The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-19
our Many IIindrances.

A thorough understanding Of our weak
ncsses and free acknowledgment OF
them (even TO ourselves) is "A great step
toward their overthrow. Two generals
cannot night each other until they
have felt out each others position and
have become acquainted with the topo-
graphy OF the battlefield. il either thinks
DIE can, he will be wofully deceived. SO
with US.
The hindrances that we have 10 meet
may bo divided into physical, mental ana
spiritual hindranecs.
Considering them in the order named,
we first take up physical hlndrances.
These in their turn may be put In TWO
classes. hereditary hindrances and those
We bring upon ourselves 10y our disregard
OF natural laws. A consideration OF the
whole materia medica would only be the
first step ia this subject. We all nave
these hindrances ia a greater or less de-
gree. and as a rule, know them. 90 10y
following earnestly the laws mace Tor
the guidance Of our body we must llVe 90
that we may overcome our weaknesses as
much as possible, and bring into our cir
cles an atmosphere of health, strength
and cheeriness. The last Is possible even
though we cannot attain the others
OF our mental hindrances we may speak
more AT length As Americans we nave
one that is almost an epidemic II 10
haste. We hurry to accomplish our WORK,
We hurry TO get rich. we hurry In our
endowment. And by this haste what 90
We ioseg We lose appreciation. When
ono thing is DONE we have no time 10
mink II over. we must rush 90 another
Undertaking. A fierce application to busi-
moss means "A corresponding relaxation
after business hours. Haste makes waste
Is there not much waste In our lie OF To-
dave Does not our haste undermine our
lttsfs4 fah II
how many crimes are caused ~ the ue-
sire for rapid mOney-making? Apply
haste 10 the mishaps of our lite, ana hee
into how many II enters
Another Of our enemies is self-deprecia-
tion. the constant and even moroid SER
examination 10 which we so otteh suDJeCt
ourselves. a constant analyzinB OF our
motives and thoughts. rms, II seeliis "
mo. must cngendcr seif-mistrust' Il car
,laa IN AN excess. If we have a hlsn
estimation of ourselves and our ainls'
81 We feel that what we are 10 accom-
pNsh must he lofty 10 DO US hohor' anu
tbat we must be lofty to do honor 10 our
Father. who has put IT In our power 10
realize our high ideals, we shaH 40 pee
Ter than II from constant selI-crlticisn''
we have too poor an opinion Oh OURSELVES
L. make the effort 10 do well.
one of our spiritual hindrances IS self
seclusion, the feeling that the world is
wicked. that things are going wrong anu
the consequent impulse 70 Withdraw oui
solves AS much as possible from contact
with such things: that we can better our
eelvcs II we remain aloof and attehu
strietlv 10 making ourselves good ieeii9s
tbat there is 10 chance for US III inc
world This was the feeling OF the her-
mis- of old. We need constant contact
with the world, the feeling not now pau
th. world is. but how can we throw our
tnfuence ana work and make II better.
Now as TO meeting our hindranceS' Mhao
can We say Everything Is tod US WIN
tba Church in our minds as an aclud'
fact TO be used every moment, not 10 pe
mn away with our Sunday lesson uhlli
the next Sunday. as we TOO OFTEN 10.
Int let us feel that our least thoush'
and action are Just as closely related 10
cnr epiritual life as the sermon we near
am Sunday. That If for moment we
lose our spiritual side in our every gay
,norts thines viii go wrong. mat IL Is
orlv bv having the highest respect loi
ourselves that we can accomplish ueeus
worthy of respect. TO me the most ire
rnerqous fact about our hindrahces Is,
mat ST we appreciate them II we me-
them as God tells MS 10, we ma no mn,
ORANGES: they have changed ana nav
become helps. and have raised us 70
HEIGHT that we could never nave rea0ho0
had our lines fallen In easy places