476
Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
their place of labor. The work committed to them is important, and
they need healthy nerves and brains; but it is impossible for their minds
to be enlivened and invigorated as God would have them, while they
are incessantly confined at the office. I was shown that it would be a
benefit to the cause at large for these men, standing at the head of the
work at Battle Creek, to become acquainted with their brethren abroad
by associating with them in meeting. It will give the brethren abroad
confidence in those who are bearing the responsibilities of the work,
and will relieve these brethren of the taxation upon the brain, and will
make them better acquainted with the progress of the work and the
wants of the cause. It will enliven their hope, renew their faith, and
increase their courage. Time thus taken will not be lost, but will be
spent to the very best advantage. These brethren have qualities which
render them in the highest degree capable of enjoying social life. They
would enjoy their stay at the homes of brethren abroad, and would
benefit and be benefited by interchange of thought and views.
Especially do I appeal to Brother C to change his course of life.
He cannot exercise as others in the office can. Indoor, sedentary em-
ployment is preparing him for a sudden breakdown. He cannot always
[517]
do as he has done. He must spend more time in the open air, having
periods of light labor of some special nature, or exercise of a pleas-
ant, recreative character. Such confinement as he has imposed upon
himself would break down the constitution of the strongest animal. It
is cruel, it is wicked, a sin against himself, against which I raise my
voice in warning. Brother C, more of your time must be spent in the
open air, in riding or in pleasant exercise, or you must die, your wife
become a widow, and your children, who love you so much, become
orphans. Brother C is qualified to edify others in the exposition of the
word. He can serve the cause of God and benefit himself by going out
to the large gatherings of Sabbathkeepers and bearing his testimony
for the edification of those who are privileged to hear him. This change
would bring him more out of doors, into the open air. His blood flows
sluggishly through his veins for want of the vivifying air of heaven.
He has done well his part in the work at the office, but still he has
needed the electrifying influence of pure air and sunlight out of doors
to make his work still more spiritual and enlivening.
June 5, 1863, I was shown that my husband should preserve his
strength and health, for God had yet a great work for us to do. In His