Worldly Amusements . Parties of Pleasure . [ (1896).]While there has been so much fear of excitement and enthusiasm in the service of God, there has been manifest an enthusiasm in another line which to many seems wholly congenial. I refer to the parties of pleasure that have been held among our people. These occasions have taken much of the time and attention of people who profess to be servants of Christ; but have these assemblies tended to the glory of His name? Was Jesus invited to preside over them? Gatherings for social intercourse may be made in the highest degree profitable and instructive when those who meet together have the love of God glowing in their hearts, when they meet to exchange thoughts in regard to the word of God, or to consider methods for advancing His work, and doing good to their fellowmen. When nothing is said or done to grieve the Holy Spirit of God, but it is regarded as a welcome guest, then God is honored, and those who meet together will be refreshed and strengthened. “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels.” {TM 82.1}

Fornøjelsens selskaber
Selvom der har været så megen frygt for uro og spændninger i Guds tjeneste, har der på en anden linie vist sig en begejstring hvor mange lader til at være rigtig godt med. Jeg hentyder til fornøjelses selskaberne som har været holdt blandt vore folk. Disse ting har taget meget af tiden og opmærksomheden fra folk der erklærer sig at være Kristi tjenere; men går disse forsamlinger imod hans navns ære? Selskaber for social samvær kan gøres til nytte og belæring af højste grad, da dem der samles har Guds kærlighed glødene i deres hjerter, når de mødes for at udveksle tanker om Guds ord, eller at overveje måder til at fremme hans arbejde, og gøre godt for deres medmennesker. Når intet er sagt eller gjort for at bedrøve Guds Helligånd, men den er anset som en velkommen gæst, da er Gud æret, og dem som samles vil blive opfrisket og styrket. »Da talte de, som frygter Herren, med hverandre. Og Herren lyttede og hørte efter, og en bog blev skrevet for hans åsyn, for at de kunne ihukommes, som frygter Herren og slår lid til hans navn. Den dag jeg griber ind, skal de tilhøre mig som mit eje, siger Hærskarers Herre, og jeg vil handle nænsomt med dem.«