3. Four Bits of Advice
Play helps children to grow healthy and strong. Their bodies will never be well if they are sitting still or standing from morning to night. They need all their limbs to be exercised while young if they are to be healthy men and women when they are old. It is natural to a child to play. The boy or girl who does not like play is generally not well.
Play teaches children to bear and forbear, and to put up with disappointments. They cannot always win the game and have their own way. Play makes them active and keen-witted and ready for anything. They cannot succeed in games of skill unless they keep awake. The great Duke of Wellington used to say that he learned to win the Battle of Waterloo (in 1815) when he was in the playing fields of Eton College.
Play makes boys and girls learn better when it is over. They come back to lessons sharper, quicker, and more clever than if they sat reading and writing all day long. Brains and nerves and mind are all better for play.
Play of any kind is better than idleness. "Satan always finds some work for idle hands to do." If boys and girls do not have some nice games to take to after school, they are quite sure to get into mischief.
Dear children, you see that I am a friend to your playing. I am not ashamed of being so, because I see that God approves of it. God allows us to do anything except sin; and play in moderation is not sinful.
3. Four Bits of Advice