The Duty to Preserve Health
[
Gospel Workers, 239-241
edition, (1915).]
I am pained at heart as I see so many feeble ministers, so many
on beds of sickness, and so many closing the scenes of their earthly
history—men who have carried the burden of responsibility in the
work of God, whose whole heart was in their work. The conviction
that they must cease their labor in the cause they loved was far more
painful to them than their sufferings from disease, or even death itself.
Is it not time for us to understand that nature will not long suffer
abuse without protesting? Our heavenly Father does not willingly
afflict or grieve the children of men. He is not the author of sickness
and death. He is the source of life; He would have men live, and He
desires them to be obedient to the laws of life and health, that they
may live.
Those who accept the present truth and are sanctified through it
have an intense desire to represent the truth in their life and character.
They have a deep yearning of soul that others may see the light and
rejoice in it. As the true watchman goes forth, bearing precious
seed, sowing beside all waters, weeping and praying, the burden of
labor is very taxing to mind and heart. He cannot keep up the strain
continuously, his soul stirred to the very depths, without wearing out
prematurely. Strength and efficiency are needed in every discourse.
And from time to time fresh supplies of things new and old need to
be brought forth from the storehouse of God’s word. This will impart
life and power to the hearers. God does not want you to become so
exhausted that your efforts have no freshness or life.
Those who are engaged in constant mental labor, whether in study
[564]
or preaching, need rest and change. The earnest student is constantly
taxing the brain, too often while neglecting physical exercise, and
as the result the bodily powers are enfeebled and mental effort is
restricted. Thus the student fails of accomplishing the very work that
he might have done had he labored wisely.
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