E. G. M., Bristol. It is, as you say, quite natural for young men to have a desire for healthy games such as cricket and football, or other forms of exercise such as cycling and swimming. The great difficulty with the former lies, as you suggest, in the fact that they involve companionships with others, which will almost certainly be worldly and undesirable.

The Scriptures recognize that bodily exercise is profitable in a small way, yet they lay all their stress on godliness, which is profitable not for a few small things but for "all things;" and speaking generally the great difficulty confronting the young man is to keep things in their proper place. In taking the necessary bodily exercise it is all too easy to fall under the power of mere pleasure, especially in this pleasure-loving age.

Christianity is not a system of "kill-joys." It does, however, work deliverance for the believer from the world and its joys by presenting to us objects and joys that are divine; therefore to see any young believer a votary of games or sports in any form is a sorrowful sight. Think of children of God and heirs of glory spending a large part of their spare time flogging a small leather ball, or kicking a large one! And this, when theirs is the privilege of serving the rejected Lord of glory and thus being honored of the Father (John 12:26).

Yet we lay down laws for no one. Occasions may arise when the Christian young man may happily engage in some simple game-for there is nothing sinful of itself in such things. Only always remember the apostle's word, "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (1 Cor. 6:12).

But you ask four specific questions, and we give them with our answers:-

1. "As to these games which necessitate companionships with others who are not Christians-would not this come under the term 'yoking ourselves with unbelievers?'"

Our reply is that it would. You cannot play such games but as descending to their level. We are not thinking of course of such a thing as a Christian young man or two having a game with some boys from their Bible class, etc.

2. "In this case, would you advise us to leave those games alone?"

We should. We believe the Word of God to which you allude in 2 Corinthians 6:9-18 so directs you.

3. "For instance, I am asked by the fellows in my office to play in their cricket team against an adjoining office. Should I refuse?"

You will do well to refuse. You may be very fond of the game. Are you not therefore more likely to fall under its power? If you can go as a witness for Christ it might be different. To go as an enthusiastic cricketer will be no help to them and dangerous for yourself.

4. "In regard to games amongst Christians alone-I suppose that is all right?"
The same danger does not exist in that case as regards your association with the ungodly. Still even so we advise you and your Christian friends to indulge but sparingly in such recreations. Life, especially Christian life, is real and earnest. Time is short. Opportunity to learn of Christ and serve Him are soon past. If exercise be needed, why riot take a bundle of good tracts and go for a long leg-stretching walk into the country, distributing them prayerfully and getting your companions to go with you? That will bring you in more reward in the day of the kingdom than many games of cricket. F. B. Hole.