What Shall We Play?
383
Family Outings—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 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.
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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. Exercise in the open air for
those whose employment has been within doors and sedentary will be
beneficial to health. All who can should feel it a duty to pursue this
course. Nothing will be lost, but much gained. They can return to their
occupations with new life and new courage to engage in their labor
with zeal, and they are better prepared to resist disease
Find Happiness in the Charms of Nature—Do not think that
God wishes us to yield up everything which it is for our happiness here
to retain. All He requires us to give up is that which would not be for
our good and happiness to retain.
That God who has planted the noble trees and clothed them with
their rich foliage, and given us the brilliant and beautiful shades of
the flowers, and whose handy and lovely work we see in all the realm
of nature, does not design to make us unhappy; He does not design
that we shall have no taste and take no pleasure in these things. It is
His design that we shall enjoy them. It is His design that we shall be
happy in the charms of nature, which are of His own creating
Profitable Social Gatherings—Gatherings for social intercourse
are made in the highest degree profitable and instructive when those
who meet together have the love of God glowing in their hearts, when
they meet to exchange thoughts in regard to the word of God or to con-
sider methods for advancing His work and doing good to their fellow
men. When the Holy Spirit is regarded as a welcome guest at these
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9
Testimonies For The Church 1, 514, 515
.
10
The Review and Herald, May 25, 1886
.