Counsels on Health - Ellen G. White

should be carefully and thoroughly considered.
Every youth should ask himself, What influence
will these amusements have on physical, mental,
and moral health? Will my mind become so
infatuated as to forget God? Shall I cease to have
His glory before me?
Card playing should be prohibited. The
associations and tendencies are dangerous. The
prince of the powers of darkness presides in the
gaming room and wherever there is card playing.
Evil angels are familiar guests in these places.
There is nothing in such amusements beneficial to
soul or body. There is nothing to strengthen the
intellect, nothing to store it with valuable ideas for
future use. The conversation is upon trivial and
degrading subjects. There is heard the unseemly
jest, the low, vile talk, which lowers and destroys
the true dignity of manhood. These games are the
most senseless, useless, unprofitable, and
dangerous employments the youth can have. Those
who engage in card playing become intensely
excited, and soon lose all relish for useful and
elevating occupations. Expertness in handling
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