The Choice of Amusements
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Dear friend,
Just how a Christian should treat the subject of amusements, is usually a difficult matter to decide. In general, I would say that Christians never need fear devoting themselves too heartily or too fully to the Master. I say to my people that the question, rather, should not be, "Can I do this and this — and still be a Christian?" but, "How fully and devotedly can I serve Christ?" One need never fear going too far in the way of self-denial and holy living. The danger lies the other way.
At the same time I recognize the necessity for amusements. We must have recreation. I am sure that Christ approves of proper amusements. The person who never finds time to laugh, is going to grow very dull after a while. Both for physical and mental health, it is necessary for us to unbend. Just what the amusement shall be, however, is the question which requires careful thought.
I have always said to young people that the test of amusements, lies in themselves. I hold that Christians should live with Christ, should always walk with Christ in close fellowship, and that anything that breaks this communion or interferes with the sweetness of their relations with their Master — is hurting them.
That is to say, for example, if they find that certain books fill their minds with thoughts and feelings which interfere with the sweetness of their fellowship with Christ — they had better not read these books. If they find that certain companions are drawing their minds away from Christ, and hindering them in their complete devotion to him — they had better not permit these companionships. If dancing starts thoughts and feelings which hinder one in prayer — then it is better not to dance. If card-playing has a like injurious effect upon their spiritual life — then they had better give it up.
The first thing is to be a Christian of the Christ-type, and whatever interferes with this, should be cut off and plucked out, though it be as dear as a right hand or an eye. This evidently is our Lord's teaching. We are to go through life meeting all the experiences of life, business, society, friendship, reading, associations, as well as joys and sorrows, so as not to behurt by any of these things. In fact, we are to make all things minister to our up-building of character, and the strengthening of our Christian life.
Perhaps I have said all I should say in the way of answer to your questions. Christ himself never gave detailed instructions — but instead laid down great principles by which his followers should live.
In your present condition of mind, after listening to the revival sermons you refer to, I suppose your mind is open to see whatever there may be of harm to you in the things you have been trained to do. Whether you should revolutionize your own life now in this matter, you must decide for yourself. Paul says that "he who doubts, is condemned." This means, as I understand it, that if we do a thing the expediency and rightfulness of which we are not sure of — we have sinned, even though the thing itself is not morally wrong. If you are uncertain about the duty of dancing and card-playing and theatre-going, it seems to me that all you can do is to deny yourself those pleasures. You certainly would not be happy in any of them, if you are not entirely clear in your own mind concerning your duty.
There is another element in the discussion, however, to which you refer. What will be the influence of your indulgence in certain amusements — upon other young people who look to you for example? You represent Christ — you cannot get away from this responsibility. The fact that you bear the Christian name, makes you stand for Christ wherever you go. Even if these things are not wrong in themselves, what influence will you exert upon those who are just beginning the Christian life, if you indulge in them?
Paul laid down the principle that the things that are perfectly harmless in themselves, must be given up by Christians, under the law of love, if the doing of these things causes a weak brother to stumble. I say very frankly that I have gone upon this principle myself in a great many things, which I believe to be harmless but not necessarily duties. I have asked the question, "If I indulge in this or that — then what will be my influence upon people who look to me for example?" I cannot tell you what a pressure upon my own life the consciousness that so many people turn to me for counsel and for example has grown to be along the years. I receive letters every day from all over the world referring to my books, and asking questions about this or that. The fact that the writers treat me in this way, and get help from my words, sets me apart in a most sacred way and makes the obligation upon me to live a true and holy Christian life, very strong indeed. In the same way, there are those who look to you and to whom the failure of your life, in their eyes would be a calamity.
I have a friend who is a most devoted Christian, one of the most active and useful Christian men in this country. He has always insisted upon his right to have wine at his table for dinner. A great many of his friends with different views have remonstrated with him on the subject — but without avail. He holds that he has a perfect right to take his glass of wine and to furnish it to his guests at his table, and that in doing so he is following Christ as closely as if he should take the extreme course on the other side. I know another man with precisely the same view as to his personal life, who formerly followed the same rule with regard to wine on his table. But several years ago he had in his house for a good part of a year a guest, a young man, who had never been accustomed to drink — but who accepted it when offered at the table. Before many months passed, this gentleman saw that the young man was losing control of himself, and was drinking too much. He saw at once the danger in which he was placing his young friend, and instantly put away from his table the wine. He has never used it since, and says he never will use it. He made the renouncement because he saw that the drinking might harm his young friend. This, I think, is a very worthy giving up of a custom which he had practiced all his life. There was a reason for it, a strong motive. I think, therefore, that the man has risen into a higher Christian life, not because he does not have wine any more at his table — but because he made the sacrifice for the sake of saving others.
I am sure that Christ is just as much displeased with other forms of pleasure as he is with indulgence in the way of amusements. I know a man who is a very strict Sabbath-keeper. He will not ride on the street cars, he will not have his shoes blacked, he insists upon reducing his household cares, cooking, and so forth, to the very lowest possible degree. He rather prides himself on being a very strict observer of the Lord's day. Yet I know from painful personal experience, that this man fails in honesty in many ways. He is always borrowing money — and does not repay it. He is very careless about keeping his promises. He is most severe and most censorious in his judgment of other men, who do not follow his views with regard to Sunday observance. I am sure, therefore, that his piety in the one direction, is not a true index of his character. It is simply a bit of Pharisaism in him which makes his other failures in duty and character, all the more marked.
We want a religion which fills the heart, absorbs the life, and leads one into the sweetest fellowship with the Master, and devotion to his service. The one duty which comprises all other duties, is to love. Jesus said that all his disciples should love one another. By this men should know that they were his followers. No amount of church-going or attendance at Dorcas meetings, or work in temperance meetings, or missionary meetings — will ever excuse a woman from being gentle, sweet, loving toward her husband and children and her servants — all her household.
If you are ready to take the step which you suggest as possibly your duty, I think that you will be a very much happier woman. You will never be sorry for the self-denial you will practice in giving up these indulgences which evidently, even to your own mind, are questionable. You ask me to help you. If you are ready for this consecration, I would like to lead you in it. You are sure that you will do no wrong in cutting off these things from your life. You would have no less comfortable health at the end of the next year. You would be no less strong intellectually. You would be no less a noble and worthy woman. That is, while there may be a loss of pleasure at certain points, there will be no real loss, from your pursuing such a course.
On the other hand, if you are ready to take this course, and do it heartily, through love for Christ and his cause, and through love for those who look to you for example — you will find rich blessing. The hand of Christ will rest upon you in new benediction and you will become richer in your spiritual life, will have more power in prayer, will have more peace in your heart, and your influence will be sweeter and further-reaching.
Remember, I am not saying that you should do this — your doing it because I should advise it, would not be the right kind of course for you to pursue. If you are ready to do it — then you must do it because in your own heart, you think that Christ wants you to do it. I do not say that you would not be a Christian woman if you continued your moderate indulgence in these amusements — I am merely saying that there are higher degrees even in Christian life. There are Christians — and those who are better Christians — and those who are the best Christians.
I read a letter which a Christian Chinaman wrote home from San Francisco some years since. He was telling his friends there about certain petty persecutions which he and his people were suffering from the white people. He said, "The worst of it is these people are Christians — but not Jesus-Christians." If you want to be a Jesus-Christian, the way is open for you, and I believe that you will never be sorry if you take the step into the higher experience, and the nobler and fuller consecration.
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