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Physical Labor for Students
With the present plan of education, a door of temptation is
opened to the youth. Although they generally have too many hours
of study they have many hours without anything to do. These leisure
hours are frequently spent in a reckless manner.... Very many young
men who have been religiously instructed at home, and who go out
to the schools comparatively innocent and virtuous, become corrupt
by associating with vicious companions. They lose self-respect and
sacrifice noble principles. Then they are prepared to pursue the
downward path; for they have so abused conscience that sin does
not appear so exceeding sinful. These evils ... might be remedied in
a great degree if study and labor could be combined....
Some students put the whole being into their studies and concen-
trate their minds upon the object of obtaining an education. They
work the brain, but allow the physical powers to remain inactive.
Thus the brain is overworked, and the muscles become weak be-
cause they are not exercised. When these students are graduated,
it is evident that they have obtained their education at the expense
of life. They have studied day and night, year after year, keeping
their minds continually upon the stretch, while they have failed to
exercise their muscles sufficiently....
Young ladies frequently give themselves up to study, to the ne-
glect of other branches of education even more essential for practical
life than the study of books. And after having obtained their educa-
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tion, they are often invalids for life. They have neglected their health
by remaining too much indoors, deprived of the pure air of heaven
and of the God-given sunlight. These young women might have
come from school in health had they combined with their studies
household labor and exercise in the open air.
Health is a great treasure. It is the richest possession that mortals
can have. Wealth, honor, or learning is dearly purchased if it be at
the loss of the vigor of health. None of these attainments can secure
happiness if health is wanting....
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