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Section 12—The Prevention of Disease and Its Cure by Rational Methods
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Nature’s Great Medicinal Resources
In the efforts made for the restoration of the sick to health,
use is to be made of the beautiful things of the Lord’s creation.
Seeing the flowers, plucking the ripe fruit from the trees, hearing the
happy songs of the birds, have a peculiarly exhilarating effect on the
nervous system. From out-of-door life, men, women, and children
will gain the desire to be pure and guileless. By the influence of
the quickening, reviving, life-giving properties of nature’s great
medicinal resources, the functions of the body are strengthened, the
intellect awakened, the imagination quickened, the spirits enlivened.
The mind is prepared to appreciate the beauties of God’s word.
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Why should not the young men and women who are seeking to
obtain a knowledge of how to care for the sick, have the advantage
of nature’s wonderful resources? ...
God helping me, I will do my utmost to show the life-giving
power of sunshine and fresh air. How much better it is for the sick
to be in the open air than within four walls, decorated though these
walls may be with many pictures!—
Letter 71, 1902
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Healing Power in Outdoor Life
The surroundings of a sanitarium should be as attractive as pos-
sible. Out-of-door life is a means of gaining health and happiness.
As the sick look upon the beautiful scenery, as they see the flowers
in their loveliness, they will venture to take a few steps outdoors to
gather some of the flowers—precious messengers of God’s love to
His family in affliction here below. In flower garden and orchard,
the sick will find health, cheerfulness, and happy thoughts....
What an influence an outdoor life among the flowers and fruit-
laden trees has upon those who are sick both in body and in mind!
After they stay for a short time at a sanitarium situated in the midst
of the beauties of nature, hope begins to take the place of despair.
The heart is softened by the objects of beauty in nature, that the
great Master Artist has given to mankind as pictures in which are
portrayed His goodness and love....
Encourage the patients to live out of doors. Devise plans to
keep them outdoors, where they will become acquainted with God