Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-12-19
3f(istcllanp.
Good Hediih Il DHiy.

Good Hediih a Duiy.
One OF the most common forms OF in
fidelity. as it exists in our times, is ,hat
which denies The divine origin and uses
OF the body. Any application Of tie
Gospels TO mental states IS considered by
tho most ob,usc rs el ineDlly Il. and
proper but when minister proceeds to
make an application OF the same truth 20
bodily states. the reception is altogether
different. The one discourse is received
with favor, as tull Of spirituality; the
other with veIy much The same feeling
that a congregation would give to sec
ular treatise. Nevertheless, this matter
OF health. and the outY OF conserving it,
has close and legitimate application
spiritually. and should he presented
more frequently than it is, in revertr-
tial, unsensaiional aud common sense
way.
When the human body is considered
as the haudiwork OF God, expressly de-
signed and put together as habitalicn
Tor the soul. and its companion during all
its earthly life; when it is looked upon rs
an instrument to minister to the JOY and
growth of the mind. as the agent that
performs duties whose influence eternity
alone can measure. when you consider
the BODY in this light i, is not vile, but
noble; not debased. ba. exalted. The
first condition Of all correct thinking NJ
on this sutiect is lcank, open, ard
grateful recognition Of God as the cro-
ator and preseIver Of your body.
Observe, 10y way OF example. how H.
health thwarts the Divine intention
touching maternal Influence. Let the
mother Of household be taken sick, and
what change comes over the family -
what an interruption Of wise customs,
what irregularities, what letting down OF
restraints. what unFuly habits, what neg
lect. what confusion, follow The family
affairs now move on like ship that is
not sleered. The hand has deserted the
helm, and. undirec,ed by the authority Of
one controlling will, the poor vessel
wears, tacks. sways. and sails 10 irregular
aud irui,leSs circles. Tnen it is that we
see how large is the sphere that mother
tils. how potent and sanitary is her in-
iluence, how necessary is her bodily
presence. Don't sag that this illustration
is exaggerated-ior you know it is not
but in the light Of it say. you who think
tha, ministers "be-!itlle Christianity" in
speaking of the religious relations OF the
physique, whether there is any natural
ble ssing greater, any duty more impera-
tive, than that of health? We hope to
live TO see the day when any indiscretion,
any carelessness, touching the pleserva-
ton OF health, shall be publicly and
privately regarded as sn.-GoldeH Rule
A GREAT Moral LESSON "A long chap,
with piping voice. entered a saloon,
and gaining the attention OF the half
dozen loaters therein congregated, he
said:
Gentlemen, how many OF you will
drink at my expense?'
Il WILL" was repeated By the seven in
chorus.
This proves to you. gentlemen" con-
tinued the yagrant, putting down nickel
for his own beer. chow little can be de-
pended on first impi essions. You love
me now, filed with anticipations of 8
square drink. Your anticipations will
be blasted. and then you will hate me-
Let this be great moral lesson to you. ,
They put him out in hurry, but the
great moral lesson was there just the
same.