The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1938-05-26
Lesson for May 20
MAINTAINING PERSONAL
EFFICIENCY

LESSON TEXT-Dan. 1876, 49, 20;
Cor. 9:24-27.
GOLDEN TEXT-Every man that striveth
for the mastery is temperate in all things
I Cor 1925.
PRIMARY TOPIC-How Daniel Pleased
JUNIOR TOPIC-Ten Times Strong.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
In Training for the Game of Life.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
LIQUORS Effect Upon Working Efficiency.
Personal efficiency is a subject
which is receiving much attention
in our day. There has never been
so much accurate and disable infor-
nation as we now have regarding
diet, exercise, and medical care.
The mind as well as the body has
come in for attention and scores
of books are available on the de-
veloDment and full use of the pow
.ers of personality. Some of these
are trash, but others are helpful.
Business is cooperating with the
school and the home in giving boys
and girls the opportunity to grow
up to be useful and happy members
of society. The church adds it's i'm
portant contribution, although we
must confess that it is far from what
it might be by the grace and power
of God
|. A Sound Mind in a Sound Body
Dan. 1916, 10, 20).
Daniel and his three Hebrew COM
panions had been brought to Baby
Ion as captives, and were there
chosen to enter the royal school for
future service at the court Every
provision was made for the students
chosen for that school. Their diet,
however, included not only meat
which was unclean to the Jew but
wine, which Daniel knew to be I'M
desirable. 1t took holy holiness to
ask to be excused from that which
the king had prescribed, but Daniel
was blessed not only with courage,
but with tact and courtesy. A ten
day test of a simple diet and water
proved so successful that the plan
was continued. At the end of the
three-year course the Hebrews were
not only physically stronger but
mentally and spiritually superior.
The experience of Daniel and his
brethren is not just an incident
eagerly grasped at by "blue-nosed re-
formers" to prevent their neighbors
from enjoying" Intoxicating liquor.
The testimony of science, of business,
of experience in all ages, proves
that the use of even an amount of
alcohol so small that the user does
not feel its presence materially
reduces endurance, accuracy, and
rapidity of muscular action of all
kinds" (Emerson). It so cuts down
the ability to think clearly and to
react promptly to danger that it is
absolutely taboo with such respon-
sible workers as railroad engineers.
1t is not stimulant, but narcotic,
which dulls the nerve centers. DR..
Edward Rosenow says, 'The use
of alcohol as beverage is never
justified. There is no such thing as
the right use of beverage alcohol"
OuOI4 ulOI IldIlOll DIS IIlc dDONG 10
available in publications of temper
ance organizations, books by vari-
Gus writer's, and even in publica-
tons by state liquor commissions.
1t is published in newspapers and
magazines and circulated by safety
organizations and insurance COM
panies. Yet, unbelievable as it may
seem, the use of liquor is on the
increase.
II. Success in Life Calls for Self
Control q Cor. 9:24-2O.
Paul delighted in illustrations
taken from the athletic field. He
talked of running a race, of fighting
a good fight. He knew the athletes
need of keeping his body under.
The one who serves his school or
athletic association in physical COM
petition gladly surrenders his per-
sonal liberty to the guidance of the
coach. He eats carefully, sleeps full
nights, exercises consistently, and
above all does not use alcohol in
any form. Listen to the words Of
great athletic coaches-Yost: 81
would not waste my time trying to
train or develop one who uses al
cohol." Stage: Coaches and train
ers are dead against the use of al
coholic liquors, even beer"
Paul rightly points out that all
these sacrifices are made by men
for what is but a transient earthly
crown. How much more should we
do for the sake of our souls. Tenn
perance instruction may well stress
the physical and mental degrade
ton that follows the use of alcohol,
but above all let us teach boys and
girls that its use has sent countless
souls to eternal punishment and sep
aration from God We should be
deeply moved by the loss of person
al efficiency, but what shall we say
about the loss of a soul?