Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1917 — ENCOURAGE HEALTHY AMUSEMENTS [ARTICLE]

ENCOURAGE HEALTHY AMUSEMENTS

The writer of this article remembers, when a boy, reading a book which treated of the customs of the people during the days of the old New England Puritans. The feature of the book that produced the most lasting impression was the seemingly utter absence of amusements among the children of that day. And we remember wondering if those sober little children ever smiled, and if they really enjoyed committing to memory Psalms by the yard. We should encourage healthy amusements, in old as well as in the young. , ' Fun—pure, unadulterated, carefree enjoyment, unhampered by thought of anything serious—is as necessary to the right development of the human animal as is daylight to the plant. We qualify it only by adding “in moderation.” Were you ever on a large stock farm, where numbers of colts were herded in the pasture? If so, you have noticed that very little of their time seemed to be given to the serious problem of cropping grass. When they were not engaged in games of romp, teasing each other, they were prowling over the field, investigating every nook and corner. Their restlessness and curiosity were never satisfied. Young people—and many older ones, too—are just like those colts. Life is not a serious problem to them. That comes only in later years. They know not, as yet, that life holds for them any serious problems to be solved. In fact, they couldn’t understand them if confronted with them. Since, then, our young people will have amusements, what are we of this city doing about it? Are we furnishing it for them, or are we simply permitting them to seek such as they can find? We should keep in mind the fact that just as they are incapable of grasping the serious side of life, so are they incapable of judging the merits or demerits of their amusements.

It is our duty as guardians of the morals of the community to see that our young people are not only kept free from the wrong amusements, but are furnished with the right kind. An up-to-date opera house or clean moving picture show is a modern necessity in every town. A first-class gymnasium, ball park, etc., are essential to the right development of our young people. The churches and parents are charged with the moral development of our children. The schools are held accountable for their mentality and educational qualifications. But amusement alone can develop that physique which will insure success in the commercial pursuits of later life, and which will supply the health that leads t> .ripeness of age. | Study this subject over carefully, you mothers and fathers. Consider the buoyant spirits and overi flowing energies of your boys and [girls, and recognize the plain truth that they must have an outlet. Then ask yourself the ques- . t’cn: “Are we furnishing them .safe and harmless mearys of di-. version?” ’ Never fear but that they can find amusement .in plenty if we : turn them loose to hunt for it. I They’ll find it, and it may suit fthem, but will the quality suit us? It would be well for us to pause in the chase of the dollar long enough to make sure that the young people of our community have a sufficiency of sane and healthy amusement. We spend thousands in fitting them to chase the dollar. It were better If we spent a portion when they are most liable to contract habits that will unfit them for all of life. ’ •’ ' ’

Our boys and girls will be what we make them —or permit them to make of themselves.