General Hygiene
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God designed that all should be workers. Upon those whose abili-
ties and opportunities are the greatest, rest the heaviest responsibilities;
and upon them will fall the heaviest condemnation if they are unfaith-
ful to their trust. Even beasts of burden put to shame the do-nothing,
who, endowed with reason and a knowledge of the divine will, refuses
to perform his part in God’s great plan.
The indolence of the many, occasions the overwork of the few. A
large class refuse to think or act for themselves. They have no disposi-
tion to step out of the old ruts of prejudice and error; by their perversity
they block up the way of advancement, and force the standard-bearers
of the right to more heroic efforts in their march forward. Earnest and
devoted laborers are failing for want of a helping hand, and are sinking
beneath their double burden. Their graves are way-marks along the
upward path of reform.
The true glory and joy of life are found only by the working man
and woman. Labor brings its own reward, and sweet is the rest that
is purchased by the fatigue of a well-spent day. But there is a self-
imposed toil which is injurious and utterly unsatisfying. It is that which
gratifies unsanctified ambition, which seeks display for notoriety. The
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love of possession or appearance leads thousands to carry to excess
that which, in itself, is lawful—to devote all the strength of mind
and body to that which should occupy but a small portion of their
time. They bend every energy to the acquisition of wealth or honor,
making all other objects secondary; they toil unflinchingly for years
to accomplish their purpose; yet when the goal is reached, and the
coveted reward secured, it turns to ashes in their grasp; it is a shadow.
They have given their life to that which profiteth not.
Yet all the lawful pursuits of life may be safely followed, if the
spirit is kept free from selfish hopes and the contamination of deceit
and envy. The business life of the Christian should be marked with
the same purity that held sway in the workshop of the holy Nazarene.
It is the working men and women—those who are willing to bear
responsibilities with faith and hope—who find that which is great
and good in life. Patient laborers, remember that those were sturdy
workmen whom Christ chose from among the fishermen of Galilee and
the tent-makers of Corinth, to labor with him in the work of salvation.
From these humble men went forth a power that will be felt through
all eternity.