The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1908-08-20
dissipation.
(celected.)

DISSIPATION IS ony 1rltLlng away
of the soul's powers. Every life has
its quantum of energy, which, if
rightly used makes for production,
and hence for usefulness and happi-
ness; but if wrongly used makes for
waste, and hence for harm and un-
happiness. The word must not be
confined to the waste and ruin OF
drink, gambling, and late hours of
sinfulness. but any Indulgence which
tends to destroy energy or the right
working of the soul, is dissipation.
The escape of steam into the air is
the dissipation Ct steam. This use
of the word dissipation points to its
true meaning. This is not saying
that there must be no pleasure from
relaxation. The most productive
forms of energy have their periods
Of rest and relaxation. But we must
distinguish between the pleasure of
relaxation and the pleasure of dissi-
patton. Here is simple illustra-
ton: The man who has done day
of honest work relaxes when he sits
down at home to read the evening
paper, but the man who spends much
time simply in reading papers is dis
sipating the powers of his soul.
which should have been spent in
work. This illustration is really a
case in point which, alas, is too COM
mon. The big sheets of the Sunday
paper are spread before the eyes OF
man with an immortal soul while
the bells are ringing and calling for
the exercise of his souls energy in
the sacred rest of worship. but 10!
he is dissipating, as he giances at the
news, or takes in the pictures, or
reads a story. The result is that his
soul has been debauched by his men,
tai and spiritual dissipation.
Here is another case in point
Night after night a bright boy, witt
good instincts and home training
went to see the moving pictures
He was fascinated. Under brilliant
electric lights interesting scenes
co.nic, serio-comic, lifel'ke In cd
pearancc, moved before him. Tn
surf Of the ocean beat on the shore
the mountains lowered before him
And there were pictures of wrecks
rohberies. funny situations, unhapp
situations, rrd coarse domestic com
edies. His brain would almost swir
as he gazed at these trembling. dane
ing, pictures. He talked of ther
during the day and went back t
them at night.
Son" said his father, one ever
) Ing, "-os must quit going to tn
2 moving picture sf:ows."
] A cloud came over..the boys hand
j some face as he answered, peeVisl
y:
+ why; what is the harm?"
"sit down, son." said the fathel
. and let ne explain. / notice tha
{ you are in hurry to get your lei
sons for school, and thet You are ge
II ting nervous, restless, and Some
= times unhappy under the care Of III
tie home duties -
+ And tnen he lovingly explained
l. the boy that he was dissipst':g n
IS energies Of mind and soul and body
e and appealing to the lads ambitio
}. to make the most Of himsef in Il
?, best of his srlc cre Of service, he o
+ tained his consent to safe Ills none
L his time, and his energy by lettir
. the moving pictures alone.
Il And yet soEae Ole who reads tt
St incident will mistake the whole poi
At by saying that we are "preachl'
to against" moving pictures. That
e. itself one evidence of the evil OF d
sipation. It weaieiis The fansr
Up good judgment. No such thin
at We are writing earnestly about t
H. evils of dissipation, no matter
70 what form!