The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-12-10
Eelf.Mastory.

The trouble with this temperance cues.
ton to-day is that we do not make II OF
enough Importance. Why, If any one OF
US were getting up an athletic contest, or
indeed a contest OF any kind, how eager
we would be to make all necessary prepar'
ing undone that We might be sure OF the
winning. And that not because there was
intrinsic value in the little wreath OF olive
that would fade. or the silver cup that will
tarnish by and BY. but for the glory Ct the
achievement. Think how two contestants
waited eagerly for the result Of ::he race be.
tween two yachts little while ago; how
everything that could hinder or help was
thought about and even the winds and
matical precision. We all know how to 60
into things like that when it comes to
things Of this world. Why is it that in the
race for the incorruptible crown we 90 OF.
ten fail, 50 often are lax, so often give IN
dalgences? go,
Athletes have q trainer. one who drills
them every day, and who decides what -
best for each to eat and to drink and to do:
He studies his men and notes the effect OF
what each does upon his physical system,
and gives his directions accordins!y. -,
Spirit And in the Bible are set down our
rules Of living. Such things as We are to
abstain from are there set down, although
they are obviously what a follower OF
Christ. an inheritor of eternity, should let
alone that it scarcely seems necessary.
Drunkenness is one. But who intends to
get drunk? Surely no Christian! Not
even for once would he set out with that
deliberate intention. OF course he might:
when he felt he was setting on pretty well
in his practice, easily outstripping the
IL IL IL
Just once or twice. 1t can do no harm
to relax triHe, he thinks. and Just enjoy
for an hour the sensation of the stimulant.
It's forbidden-yes, of course-but he u so
strong it can do him no harm. And he for.
gets that while he is relaxing the Others
will be gaining upon him. and that in
yielding to himself he is giving up that self
control which only can make him sure OF
winning.
One cannot conquer others when he Is
not master Of himself. Marcus Dods says:
Every mans body is his enemy when IN IN.
stead Of being his servant, it becomes his
master"
This mastery Is shown first, perhaps,
only in aching nerves. which. after YOU
have let them have their own way with
their desires for that which is not good
for them. will turn upon you and make
you suffer with them. By and by the re.
suit grows greater and shows itself in your
own weak will. which, through giving in to
your desires, becomes unable after 4 little
to resist, and though it looks an inevitable
ruin, swift, coming in the face. has no pow.
sr to say "No." when il is seized by the
powerful call OF self.
There are many so-caccd temperance
people who say that temperance means an
ability to drink just little. without drink.
ing too much, and always knowing just
when to stop. There are two kinds OF dis.
eases-one that once having had, the dan.
ger of infection is destroyed; another that
once having had the danger OF infection Is
doubled. Of this latter class Is the disease
OF sim Especially is this true OF the SIN
OF intcmperancc. Once break down the
bars for the entrance OF alcohol into the
human system, and as in the disease OF ap'
pendicitis, its return is twice as easy,
again and again, until the patient il beyond
all human aid, even from q severe operaf
ton.
II a man has control enough over his
body to render him abe to he temperate In
what he drinks. he certainly ought to be
able to master himself far enough to keep
entirely on the safe side and let 1t alone al.
together. We carnot afford to play with
anything so powerful as this sin, for, to
quote once more from Marcus Dods: He
that treats sin as weak or pretended an.
tagonist will shortly be dragged q mangled
disgrace out OF the arena
Therefore, let us keen ever before US the
glory of the incorruptib.e crown and strive
for sclf.mastery.-New York Mail and Ex.
Dress,