Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1912-12-06
PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
Written for Judge c. |. Buttons
Sunday School Class.
lPubIished by request.(

In the Scripture we find the highest
possible standard assigned to our physi-
cal organism. Yes, even to the very
height of sanctity. The body is the
Temple of the Holy Ghost, the earthly
tabernacle of the soul. Hence it be-
comes our prime duty to keep the body,
like other instruments of higher SER
vice, in the best condition for useful
ness that we may serve not only our
own good but that of others. GAS
man thinketh, so he is" By system
of training the body becomes the plastic
medium of the soul.
Man is so united-body, mind and
soul-that the mental, moral and spir-
itual beings are inter-dependent and
must have equal care. If any part of
the physical organism is out of repair
or position the nerves of the brain
are correspondingly out of adjustment
and thoughts do not come well-baanced
because nerve impressions are re-
stricted
In the present educational system the
brain is crammed in the effort to de-
velop it, while little care is given to the
circulation and nourishment of brain
tissues necessary for clear brain i'm
pressions, hence those who live a Sc
dentary life are quite likely to be vic
tins of some nervous disorder. 1t re-
quires a sound body to encase a sound
mind.
Bodily poise is equilibrium, mental
poise is equinimity, moral poise is
equity. The harmonious relations of
these represent the perfect man. 1t is
only by system of training of the
body as we'll as the mind that we obtain
symmetrical development, the har-
monious whole, the ideal humanity.
For study of this subject we need
to turn our attention to the ancient
Greeks. Here we find best represented
the "human form divine" No nation,
ancient or modern, ever gave so much
attention to physical education as did
the inhabitants of this small island, lying
| III I06 mediterranean sea.
With the people of ancient Greece
physical education commenced in early
childhood. 1t was a compulsory part of
the daily curriculum of school life. No
other nation ever achieved such intel =
ectual heights. They excelled in every
department of learning-in history, art
literature, poetry, philosophy and ora
tory. The names of such men as Plato,
Aristotle, Homer, Sophocles, Demos
themes. and Socrates have left immortal
legacies in the intellectual world.
1t is a deplorable fact that our
schools and institutions of learning
have neglected this most important
branch. The dead languages or some
other studies of doubtful Importance
have taken precedence. Physical work
is not all that is necessary. 1t is in
symmetry, not in immensely of strength
that health lies. Mere gymnastic exer-
cises, unless scientifically directed, are
worse than useless.
The mechanic, blacksmith, the ath-
lete, the ballplayer exercise one set of
muscles at the expense of all others,
which is not the desired goal or the
highest type of bodily development.
The athlete and pugilist are usually
short lived. A thorough knowledge of
this subject brings health, strength,
beauty of form, grace of manner along
side of the perpetuity of youth. We
are not taught the fundamental princi-
pies that govern the laws of health and
hygiene. We need to learn to breath e
correctly. Scientists tell US that full
and deep breathing from the diaphragm
is one of the most vital functions in life.
Deep breathing aids circulation and is
vitalizing.
We need to learn habitual poise of
body and mind and the proper carriage
of the body as regards head and torso
that the organs may be kept properly
adjusted as nature intended. If chill
dren were taught that STOPPING form
and dropping shoulders contracted the
chest, weakened the pulmonary organs
and interfered with the organs of res
piration, that carrying the head for
ward cramps the larynX, giving dis
astrous effect to the vocal organs, no
doubt much i'll health and tendency to
disease would be avoided in later life.
In keeping the body upright the bones
are often called on to do the work that
nature intended the muscles to do.
The subject of physical education has a
broad scope. 1t is most important
factor in elocution, vocal music and
psychology. There is no study knowl-
edge of which gives better guidance
in life than the study of that flesh
bound volume-Self.