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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
sures that seem desirable to the carnal heart. But the true children
of God are not seeking their happiness in this world; they seek for
the lasting joys of a home in the eternal city where Christ dwells,
and where the redeemed shall receive the rewards of obedience to the
requirements of God. These do not desire the transitory, cheap amuse-
ments of this life, but the enduring bliss of heaven.—
Manuscript 51,
1912.
. (HC 284.)
Foolish Thoughts and Trifling Conversation—Why not keep
your minds fixed on the unsearchable riches of Christ that you may
present to others the gems of truth? ... It is impossible to do this while
we indulge an idle, restless spirit, seeking constantly for something
that will merely gratify the senses, something to amuse, and cause
a foolish laugh.... We should not set our minds upon such things as
these, when there are unsearchable riches for us. It will take us all
eternity to comprehend the riches of the glory of God and of Jesus
[315]
Christ.
But minds that are occupied with frivolous reading, with exciting
stories, or with seeking after amusement do not dwell upon Christ and
cannot rejoice in the fullness of His love. The mind that finds pleasure
in foolish thoughts and trifling conversation is as destitute of the joy
of Christ as were the hills of Gilboa of dew or rain.—
The Review and
Herald, March 15, 1892
.
The Whirl of Excitement—The cities of today are fast becoming
like Sodom and Gomorrah. Holidays are numerous; the whirl of
excitement and pleasure attracts thousands from the sober duties of
life. The exciting sports—theatergoing, horse racing, gambling, liquor
drinking, and reveling—stimulate every passion to activity.
The youth are swept away by the popular current. Those who
learn to love amusement for its own sake open the door to a flood of
temptations. They give themselves up to social gaiety and thoughtless
mirth. They are led on from one form of dissipation to another, until
they lose both the desire and the capacity for a life of usefulness. Their
religious aspirations are chilled; their spiritual life is darkened. All the
nobler faculties of the soul, all that link man with the spiritual world,
are debased.—
Testimonies for the Church 9:89, 90
(1909).
Parties of Pleasure—Many allow the youth to attend parties of
pleasure, thinking that amusement is essential for health and happiness;
but what dangers are in this path! The more the desire for pleasure is