compulsory, but as a rule they leave the physical training, which should supplement the intellectual, to be worked out by the children themselves.

But now I want to say a few words on the importance of developing the body. It is important, first, because the body is the home of the mind, which every one is trying to develop to the greatest degree. The body has the most intimate relationship with the mind, and in great measure is its servant, and obeys the command of the will. The will speaks to the body through its motor nerves, and the body responds according to the sharpness of the command, and its ability to obey. But the body influences the mind in an important way, also. A puny body means a small supply of blood, which means limitation in mental endurance, and in recuperation after prolonged mental effort. The brain is fed by the blood, which is also its scavenger, carrying away the waste matter produced by the process of thought. Now, it is as apparent as the fact that one and one make two, that, other things being equal, the man who has the largest supply of rich, pure blood will be able to give more sustenance to his brain, to cleanse it better and more quickly of its waste, to work longer and produce better thoughts, and to recover sooner after the work, than a man who has a smaller supply of blood, and that not so pure. There are other influences, however, which affect the mental powers, otherwise the man who has the largest quantity of blood within his body would have the greatest mental development. There are great differences in the quality of brains, some being much more highly convoluted and sensitized than others, but, given such a brain, it would many fold increase its power if assisted by a plentiful supply of pure blood.

Further, health and vigor of the body in all its organs affect the health and vigor of the mind. Full health and vigor can only come when the body is developed in all its parts. Man is a unit made up of a complexity of parts, which bear a sympathetic and helpful relationship to each other and to the whole, according as these parts are in a healthy condition.

An abused stomach or an exposed nerve is sufficient to set aside mental application for the time being.

It is easy to see how important, how absolutely necessary, it becomes for man to possess a good physical development. If force of circumstances, or ambition, or unwise living, enter into his life in such a way as to tax his body severely, then his life becomes full of trouble and exhaustion. Yes, and how often is one's body taxed in the ordinary affairs of life. We must catch a train. It is necessary to run in order to do this, sometimes to run fast. If our body is in proper physical condition no harm will result, but if otherwise we run at a great risk of a serious strain, for we have never subjected ourselves to enough exercise to strengthen properly the heart and lungs. Walking along the street one falls on the ice. If the muscles of the body are in proper condition nothing serious will result, but should the accident befall a poorly developed person, the shock and bruises may seriously affect his health. But there are a thousand and one ways in which a fine physique is found necessary in a lifetime. Much of the tired feeling, and nearly all the collapses of middle life, can easily be avoided by giving proper attention to physical training in our younger days. One so developed is not subject to this languor, and is almost unconscious that he possesses a body.

We should be proud of our physical development. The young man with a fine physique walks along the street knowing and feeling his strength, and with the consciousness that he can take care of himself. His muscles fairly ache to rescue some one from danger; to stop a runaway team, or to perform some other heroic deed which seems in keeping with his fine physical development and muscular prowess. And what lad is there possessing such muscular powers who does not think of such things, and is not constantly on the alert for just such opportunities for usefulness? Such a young man will be quick to act when emergencies come. He will not be confused, for he knows his capabilities and can quickly bring them into service.

Yes, every boy and girl, every young man and woman, can well afford to give time and attention to acquiring a healthy and vigorous body. It is time to call a halt on puny, sickly, hollow-chested and weak-kneed men and women. There are enough such people in the world now, who are moaning with pain and sending forth their sad complaining, and you, my boys and girls, you, my young men and women, are the ones to call the halt. Develop that body which God has given you. Run and romp and play games; skate and ride your bicycle; row and swim; play baseball and football and tennis; engage in all the sports of youth in fact, and then, in addition to doing these things which take your fancy, take gymnasium work under a good instructor, and you are well started toward a happy and successful life.

The Advantages of Difficulties.

REV. WILLIAM DEWITT HYDE, D.D., President Bowdoin College, Maine.

HE philosopher Kant remarks that a dove, inasmuch as the only obstacle it has to overcome is the resistance of the

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air, might suppose that if only the air were out of the way, it could fly with greatest rapidity and ease. Yet if the air were withdrawn, and the bird were to try to fly in a vacuum, it would fall instantly to the ground, unable to fly at all. The very element that offers the difficulty to flying is at the same time the condition of any flight whatever.

The chief difficulty which a locomotive has to overcome in moving a train is friction. Yet if there were no friction, the locomotive could not move the train a single inch. The resistance of the water against the prow is the chief difficulty that the steamship has to overcome; yet if it were not for this same resistance of the water against the blades of the propeller, the ship would not move at all.

This same law, that our difficulties are the conditions of our success, holds true in human life. A life freed from all difficulties would be a life shorn of all its possibilities of power. Mind, like matter, is plentifully endowed with inertia. Powers not called into active exercise lie dormant. And powers suffered long to lie dormant die. Difficulty is a spur that wakes us up and compels us to exert our powers. And the exertion gives us new power; and so out of our difficulties is born our strength. The child of luxury, whose wants are gratified, whose faults are overlooked, whose whims are indulged as fast as they arise, has no occasion to develop self-control, self-reliance, self-support. Hence he grows up without them; and when the time of

trial comes he is found heartless, helpless, hopeless, in the face of conditions which the sons of poverty and toil master with perfect ease.

This is the reason why the average country boy so easily outstrips the average city boy in the keen competitions of city life. The city boy has hosts of acquaintances and friends; while the boy from the country is an utter stranger. The city boy has polished manners; while the boy from the country may be awkward and bashful. The city boy is given a good start in the office; while the country boy has to begin out in the factory or warehouse. The city boy has friends on the lookout to secure him chances of promotion; while the country boy has to work his own way by his own exertions. This goes on perhaps a dozen years; and to all appearances the city boy has altogether the best of it. At the end of that time there is a change. A man is wanted who thoroughly understands the business from top to bottom; one who can put into it energy and force; one who will give his days and nights to its development and extension. It is no longer a question of granting favors to this or that individual. It is now a question of urgent need. The business must have the right man or fail. The firm turns to these two young men. One has been in the office all these years; comfortable and contented; he has saved nothing, not taking the trouble to familiarize himself with the petty details of the business or to cultivate the acquaintance of the men who are actually engaged in the rough, hard work which it involves. He does very well where he is. He is a good bookkeeper. But he is not qualified to take the control of the actual work. The workmen would take advantage of him. Customers would get the best of him. He will not do. The firm turns to the other young man. He has learned the processes peculiar to

the business. He knows the men with whom he has had to deal. He has had a small salary, but has saved a portion of it every year. He understands the business better than anyone else. He wins the promotion he deserves. The boy who has had to earn his living knows the value of a dollar as the boy