The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-06-22
temperance.

N1llPNA ClA1NNs
IHERE is no one who places any
value on life that does not de-
sire all the benefits and bless
ings which it contains. Yet
there are many who seek to obtain
these advantages by methods which
are opposed to all natural laws. Tenn
perance is one virtue that cannot be
omitted without curtsiling much of
our happiness. Moderation in using
Intoxicating liquors is ordinarily ac-
cepted as defining temperance but we
must carry this virtue beyond such
restricted definition if we would realize
its full benefits. Continued care should
be exercised in restraining our appe-
tites and passions. Excess in eating
often produces physical ailments that
destroy the pleasure and benefits
which should be derived from moder-
ate use of food. Likewise an over-in-
diligence in any of the gifts of nature
and they are all blessing If rightly
used-not only annuls their benefits
but also brings about reaction more
or less harmful according to the degree
of excess.
Innumerable volumes have been
written for the purpose of setting forth
the cause of the decline and fall of
empires. Read them as carefully as
we may, considering all the reasons
given and all the theories advanced
for their retrogression, we are, at last,
forced to the conclusion that their de-
cay and inevitable destruction was the
direct result of disregard Of temper
ance by the subjects as we'll as by their
rulers.
4 The philosophers of Greece deducted
their morals from the. nature of man,
rather than from that of God. If they
could not understand the importance
of piety they unquestionably recognized
the necessity of pursuing a moderate
or temperate course. Those rulers who
followed closely the philosophic teach
ings of their age were the ones that
secured to the people the greater abun-
dance of the necessaries and comforts
of life, and added strength and pres
tige to their governments. Those who
were dissolute and abandoned to their
own selfish pleasures soon dissipated
: the public wealth, weakened the
national resources of the country,
. blighted the good influences of their
predecessors, and finally wrought ruin
to themselves and to their country as
well. This is not all. A vice that has
/. sufficient deteriorating influence to de-
stroy powerful governments, also has
influence enough to prevent the forma-
tion of others, thus producing the
alternative of the inhabitants of a
$ country being compelled to live under
l a set of rules that are vacillating and
3 inadequate to furnish the protection
: and advantages which only good
Q government can provide.
: If Washington and the other patriots
of our revolutionary war had been men
who we're guided by nothing else than
q selfish interests by intemper-
: ate desires, instead of celebrating the
9 Fourth of July, as we now do, we
would be attending royal jubilees and
Q crying ourselves hoarse for God save
y some king or queen whose sovereignty
J, we fairly detested.
q 1t is not necessary for us to GO to
T historY-either ancient or modern
). to see the evil of intemperance. A
s casual glance will suffice to point out
/ its baneful effects. Aside from reli.
,. gion and morality, temperance is a
virtue that we should assiduously cul-
tivate as it will yield reward with
out which our happiness cannot be
complete. Nature has created and
continues to create suficiency OF
everything that is needful to man and
generously invites all to bountifully
partake, but she is no respecter of per-
sons and will inflict a punishment on
those who do not observe her laws.
Our thoughts, conversation and
actions, as well as our appetites, should
all be regulated by discipline that
will insure moderation, thus reducing
much friction and eliminating many
unpleasant features and consequently
producing more harmonious an(
better mode Of living. PAUL.
]. ii Ss # Il SIS # So H sI Il : 4 & Ia