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Messages to Young People
to your words. Would you be ashamed to hear His voice speaking to
you, and to know that He hears your conversation? ...
The once earnest Christian who takes part in worldly amusements
is on dangerous ground. He has left the region pervaded by the vital
atmosphere of heaven, and has plunged into an atmosphere of mist and
fog; for in many cases pleasure parties and gatherings for amusement
are a reproach to the religion of Christ.
He who maintains his connection with God cannot in heart partici-
pate in them. The words he hears are not congenial to him; for they
are not the language of Canaan. The speakers do not give evidence
that they are making melody in their hearts to God.
Subtle Influences
Those who are artificial in character and religious experience too
readily gather for pleasure and amusement, and their influence attracts
others. Sometimes young men and women who are trying to be Bible
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Christians are persuaded to join the party. Unwilling to be thought
singular, and naturally inclined to follow the example of others, they
place themselves under the influence of those who, perhaps, have
never felt the divine touch on mind or heart. Had they prayerfully
consulted the divine standard, to learn what Christ has said in regard to
the fruit to be borne on the Christian tree, they would have discerned
that these entertainments were really banquets prepared to keep souls
from accepting the invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
It sometimes happens that by frequenting places of amusement,
youth who have been carefully instructed in the way of the Lord are
carried away by the glamour of human influence, and form attach-
ments for those whose education and training have been of a worldly
character. They sell themselves into lifelong bondage by uniting with
persons who have not the ornament of a Christlike spirit. Those who
truly love and serve God will fear to descend to the world’s level by
choosing the society of those who have not enthroned Christ in their
hearts. They will stand boldly for Christ, even though their course may
be one of self-denial and self-sacrifice.