In consequence of the insurgence of the lower elements of human nature and the weakening of the controlling powers, one of the first necessities of natural life, social life, and spiritual life, is that the animal proclivities in man should be held in check. One of the chief functions of education both mundane and religious is to supply such a control; for, without it, there is no providing for the future, no progress, no harmonious common life. We need to be carefully disciplined in order to learn how to renounce a present enjoyment for the sake of a larger one in the future, a lower one for a higher, a material for a spiritual and eternal one. Again, the existence of a community demands the restraint of individual vagaries; there is no liberty or enjoyment of rights without some restraint on the liberties of others, and the enforcement of duties. Discipline and self-control and strict obedience to a guiding authority are essential conditions for all combined action, whether in warfare, in industry and commerce, or in religion; else there is nothing but intestine conflict, the neutralizing of energies, and chaos instead of ordered progress. "If you bite and devour one another, take heed you be not consumed one of another" (Gal. v. 15). You need always to keep your passions well in hand like a restive horse. Never relax the tension lest they overcome your power. If your will should lose the habit of mastery over the passions they will hurry you headlong to destruction. Continue Reading.
