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The Adventist Home
indulgence. In every gathering for pleasure where pride is fostered
or appetite indulged, where one is led to forget God and lose sight of
eternal interests, there Satan is binding his chains about the soul
The true Christian will not desire to enter any place of amusement
or engage in any diversion upon which he cannot ask the blessing
of God. He will not be found at the theater, the billiard hall, or the
bowling saloon. He will not unite with the gay waltzers or indulge in
any other bewitching pleasure that will banish Christ from the mind.
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To those who plead for these diversions we answer, We cannot
indulge in them in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. The blessing of
God would not be invoked upon the hour spent at the theater or in the
dance. No Christian would wish to meet death in such a place. No one
would wish to be found there when Christ shall come
The Theater the Hotbed of Immorality—Among the most dan-
gerous resorts for pleasure is the theater. Instead of being a school
for morality and virtue, as is so often claimed, it is the very hotbed of
immorality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened
and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, lewd gestures,
expressions, and attitudes deprave the imagination and debase the
morals. Every youth who habitually attends such exhibitions will be
corrupted in principle. There is no influence in our land more powerful
to poison the imagination, to destroy religious impressions, and to
blunt the relish for the tranquil pleasures and sober realities of life than
theatrical amusements. The love for these scenes increases with every
indulgence as the desire for intoxicating drink strengthens with its use.
The only safe course is to shun the theater, the circus, and every other
questionable place of amusement
Dancing—a School of Depravity—In many religious families
dancing and card playing are made a parlor pastime. It is urged that
these are quiet home amusements, which may be safely enjoyed un-
der the parental eye. But a love for these exciting pleasures is thus
cultivated, and that which was considered harmless at home will not
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long be regarded dangerous abroad. It is yet to be ascertained that
there is any good to be obtained from these amusements. They do not
give vigor to the body nor rest to the mind. They do not implant in
12
Patriarchs and Prophets, 459, 460
.
13
The Review and Herald, February 28, 1882
.
14
Counsels to Teachers, Parents, and Students, 334, 335
.