Chapter 19—Amusements at the Institute When the amusements were introduced into the Institute, some in ----- manifested their superficial character. They were well pleased and gratified; their frivolous turn of mind was just suited. The things recommended for invalids they thought good for themselves; and Dr. C is not accountable for all the results accruing from the counsel given to his patients. Those in different churches abroad, who were unconsecrated, seized upon the first semblance of an excuse to engage in pleasure, hilarity, and folly. As soon as it was known that the physicians at the Institute had recommended plays and amusements in order to divert the minds of the patients from themselves into a more cheerful train of thought, it went like fire in the stubble; the young in ----- and other churches thought that they had need of just such things, and the armor of righteousness was laid off by many. As they were no longer held in by bit and bridle, they engaged in these things with as much earnestness and perseverance as though everlasting life depended upon their zeal in this direction. Here was an opportunity to discern between the conscientious followers of Christ and those who were self-deceived. Some had not the cause of God at heart. They had not the work of true holiness wrought in the soul. They had failed to make God their trust, and were unstable, and only needed a wave to raise them from their feet and toss them to and fro. Such showed that they possessed but little stability and moral independence. They had not an experience for themselves, and therefore walked in the sparks of others’ kindling. They had not Christ in their hearts to confess to the world. They professed to be His followers, but earthly and temporal things held their frivolous, selfish hearts in subjection. {2T 137.1}

(137) Da underholdningen blev indført på institutionen, viste nogle i ___ deres overfladiske karakter. De var meget tilfredse; de var netop blevet fulgt op i deres overfladiske anlæg. De ting invaliderne blev anbefalet, anså de gode for dem selv; og Dr. C er ikke ansvarlig for alle de resultater, der kommer fra hans råd til patienterne. Dem i de forskellige menigheder rundt omkring, var uindviede og greb efter det der så umiddelbart pænt ud så de kunne fornøje sig. Lige så snart det blev bekendt at lægerne på institutionen anbefalede leg og fornøjelser for at adsprede patienternes sind til en gladere tankegang, gik det som ild i halm; de unge i ___ og i andre menigheder tænkte at de trængte til netop disse ting og hos mange blev retfærdighedens rustning lagt til side. Da de ikke længere var i bidsel og tøjler, engagerede de sig i disse ting med megen iver og vedholdenhed som om evigt liv beror på deres iver i dette. Her var der en lejlighed til at skelne mellem Kristi efterfølgeres og de selvbedragedes samvittighed. Nogle har ikke Guds sag på hjerte. De havde ikke fået udført sand hellighedsarbejde i sjælen. De havde undladt at stole på Gud og var vaklende og mangler kun en bølge til at slå deres fødder væk og kaste dem hid og did. Disse viser at de kun har lidt stabilitet og moralsk selvstændighed. De har ikke selv fået erfaring og vandrer derfor i andres gnister. De har ikke Kristus i deres hjerter, som de kan vedkende sig til overfor verden. De bekender sig at være hans efterfølgere, men jordiske og (138) timelige ting tvinger deres overfladiske og selviske hjerter.