The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-01

thirty YARDS through rapid currents and
whirling eddies, has rarely been sur
passed. Professor Wilson christopher
North was great at throwing the ham
mer; and in youth Robert Burns dis
tinguished himself especially in leaping,
wrestling, and putting the shot. Isaac
Barrow and Andrew Fuller, the great
English divines, were chiefly famous
while at school for their skill in boxing
Adam Clarke, another great divine, was
noted when a boy for the remarkable
strength displayed in lifting heavy
weights. Washington was great ath-
lete. His horsemanship is familiar to
every American boy, and he is said to
have made running leap of twenty
three feet Considering that the best
athletes of the present day, after all their
preparatory training, seldom equal this,
the effort credited to Washington is quite
remarkable.
1t is true that many of the worlds
great workers were feeble boys and sickly
men. Among them was Aristotle of old
Pascal, Milton, Johnson, Pope, Lord
Nelson, Claiming, Robert Hall, and AL
exander Stephens Of the present day
Some have weakened good constitution
and lessened their physical and mental
powers, by over work, imprudence in
eating and drinking, and for want of ex-
ercise and sleep. Others, though origi-
nally weak, have been able by constant
care to accumulate strength, to do a
world of work, and live to ripe old age
But these are exceptions which prove the
rule. Say what we will, vigorous boys
usually make strong and healthy men,
and healthy men are the ones who go to
the front in every pursuit to bear the
burden of the fight, shape opinion, and
mould the destinies of the world.
Who shall say that the physical hardi-
hood of Hannibal or Napoleon had
nothing to do with their military sue
cess? Think of Lyndhurst electrifying
the House of Lords by brilliant speech
when he was ninety Think of Lord
Palmerston as premier at eighty, OF
Brougham, Campbell Peel, Bril- ht, and
Gladstone at the post of duty when far
advanced in years. All broad shout
dered, deep-chested vigorous old men
Did the tough and why frame of Clay
and Calhoun, and the massive physique
of Webster, play no part in their orator
ical efforts?
Look at the acknowledged leaders of
the pulpit to-day. In health, strength,
physical development and capacity for
work, they tower away above the masses.
But why enumerate? Hunt up the life
history of the leading men at the bar, in
manufacturing, and fnanciering-look
over the biographies of all the literary
and political celebrities of this country,
of Great Britain, France, and Germany,
and you will End that they have been
for the most part men who have looked
after their physical condition and main
tanned their health.
There are many ways of doing this,
and the same way will not be for ALL
Previous training, circumstances in life,
and many things which occur to modify
and control the action of men, must be
taken into account. But as boys the
coast is clear. You boys are not bur-
dened with business cares, or made to
twist your bodies out of shape in con-
forming to your occupation. Play time
is yours How to make the best of it we
shall learn in the next chapter Vide
AaUoke.