Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

514 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[556]useless in the world, that he is, at least, of some benefit. This willafford him satisfaction, give him courage, and impart to him vigor,which vain mental amusements can never do.The view that those who have abused both their physical and mentalpowers, or who have broken down in either mind or body, must suspendactivity in order to regain health, is a great error. In a very few casesentire rest for a short period may be necessary, but these instancesare very rare. In most cases the change would be too great. Thosewho have broken down by intense mental labor should have rest fromwearing thought, yet to teach them that it is wrong and even dangerousfor them to exercise their mental powers to a degree leads them toview their condition as worse than it really is. They become still morenervous and are a great trouble and annoyance to those who have thecare of them. In this state of mind their recovery is doubtful indeed.Those who have broken down by physical exertion must have lesslabor, and that which is light and pleasant. But to shut them away fromall labor and exercise would in many cases prove their ruin. The willgoes with the labor of their hands, and those accustomed to labor wouldfeel that they were only machines to be acted upon by physicians andattendants, and the imagination would become diseased. Inactivity isthe greatest curse that could come upon such. Their powers becomeso dormant that it is impossible for them to resist disease and languor,as they must do in order to regain health.Dr. E has made a great mistake in regard to exercise and amusements,and a still greater in his teaching concerning religious experienceand religious excitement. The religion of the Bible is notdetrimental to the health of body or mind. The exalting influence ofthe Spirit of God is the best restorative for the sick. Heaven is allhealth, and the more fully the heavenly influences are felt the moresure the recovery of the believing invalid. The influence of such viewsas are advanced by Dr. E has reached us as a people in some degree.Sabbathkeeping health reformers must be free from all these. Everytrue and real reform will bring us nearer to God and heaven, closer tothe side of Jesus, and increase our knowledge of spiritual things anddeepen in us the holiness of Christian experience.It is true that there are unbalanced minds that impose upon themselvesfasting which the Scriptures do not teach, and prayers andprivation of rest and sleep which God has never required. Such are not