Exercise and Diet
[
Testimonies for the Church 3:489-492
(1875).]
Ministers, teachers, and students do not become as intelligent as
they should in regard to the necessity of physical exercise in the open
air. They neglect this duty, which is most essential for the preserva-
tion of health. They closely apply their minds to books, and eat the
allowance of a laboring man. Under such habits, some grow corpulent,
because the system is clogged. Others become lean, feeble, and weak,
because their vital powers are exhausted in throwing off the excess of
food; the liver becomes burdened and unable to throw off the impuri-
ties in the blood, and sickness is the result. If physical exercise were
combined with mental exertion, the blood would be quickened in its
circulation, the action of the heart would be more perfect, impure mat-
ter would be thrown off, and new life and vigor would be experienced
in every part of the body.
The Nervous System Deranged
When the minds of ministers, schoolteachers, and students are con-
tinually excited by study, and the body is allowed to be inactive, the
nerves of emotion are taxed, while the nerves of motion are inactive.
The wear being all upon the mental organs, they become overworked
and enfeebled, while the muscles lose their vigor for want of employ-
ment. There is no inclination to exercise the muscles by engaging in
physical labor, because exertion seems to be irksome.
Ministers of Christ, professing to be His representatives, should
follow His example, and above all others should form habits of strictest
temperance. They should keep the life and example of Christ before
the people by their own lives of self-denial, self-sacrifice, and active
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benevolence. Christ overcame appetite in man’s behalf; and in His
stead they are to set others an example worthy of imitation. Those
who do not feel the necessity of engaging in the work of overcoming
upon the point of appetite will fail to secure precious victories which
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