“Seek first the kingdom of God—and then your amusements will regulate themselves. But if you will not do this; while I exhort you to act as those who must give account at the judgment bar of God—suffer me as a fellow mortal bound to appear at the same tribunal, now to tell you.
That all amusements which prepare the soul for the duties of religion are right, and every Christian is bound to engage in them, and those which do not, will be condemned at the bar of God. But if you do not repent of your sins and turn to God, whatever course you may take—whatever your amusements may be—turn which way you will, God is a consuming fire. You sport on the brink of ruin…
Why are you anxious about your amusements? You cannot long retain them. You are liable to be stripped of all in a moment. Then take them away. And would you not then exclaim—all my joys are gone. Ye have taken away my gods and what have I more? If such desponding thoughts arise, your case is truly alarming. If you have now no better portion you are poor indeed—poor indeed, without a Saviour…
Life and death are now before you and God is witness to your choice. If a bleeding Saviour has no charms for you—if the thunder of his vengeance does not strike terror through your guilty soul; then go on—March on your way rejoicing—Trample under foot the Son of God—Sport with eternal vengeance and deny the thunder of his power. Your fair morning will soon be turned into darkness, your course run—your bodies fall in the grave, and your souls into the hands of the living God.”
Asahel Nettleton (1783-1844), excerpt from sermon “Rejoice Young Man…” in Sermons from the Second Great Awakening (Ames: International Outreach, 1995).