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for themselves, but are continually violating the laws of health, and
make no efforts to prevent disease. When we do all we can on our part
to have health, then may we expect that the blessed results will follow,
and we can ask God in faith to bless our efforts for the preservation of
health. He will then answer our prayer, if his name can be glorified
thereby. But let all understand that they have a work to do. God will
not work in a miraculous manner to preserve the health of persons
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who are taking a sure course to make themselves sick, by their careless
inattention to the laws of health.
Those who will gratify their appetite, and then suffer because of
their intemperance, and take drugs to relieve them, may be assured that
God will not interpose to save health and life which is so recklessly
periled. The cause has produced the effect. Many, as their last resort,
follow the directions in the word of God, and request the prayers of
the elders of the church for their restoration to health. God does not
see fit to answer prayers offered in behalf of such, for he knows that if
they should be restored to health, they would again sacrifice it upon
the altar of unhealthy appetite.
There is a class of invalids who have no real located disease. But
as they believe they are dangerously diseased, they are in reality in-
valids. The mind is diseased, and many die who might recover of
disease, which exists alone in the imagination. If such could have their
minds diverted from themselves, from noticing every poor feeling,
they would soon improve. Inactivity will cause disease. And to this
the indulgence of unhealthy appetite, and drug-taking, and those who
had no real located disease will become invalids in very deed. They
make themselves so. If such would engage in cheerful, healthy labor,
they would rise above poor feelings. Even if they should become
very weary at times it would not hurt them. As they would accustom
themselves to healthy, active labor, the mind would be occupied, and
not find time to dwell upon every ache and pain.
If invalids would dispense with medicines of every description,
and improve their habits of eating, and exercise as much as possible
in the open air, their names would soon be dropped from the invalid
list. The power of the will is a mighty soother of the nerves, and can
resist much disease, simply by not yielding to ailments, and settling
down into a state of inactivity. Those who have but little force, and
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natural energy, need to constantly guard themselves, lest their minds