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil
pleasures and sober realities of life than theatrical amusements. The
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love for these scenes increases with every indulgence, as the desire
for intoxicating drink strengthens with its use. The only safe course
is to shun the theater, the circus, and every other questionable place
of amusement.