eral health is the
best specific against mere bodily fatigue, so against a jaded,
over-wrought state of nerves and energies, there is nothing like a
heart full of joy and a mind at rest.

"He that believeth on me shall never thirst." [2]

And if this satisfaction does not underlie all your pastimes, they will
be a failure. No other stream alone can freshen even the small dry
barrens of this earth.

But besides that, what is there left for Christian people?

To begin: "Dancing is such good exercise!" people say. Granted. Or at
least it _might_ be. But instead of night hours in a ball room, get on
horseback for two hours in the open day, and then balance the profit
and loss. You don't know how?--then learn. You have no horse? Go to
riding school. An hour in the ring will stir your blood better than
twenty Germans. But you "cannot afford" to take riding lessons.--Well
to say nothing of ball dresses, just throw satin slippers and long
gloves and carriage hire together, and see if you cannot afford it.
Ay, and have a ticket now and then for some one poorer than yourself.

Then for people who live within reach of the opera, there is generally
much other good music to be had, at far less expense and with none of
the objections. And there again, the money and time spent at the
opera, would train the voices at home into a lovely choir. Voices
which now "have no time," and talents perhaps unknown.

"Everybody cannot sing."--No. And neither can everybody paint; but it
is a delicious pleasure to those who can. What joy to go sketching!
what delight to work up the sketches at home. What pure, noiseless,
exquisite play it is. And if some of the party care nothing for
pencils, let them lie under a tree with a book, and be part of your
picture.

"Ah, books!--Of course you disapprove of novels,"--some one exclaims.

Indeed no. A good novel is very improving as well as refreshing. And
after much study over that word "good" (that is, for us, worth reading)
I can give no better meaning than this. A good book, whether novel or
other, is one which leaves you further on than it took you up. If when
you drop it, it drops you, right down in the same old spot; with no
finer outlook, no cleared vision, no stimulated desires, it is in no
sense a good book for you. As well make fancy loaves of sawdust, and
label them "Good Bread"; and claim that you rise from the banquet
refreshed.

A novel has special power of its ow