Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-04-20
THE WORK AND SPIRITUAL RESULTS
Physical Director Dixon's Essay Read Hefore the Y.M. c. A. State
 Conventfoo

It should be the first object of every Physical Work to improve the physicaleondition of the community. To make the boys erect and graceful, to give the young men strong, healty, energetic bodies. and teach them how to use them, 0 give the business men, good lungs, good digestion. and refreshing sleep, and teach the parents to appreciate the gymnasium which has come tocoun- teract the tendency our nineteenth century civilization has to sap the vitality of their children.
 More than this it should propose to instruct the public, whenever there is occasion, and awaken public interest in every kind of wholesome, moral athletic work, which will con tribute to give a sound mind in a sound body. By it's equipment, it's environment, it's support and it's talent, the Y. NJ. C. A. Physical De- partment, should stand first, every city, among tae organizations for the advancement of physical eduaa- tiOn.
 IL should contribute to the spirit ual, social, and moral interests of the community. but apart from this, it should occupy the first place be- cause of merit as a physical depart ment, and should be worthy of the support of the community because of it's physical V ork alone.
 Even though it contributes to the social, intellectual and spiritual in our cause. unless it promotes physi- cal excellence it must loose it's sup porters and de.-And not alone to perpetuate itsel;; but because of the great need: physical education should be its first purpose. You observe the great heed for this physical develop ment as you walk the streets of any city. You see it as you come in con tact with book-keepers, and sales men. You think of it when you are called to the bedside of your sick friend. You so frequently realize this need as you watch your pastor in his pulpit You can noeice it even as you look about this room for less than one-third Of your friends hove strong. erect and graceful bodies; lungs capable of throwing off the disease which suggests itself and an ability to eat hearty meal and en- joy it.
 And you have no right to have puny lungs, and stoop shoulders, and weak back and dyspepsia. and indigestion.
 For know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwcleth in youI If any man destroy the temple him will God destroy; for tho temple of God is holy; which temple ye are" Cor. 3-l6
 Do any of you Secretaries apply yourselves so closely that you can t have little time for exercise every day? If you do it will be only few years until ycu take a little time to be sick every month. Do any of you neglect your bodies tp push this work which the Lord has called yon to do? If you do you will be prema- l turely old and nnftted for your work, and some other man will pus h it.. Did your ever know q minister who was so absorbed iii his work that he didn't guard his health; did- not find out that he had dyspepsia or consumption or rheumatism or pneumonia until he died and left twenty years work undone? In a measure defeated the plan of the Creatoro Do you think the Lord said well done'' to that man2
 tell you that next to saving your own soul, there is no work the Lord has given you to do, on this earth, oi more importance than keeping your own body capa ole and useful, I suppose that the Spirit of God will dwell in you just the same, even Il the dwelling is a neglected and tumbletl down old shanty. At least as long as you keep the dwelling clean by avoiding cigarettes and tobacco and whiskyl. But we ought to remember that the body is the temple Of the Holy Ghost, and "tht temple of God is Holy. Which tenn pie ye are?''
 The physical director who fails tc realize that he is making more than g finely prepnrtioned animal or whu llabors year alter year in the same Icommunity without an effort to make the public look upon physical | education as something more than r,.,oolo is. pcspnfiallV WfOpg.