Extent of Health Education Needed

wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:23. We note the following from the messenger of the Lord:

"God's elect must stand untainted amid the cor­ruptions teeming around them in these last days. Their bodies must be made holy, their spirits pure. If this work is to be accomplished, it must be un­dertaken at once, earnestly and understandingly. The Spirit of God should have perfect control, influencing every action.

"The health reform is one branch of the great work which is to fit a people for the coming of the Lord. It is as closely connected with the third an­gel's message as the hand is with the body. . . .

"To make natural law plain, and to urge obedi­ence to it, is a work that accompanies the third angel's message. Ignorance is no excuse now for the transgression of law. The light shines clearly, and none need be ignorant ; for the great God Him­self is man's instructor. All are bound by the most sacred obligations to heed the sound philosophy and genuine experience which God is nowgiving them in reference to health reform. He designs that the subject shall be agitated, and the public mind deeply stirred to investigate it; for it is impossible for men and women, while under the power of sinful, health-destroying, brain-enervating habits, to appre­ciate sacred truth."—"Counsels on Health," pp. 20, 21.

Almost from the very beginning of the ad­vent movement we were given light on the principles of healthful living. The term "gos­pel medical evangelism," or "medical mission­ary work," is a familiar one to Seventh-day Adventists. Medical missionary work, which includes the teaching of the principles of health reform, is repeatedly spoken of in the Spirit of prophecy as the right arm of the third angel's message, and as such is to both serve and protect the body. "When the third angel's message is received in its fullness, health re­form will be given its place in the councils of the conference, in the work of the church, in the home, at the table, and in all the household arrangements. Then the right arm will serve and protect the body."—Id., p. 434.

In the ninety-first psalm we read of a time when it will be especially desirable and neces­sary to have more than human protection upon which to depend, but before we can claim the protection promised in this assuring psalm, we must as far as possible meet God's requirements by obedience to the laws He has given us, laws that pertain to both our physical and our spiritual welfare. We have these words of admonition to the church:

"The Lord will not work a miracle to preserve anyone in health who will not make an effort to obtain knowledge within his reach concerning this wonderful habitation that God has given. By study of the human organism, we are to learn to correct what may be wrong in our habits, and which, if left uncorrected, would bring the sure result, disease and suffering, that make life a burden. The sincerity of our prayers can be proved only by the vigor of our endeavor to obey God's commandments."—Id., p. 504.

"God has placed it in our power to obtain a knowl­edge of the laws of health. He has made it a duty to preserve our physical powers in the best possible condition, that we may render to Him acceptable service. Those who refuse to improve the light and knowledge that have been mercifully placed within their reach, are rejecting one of the means which God has granted them to promote spiritual as well as physical life. They are placing themselves where they will be exposed to the delusions of Sa­tan."—Id., p. 454.

Right Arm Will Both Serve and Protect

But note again the previous quotation which tells us that when health reform is given its proper place, it will both "serve and protect." We have noted how it will protect, and the following quotation tells us how it will serve: "Much of the prejudice that prevents the truth of the third angel's message from reaching the hearts of the people, might be removed if more attention were given to health reform. When people become interested in this subject, the way is often prepared for the entrance of other truths. If they see that we are intelligent with regard to health, they will be more ready to believe that we are sound in Bible doctrines."—Id., p. 452.

That the work of preaching the everlasting gospel is not complete unless we include the principles of healthful living is seen from the following counsel:

"Wherever the truth is proclaimed, instruction should be given in the preparation of healthful foods. God desires that in every place the people shall be taught to use wisely the products that can be easily obtained. Skillful teachers should show the people how to utilize to the very best advantage the prod­ucts that they can raise or secure in their section of the country. Thus the poor, as well as those in better circumstances, can learn to live healthfully." —/d., P. 475.

"Let them learn how to live healthfully, teaching to others what they have learned. Let them impart this knowledge as they would Bible instruction. "— Id., p. 478.

Furthermore we are to be diligent students and prepare ourselves for our work. "Those who teach the principles of health reform should be intelligent in regard to disease and its causes, understanding that every action of the human agent should be in perfect har­mony with the laws of life. The light God has given on health reform is for our salva­tion and the salvation of the world. Men and women should be informed in regard to the human habitation, fitted up by our Creator as His dwelling place, and over which He desires us to be faithful stewards. 'For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people?               p. 479.

As a foundation for such preparation, it will be necessary for us to have a knowledge of physiology and hygiene. We are told that "a knowledge of physiology and hygiene should be the basis of all educational effort."—"Edu­cation," p. 195. As ministers of the gospel, let us assume our responsibility.

"Our ministers should become intelligent on health reform. They need to become acquainted with phys­iology and hygiene ; they should understand the laws that govern physical life, and their bearing upon the health of mind and soul.

"Thousands upon thousands know little of the won­derful body God has given them or of the care it should receive; and they consider it of more impor­tance to study subjects of far less consequence. The ministers have a work to do here. When they take a right position on this subject, much will be gained. In their own lives and homes they should obey the laws of life, practicing right principles and living healthfully. Then they will be able to speak correctly on this subject, leading the people higher and still higher in the work of reform. Living in the light themselves, they can bear a message of great value to those who are in need of just such a testimony.

"There are precious blessings and a rich experience to be gained if ministers will combine the pres­entation of the health question with all their labors in the churches. The people must have the light on health reform."—"Counsels on Health,' p. 431.

We cannot shun our responsibility without marring God's work and lessening our effi­ciency. "As a people we have been given the work of making known the principles of health reform. There are some who think that the question of diet is not of sufficient importance to be included in their evangelistic work. But such make a great mistake. God's word de­clares, 'Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.'

Cor. 10:31. The subject of temperance, in all its bearings, has an important place in the work of salvation."—Id., p. 443.

It is within the power of all to obtain a prac­tical knowledge of the principles of healthful living and medical missionary work. This wonderful knowledge is given us not alone for our personal benefit, but that we might be a blessing to others by imparting this knowledge.

The psalmist in his prayer craves for us God's mercy and blessing as follows: "God be merciful unto us, and bless us." But note that it is not for our personal benefit alone, but that it may result in an enlargement of God's kingdom, for he adds, "That Thy ways may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations."

It is recorded that in the days when there was darkness in the land of Egypt, the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. In these days when again "darkness" covers the earth, "and gross darkness the people," the remnant church is called to "arise, shine; for thy light is come." Today the Lord is calling upon the members of the remnant church to again kindle a light in their dwellings.

Basis of All Educational Effort

How are we to begin this work ? First of all, we recognize that the study of the Bible is fundamental to success in all of our en­deavors. But next to the study of the Bible, the study of physiology and hygiene is stressed in the Spirit of prophecy more than any other subject. "A practical knowledge of the science of human life is necessary in order to glorify God in our bodies. It is therefore of the high­est importance, that among the studies selected for childhood, physiology should occupy the first place."—Id., p. 38.

We repeat the quotation : "A knowledge of physiology and hygiene should be the basis of all educational effort."—"Education," p. 195. The reason given for this is that "the health should be as faithfully guarded as the character." In "Fundamentals of Christian Education," page 147, it is stated even more emphatically that "the health should be as sacredly guarded as the character."

That health education must be begun early is evidenced from this statement : "From the first dawn of reason, the human mind should become intelligent in regard to the physical structure."—"Medical Ministry," p. 221.