Democratic messenger., 1893-05-13
MISSION OF THE BICYCLE.
An Eloquent Discourse by Il BOs-
ton Minister Who Thinks the
Bicycle is u Gift from

Bicycle is u Gift from
Heaven.
The Rev. F. H. Hinmar, of the South
Boston Presbyterian Church, preludet
his sermon on Sundy last by an addres:
on the Mission of the Bicycle which is
one of the ablest discourses on the sub
iect that has emanated from the pulpit
lie said in part
''If could place bicycle, any of the
better models, in hands Of every man and
woman, teach them how to use them, and
then be sure that they would use them
judiciously. would ring in more sun
shine, give greater impetus to the du-
ties of life and make life seem by far
more worthy of living than by any other
human agency known to man" said the
preacher.
II would do away with a quarter of the
work of our physicians. l would save
many business and professional man
from failure. would eliminate multi
tude Of hasty words and resultant enmi-
ties, make the wife better wife and the
husband better husband. make the home
more haven Of peace, make our boys
and girls better students. add ten years
to the average life of the race and give
the country at large the finest system ot
roads possible. These are only few oi
the things l would accomplish. but, il
only tenth part of this, would have
justified my affirmation that the bicycles
mission to the world Is as messenger OF
gladness.
1--WE come to take life as we grow away
from our boyhood days in too serious a
mood. We leave our marbles, our ball
our SIX ates. our fun behind us and pass
between the grim portals of life's cares
and duties.
"As we go on the echoes of the past
laughter comes up to mock us. We long
to recede TO the days of youth. with its
fun and frolic, but there is no return.
There are cares and duties on the right
hand, and on the left and before, but our
fun and laughter is behind us.
I'VE long to lay aside the dignity OF
manhood and womanLood. TO flee away
for few hours from the serious business
life. but there IS no escape.
but suppose You own wheel. There
is your escape. There is your instru-
ment of fun and frolic. and you can take
your dignity along. The time for the
duties Of the day is over. You mount
your silent steed, and there is motion
and speed and change of scenery; there
is forgetfulness, for the time, of cares
and duties; you glide along, and 10! you
are at the summit of the hill.
You place your feet on the coasters
and glide away toward the base, and you
are boy again sliding down hill. only
you have no sled to draw up, tor you
ride both ways. Before you know it
laughter comes back Sunshine fills the
soul. The cares of life and its duties
thereafter are cushioned with pneumatic
tires, and the fun os youth becomes pro-
jecied through our maturer years. Try
it, and you will say that the half has
never been told.
"One-third of our diseases can be trac-
ed to few causes. Among them as the
principle ones are the lack of exercise
and impure air. Systematic exercise in
the open air Is cure for many of our
ills. Loss of appetite. insomnia, indi-
gestion, come mostly from failure 10
take this antidote for bodily ills.
"Try the bicycle again. Ride it syste-
matically and pcrsistently. You get the
pure air, and you are compelled to
breathe it IN deep too. All your lungs
are brought into play. Your blood be-
comes purified. You get proper exercise,
and with it exhilaration and fun. Your
appetite returns. You begin TO sleep
again. Before you know it you are healthy
and strong
what We need is something TO steady
our nerves, TO give us courage to meet
men and events.
TRY the wheel again. Ride away from
your cares. Look at your life's battles
from the top of Arnold Arboretum oil
from the reservoir. Try it every day and
you will find that you can conquer after
all that nine-tenths of your enemies are
those of straw. You will get new grir
on things. new outlook on life. new
hope.
II told a business man that last weeb
and he said, You are right. have tried
it in just that way. get discouraged il
my business some days. Everything seem,
about to slip through my fingers. Then
get on my wheel and ride for an hou
and everything seems changed. hav,
new courage, new outlook
TRY it., and see if the wheel will no
span the chasm of your future and bring
you on TO success.
IF we expect 10 get on and up in this
life we must care for these bodies whicl
God has given us While the spirit resides
in the body II will he in scnce subjec
to II. Keep the body healthy and stronl
and the spirit will triumph. but it become
a task for a giant when health has disap
peared.
"There is nothing like the wheel 70
steadying the nerves. have ridden ava
from nervous prostration. from insomnii
, and the loss of appetite into n brighter
and know if could put into the hands o
every one of You this night and feel sur
that you would use them faithfully.
would have done much TO make you
present life successful and happy.
aa'El.s hi....la Ia ..ni E.l IL Las Il