522
Counsels on Health
times are before us. The whole world will be involved in perplexity
and distress, disease of every kind will be upon the human family, and
such ignorance as now prevails concerning the laws of health would
result in great suffering and the loss of many lives that might be saved.
While Satan is constantly doing his utmost to take advantage of
men’s ignorance and to lay the foundation of disease by improper
treatment of the body, it is best for those who claim to be sons and
daughters of God to avail themselves while they can of the opportu-
nities now presented to gain a knowledge of the human system and
how it may be preserved in health. We are to use every faculty of mind
which God has given us. The Lord will not work a miracle to preserve
anyone in health who will not make an effort to obtain knowledge
within his reach concerning this wonderful habitation that God has
given. By study of the human organism, we are to learn to correct
what may be wrong in our habits and which, if left uncorrected, would
bring the sure result, disease and suffering, that make life a burden.
The sincerity of our prayers can be proved only by the vigor of our
endeavor to obey God’s commandments.
Virtue of Character
Evil habits and practices are bringing upon men disease of every
kind. Let the understanding be convinced by education as to the sinful-
ness of abusing and degrading the powers that God has given. Let the
[505]
mind become intelligent, and the will be placed on the Lord’s side, and
there will be a wonderful improvement in the physical health. But this
can never be accomplished in mere human strength. With strenuous
efforts through the grace of Christ to renounce all evil practices and
associations and to observe temperance in all things, there must be
an abiding persuasion that repentance for the past, as well as forgive-
ness, is to be sought of God through the atoning sacrifice of Christ.
These things must be brought into daily experience; there must be
strict watchfulness and unwearied entreaty that Christ will bring every
thought into captivity to Himself; His renovating power must be given
to the soul, that as accountable beings we may present to God our
bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto Him, which is our
reasonable service.