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No One Lives to Himself, July 27
Recreation and Amusements
For none of us liveth to himself.
Romans 14:7
The young generally conduct themselves as though the precious
hours of probation, while mercy lingers, were one grand holiday, and
they were placed in this world merely for their own amusement, to be
gratified with a continual round of excitement. Satan has been making
special efforts to lead them to find happiness in worldly amusements and
to justify themselves by endeavoring to show that these amusements are
harmless, innocent, and even important to health.
The desire for excitement and pleasing entertainment is a temptation
and a snare to God’s people, and especially to the young. Satan is
constantly preparing inducements to attract minds from the solemn work
of preparation for scenes just in the future. Through the agency of
worldlings he keeps up a continual excitement to induce the unwary
to join in worldly pleasures. There are shows, lectures, and an endless
variety of entertainments that are calculated to lead to a love of the world;
and through this union with the world faith is weakened.
Worldly pleasures are infatuating; and for their momentary enjoy-
ment many sacrifice the friendship of Heaven, with the peace, love, and
joy that it affords.
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-influence to
destroy self-respect or bar the way to usefulness. If they can take Jesus
with them, and maintain a prayerful spirit, they are perfectly safe.
In view of their high calling the youth among us should ... ponder
well the paths of their feet, remembering that where they lead the way
others will follow.
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