Chapter 22—Maintaining a Proper Balance
Health and Religious Books—Perfect unity should exist among
the workers who handle the books that are to flood the world with
light. Wherever the canvassing work is presented among our people,
let both the health books and the religious books be presented together
as parts of a united work. The relation of the religious and the health
books is presented to me as illustrated by the union of the warp and
the woof to form a beautiful pattern and a perfect piece of work.
Equally Important—In the past the health books have not been
handled with the interest which their importance demands. Though
by a large class they have been highly appreciated, yet many have not
thought it essential that they should go to the world. But what can be a
better preparation for the coming of the Lord and for the reception of
other truths essential to prepare a people for His coming than to arouse
the people to see the evils of this age and to stir them to reformation
from self-indulgent and unhealthful habits? Is not the world in need of
being aroused on the subject of health reform? Are not the people in
need of the truths presented in the health books? A different sentiment
from that which has heretofore prevailed regarding the health works
should be entertained by many of our canvassers in the field.
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Divisions and distinct parties should not be seen among our can-
vassers and general agents [publishing department secretaries]. All
should be interested in the sale of the books treating upon the health
question as well as in the sale of the distinctively religious works. The
line is not to be drawn that certain books only are to occupy the atten-
tion of the canvassers. There must be perfect unity, a well-balanced,
symmetrical development of the work in all its parts.
Not to Be Separated—The indifference with which the health
books have been treated by many is an offense to God. To separate the
health work from the great body of the work is not in His order. Present
truth lies in the work of health reform as verily as in other features
of gospel work. No one branch when separated from others can be a
perfect whole.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:326, 327
(1900).
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