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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
useless in the world, that he is, at least, of some benefit. This will
afford him satisfaction, give him courage, and impart to him vigor,
which vain mental amusements can never do.
The view that those who have abused both their physical and mental
powers, or who have broken down in either mind or body, must suspend
activity in order to regain health, is a great error. In a very few cases
entire rest for a short period may be necessary, but these instances
are very rare. In most cases the change would be too great. Those
who have broken down by intense mental labor should have rest from
wearing thought, yet to teach them that it is wrong and even dangerous
for them to exercise their mental powers to a degree leads them to
view their condition as worse than it really is. They become still more
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nervous and are a great trouble and annoyance to those who have the
care of them. In this state of mind their recovery is doubtful indeed.
Those who have broken down by physical exertion must have less
labor, and that which is light and pleasant. But to shut them away from
all labor and exercise would in many cases prove their ruin. The will
goes with the labor of their hands, and those accustomed to labor would
feel that they were only machines to be acted upon by physicians and
attendants, and the imagination would become diseased. Inactivity is
the greatest curse that could come upon such. Their powers become
so dormant that it is impossible for them to resist disease and languor,
as they must do in order to regain health.
Dr. E has made a great mistake in regard to exercise and amuse-
ments, and a still greater in his teaching concerning religious ex-
perience and religious excitement. The religion of the Bible is not
detrimental to the health of body or mind. The exalting influence of
the Spirit of God is the best restorative for the sick. Heaven is all
health, and the more fully the heavenly influences are felt the more
sure the recovery of the believing invalid. The influence of such views
as are advanced by Dr. E has reached us as a people in some degree.
Sabbathkeeping health reformers must be free from all these. Every
true and real reform will bring us nearer to God and heaven, closer to
the side of Jesus, and increase our knowledge of spiritual things and
deepen in us the holiness of Christian experience.
It is true that there are unbalanced minds that impose upon them-
selves fasting which the Scriptures do not teach, and prayers and
privation of rest and sleep which God has never required. Such are not