est, eager conviction. We bespeak for them a wide reading,
and would especially commend them to the young people of our Epworth
Leagues.

WHITEWATER, WIS., March 2, 1904.

PREFACE.

"QUESTIONABLE Amusements and Worthy Substitutes" is a consideration of
the "so-called questionable amusements," and an outlook for those forms
of social, domestic, and personal practices which charm the life, secure
the present, and build for the future. To take away the bad is good; to
give the good is better; but to take away the bad and to give the good
in its stead is best of all. This we have tried to do, not in our own
strength, but with the conscious presence of the Spirit of God.

The spiritual indifference of Christendom to-day as one meets with it
in all forms of Christian work has led us to send out this message.
"Questionable Amusements," form both a cause and a result of this
widespread indifference. An underlying cause of this indifference among
those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, is lack of conviction
for sin, want of positive faith in the fundamental truths of the
Scriptures, too little and superficial prayer, and lack of personal,
soul-saving work. Is the class-meeting becoming extinct? Is the
prayer-meeting lifeless? Is the revival spirit decaying? Is family
worship formal, or has it ceased? However some may answer these
questions, still we believe that the Church has a warm heart, and that
signs of her vigorous life are expressed in her tenacious hold for high
moral standards, and in her generous GIVING of money and of men.

Our point of view has been that of the person, old or young, regardless
of sect, race, party, occupation, or circumstances, who has a life to
live, and who wants to make the most out of it for himself and for his
fellow-men, and who believes that he will find this life disclosed in
nature, in history, and in the Word of God. J.M.J.

ORFORDVILLE, WIS., March, 1904.

CONTENTS

PART I.
QUESTIONABLE AMUSEMENTS

CHAPTER
I TOBACCO
II DRUNKENNESS
III GAMBLING, CARDS
IV DANCING
V THEATER-GOING

PART II
WORTHY SUBSTITUTES

VI BOOKS AND READING
VII SOCIAL RECREATION
VIII FRIENDSHIP
IX TRAVEL
X HOME AND THE HOME-MAKER

PART I. QUESTIONABLE AMUSEMENTS.

"The excesses of our youth are drafts on our old age,
payable about one hundred years after date without
interest.