another and talk over common interests.

A SPECIFIC SENSE.

In a specific sense, by social recreation, we mean those pastimes and
pleasures which all persons, except the social recluse, enjoy as they
meet to spend an afternoon or an evening together. Now, how may
we get the largest amount of pleasure, of rest, of recreation from such
gatherings? How may we best benefit ourselves, inspire one another,
and in it all, honor God? It is no small task to accomplish these three
ends in all things, in one's life. We have agreed that some social
practices are positively bad. And we have tried to show why the
"tobacco club," the "social glass," the "card-party," the "dancing-party,"
and the play-house reveries should be avoided. We have left these
forms of so-called "questionable amusements" out of our practice and
let our of our lives. To what may we turn? Where may we go? We
turn to the social gathering.


BUT IT MUST BE PLANNED.

No social gathering can successfully run itself. See what forethought
and expenditure are given to make successful the "smoking-club," the
"wine-social," the "card and dancing parties," and the "theater." Not
one of these institutions thrive without thought and cost in their
management. Put the same thought and expense into the gathering
for social recreation, and you will find all of the merits of the
questionable institution and none of its demerits. No company has
larger capabilities than the mixed company at the social gathering.
Nor may any purpose be more perfectly served than the purpose of