Chapter 1—Its Importance
The Nicest Work—To deal with minds is the nicest work in which
men ever engaged.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:269
(1873).
To Know the Laws That Govern Mind and Body—It is the
duty of every person, for his own sake and for the sake of humanity, to
inform himself in regard to the laws of life and conscientiously to obey
them. All need to become acquainted with that most wonderful of all
organisms, the human body. They should understand the functions of
the various organs and the dependence of one upon another for the
healthy action of all. They should study the influence of the mind upon
the body and of the body upon the mind, and the laws by which they
are governed.—
The Ministry of Healing, 128
(1905).
Train and Discipline the Mind—No matter who you are ... the
Lord has blessed you with intellectual faculties capable of vast im-
provement. Cultivate your talents with persevering earnestness. Train
and discipline the mind by study, by observation, by reflection. You
cannot meet the mind of God unless you put to use every power. The
mental faculties will strengthen and develop if you will go to work
in the fear of God, in humility, and with earnest prayer. A resolute
[4]
purpose will accomplish wonders.—
Life Sketches of Ellen G. White,
275
(1915).
Potential of the Disciplined Mind—Self-discipline must be prac-
ticed.... An ordinary mind, well disciplined, will accomplish more and
higher work than will the most highly educated mind and the greatest
talents without self-control.—
Christ’s Object Lessons, 335
(1900).
To Deal With Minds a Paramount Work—The future of society
is indexed by the youth of today. In them we see the future teachers
and lawmakers and judges, the leaders and the people, that determine
the character and destiny of the nation. How important, then, the
mission of those who are to form the habits and influence the lives of
the rising generation.
To deal with minds is the greatest work ever committed to men.
The time of parents is too valuable to be spent in the gratification of
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