insurance
practise has been developed so as to include the secure investment of
surplus earnings in conjunction with the insurance of a sum payable at
death."

I am a great believer in the efficiency of savings-banks as character
builders; but life insurance has some greater advantages, especially in
furnishing that imperious "must," that spur of necessity so important as
a motive to most people.

People can put money into savings-banks when they get it, provided some
stronger desire does not overcome the inclination; but they feel that
they _must_ pay their insurance premium.

Then again, money obtainable just by signing the name is so easily
withdrawn for spending in all sorts of ways. This is one reason why I
often recommend life insurance to young people as a means of saving. It
has been of untold value as an object-lesson of the tremendous
possibilities in acquiring the saving habit.

I believe that life insurance is doing a great deal to induce the habit
of saving. When a young man on a salary or a definite income takes out
an insurance policy he has a definite aim. He has made up his mind
positively to save so much money every year from his income to pay his
premium. Then it is easier for him to say "No," to the hundred-and-one
alluring temptations to spend his money for this and that. He can say
"No," then with emphasis, because he knows he must keep up his insurance.

An insurance policy has often changed the habits of an entire family from
thriftlessness and spendthrift tendencies to thrift and order. The very
fact that a certain amount must be saved from the income every week, or
every month, or every year, has often developed the faculty of prudence
and economy of the entire household. Everybody is cautioned to be
careful because the premium must be paid. And oftentimes it is the first
sign of a program or order,--system in the home.

The consciousness of a sacred obligation to make payments on that which
means protection for those dear to you often shuts out a great deal of
foolishness, and cuts out a lot of temptation to spend money for
self-gratification and to cater to one's weak tendencies.

The life insurance policy has thus proved to be a character insurance as
well, an insurance against silly expenditures, an insurance against one's
own weak will power, or vicious, weak tendencies; a real protection
against one's self, one's real enemy.

Among the sworn enemies of thrift may be nam