Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-07
LEARNING The art OF LIVING
The International Sunday schooLesson September Is
THE Benefits of Total Abstinence Dan. Oh. t."
by WILLIAM II. ELLIS

Men study how to do everything
but live. No man would enter a COM
mercial venture with the same heed
lessness and lack of foresight and un-
derstanding with which men airily
take up the great business of life.
Plan, purpose, philosophy-most of
us have none. 1t really seldom oc-
ours to us to prepare for living as
for the most serious undertaking of
our existence. How to live serenely,
sunnily and serviceaDiy and in the
full exercise of our powers is a great
problem, which is none the less real
because so often ignored.
Daniel and his young friends
sought excellence. They were first
class hands at the art of living. So
they were willing to do without some
things in order to win better. The
common luXuries of court life were
less alluring to them than the power
of self-restraint and efficiency. They
priced judgment above appetite
which is the very core of the tenn
perance principle.
The Christian conception of life
his no place for tenus of ease. 1t is
not q pleasant abiding in luxurious
palaces. 1t is a march. a battle, q
war. The virtues it demands are the
fighters virtues; of these prepared
ness is one OF the nrSt.
Let your loins be girdled about"
said Jesus. That is gather up your
flowing robes, fasten them into the
belt, and be ready to march or fight
or work. AS a fireman is ready with
in a few seconds at any hour of
the night or day to mount the en-
gine and be off; as n bathing master
watches beach, ready to leap into
the water the instant any one is in
danger; as newspaper correspond
ent is ready to go to the end of the
earth at an hours notice; so the
Christian is to keep himself ever in
state of perpetual preparation.
Alert livesN are few. Opportunity
finds most lives unready when he
knocks at their doors. Even in the
lesser things in the material world.
the keen, self-contained, vigilant
character is the exception rather
than the rule. Few persons have
themselves well in hand, all the
time. with full control over all their
powers.
Here soldiers on guard duty have
one trying experience every day, and
possibly two or more. The first is at
guard mount, when their equipment
and dress and general fitness are
carefully inspected: and later, as a
sentry patrols his lonely post he is
likely to be unexpectedly challenged
by the officer of the day, and asked
for his general orders" or orders
of the day." or to have his efficiency
tested in some other manner. This
is discipline; thus military standards
are maintained. The only way to be
ready for an emergency test is to be
ready at all times
\ Mans Rights
The abiding principle that under.
lies the temperance principle is "Ab-
stinence for the sake of Others" 1t
is based on u famous passage in
Paul's writings Strengthening out the
feeble young Church in Young Cor
NTH as to its due, as to respect to
meats offered to idols. The practices
that troubled the Corinthian Chris
tians have been outgrown, but the
principles remain, and a principle is
more important than any practice.
Clear thinking Paul perceived that
man has rights. He was never sway
ed away from his intellectual moor
ings by any hazy sentimentality. So
he planted his feet firmly on the big
and abiding proposition. "All things
are lawful for me-" Again, why is
my librety judged by another's con-
science?" The right of personal lib
erty. of Independent judgment, of
freedom of action, was unequivocally
reaffirmed by this sagacious phil
osopher.
Some men have wished that Paul
had been discreetly silent here. His
utterance has interfered with their
desire to impose their opinions,
tastes, and habits upon other people.
There have been jealous friends of
temperance who would declare that
drinking of any alcoholic drink is
sin in itself, and they would excom-
municate every church member not
az total abstainer. But this will not
do. 1t is counted to mankinds in
nate conviction of justice and coun-
ter to the plain teachings of Scrip
ture.
The reformer, of all men, must
Keep a level head. No respectable.
saloons for him, and on the other
hand no summary condemning to
outer darkness of the man who sim
cerely believes in thus fighting the
devil with tire-or, to employ n more
correct IgurN. in <aaniDo dayiI