Counsels to Editors
67
water, to the fountain of living waters.—
Letter 60, 1898
.
The Editor’s Health Habits—Strict temperance in eating and
drinking is highly essential for the healthy preservation and vigorous
exercise of all the functions of the body. 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. As a people, with all our profession of health
reform, we eat too much. Indulgence of appetite is the greatest cause
of physical and mental debility, and lies at the foundation of the fee-
bleness which is apparent everywhere.—
Testimonies for the Church
3:487
(1875).
Importance of Exercise—There are men and women of excellent
natural ability who do not accomplish half what they might if they
would exercise self-control in the denial of appetite. Many writers
and speakers fail here. After eating heartily, they give themselves to
sedentary occupations, reading, study, or writing, allowing no time
for physical exercise. As a consequence, the free flow of thought
and words is checked. They cannot write or speak with the force and
intensity necessary in order to reach the heart; their efforts are tame
and fruitless.
Those upon whom rest important responsibilities, those, above all,
who are guardians of spiritual interests, should be men of keen feeling
and quick perception. More than others, they need to be temperate
in eating. Rich and luxurious food should have no place upon their
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tables.—
The Ministry of Healing, 308-309
(1905).
Simple Meals and Exercise—Here is a suggestion for all whose
work is sedentary or chiefly mental; let those who have sufficient
moral courage and self-control try it: At each meal take only two or
three kinds of simple food, and eat no more than is required to satisfy
hunger. Take active exercise every day, and see if you do not receive
benefit.—
The Ministry of Healing, 308-310
(1905).
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