It is a good rule that the saint should keep his body pure from smoking and excess drinking. And he should certainly keep his body clean of drugs either of the narcotic or stimulant types unless it be under proper medical attention.

In such a drug-accustomed world as ours, is it any wonder that foolish young people, scared of the violence and uncertainties of the world into which they have been born, should turn to drugs that will take them into a dream world? Unfortunately there is always the awakening to an even more terrible mental state as one becomes addicted to drugs.

What is not realized even by the habitual user of “hard” drugs, is that he has set himself on a course of moral, spiritual, and physical deterioration which may result in irreparable damage to the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, and bladder. Or the victim may find himself suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other serious ailments.

One of the worst dangers of drugs is that different people react to them in different ways. A few “pep” pills have made some people feel over-confident and led them into silly actions. Others have become vicious and brutal, in a few cases to the extent of murder; whilst others have become so depressed by the pills as to commit suicide.

We have to work in the world, or we may have to leave home for further study. But wherever we find ourselves, and however young we may be, we are ministers of the Word and lights in the world. It should be our business to expose the unfruitful works of darkness, meanwhile keeping ourselves “unspotted from the world”.

The world can be a cruel place; it is also a testing ground. But we have the assurance that, if we are loyal to our spiritual heritage, we shall with the Father’s help conquer the world:

“Whosoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”