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Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

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Chapter 62<br />

Exercise and Air<br />

In <strong>the</strong> creation of man <strong>the</strong> Lord designed that<br />

he should be active and useful. Yet many live in<br />

this world as useless machines, as though <strong>the</strong>y<br />

hardly existed. They brighten <strong>the</strong> path of none,<br />

<strong>the</strong>y are a blessing to none. They live only to<br />

burden o<strong>the</strong>rs. So far as <strong>the</strong>ir influence on <strong>the</strong> side<br />

of right is concerned, <strong>the</strong>y are mere ciphers; but<br />

<strong>the</strong>y tell with weight upon <strong>the</strong> wrong side. Search<br />

<strong>the</strong> lives of such closely, and scarcely an act of<br />

disinterested benevolence can be found. When <strong>the</strong>y<br />

die, <strong>the</strong>ir memory dies with <strong>the</strong>m. Their names<br />

soon perish; <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>y cannot live, even in <strong>the</strong><br />

affections of <strong>the</strong>ir friends, by means of true<br />

goodness and virtuous acts. With such persons life<br />

has been a mistake. They have not been faithful<br />

stewards. They have <strong>for</strong>gotten that <strong>the</strong>ir Creator<br />

has claims upon <strong>the</strong>m and that He designs <strong>the</strong>m to<br />

be active in doing good and in blessing o<strong>the</strong>rs with<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir influence. Selfish interests attract <strong>the</strong> mind<br />

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