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there would be danger of imitating them in many things and losing
sight of the exalted character of this great work. And should those
connected with this enterprise cease to look at their work from a high
religious standpoint, and descend from the exalted principles of present
truth to imitate in theory and practice those at the head of institutions
where the sick are treated only for the recovery of health, the special
blessing of God would not rest upon our institution more than upon
those where corrupt theories are taught and practiced.
I saw that a very extensive work could not be accomplished in
a short time, as it would not be an easy matter to find physicians
whom God could approve and who would work together harmoniously,
disinterestedly, and zealously for the good of suffering humanity. It
should ever be kept prominent that the great object to be attained
through this channel is not only health, but perfection, and the spirit
of holiness, which cannot be attained with diseased bodies and minds.
This object cannot be secured by working merely from the worldling’s
standpoint. God will raise up men and qualify them to engage in the
work, not only as physicians of the body, but of the sin-sick soul, as
spiritual fathers to the young and inexperienced.
I was shown that the position of Dr. E in regard to amusements was
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wrong, and that his views of physical exercise were not all correct. The
amusements which he recommends hinder the recovery of health in
many cases to one that is helped by them. He has to a great degree con-
demned physical labor for the sick, and his teaching in many cases has
proved a great injury to them. Such mental exercise as playing cards,
chess, and checkers excites and wearies the brain and hinders recovery,
while light and pleasant physical labor will occupy the time, improve
the circulation, relieve and restore the brain, and prove a decided ben-
efit to the health. But take from the invalid all such employment, and
he becomes restless, and, with a diseased imagination, views his case
as much worse than it really is, which tends to imbecility.
For years I have from time to time been shown that the sick should
be taught that it is wrong to suspend all physical labor in order to regain
health. In thus doing the will becomes dormant, the blood moves
sluggishly through the system and constantly grows more impure.
Where the patient is in danger of imagining his case worse than it
really is, indolence will be sure to produce the most unhappy results.
Well-regulated labor gives the invalid the idea that he is not totally