Disease That Begins in the Mind
53
sound bodies is of the greatest importance.—
The Review and Herald,
October 31, 1871
.
Children Who Are Pressed Too Hard Too Early—In the school-
room the foundation has been too surely laid for diseases of various
kinds. But, more especially, the most delicate of all organs, the brain,
has often been permanently injured by too great exercise.... And the
lives of many have been thus sacrificed by ambitious mothers. Of
those children who have apparently had sufficient force of constitution
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to survive this treatment, there are very many who carry the effects of
it through life. The nervous energy of the brain becomes so weakened,
that after they come to maturity, it is impossible for them to endure
much mental exercise. The force of some of the delicate organs of
the brain seems to be expended. And not only has the physical and
mental health of children been endangered by being sent to school at
too early a period, but they have been the losers in a moral point of
view.—
Healthful Living, 43, 44, 1865
. (
Selected Messages 2:436
.)
Disease Sometimes Caused by Self-centeredness—Many are
diseased physically, mentally, and morally because their attention
is turned almost exclusively to themselves. They might be saved from
stagnation by the healthy vitality of younger and varying minds and the
restless energy of children.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:647
(1871).
Very few realize the benefits of the care, responsibility, and ex-
perience that children bring to the family.... A childless house is a
desolate place. The hearts of the inmates are in danger of becoming
selfish, of cherishing a love for their own ease, and consulting their
own desires and conveniences. They gather sympathy to themselves
but have little to bestow upon others. Care and affection for dependent
children removes the roughness from our natures, makes us tender and
sympathetic, and has an influence to develop the nobler elements of
our character.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:647
(1871).
Depressing Emotions Injurious to Health—It is the duty of ev-
eryone to cultivate cheerfulness instead of brooding over sorrow and
troubles. Many not only make themselves wretched in this way, but
they sacrifice health and happiness to a morbid imagination. There are
things in their surroundings that are not agreeable, and their counte-
nances wear a continual frown that more plainly than words expresses
discontent. These depressing emotions are a great injury to them
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healthwise, for by hindering the process of digestion they interfere