Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05
BY Ex-eov. Lionel A. Sheldon

TT HE desire for amusement is innate
in the human species, and it is
manifested oy indulgence in
games. Athletic games have ever been
most common. History shows that they
have been INDUCED in by all classes of
people, in all ages and countries Of
which we have knowledg-. The i'm
pulse to develop and display physical
strength and skill is quite universal;
generally it is stronger than to pro-
mote the intellectual.
The requirements of nature prompt to
Indulgence in athletics, which accords
with the law of physical growth. In
man IS the spirit of combat, and it is
manifested in games of whatever char
acter. Without that spirit obstacles
would not be overcome. nor would there
be any great human progress.
Games are Indicative of the tastes
and character of individuals and a
people.
History says little or nothing of
games before the Greeks became a
noted people. If records were relied
on they would appear 20 have been the
originators of athletics, though it is
certain that earlier peoples indulged in
them. Those instituted by the Greeks
were artistic and elevating. The first
display of athletic games, so far as we
are informed, was at the funeral of
Patroclus 1900 to 1900 years before the
Christian era.
Greek Games
The Grecian games were the Olym-
plan, Pythian, Nemaean and Isthmian
in which were chariot and foot racing
archery, boxing, wrestling and putting E
of the weights. The Olympian were the
most celebrated. They were held neal
some shrine or conSecrated spot anc
connected by myth or legend with some
hero, demigod or local deity. Olympia
was a closed spot where was the grove
of Altis in which were ranged the
statues of the victorious athletes. The
games were participated in by all the
Grecian cities, and they constituted E
bond of union of all the Hellenes.
Grecian games were unique and en-
nobling of the spirit as well as in
vigorating to the body. In connection
with them was no betting, gambling
bookmaking or pool selling. Those who
sought entrance to the lists were sub.
jected to rigid examination touching
physical, mental and moral qualities
and any proving defective in either was
rejected. None was accepted whose
j
observances. Pedigree was inquired
into that there should be no doubt as tC
purity of Hellenic blood,
To be a recipient of honor publicly
conferred on the victor was the only in.
centive-the successful was awarded E
crown or a wreath of Minervan olives
Poets sang of them. The highest citi.
zens, the aspirants to civil positions
and military command, entered th'
lists, and victory was an important
round in the ladder to the goal of am
bition.
In his application for command of the
Athenian armies the best claim o
Alcibiades was that he had been victor
in an Olympian contest. The games 81
developed high character that their i'm
press remains to this day, so much 81
that it has been suggested that they
be revived in some OF our educationa
institutions.
The effect of the regulation and man
agement of the Grecian games was up
lifting to the mass OF the people. Ii
them were displayed artistic qualities
otherwise manifested in poetry, sculp
ture and architecture The athleti
games trained the youths for war
which was then deemed the highest oc
cupation of life The lrtans carrie,
physical culture and the indomita bl
spirit to the greatest etent, as wa
demonstrated at Thermopylae. Battle
were then won Nv physio i strength an,
endurance, skin in hIadling weapons