Richardson, Norman Egbert. The Church at Play, a Manual for Directors of Social and Recreational Life. New York: The Abingdon Press, ca. 1922.

The Puritans of early America extolled the benefits of industry and the inherent evils of idleness. These values became ingrained in mainstream American culture and are communicated in this 1922 church handbook. It describes games and activities designed to educate church members and to attract new members. The book warns of the dangers of idleness, but praises controlled leisure activities as a means of “advancing civilization.”

 

 

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