SHALL WE GO? by J. M. Hopkins

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, June 10, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 24

SHALL WE GO?

By J. M. Hopkins

BY J. M. HOPKINS.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Ps. 1:1, 2.

While it is true that during the winter season, when many are less actively engaged, Satan seems to be more successful in leading people and especially the young, into sin, it is no less true that temptations to some of the most pernicious evils are encountered in the warmer season. Among these, is the circus. Already we hear the cry raised, “The circus is coming.” And we have but to step into the thoroughfares and public places to see the posters representing the wonderful feats of the “Great Show.” These handbills are designed to excite curiosity, and create a desire to witness the actual performance, which, we are ready to admit, is in many instances wonderful. But while we make this admission, we would ask, What is the tendency of circus-going? What influence does the circus have upon society? Let us briefly notice some leading questions which should be well considered, especially by those who name the name of Jesus. What is the character and standing of those who get up and manage the circus? Are they God-fearing? Do they love Christ and the truth? Do they labor for the salvation of the many who come under their influence, and for whom the dear Redeemer died? Do they use the money thus obtained, or any part of it, to further the interests of Christ’s kingdom? What is the object of the circus? Is it to lead men and women to love God and his word, and to have a pure and holy love for one another; and thus lead pure and holy lives? Do those employed about the circus love Jesus, and delight to speak his name? Are those comic songs and speeches, the immodest, indecent attire of the actors, the frequent thrusts at Christianity, or even the “wonderful feats,” calculated to inspire pure thoughts, and to raise the mind to God and Heaven? Can you take Jesus with you to the circus? If he were near you in person, could you ask him to go with you? Can you go to your closet, and in sincerity pray God to bless you in attending the circus? And while sitting beneath the canvas, surrounded by such influences as you always meet there, can you talk of Christ and Heaven? Or would you not be treated with scorn? We think you would find yourself sitting “in the seat of the scornful,” “with vain persons,” “with dissemblers,” in “the congregation of evil-doers,” “with the wicked.” Ps. 1:1; 26:4, 5.

Again, after you have been to the circus, what are your reflections? Has your soul been fed with food suitable for the child of God, that you may “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?” Finally, is there that conduct and influence at the circus which Christian refinement, or even modesty, can approve? To all of these questions we believe every Christian man or woman who has ever attended the circus, will unhesitatingly answer, No. We say, then, Do not go to the circus. Do not for a moment lend your influence to advance the interests of Satan. Your time and money should be employed in a more worthy cause.

But it is the custom of many circus-managers to have a menagerie in connection with the circus. So far as this is concerned, it would not be wrong to attend, if it had no connection with the circus. But here is a difficulty. Satan is very cunning, and this is one of the many traps into which he leads the unwary. Very many are led into the circus, who would not go had it not a connection with the menagerie. But when once beneath the first canvas, seeing the animals, the battle is more than half won. The band starts up some thrilling music, the throng presses toward the entrance; and before one is conscious of it, he finds himself within the circus. And even if one does not go into the circus itself the influence is often bad. One is seen by those who are ever ready to make mountains of molehills; the tongue of gossip is put in operation, and report says, “Mr. ———, or Mrs. ———, or Miss ——— was at the circus,—a nice place for a Christian! Wonder what they thought about what the old clown said of the Christians.”

But again we hear some say, “Good Christians often go to the circus.” Yes, we know that many who are said to be good Christians go to the circus, and perhaps they are conscientious, but that makes it no better. The circus would not be a better place if all so-called Christians were to attend it. Truth can never be changed into error, nor error into truth. To be a Christian is to be like Christ, and we are sure Christ never attended any such place. We read in 2 Tim. 3:1, 5, that in the last days there will be those who are “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” And yet they have “a form of godliness.” Such persons no doubt go to circuses. And no wonder; for “Babylon is fallen.” Rev. 14:8. But it should be the unalterable rule of the disciple of Christ to attend no place of entertainment where he cannot take Christ with him, and to say or do nothing upon which he cannot ask the blessing of Heaven. “Be ye therefore perfect [in your respective spheres], even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48), is the admonition of the Saviour. God’s people are called upon to act as lights in the world, that others, seeing their good works, may be led to glorify him. Surely no Christian can shine, as such, in a circus tent.

Paul says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Col. 3:1. If the “carnal mind” has been “crucified with Christ,” and has been “buried with him,” and we have risen to “walk in newness of life,” our way will not be to those places, the very nature of which is opposed to Christ and his work. In a little while the blessed Lord will be seen coming in majesty and power, attended by all the heavenly host; and then, if we have been true to the Saviour, have lived for and loved his cause, a greater glory, a grander scene, will be ours to enjoy than all the skill and cunning of the world can devise.

Oh, then be true to Jesus, Nor mark his cause with stain; Do not, by sinful wandering, Give his dear heart a pain.

Chatfield, Minn., May 25.