THE USE OF PAIN - a 19th century article

I do a bit of modelling, and i paint, but my actual career is working as an archaeologist. Part of that work involves background research for sites, diving into how the land was used and the people who lived and worked there. I can’t even remember what exactly i was researching when i found this article from the Wallaroo Times (South Australia) from April 1880, but it was one of the most beautiful things i’ve read in a long time so i wanted to share it. It was listed under ‘Miscellaneous Items’ and had no author listed…

The use of pain - The power which rules the universe, this great, tender power, uses pain as a signal of danger. Just, generous, beautiful nature never strikes a foul blow; never attacks us behind our backs; never digs pitfalls or lays ambuscades; never wears a smile upon her face when there is vengeance in her heart. Patiently she teaches us her laws, patiently she writes her warning, tenderly she graduates their force. Long before the fierce, red danger light of pain is flashed, she pleads with us - as though for her own sake, not ours - to be merciful to ourselves and to each other. She makes the overworked brain to wander from the subject of its labours. She turns the overindulged body against the delights of yesterday. These are her caution signals, “Go slow.” She stands in the filthy courts and alleys that we pass daily, and beckons us to enter and realise with our senses what we allow to exist in the midst of the culture of which we brag. And what do we do for ourselves? We ply whip and spur on the jaded brain as though it were a jibbing horse - force it back into the road which leads to madness, and go on full gallop. We drug the rebellious body with stimulants, we hide the original and think we have escaped the danger, and are very festive before night. We turn aside, as the Pharisee did of old, and pass on the other side with our handkerchief to our nose. At last, having broken Nature’s laws, and disregarded her warnings, forth she comes, - drums beating, colours flying - right in front! to punish us. Then we go down on our knees and whimper about it having pleased God Almighty to send this affliction upon us, and we pray to him to work a miracle in order to reverse the natural consequences of our disobedience, or save us from the trouble of doing our duty. In other words, we put one finger in the fire and beg that it may not be hurt.