Ministers of the Gospel
381
and thus give nature a chance to rally. Our laborers could do more by
their example to advance health reform than by preaching it. When
elaborate preparations are made for them by well-meaning friends,
they are strongly tempted to disregard principle; but by refusing the
dainty dishes, the rich condiments, the tea and coffee, they may prove
themselves to be practical health reformers. Some are now suffering
in consequence of transgressing the laws of life, thus causing a stigma
to rest on the cause of health reform.
Excessive indulgence in eating, drinking, sleeping, or seeing, is
sin. The harmonious healthy action of all the powers of body and mind
results in happiness; and the more elevated and refined the powers,
the more pure and unalloyed the happiness. An aimless life is a living
death. The powers of the mind should be exercised upon themes
relating to our eternal interests. This will be conducive to health of
body and mind. There are many, even among our preachers, who
want to rise in the world without effort. They are ambitious to do
some great work of usefulness, while they disregard the little everyday
duties which would render them helpful and make them ministers after
Christ’s order. They wish to do the work others are doing, but have
no relish for the discipline necessary to fit them for it. This yearning
desire by both men and women to do something far in advance of their
present capabilities is simply causing them to make decided failures
in the outset. They indignantly refuse to climb the ladder, wishing to
be elevated by a less laborious process.
[418]