The Matter of Amusements

In a report written for the Review and Herald, Mrs. White speaks of the interest with which they compared the teachings given by the physicians in the institution with the instruction that had been given to her in vision. She gave two reasons why she and her husband did not attend many of the lectures: first, the heated and vitiated atmosphere of the hall where the lectures were given seriously affected Elder White’s head; second, to use her own words:SHM 136.1

“When he [Dr. Jackson] dwelt upon the subject of health, we were too deeply interested for the good of our wearied minds, for our minds would begin to travel, comparing Dr. J.’s philosophy with facts established in our minds, which had been received from higher and unerring authority. ... When Dr. Jackson and other physicians advanced and sought to sustain ideas that we could not receive from our religious standpoint, especially in regard to amusements and pleasure, dancing, card-playing, theatergoing, etc., we could not see harmony between his religious teachings, and the teachings of Christ recorded in the New Testament.”—The Review and Herald, February 20, 1866.SHM 136.2

The supposed necessity for amusements as a diversion from serious thoughts, because it was assumed by the physicians at Our Home that such thoughts were detrimental to the recovery of health, became an open issue between Mrs. White and some of the staff of the institution. On one occasion she found a favorable opportunity to express her views before a few of the patients and attendants. While in the bathroom she, with others, was solicited for an offering to pay the fiddler for a forthcoming dance. Writing of this incident, she thus quotes a portion of her response:SHM 136.3

“I am a follower of Jesus. This dancing is thought essential to keep up the spirits of the patients, but have you not marked that the very ones who engage in this exercise are for a day or two languid, and some are unable to rise from their bed? ... The ideas that are here advanced, that we are too intensely religious, and that is the reason why we are invalids, I will not, I cannot admit. Do you ever see me gloomy, desponding, complaining? I have a faith that forbids this. It is a misconception of the true ideal of Christian character and Christian service that leads to these conclusions. It is the want of genuine religion that produces gloom, despondency, and sadness. Earnest Christians seek to imitate Jesus, for to be Christians is to be Christlike. ...SHM 137.1

“A half service, loving the world, loving self, loving frivolous amusements, makes a timid, cowardly servant; he follows Christ a great way off. A hearty willing service to Jesus produces a sunny religion. Those who follow Christ the most closely have not been gloomy. ... We need more Christ, and less worldliness; more Christ, and less selfishness.”—E. G. White Manuscript 1, 1867.SHM 137.2