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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
love stamp their own image upon the outward man. That person
who is actuated by true disinterested benevolence is a partaker of
the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust; while the selfish and avaricious have cherished their
selfishness until it has withered their social sympathies, and their
countenances reflect the image of the fallen foe, rather than that of
purity and holiness.
Invalids, I advise you to venture something. Arouse your will
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power, and at least make a trial of this matter. Withdraw your
thoughts and affections from yourselves. Walk out by faith. Are
you inclined to center your thoughts upon yourselves, fearing to
exercise, and fearing that if you expose yourself to the air you will
lose your life; resist these thoughts and feelings. Do not yield to
your diseased imagination. If you fail in the trial, you can but die.
And what if you do die? One life might better be lost than many
sacrificed. The whims and notions which you cherish are not only
destroying your own life, but injuring those whose lives are more
valuable than yours. But the course we recommend will not deprive
you of life or injure you. You will derive benefit from it. You need
not be rash or reckless; commence moderately at first to have more
air and exercise, and continue your reform until you become useful,
a blessing to your families and to all around you. Let your judgment
be convinced that exercise, sunlight, and air are the blessings which
Heaven has provided to make the sick well and to keep in health
those who are not sick. God does not deprive you of these free,
Heaven-bestowed blessings, but you have punished yourselves by
closing your doors against them. Properly used, these simple yet
powerful agents will assist nature to overcome real difficulties, if
such exist, and will give healthy tone to the mind and vigor to the
body.
In this age of the world, when vice and fashion control men and
women, Christians should possess virtuous characters and a large
share of good common sense. If this were the case, countenances
which are now clouded, bearing the marks of disease and depravity,
would be hopeful and cheerful, lighted up by true goodness and a
clear conscience.
The do-nothing system is the greatest curse that has befallen our
race. Children so unfortunate as to be brought up and educated by