Chapter 133—How to Spend Holidays
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. There are amusements, such as dancing, card-playing, chess,
checkers, etc., which we cannot approve, because Heaven condemns
them. These amusements open the door for great evil. They are not
beneficial in their tendency, but have an exciting influence, producing
in some minds a passion for those plays which lead to gambling and
dissipation. All such plays should be condemned by Christians, and
something perfectly harmless should be substituted in their place.
I saw that our holidays should not be spent in patterning after the
world, yet they should not be passed by unnoticed, for this will bring
dissatisfaction to our children. On these days when there is danger that
our children will exposed to evil influences, and become corrupted by
the pleasures and excitement of the world, let the parents study to get
up something to take the place of more dangerous amusements. Give
your children to understand that you have their good and happiness in
view.
Let several families living in a city or village unite and leave the
occupations which have taxed them physically and mentally, and make
an excursion into the country, to the side of a fine lake or to a nice
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grove, where the scenery of nature is beautiful. They should provide
themselves with plain, hygienic food, the very best fruits and grains,
and spread their table under the shade of some tree, or under the canopy
of heaven. The ride, the exercise, and the scenery will quicken the
appetite, and they can enjoy a repast which kings might envy.
On such occasions parents and children should feel free from
care, labor, and perplexity. Parents should become children with their
children, making everything as pleasant for them as possible. Let the
whole day be given to recreation.
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