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Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene
Many have suffered from severe mental taxation, unrelieved by
physical exercise. The result is a deterioration of their powers, and
they are inclined to shun responsibilities. What they need is more
active labor. This condition is not confined to those whose heads are
white with the frost of time; men young in years have fallen into the
same state, and have become mentally feeble.
Strictly temperate habits, combined with exercise of the muscles as
well as of the mind, will preserve both mental and physical vigor, and
give power of endurance to those engaged in the ministry, to editors,
and to all others whose habits are sedentary.
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, a duty which is most essential to the
preservation of health. They closely apply their minds to study, and
yet eat the allowance of a laboring man. Under such habits, some
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grow corpulent, because the system is clogged. Others become thin
and feeble, because their vital powers are exhausted in throwing off
the excess of food. The liver is burdened, being unable to throw off
the impurities of the blood, and sickness is the result. If physical
exercise were combined with mental exertion, the circulation of the
blood would be quickened, the action of the heart would be more
perfect, impure matter would be thrown off, and new life and vigor
would be felt in every part of the body.
When the minds of ministers, school teachers, and students are
continually excited by study, and the body is allowed to be inactive,
the nerves of emotion are taxed, while the nerves of motion are in-
active. The wear being wholly on the mental organs, they become
overworked and enfeebled, while the muscles lose their vigor for want
of employment. There is no inclination to exercise the muscles in
physical labor; exertion seems to be irksome.
It is a sacred work in which we are engaged. The apostle Paul
exhorts his brethren, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved,
let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, per-
fecting holiness in the fear of God.” [
2 Corinthians 7:1
.] It is a duty
that we owe to God to keep the spirit pure, as a temple for the Holy
Ghost. If the heart and mind are devoted to the service of God, obeying
all his commandments, loving him with all the heart, might, mind, and