before us; and the parent whom He makes wise will draw freely from such ample stores. Such a father will not deem it below him to share in the pastimes of his children; for if the Earl of Mansfield, even when he was Lord Chief-Justice of England, delighted to romp with the inmates of his nursery, and so to make both himself and them more happy, no father need fear a diminution of his dignity by the gladness of his deportment. Nay, rather he will try to invent amusement, and become to his little ones a companion as well as a father —a loving, sympathising, joyous friend as well as an authority, or a power repressing all that is evil.

EXAMPLES.

John Newton was a man who had fathomed all the depths of iniquity, and exhausted the round of earthly pleasures. When he spoke against them, he condemned what he knew by experience better, perhaps, than any minister of his time.

Now, on the subject of the theatre, Newton has left on record his calm and matured opinions. As a place of amusement, he deemed it a great fountain-head of vice. He could scarcely suppose there was a Christian upon earth who would dare to be seen there; and he thus inscribed indelibly before all who will read it, his utter and intelligent condemnation of what crowds of the misguided deem innocent amusements. He wished all such places to be shunned as pest-houses, and pled with men with his whole soul to forsake them for ever.

Again, Montague Stanley was for several years upon the stage,* and his habits were then in harmony with those which prevail among the class who figure there. He even proceeded so far on the world's broad road as to fight a duel, and

*See his Life, by Rev. D. T. K. Drummond.

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RECREATIONS INVENTED.

amid some remains of natural religion, continued to win the world's smile, as one of its own. But Stanley at last escaped, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. The truth took hold upon his conscience, and in its light, he soon detected the snares which his profession laid for his soul on the right hand and on the left. Compromises were now attempted, and by omitting blasphemies or grossness from the parts which he acted, he endeavoured to keep down God's voice within; but he could not succeed, and felt at last that he must either abandon the stage, or lose his soul. He discovered that he was in conflict with his God, and instead of supplying amusement, was sinfully tampering with woe. He accordingly abjured what he called an ungodly profession, and in doing so, furnished another proof of the utter antagonism which exists between the truth of God welcomed into the heart, and such employments as the theatre devolves, or such pleasure as it bestows, upon men. He had to flee from it like Lot from Sodom or Paul from Damascus.

Let it never be thought, however, that godliness and deep devotion are hostile to relaxation. Nay,

"Religion does not censure or exclude

Unnumber'd pleasures harmlessly pursued."

One of the most devoted ministers that ever lived was Rowland Hill; and yet his zest for innocent recreation was as great as his love of labour for Christ's sake was intense. For relaxation he resorted to handicraft: he was an assiduous gardener; he wove nets; he had pet animals, whose habits he studied, and whose gambols were his favourite amusement. His ever active spirit thus sought its relaxation in change of employment. That the mind might rest, the hands were

busy; and amid many perplexities, or eager controversies, Hill's was one of the sunniest lives ever spent by man. Now, the lesson of that life is this-moroseness is not Christianity; but still less is sin. The religion of the Prince of Peace is not asceticism; but still less does it permit us to seek our amusement where vice is depicted as excellence and virtue turned into mockery. Such things the Saviour would banish from the hearts and the homes of all his people, and men are already deeply deceived, when the things which He condemns can ever yield them joy.

These examples, however, mainly shew what we are to abjure-but what is it that we should substitute in their place? What amusements should we encourage at once as rewards and relaxations to youth?

To exemplify this, the case of the Rev. Legh Richmond is perhaps the best that can be quoted. His life was a happy though a tried one. His temperament, his pursuits, his successes as a minister, and his mercies, all tend to that result. Home was to him the focus of his own felicity, as he was the centre round which its gladness gathered. To promote its happiness, his plans were both elaborate and successful. He enlisted whatever was beautiful in nature, or ingenious in art, or wonderful in science. He fitted up a museum, and gathered specimens for it from far and near. Philosophical instruments were employed to illustrate what needed such aid. The microscope, the telescope, the air-pump, and electric-machines were all found in his lecture-room in the parsonage of Turvey. Books from all lands, and specimens along every channel were collected to blend solid instruction with necessary recreation, or mingle philosophy and science with amusement; and though many may be unable to com

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THE RIGHT-THE WRONG.

mand appliances so costly, all may learn how ingenious Christian affection may become in inventing substitutes for the frivolous or the debasing amusements which are so rife and so ruinous in the Homes of the worldly.

Amid the flaunting insipidities of a ball-room, a devotee of pleasure was once arrested and drawn from such haunts by the thought" What! an heir of God, redeemed by the blood of his Son, and thus employed!" It proved the turning-point in a soul's history; and were parents alive to the importance of the truth then uttered, they would become at once more zealous to furnish right amusements for their children, and more lynx-eyed in warding off the wrong. It would become their endeavour unto prayer to be guided here by the heavenly wisdom, so that they might neither harshly repress young happiness, nor sinfully promote young devotedness to folly. All will be well where the Word of God is made supreme-till then the world will reign and souls will perish.

COMPANIONSHIPS.

273

CHAPTER IX.

COMPANIONSHIPS FOR HOME.

The Bible's View of them-Experience-Duty-Results of its Neglect-Or of Counsel Spurned-Boasting of Ungodliness-Moral Wrecks-Our large Towns -Examples-Hon. Francis Newport-Rev. Legh Richmond.

It is recorded concerning the Rev. Legh Richmond, that so sensitive was he on the subject of the company which his children kept, that he once spent a sleepless night in the prospect of a visit from some youths to his Home. So thoroughly was he aware of the moral blight which might result even from a brief interview, that he could not calmly contemplate promiscuous intercourse among the young; and though in some respects his convictions might be exaggerated, or his feelings morbid, it were well if far more parents were watchful on the subject, somewhat in Richmond's spirit.

The deliverance of Scripture regarding it is very precise, "The companion of fools shall be destroyed." Fools, in the language of Scripture, and especially of the Proverbs, mean the wicked-and in mercy, God has warned us that their companions are on the way to destruction.

And common experience illustrates these words. Who does not remember how his own life has been influenced by his companionships in opening manhood, as well as early years? If there was any dawning of good, it perhaps became evil; if there were evil habits before, they were made worse