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Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene
A stagnant pool becomes offensive; but a pure, flowing brook spreads
health and gladness over the land.
Riches and idleness are thought by some to be blessings indeed;
but those who are always busy, and who cheerfully go about their daily
tasks, are the most happy, and enjoy the best health. The healthful
weariness which results from well-regulated labor secures to them the
benefits of refreshing sleep. The sentence that man must toil for his
daily bread, and the promise of future happiness and glory, both came
from the same throne, and both are blessings.
Those who are in possession of wealth and leisure, and yet have no
purpose in life, have little to arouse them to either mental or physical
activity. Thus many a woman loses her health, and is driven to seek
some medical institution for treatment. Here attendants are hired, at
great expense, to rub, stretch, and exercise the muscles which have
become powerless by inaction. She hires servants, that she may live a
life of idleness, and then hires other servants to exercise the muscles
enfeebled by disuse. What consummate folly! How much wiser
and better for women, young or old, to brave the sneers of fashion’s
votaries, and obey the dictates of common sense and the laws of life!
By the cheerful performance of domestic duties, the idle daughters
of our land might become useful and happy members of society. For
many, such labor is a more effective and profitable “movement cure”
than the best inventions of the physicians.
Young men, as well as young women, often manifest a sad lack of
earnest purpose and moral independence. To dress, to smoke, to talk
nonsense, and to indulge their passion for amusement, is the ideal of
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happiness, even with many who profess to be Christians. It is painful
to think of the time thus misspent. Hours that should be given to the
study of the Scriptures or to active labor of Christ, are worse than
wasted. Life was given for a true and holy purpose. It is too precious
to be thus squandered. I entreat you who have taken the name of
Christ, Examine your hearts, and pass sentence upon yourselves. Do
you not love pleasure more than you love God or your fellow-men?
There is work to be done; there are souls to save; there are battles to
fight; there is a heaven to win. The mind, with all its capabilities, must
be strengthened, and stored with the treasures of divine wisdom. In
the strength of God you may do noble work for the Master.