The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-29
URGE MEN TO CULTURE
LOCAL PROFESSIONAL MEN AID
DRESS FIRST METHODIST
PLATFORM MEETING
CARE OF THE BODY ESSENTIAL
Judge Brill Emphasixes the Neces-
sity of Sound Physique to the
Development of the Best Mental
and Moral Possibilities Prof.
Thompson, of Hamline, Urges
Culture of the Mind.

Jur1st and pedagogue delivered short
lay addresses at the First Methodist
church last evening, while the pastor.
Rev. +. B. Cowgirl, sat as an auditor.
Inc subject under discussion was "Care
ana culture of Ones Self" Judge Has
cal R. Brill and Prof. w. e. Thompson,
or Hamline university, were the speak,
ers
Pror. Thompson spoke first, urging a
closer study OF the commonplace things
or everyday life. The American people
were prone. he thought, to devote too
little time to the culture of their minds.
ana the study Of the thousands of SUBJ
Jects that could be pursued with profit.
He believed it was we'll for a man to
have a hobby. But few men could con-
centrate their thought or one subject for
any length OF time without an effort.
win nearly every one 1t was true that
thelr thoughts wandered, at leisure mo-
ments, over great range and variety of
subjects, but analysed no one in par
llcular. He stated that a wise economy
OF leisure moments would, in a short
time. show remarkable results. No man
was so busy that he could not find time
TO devote certain length of time each
DAY to study or the perusal Of a certain
subject by uncharitable persons some
times called hobby Many of the
most celebrated literary men in history
and of the present age attained their
greatness through close application and
systematic culture of the mind. The pow
er or concentration was only possible by
application. Henry Ward Beecher. aside
from his exacting pastorate duties, found
time each day to read twelve minutes in
the histories Of the world. The people
OF today were, Prof. Thompson said, in
cilned to regard matters of this sort as
unfmportant, and as result, nine times
out of ten. self-culture was neglected in
the race for pecuniary gain. He urged
that such culture need not interfere with
the busiest mans work, and told of a
number of busy commercial men who had
left lasting evidence of their genius in
the literary world
Close observation of the commonplace
should be cultivated. Some men might
travel all over the world, and see moth
Ing Of interest in the ancient archives of
the old world, while a. well read and
we'll Informed man travelling abroad
would astonish the guides by his ia
miliarity with the objects of his inter-
est.
Judge Brill discussed the relation of
the body and the mind. The condition
Of the body had much to do with the
workings Of the mind, and the comfort
and pleasure of the individual. Unkind
words, and. indeed, even crime, were
often the immediate results of a dis
abled digestive apparatus, or some other
disability. 1t was therefore obvious that
supreme care should be taken of the
body. Neglect in this respect was often
the result of thoughtlessness, rather
than design, and was not uncommon with
young people. The body of man was
originally perfect, but the many abuses
to which 1t had been subjected had low
cred it from its once high estate. When
1t was considered that tons of medicine
and hundreds Of physicians were used to
combat the frailties Of man the import
ance Of strict observation Of the rules of
health would be apparent, even to the
careless Judge Brill contended that no
man need break down from overwork if
the rules Of health were properly OBJ
served, and a little time given each day
to beneficial exercise. The average man
did no more than he had to, and there
fore the Office man was frequently the
sufferer, because of inactivity. Pope Leo,
who was IN childhood and youth deli
cate, but who through system in diet
and exercise had prolonged his life to
the age of ninetytwo. had developed TO
one Of the greatest men In Europe. Judge
Brill also urged that every one make the
very best possible use of their spare
time. Gladstone, with the weight Of the
British empire on his shoulders. found
fiYona 70. 81
often inclined to sit around and read
cheap novels 1t was mans duty to his
family and to the community to store
his mind with good things. The infinite
resources Of the mind were worthy Of
the best attention.