The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-04

The parable Of the talents is one OF the
most familiar and most practically use
ful in the Bible It's point is so plain
and so practical that even the most I'M
cultured audience can see II. Its appli-
cation is universal, and its lesson Make
the most Of yourself" IS drilled into every
child especially every child OF New Erg-
land birth and antecedeuts.
II is doubtful, however. If even vet the
fuu meaning Of this wonderful anegOiy
has folly impressed us We have become
f. used 10 considering talents as merely
intellectual endowments, that we forget
the VI ried gifts which a kind Providence
has bestowed upon us. and which are all
equally entitled to the name and treat
nent Of talents" Some to whom nature
has denied fine mental gifts have beauti-
ful faces. or pleasing manner. or that
lofty standard of moral excellence which
IS above all else Some have delighted
homes into which Il IS a privilege to enter.
Others have wealth with which 20 endOw
Institutions OF learning or of charity. The
lists OF talents IS almost as varied as the
names IN the directory No one is denied
his gilt. however small 81 may be- and II
IS the duty OF every man 20 find out and
20 improve 20 the utmost his special en-
dowment. In a powerful sermon recently,
Or T. p. Terhune brought out strongly
the well-suppOTted theory that Dives had
evidently been most 20 blame, not in COM
hitting great crimes. but in falling 10 i'm
prove his opportunities and talents.
There is one talent which belongs 10 all
Of us. perhaps the most valuable Of any
that we have yet usually the most de-
spised. the most pitiably maltreated. IT
is the human body. Upon the correct and
faithful operation OF this complicated
machine depends all Of our earthly happi-
ness and usefulness. Beauty wealth, line
manners, fame-all are Valueless 10 him
whose body is diseased or disoTdcred.
Yet the culture Of the mind, regard for
outward appearance. the pursuit or the
pleasure Of the moment. almost anything
IS put before the respectful care Of the
body This springs largely no doubt from
the old monkish belief and later that OF
the Puritans, that II was a virtue TO
mortify and disregard the body, and dis
tinctly discreditable TO keep II In FIRST
class order 1t must seem 10 a well-bal-
anced mind as though nothing could more
offend the Maker of all things than TO
see one Of his most valuable and lad
rnirable executions boorishly and stupid
~ abused. So important 10 a Virtuous
and successful life is the health OF this
delicate instrument, that II is perhaps
not too much 10 say that the man whose
body is thoroughly healthy. IS with proper
predisposition and intelligence within II,
proof against immortality. unreasonable
ness and malice. Noted physicians attri-
butte the vast majority of crimes TO the
unhealthfulness Of the bodies OF those
committing them.
The value of physical training is well
illustrated by the care which athletes
take Of themselves. They know well
that a little over-indulgenec or dissipa-
ton. or the failure to undergo a certain
exercise may make Just the difference
between victory and a defeat. IL Is so
all through life. 4 tit Of sickness. brought
on by careless exposure or brutal self
qualification, has lost many a man life
prize far more valuable than any medal
or decoration of honor. The insane habit
among women OF wearing tight clothing
has deprived many an infant If its
mother. and even OF it's own life. while
the nameless but appalling disorders 10
which it gives rise in almost every case
deprive the world yearly of incalculable
quantities Of strength and Of cheer
The slightest restraint upon muscle.
circulation or organic action is harmful,
how harmful no mortal can possibly
know When we begin TO apply outward
pressure to those inward organs the
very purposes OF some of which physiolo-
gists are as yet unable TO tell, we are
meddlng with profound mysteries. Who
knows how the bones are formed within
us2
How can we presume I'm our barbarous
stupidity 10 cTamp and hinder perhaps
even 10 stop altogether the action of the
helpless organs on which our blood and
life del end? a wOman's clothing should
BE- as loose and as unimpending as a
mans. perhaps even looser, in order that
her fun power may be developed and eX-
ertcd. In the complex life which a
woman must lead nowadays not an iota
Of her strength can she suffer 10 run to
waste.
When one thinks Of the narrow line be-
tween profit and loss, between pathos and
bathOs. between the sublime and the ri
diculOus between life and death, one re-
allies anew the awful Importance of the
margin of strength" 1t is a direct in
suit 20 her Maker that any woman should
voluntarily rob herself of any OF the
strength and efficiency which He has
mercimly bestowed upon her for wise
PURPOSES. Romance.