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The Body Is to be Servant of the Mind, May 24
A Sound Mind in a Sound Body
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of
love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
Every organ of the body was made to be servant of the mind. The
brain is the capital of the body, the seat of all the nervous forces and of
mental action. The nerves proceeding from the brain control the body.
By the brain nerves, mental impressions are conveyed to all the nerves
of the body as by telegraph wires; and they control the vital action of
every part of the system. All the organs of motion are governed by the
communications they receive from the brain.
The brain nerves which communicate with the entire system are the
only medium through which Heaven can communicate with man and
affect his inmost life. Whatever disturbs the circulation of the electric
currents in the nervous system lessens the strength of the vital powers,
and the result is a deadening of the sensibilities of the mind.
Any part of the body that is not treated with consideration will tele-
graph its injury to the brain.
It is not only the privilege, but the sacred duty, of all to understand
the laws God has established in their beings.... And as they more fully
understand the human body, ... they will seek to bring their bodies into
subjection to the noble powers of the mind. The body will be regarded by
them as a wonderful structure, formed by the Infinite Designer, and given
in their charge to keep this harp of a thousand strings in harmonious
action.
To make a success of Christian life, the development of sound minds
in sound bodies is of the greatest importance.
The harmonious, healthy action of all the powers of body and mind
results in happiness; the more elevated and refined the powers, the more
pure and unalloyed the happiness.
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