The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-11-27
PAULON SELF
DENIAL
suggestion and Practical Thought.

Specially Arranged for This Paper

Rom. 14:2l
Suggestion and Practical Thought.
One.-The School of Self-Control.
Temperance means the control of all
the lower parts of mans being by
his reason, his conscience, and his
will. 1t is keeping the soul on top"
The all pervasiye thought in the
verses of the lesson for to-day is this
self-control the basis of temperance.
Why are we all, even the youngest
children, placed in the midst of so
many temptations, to lie, to steal, to
gamble. to drink Intoxicating liquors,
to be selfish. and disobedient?
Because there is no other way of
opening the door TO mans highest pos
sibilities, his fullest development, his
purest holiness. his greatest happi-
ness. his largest usefulness. All who
would become strong and useful must
gain their power largely through vic
tory over temptation. Ii is thus that
the soul builds itself larger man
sions." 1t is a chief factor in educa-
ton. Men cultivate courage through
in faith through the things that try
their faith They learn business by
taking the risks of business. People
without trials and temptations are al
ways failures.
Why are we so full of impulses and
passions, of faculties and powers that
may be used for good or for evil? Be
cause the question of life with every
man is the question of self-control, of
temperance. Prof Thomson in his
Brain and Personality says that "the
| viii creates the man." I'VE make our
own brains" by repeated choices which
are acts of Will The Will is the
ranking Official of all in man."
Why then do we pray, Lead rs
! not into temptation? Because there
are plenty of temptations for our edu-
cation without our seeking for more.
Because our only true attitude toward
| temptation is that of fighter. con-
| queror. Whosoever goes willingly.
| with desire, into temptation is already
more than half fallen. The mad man,
described in the Greyson Letters. had
an illusion that he was acquainted
with the devil They say the dell
is very busy in tempting men: but he
maun haze an easy time OF. fni think
ing. All of them meet him more than
half way. Tx ane seems to gang to
him and say, 'Haena ye some dainty
temptation for me to-day. now, Daddy
Satan? I'm sair wracked for a coax
ing temptation.
A learned professor wrote the Other
day that people ought to drink little
wine moderately. in order to train
themselves in self-control. But that Is
to throw open the castle of your life tc
the enemy. 1t gives him every ad
vantage. For the tempter is like those
people who go in large band to haze
simple freshman. or as was once
the custom in a national militar,
school to make an unframed newcom
err fight an athlete of an upper class
Two.-Away with the Stumbling
Block of the Saloon. Hon. Neal Dow
was lecturing, one summer evening
and the flies and gnats gathered II
such swarEas around the lamp nea
him that he took his handkerchief an
waved them away. They went for
time, but soon returned. He repeate
his movements with his handkerchief
with the same results. Finally, h
turned around and blew out the light
and henceforward the insects were. n
longer attracted. and kept away. s
warning people away from saloon
will not be enough; you must extil
guish the saloons themselves.
Three.-The Only Safe Way. Don
Begin.--A little couplet. written fe
children, holds weighty wisdom:
: From drink. with its sorrow and ruin an
) sin,
I surely am safe II 1 never begin.
} Said young man to me once
. when I feel thirst coming on thu
Z brings visions of the delight OF I
? stacking, drink all the water that
cana great deal more than | want
and then think of something else
But" one asks. must I not u:
wine because others abuse it?"
Does every one who drinks wine b
come drunkard?
BY no means. But no one ever D
comes a drunkard who refused to tai
the first glass
Several times men have tried to sa
across the Atlantic in a very sms
boat. 1t was very dangerous al
, some succeeded.
But II you cross in one of the gre
liners. which can carry more thu
1000 persons, and can laugh at al
, sport with the waves that would owe
. whelm the little boat. you are as sa
as you are at home. When l cross q
Atlantic | take the great liner
II some millionaire should offer II
81. 900. 900 In gold on condition tn
with il l should take drunkart
ie craving appetite for strong drink. al
I'd run my own risk. would refuse II
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