Physical Exercise (Concluded)

In the first installment of this important subject Elder Emmer has convinced us of the need of physical exercise in the personal program of the Preacher, teacher, and student, and has proved from the Spirit of prophecy that this exercise should be outdoors, and be engaged in daily.

By ASHLEY G. EMMER, Bible Teacher, South Lancaster Academy

In the first installment of this important subject Elder Emmer has convinced us of the need of physical exercise in the personal program of the Preacher, teacher, and student, and has proved from the Spirit of prophecy that this exercise should be outdoors, and be engaged in daily. We come now to the third and final Phase of the discussion, wherein suitable forms of exercise for the sedentary worker are considered. In order for the exercise to be worthwhile it must be systematic and agreeable, and the heart must be in it. What are some proper forms of exercise and recrea­tion that meet these requirements? We believe you will be profited by the suggestions that follow.

III. Ideal Forms of Exercise

From the quotations we have already noted in the Spirit of prophecy, it is obvious that the ideal held out is some sort of recreative manual labor requiring exercise in the open air daily. Too often this is regarded as an ideal not attainable when the theological graduate goes forth from the doors of his alma mater. For in­stance, where is the practicability of a preach­er's putting in time in a dairy, a carpentry shop, or a service station, as he did in the after­noons while he worked his way through col­lege? Obviously our idealism must be tempered by realism; and happy is the man who can make a sane adaptation of the one to the other.

But there are forms of practical work in which a minister or teacher can engage for pure recreation without a sense of official re­sponsibility. First, as we have noticed, the ex­ercise should be in the open air. Second, it may be in the form of a walk, or it may be in an orchard or garden. But whatever the form of manual work available, to be of the greatest advantage, it should be systematic and agree­able. Whereas "it should be so planned as to strengthen by use the organs that have become weakened," it is essential that "the heart should be in it ; the labor of the hands should never degenerate into mere drudgery."—Ministry of Healing, pp. 238, 239.

This last principle is important; for as soon as work in the garden, chopping wood, or painting the house becomes drudgery, we be­come the victims of our occupation. Manual labor then loses its recreative value. Although manual labor is the ideal, there are factors which require an adaptation of the principle to meet the realism of a local condition or an in­dividual temperament. For instance, the sea­son of the year in certain countries at times makes gardening impractical as a recreation. In some sections there is no wood to chop. There may be circumstances which prohibit the pursuit of a hobby in a basement.

But whatever the situation, or whoever the individual, the laws of life are inexorable. We must have exercise in some form. The mission­ary itinerating on foot has all the exercise he needs. But what of the local minister with no opportunity to garden or to cut wood? Perhaps the only outdoor exercise he can take is walk­ing down some city "canyon" or metropolitan park. But even then the principle of exercise must somehow be applied, for it is always true-that—"Ministers, teachers, students, and other brain workers often suffer from illness as a result of severe mental taxation, unrelieved by physical exercise. What these persons need is a more active life. Strictly tem­perate habits, combined with proper exercise, would insure both mental and physical vigor, and would give power of endurance to all brain workers."--Ibid. p. 238.

We believe that where the ideal cannot be reached—that is, in the form of manual work —there are legitimate avenues of exercise that may be taken with profit. For instance, the minister or teacher may join with the young people in their innocent games. This is clearly taught in the Spirit of prophecy.

"Fathers, do not discourage your children. Combine affection with authority, kindness and sympathy with firm restraint. Give some of your leisure hours to your children; become acquainted with them; associate with them in their work and in their sports, and win their confidence."—/bid., p. 395.

The above statement suggests participating in games, as well as Missionary Volunteer ac­tivities in the open air. While pointing out the dangers that are likely to follow in the wake of games when they are taken to excess and in­dulged in with a wrong spirit, the messenger of the Lord has said, nevertheless, "I do not condemn the simple exercise of playing ball." —Youth Problems, p. 118. She seems to recog­nize a difference between playing a game as a recreation for exercise, and playing for amuse­ment only, or on a commercial basis.

One form of exercise that can be carried on daily regardless of season or locality is simple calisthenics in the home, with the object of postural and voice improvement. Much could be written on either of these cultures. We will note only a quotation or two in this connection.

"Among the first things to he aimed at should be a correct position, both in sitting and standing. . . . Next in importance to right position are respiration and vocal culture. The one who sits and stands erect is more likely than others to breathe properly. . . . And while the importance of deep breathing is shown, the practise should be insisted upon. Let exercises be given which will promote this, and see that the habit becomes established."—Education, pp. 598, 599.

"Those who are looked upon as intelligent enough to become missionary workers or to transact business, ought to have intelligence enough to reform in their manner of speaking. By judicious exercise they may expand the chest and strengthen the muscles. . . The exercise necessary for this accomplishment will pro­long life."—Counsels to Teachers, p. 247.

Ministers, above all others, "should stand erect," we are told. In speaking they should exercise their abdominal muscles. But to over­come these defects, if not to prevent them, they should perseveringly practice speaking in a low, distinct tone, exercising the abdominal muscles in deep breathing. (Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 404.) This culture of the voice, involving proper posture, should constitute the minister's primary source of daily physical exercise.

In view of these statements, every worker would be greatly blessed if he devoted a few minutes every day to the maintenance of pos­ture and to proper breathing, which has so much to do with tone production. Professional guidance involving a financial investment would be justified by the results. This personal self-improvement could be carried on apart from, or in addition to, such recreational activ­ities as manual labor, walking, games with the young people, participation in their Missionary Volunteer progressive work, or some other regular exercise, if need be, at a health center where circumstances seem to warrant this.

Whatever the form, or however varied the exercises, it is clearly shown that for health it is vital that exercise be within one's physical strength, and that it be taken daily. Also, for the best good it should be out of doors. This is the conclusion we draw from investigation of the Spirit of prophecy.

We find as much said on the need of exercise as a means of preserving health as we do on the effects met in destroying it, if not more. But how to be as faithful to this light on exer­cise as to the instruction on other phases of health reform is not only a matter of personal judgment but also a question of realignment of educational curricula. This should receive fur­ther study. An investigation as to how to bring about an adjustment of our school programs, as well as of the preacher's tasks, might profitably be made. Surely there is a need to equip students with a practical knowledge of physi­cal culture that they can use after leaving school. This will go far toward safeguarding the health of our workers.

As far as the findings of this article are con­cerned, we find exercise recommended for the preservation of the health and usefulness of ministers. It is recommended as a part of their daily program, and as vital a duty as preach­ing or visiting. Although we are sometimes obliged to adopt substitutes for the ideal, the fact remains that the most profitable forms of exercise are those which can be enjoyed in the open air, such as gardening, walking, or chop­ping wood. These need not exclude personal setting-up exercises that will preserve posture and strengthen the preacher's speaking voice.


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By ASHLEY G. EMMER, Bible Teacher, South Lancaster Academy

July 1948

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