The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-04
GOOD AND BAD EFFECTS.
Athletic Sports the Subject of Rev. DR..
Hareourt,s Sermon.

Athletic Sports the Subject OF Rev. DIR.
Harcourt's Sermon.
A sermon on "The Good and Bad Effects
of Athletic Sports was preached last even
ing at the Howard-street Methodist Episco-
pal Church by Rev. DR.. Harcourt The text
was Corinthians /, ix:25. 26.
Reference was made to one OF the most
prominent features in the life Of
st. Paul, his deep interest In
the affairs of men. Grand as was
bis mission to preach the unsearchabie
riches of Christ, he never bee me oblivious
to the concerns which took up so large
place in the passions and pleasures of men.
His course. therefore. is one safe to follow. Q
He strove to instruct men through things
interesting to them; he talked things that
already had place in their thoughts and
about which they showed some concern. In
Athens he is greatly interested in their
many affairs, and he tells the polite Athe-
mans that they are religious over much.
something of which he could not accuse the
present generation.
All the Apostles meetings show a great
familiarity with the national sports-run-
ming, wrestling, charioting and gladiatorial
contests. The 2musements of people are
somewhat of an index TO the tastes and
tendencies of people. When the Roman
noble went into the barracks of the gladia-
LOI5 anu Dtl HIS SeSLeIto upon lNcAI CuluCCa
in the morrow's contests, the evil omen of
the scene was not in the mere bru-
tality of the sport, but i'll the disappearance
OF all that had once made up the Roman
idea. The relaxation OF mind and body,
which is found in outdoor sports, is by no
means the most important circumstances
connected with them-they are tell-tales OF
the trend of thought and life.
Looking at matters in this light it Is
serious QUESTION that meets us, how far the
Kla lnff II md
From all the accounts we have OF national q
collegiate and private sports we are in
clined to believe that the Americans are
not far behind the nations of the Old World
that have been famous on these lines In the
annals of history. Three weeks ago yes
terday the attendance at the games OF the
two leagues was 1912 in New York, and at
Brooklyn 1890. At Boston il was L, 724 and
at Philadelphia 1852. These figures do not
show any defamation in the interest the
people take in baseball.
The question whether l do OF do not
favor such tests Of strength is but of little
Importance" said the speaker. "As in the
days Of the Apostle Paul such contests
were common, and we do not find him vast
ing his time or strength in trying to abolish
them. So tonight l desire to follow in the
footsteps of the great Apostle, who was not
afraid to draw illustrations for the inforce-
ment of truth from the arena and the race
course. Favor or not favor athletic sports,
we cannot deny the fact that they are tile
most prominent subjects OF thought and
conversation. Our morning and evening
papers devote from two TO three columns u
their valuable space almost every day In
order to keep us informed eff who are the
successful contestants.
''And all through this land more men
stand with upturned faces reading the
records OF the baseball match, or the sl0g-
ging match. on the bulletin boards OF great
daily newspapers, than are to be found
lifting their eyes in prayer to God for
direction and help. To all of this there is
a good and bad side. Physical education
is good and necessary thing "A sound
mind in a sound body In view of this our
schools and colleges have given great at:
tention of late years to physical. develop
ment. We have no college OF any pretense
whatever in our land that has not its gym.
nahum and its ball and boating clubs.
Some of our wisest and ablest instructors
have of late been led to call a halt on this
line.
"They have learned from close observa-
ton that the champion rover, wrestler and
baseball champions are seldom heard of al
ter their school days are over. ct the old
saying is still true, All work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy while the reverse is
just as true, 'All play and no work makes
Jack mere Turk Our greatest danger as
nation is not too much play, but too much
work. God Almighty never intended that
the chief aim ana end of man should be
work. We as people stick too close to
work. We need more holidays in our cal
endar-mord rest and recuperatlon Tor body
and mind"
The preacher dweIt at large upon the long
training and discipline necessary for excel
lence in all athletic sports, of the sef-denial,
the perseverance and the courage essential
to success, and all of this for a cOrruptibe
crown. "Oh what should we not do TO gain
an iQcOrruptible crown ?"