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Medical Ministry
Manual Labor in the Schools
In all our educational institutions physical and mental work
should have been combined. In vigorous physical exercise, the
animal passions find a healthy outlet and are kept in proper bounds.
Healthful exercise in the open air will strengthen the muscles, en-
courage a proper circulation of blood, help to preserve the body
from disease, and will be a great help in spirituality. For many
years it has been presented to me that teachers and students should
unite in this work. This was done anciently in the schools of the
prophets.—
Letter 116, 1898
.
Study Practical Matters
Too great devotion to study, even of true science, creates an
abnormal appetite, which increases as it is fed. This creates a desire
to secure more knowledge than is essential to do the work of the
Lord. The pursuit of knowledge merely for its own sake diverts the
mind from devotion to God and checks advance along the path of
practical holiness.... The Lord Jesus imparted only such a measure
of instruction as could be utilized.... The minds of the disciples were
often excited by curiosity; but instead of gratifying their desire to
know things which were not necessary for the proper conduct of
their work, He opened new channels of thought to their minds. He
gave them much needed instruction upon practical godliness....
Intemperance in Study
Intemperance in study is a species of intoxication, and those who
indulge in it, like the drunkard, wander from safe paths and stumble
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and fall in the darkness. The Lord would have every student bear
in mind that the eye must be kept single to the glory of God. He is
not to exhaust and waste his physical and mental powers in seeking
to acquire all possible knowledge of the sciences, but is to preserve
the freshness and vigor of all his powers to engage in the work
which the Lord has appointed him in helping souls to find the path
of righteousness.—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students,
405-406