Duty to Preserve Health
581
Do not, however, feel it your duty to live on an insufficient diet.
Learn for yourselves what you should eat, what kinds of food best
nourish the body, and then follow the dictates of reason and conscience.
At mealtime cast off care and taxing thought. Do not be hurried, but eat
slowly and with cheerfulness, your heart filled with gratitude to God
for all His blessings. And do not engage in brain labor immediately
after a meal. Exercise moderately and give a little time for the stomach
to begin its work.
This is not a matter of trifling importance. We must pay attention
to it if healthful vigor and a right tone are to be given to the various
branches of the work. The character and efficiency of the work depend
largely upon the physical condition of the workers. Many committee
meetings and other meetings for counsel have taken an unhappy tone
from the dyspeptic condition of those assembled. And many a sermon
has received a dark shadow from the minister’s indigestion.
[566]
Health is an inestimable blessing, and one which is more closely
related to conscience and religion than many realize. It has a great
deal to do with one’s capability. Every minister should feel that as
he would be a faithful guardian of the flock, he must preserve all his
powers in condition for the best possible service.
We are all deficient in practical knowledge concerning this matter.
The wonderful mechanism of the human body does not receive half the
care that is often given to a mere lifeless machine. Men give years of
study in preparation for this ministry, and yet so weaken their powers
during this preparatory work that they die prematurely.
Our workers should use their knowledge of the laws of life and
health. They should study from cause to effect. Read the best authors
on these subjects, and obey religiously that which your reason tells
you is truth.