Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-12

rroL ~ A sargent IN New York Christian AsIyoeate.
Competitive games are old as civilization
ITSELF and they will continue TO occupy public
attention In one form or another as long IA
human nature Is constituted As IL Ia. The ma
ture OF these games and the interest that sus-
tains them has it's origin In a certain condition
OF the nervous system which makes one crave
excitement This excitement grows by what &c
leeds upon, and, unless held in check, will re
suit In physical and moral degeneracy.
We cannot now trace the evil tendencies OF
uncontrolled competitive games suffice n 20
tests just SO long as they can be condueted AS a
means TO an end, and that eEd the improve
mentof the physique and the betterment OF
otherwlse the cultivation OF competitive sports
become In. arious In many ways. Visit most
Sn, oa rre so,caea atniethlc clubs, and see II
peutlve spirit. The goal for which most of its
members are striving Is simply TO win the
This effort would not be ~ obiectionable n n
brought out large number OF competitors and
induced them to prepare themselves for the
various contests. But does ito As soon as one
man shows himself TO be greatly superior 20 the
others In speed, strength or endurance the
rest lose their courage, and become simply the
moral or financial hackers OF the chamnlon
There are athletic clubs OF q thousand fnenl-
oers and upward, from which it IL almost inn
possible TO get competitions enough 10 give a
creditable public performances. Why is this.
And what is the great majority doing that
gani1at Gp sne ns OF ,n these athletic or
iums where the members can exercise Accord
ing TO their needs and tastes. and do something
toward their physical Improvement But a
| great many OF them exist only i'm name
| as athletic associations The badge Of Hercules
adorns the breast OF many weak-.hested
young man whose only claim 10 recognition is
that he plays Billiards at the clue tables and
pays his dues when they are called for
Now, we claim that this is all wrong, and I'M
less q new spirit 10 infused into our athletic
clubs they will tend TO degenerate into social
organizations, In which the pursuit OF social
that he is training is the only apology n man
puts forth for sustaining from vicious iiiulgen.
ces, the inference is that when he no
longer trains he will no longer abstain. IL the
possibility of winning prize is the only I'm
ducement offered for taking physical exercise
and living purely and uprightly, all interest in
tory. II joining an athletic club simply gives
TO young men an opportunity OF gratifying
achievements OF Others, the day Is not far dis
tant when glove fights, wrestling matches and
more exciting contests will be given by paid
competitors
One OF the worst features OF this medal.
getting, prize-hunting" spirit isa that it do
or Of our q
prizes in athletics, any more than they can In
scholarship or in business. To make, then, the
ton of engaging In athletic sports In the danger
that threatens. Unless the word ''sport" IL a
misnomer, young men should enter into IL
rom The love OF activity and the sense of ex-
hiiaratton that muscular exercise gives 20 the
whole system. The idea of having TO hire the
Ss rs 10 pIy ball
ing mercenary spirit of the age taken posses
sion Of all mankind, including the boys: II 50,
We see but little hope OF the physical improve.
ment OF our people through athletic sports
But many will say: you must have some in.
centive TO hold out TO young men to induce
them 10 exercise, well as the attainment OF
health and physical perfection. Exercise for
the health's sake never did any body any good.
In order to get benefit from physical exertiou
one must be interested In IL and enjoy a, other
wise IL Is work which viii tend 10 weary aud
that prizes and medals offered. But we
have seen that this does not have the desired
effect Mhat then; is , necessary, Before
the exercise itself must be interesting and
enjoyable in order TO be OF benefit. Provided one
give enough attention TO bring about d yieor.
Gus and energetic contraction OF the MUSCLES IL
matters not whether the exercise Is interesting
In Itself. II the exercise is interesting one will
undoubtedly give IL more attention and will I'm
this way more quick Insecure the object desired.
But the one thing necessary to get the mental
stimulus 70 the muscles. Vigorous muscular con-
traction depends upon the state OF the nerves,
and the state of the nerves upon the condition
of the brain. Once convince a young man Of
the importance Of taking systematic care OF tho
BODY, not only as means OF health, I'm its hack
neyed sense, but as = means OF positive en-
ting him TO exercise. Show him I'm hundred
ways what well regulated muscular exercise
win DO for him; that II win give him strength.
ward Oh disease, overcome obstacles, and fight
the battles of life without fear OF failure and
physical bankruptcy. Make him understand
that thought, passion, anxiety, attention, ETC.,
feed upon The body, and how dependent ne In,
not only for his happiness, but for his views Of
life and its possibilities, upon the condition Of
his physical organism. Teach him these things
we say, in q practical common-sense way, by
reference TO statistics, the experience OF Others,
by the study OF biography. etc, and he cannot
be kept from his daily exercise any more than
q scholar can be kept from his books bush
ness man from his newspaper.