Earlier text: Dr. Nicholas Bound on the Sabbath QuestionChristian Recreation.
By Ellen G. White
Christians should be the most cheerful and happy people that live. They may have the consciousness that God is their father, and their everlasting friend. But many professed Christians do not correctly represent the Christian religion. They appear gloomy, as if under a cloud. They often speak of the great sacrifices they have made to become Christians. They appeal to those who have not accepted Christ, representing by their own example and conversation that they must give up everything which would make life pleasant and joyful. They throw a pall of darkness over the blessed Christian hope. The impression is given that God's requirements are a burden even to the willing soul, and that everything that would give pleasure, or that would delight the taste, must be sacrificed. We do not hesitate to say that this class of professed Christians have not the genuine article. God is love. Whoso dwelleth in God, dwelleth in love. All who have indeed become acquainted, by experimental knowledge, with the love and tender compassion of our Heavenly Father will impart light and joy wherever they may be. Their presence and influence will be to their associates as the fragrance of sweet flowers, because they are linked to God and Heaven, and the purity and exalted holiness of Heaven are communicated through them to all that are brought within their influence. This constitutes them the light of the world, the salt of the earth. They are indeed savors of life unto life, but not of death unto death. It is the privilege and duty of Christians to seek to refresh their spirits and invigorate their bodies by innocent recreation, with the purpose of using their physical and mental powers to the glory of God. Our recreations should not be scenes of senseless mirth, taking the form of the nonsensical. We can conduct them in such a manner as will benefit and elevate those with whom we associate, and better qualify us and them to more successfully attend to the duties devolving upon us as Christians. We cannot be excusable in the sight of God if we engage in amusements which have a tendency to unfit us for the faithful performance of the ordinary duties of life, and thus lessen our relish for the contemplation of God and heavenly things. The religion of Christ is cheering and elevating in its influence. It is above everything like foolish jesting and joking, vain and frivolous chit-chat. In all our seasons of recreation we may gather from the Divine Source of strength fresh courage and power, that we may the more successfully elevate our lives to purity, true goodness, and holiness. Even the great God is a lover of the beautiful. He has given us unmistakable evidence of this in the work of his hands. He planted for our first parents a beautiful garden in Eden. Stately trees were caused to grow out of the ground, of every description, for usefulness and ornament. The beautiful flowers were formed, of rare loveliness, of every tint and hue, perfuming the air. The merry songsters, of varied plumage, caroled forth their joyous songs to the praise of their Creator. It was the design of God that man should find happiness in the employment of tending the things he had created, and that his wants should be met with the fruits of the trees of the garden. God, who made the Eden home of our first parents so surpassingly lovely, has also given the noble trees, the beautiful flowers, and everything lovely in nature, for our happiness. He has given us these tokens of his love, that we may have correct views of his character. He has implanted in the hearts of his children the love of the beautiful. But by many this love has been perverted. The benefits and beauties which God has bestowed upon us have been worshiped; while the glorious Giver has been forgotten. This is stupid ingratitude. We should acknowledge the love of God to us in all his creative works, and our heart should respond to these evidences of his love by giving him the heart's best and holiest affections. God has surrounded us with nature's beautiful scenery to attract and interest the mind. It is his design that we should associate the glories of nature with his character. If we faithfully study the book of nature, we shall find it a fruitful source for contemplating the infinite love and power of God. Many extol artistic skill which will produce lovely paintings upon canvas. All the powers of the being are by many devoted to art, yet how far short do these come of the natural. Art can never attain to the perfection seen in nature. Many professed Christians will go into ecstacies over the painting of an evening sunset. They worship the skill of the artist; but they pass by with indifference the actual glorious sunset which it is their privilege to look upon every cloudless evening. Where does the artist obtain his design? From nature. But the great Master Artist has painted upon heaven's shifting, changing canvas the glories of the setting sun. He has tinted and gilded the heavens with gold, silver, and crimson, as though the portals of high Heaven were thrown open, that we might view its gleamings, and our imagination take hold of the glory within. Many turn carelessly from this heavenly wrought picture. They fail to trace the infinite love and power of God in the surpassing beauties seen in the heavens, but are almost entranced as they view and worship the imperfect paintings, in imitation of the Master Artist. The Redeemer of the world generally chose the open air in which to give his lessons of instruction, rather than to be enclosed in walls. He could make his teachings more impressive when surrounded with the beauties of nature. He chose the groves and the sea-side, where he could have a commanding view of landscape and varied scenery, that he might illustrate important truths of the kingdom of God, by the works of God in nature. He made use of the birds, caroling forth their songs without a care, and the lilies of the valley in their beauty, outrivaling Solomon in all his glory, and the lily, emblem of purity, reposing upon the bosom of the lake, the lofty trees, the cultivated lands, the waving grain, the barren soil, the tree that bore no fruit, the everlasting hills, the bubbling stream, the setting sun, tinting and gilding the heavens, to impress his hearers with divine truth. He connected the works of God's fingers in the heavens and upon the earth, with the words of life he wished to impress upon their minds, that as they should look upon the wonderful works of God in nature, his lessons would be fresh in their memories. He could extol the wisdom of God in his creative works, and could bind up his sacred lessons by directing their minds through nature up to nature's God. The landscape, the trees, the birds, the flowers of the valley, the hills, the lake, and the beautiful heavens, were associated in their minds with sacred truths, which would make them hallowed in memory, as they should look upon them after Christ's ascension to Heaven. As we are attracted to the beautiful in nature, and associate the things which God has created for the happiness of man with his character, we will regard God as a tender, loving Father, rather than merely as a stern judge. As the character of God thus bears the aspect of love, benevolence, beauty and attraction, the mind is drawn to him. The heart is quickened, and throbs with new and deeper love, mingled with awe and reverence, as we contemplate God in nature. It is for our health and happiness to go out of our houses, and spend as much of our time as possible in the open air. The mind of the invalid should be withdrawn from self, to the beautiful scenes in nature. We can but be cheerful as we listen to the music of the happy birds, and feast our eyes upon flourishing fields and gardens. We should invite our minds to be interested in all the glorious things God has provided for us with a liberal hand. And in reflecting upon these rich tokens of his love and care, we may forget infirmities, be cheerful, and make melody in our hearts unto the Lord. HERE are some good thoughts by H. W. Beecher, about Christian experience and what we should aim at:— “There are a great many persons who find it difficult, even in meetings, church associations, to rise into an atmosphere of serenity and joy. Their enjoyment of religion is very slight, and very superficial at the best.” “There are others who enjoy religion; but it is a fire kindled through social influences. It is when the experience, and the emotions, and the various personal influences which surround them, in a meeting like this for example, are brought to bear upon them. Then, as it were, from the outside the fuel is brought; it is kindled within them; it burns upon their hearts; and they rejoice. But as soon as they go away, the flame dies; and like a lamp without oil, it very soon is quenched.” “Then come, next, those that are of a temperament and of an experience that enable them to pour in oil. They can kindle without a meeting. They can carry with them the provision of God’s house, so that it shall last them all the way between one occasion and another; and they stand on a still higher ground.” “Then come those who can abide, almost as if it were their portion, in an atmosphere of great tranquillity, great hope, great sweetness in love. They rest in the Lord. They trust, and live by trust. And although it costs them, at the moment, an effort to say, ‘Thy will be done’; yet, in trouble, in care, in sorrow, after a moment they are able to say, ‘The will of the Lord be done.’ And they rest. They are their own priests. They are their own interpreters of truth. They are able, as it were, to keep the spiritual household of the soul without foreign help.” “A great many persons distress themselves because they cannot have the experiences which they see such a brother and such a sister have. My advice to these persons is, Do not aim at any vague, indefinite ideals. Take your own condition, and carry that up as far as it can be carried. Take care of yourselves where you are.” “For instance, a humble sign-painter, having diligence and a homely talent, gets sight of the chef d’oeuvre of some great artist, and goes back to his shop and looks mournfully at his tools and says, ‘I have got to paint signs, and I have got to paint houses, and I have got to do humbler things in painting. I wish I could paint like Raphael, but I am afraid I never shall.’ I do not think you ever will; but, then, while no amount of diligence will ever make you a historical painter, you may be a great deal better sign-painter than you are.” “Now, it is not for you to overleap the place which God has appointed for you. If you have but a moderate degree of talent, you are not ambitiously to jump clear over that, and pine because you cannot do things higher than your level. Let every man be content in the station where God has put him, and see that he does the things which are before him, every day better, and still better. That will unfold what there is in him.” “You are not to stand looking at the mountain top, when there is a full mile between you and it, and ask, ‘How can I make one brave jump and land there?’ You cannot; but you can take one by one, ten thousand separate steps, which will carry you very near the top, if not to the very summit itself.” Every day we ought to stop and ask ourselves which way we are drifting, which way we are going. All around us religion is on the decline. Once zealous Protestant churches are now rapidly drifting back to formality, to popery, to the world. Says the Protestant Churchman:— “This is a time when Christians ought to bear in mind that the days of the noblest church architecture were those also of the thickest spiritual darkness. It is true that from the eleventh to the fourteenth century magnificent cathedrals were built; but these were the days also when war against the saints was fiercely waged. On the other hand, in times of the greatest refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the days of Berridge and Whitefield, barns and fields were their chief and sometimes their only temples.” “Protestants everywhere may observe that, however far they may go in ostentatious buildings and other carnal display in their professed worship, the Church of Rome can far excel them. Those who cry out the loudest about perils from popery, very frequently are its own efficient allies. For as sweet cordials create an appetite which at last demands the fiercest stimulants; so the devices of art by which the orthodox adorn the bald simplicity of their public worship are cultivating a taste which finally will be satisfied with nothing short of the gorgeous ceremonial of the Romish cathedral.” Alas! for the cause of God and for poor souls! this is too true. The power of God is dying out from the churches while they are increasing in numbers, in wealth, in fine churches, in popularity, in fine dress, in large salaries, &c. Who will come to the rescue? Has not God raised up Seventh-day Adventists for this purpose? We believe he has. How much then of the power of God ought to be found with us! What zeal, what devotion, what separation from the world! Are we growing better in these respects, getting nearer to the Lord, becoming more spiritual, more humble, less like the world? Or, are we gradually drifting the other way as all other churches have done before us? Notice the history of the Methodist, the Baptist, and other churches before us. When they first started, they were zealous, devoted, self-sacrificing, and plain in all their ways. But gradually they have lost these good qualities, have more and more conformed to the world in their dress, in their habits, and in all their ways. Soon they were as dead and powerless as those from whom they came out. This has invariably been the history of every church. Shall this be our history? Shall we go as all others have gone? I hope God may keep us from it, and yet there is much room for fear in this respect. Can we not already see a tendency that way? Are we not becoming more dressy and less plain and simple in our attire and in our houses? Is it not the time for us to examine ourselves carefully, and see which way we are tending? THE WORKS OF GOD.
By Mrs. A. C. Judson
“He hath made everything beautiful in His time.” The face of earth is beautiful,
And the broad, blue arch above,
With its many orbs so brilliant,
All beaming out in love;
And beautiful the sunrise,
With its varied hues so bright,
And the mellow tints at evening,
As sinks day's gorgeous light. The flowers—the flowers are beautiful,
Upspringing everywhere,
With their many forms and colors,
So rich, and sweet, and fair;
And the earth's choice velvet carpet
Is grateful to the eye,
And the forest trees—how beautiful!
All towering to the sky. There's beauty in the streamlet
As it dances on its way;
How merrily its ripples
In the bright sunbeams play!
And the mossy banks, how lovely
Their shadows in the stream,
Awak’ning sacred pleasure,
Like memory's hallowed dream. Aye, all His works are beautiful,
Around, beneath, above;
And 'tis written as with sunbeams
On each, that God is Love!
Then while the heart rejoiceth
In the beauties of our earth,
Let fervent praise be rendered
To Him who gave them birth. DON’T DO IT.— Don’t smoke. Don’t chew. Don’t snuff. Don’t drink spirituous liquors of any kind. Drink pure water only, and don’t dilute it with tea, coffee, etc.; it will not hurt you if taken full strength. Don’t make an omnibus of your stomach, and act as though there was always “room for more inside,” when it is filled to repletion. Don’t be irregular in your habits. Don’t be lazy. Don’t overwork either body or brain, if it is possible to avoid it. Don’t fail to secure an abundance of nature’s sweet restorer, balmy sleep. Don’t always look exclusively upon the dark side of things. Don’t fret. Don’t do any of these things, and you may feel very certain of enjoying good health and peace of mind.—Sel. He who has struck his colors to the power of an evil habit has surrendered himself to the power of an enemy, bound by no articles of faith, and from whom he can only expect the vilest treatment. AGITATE IT.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Yes; in order to have reformation, we must first have agitation. We must get the attention of the people, get them to thinking and considering. We must show them that we are in earnest, or they will think our cause is of little account. Reformers must be aggressive, must be agitators. Of every one who is worthy of the name, and who accomplishes any thing for his Master, it will be said, “He stirreth up the people.” Says Dr. Johnson:— “No cause was ever carried by negation. Christianity could never have pushed its way around the world by negation. And thus every reform must be agitated. It must not content itself with letting evil alone. He who sees a fellow-being in danger and does nothing to assist, is guilty of the next thing to murder.” Has God sent us out with a great and testing truth? with a last warning message? Is there salvation in the work? Is it to decide men’s destiny? What if they do cry out, Let us alone? Shall we therefore desist and let them perish? God forbid! Let us cry the louder. See that man freezing to death. He is almost gone. How easy and comfortable he feels! Try to arouse him, and he will be angry with you. Will you then leave him to die? No; but shake him the harder. So we must do, or men will be lost, and God will be angry with us. It can never be too strongly impressed upon the mind, that nothing releases a parent from his duties toward a child. No waywardness, no disobedience, no rebellion,* no profligacy, can justify a father in casting a son or daughter adrift. We hear of sons being cut off with a shilling, of daughters being forbidden their father's house, and, without any exception, such cases are proof that, of whatever sins the children may have been guilty, the father is even more guilty. No person can commit against society so great a crime as a father commits who is thus false to the trust which he himself has imposed—who thus thrusts off from himself the soul which he called into being. A father should be governed by no motive but his child's best interests, and a child's interests can never be served by anything but his father's constant and loving care. If a child is so bad that his influence is feared on the other children, a separation between them may be effected. If it is feared that money bestowed upon him will be for his injury, provision may be made against that, as in the case I have mentioned. But when a father, in a fit of anger or as a reward for ill-doing, disinherits or refuses to see his child, he commits a crime which the laws indeed do not recognize, but whose guilt it would take many a legal crime to outweigh. There should be absolutely no limit to parental forgiveness and forbearance. Seven times, and seventy times seven, should the father receive the prodigal son who seeks his face; and if he never seeks it, if he goes, stubborn and rebellious, not one atom of fatherly care and interest should he relax; for the child is his child, his offspring, born of his will, and no vice or violence can release the man from his solemn obligation to guard and guide, so far as possible, the life which he dared to give.—Ladies' Repository. Faith, Love, and Patience
FAITH and love are like a pair of compasses; faith, as one point, fastens on Christ as the center; and love like the other goes the round in all the works of holiness and righteousness. No SCHOOL is more necessary to children than that of patience, because either the will must be broken in childhood or the heart in old age.