206
Counsels on Health
courses; but if they get beyond the boundaries of these, they lose their
soundings.
The old-fashioned pastor, who traveled on horseback, and spent
much time in visiting his flock, enjoyed much better health, notwith-
standing his hardships and exposures, than our ministers of today, who
avoid all physical exertion as far as possible and confine themselves to
their books.
Ministers of age and experience should feel it their duty, as God’s
hired servants, to go forward, progressing every day, continually be-
coming more efficient in their work and constantly gathering fresh
matter to set before the people. Each effort to expound the gospel
should be an improvement upon that which preceded it. Each year
they should develop a deeper piety, a tenderer spirit, a greater spiri-
tuality, and a more thorough knowledge of Bible truth. The greater
their age and experience, the nearer should they be able to approach
the hearts of the people, having a more perfect knowledge of them.
[195]