Physical Labor a Blessing
By Daniel H. Kress
THE importance of systematic physical exercise in the maintenance or development of a healthy, vigorous body and mind is not appreciated as it should be. By the majority, physical work is performed in a mechanical manner, not from choice, but simply because it is a necessity, or to gain a livelihood. It is regarded as mere drudgery, an evil to be tolerated until sufficient means can be accumulated to enable one to live in idleness. Then the full benefit that should result from exercise is not gained. The woman at the wash-tub, laughing and good-natured, is seldom ill. The amount of good we get out of work depends in a great measure upon the good we see in it, or upon cheerfulness of mind, and the amount of mental and physical energy we invest. Therefore the wise man says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;” in other words, put your heart into all you do. Walking, the best of all exercises, may be taken in a listless way, stumbling along with no special aim in view, and very little good be received. But by taking a brisk walk in the open air, in a cheerful spirit, with shoulders back, head erect, throwing some life into it, expecting some returns for the means of vitality invested, we are never disappointed; we reap with compound interest. The life current flows more freely, and every organ of the body is benefited thereby. Many go to the seashore or to sanitariums to regain health; some are greatly benefited, others are not. If you should follow the two classes in their treatments, you would find that the one class go through the treatments and exercises prescribed in a mechanical way, while the other class make a business of getting well; they expect much and receive much. There is something wrong with our education. Honest labor is considered by nearly all as a curse, and not as an inestimable blessing. The Egyptians seemed to have this conception of labor; for fear that the children of Israel should multiply and become a people more powerful than they, and join their enemies and fight against them, they said, “Let us deal wisely with them.” Thinking that hard work was the surest way to cause physical degeneracy and to weaken the race, they placed taskmasters over them, and afflicted them with the hardest kind of labor. They were sadly disappointed in this, however. The record tells us, “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.” The good derived from food or from the air inhaled, depends on a good, vigorous circulation of the blood. It is the blood that carries life from the food, air, and water, to the different organs and muscles of the body. The arm of the blacksmith becomes well developed and strong. By constant exercise the circulation of blood is quickened, and more life is carried to it. Upon the other hand, inaction of any organ causes a sluggish circulation of the stream of life through it, and inevitably results in decrease in its size and strength. Not only does physical exercise build up, develop, and strengthen the muscles, but it also develops the brain. A leg or an arm amputated causes atrophy, or a wasting, of that portion of the brain which has control over those muscles. This shows that a well-developed and well-balanced mind depends on a well-developed body. Gladstone’s clear-headedness and success as a statesman depended in a large measure upon his systematic physical exercise. We are living in an unfortunate age,—an age of specialization. A few years ago, only all-round men and women were in demand. Clerks in stores were supposed to handle everything,—groceries, clothing, hardware, machinery, etc. Light and heavy, inside and outside work were combined. The women did housework, made the clothing for their families, worked in the fields, etc. Economy had to be studied, and much thought was given to the home. This variety of labor compelled the use of nearly all the muscles of the body. Now we have bookkeepers, who lean over the desk ten hours each day, and handle only the pen; stenographers, who operate only the typewriters; telephone operators; in fact, every one has his specialty. Thus while some muscles and certain cells of the brain are constantly exercised, and wear out from overwork, others lie idle, and rust from disuse. This in a great measure accounts for the increase in mental and other diseases, and for the rapid degeneracy in the race during the past fifty years. Institutions of learning are beginning to see the need of having physical exercise as an aid in mental development and maintenance of physical health. They have encouraged football, baseball, bicycle riding, the gymnasium, etc. I have no hesitancy in saying that the harm that has resulted from these will in many instances overbalance the good derived from them. The greatest danger in the various games, the gymnasium, and the bicycle, is overexertion. From my own observation I should say nine have been injured where one has been benefited. I think it has been demonstrated that the bicycle does not develop symmetrically; in fact, the cyclist is recognized by the contracted chest and round shoulders. Only certain sets of muscles are developed. It is the aim of bicyclists to send all the energy to the muscles needed in propelling the machine. In the gymnasium there is the greatest danger from overexertion by lifting heavy weights, swinging on bars or rings, etc. Muscles are so severely taxed that they are injured beyond repair. No mode of exercise can take the place of useful labor or walking in the open air. The farmer, the gardener, etc., have exercises which are the most beneficial; all the muscles are brought into use. But work must not be looked upon as drudgery. It must be taken up with cheerfulness, just as boys engage in the playing of ball. Bind up an arm and do not use it for a short time. It will be found weaker than the one that has been in use. General inactivity will also result in general weakness. Not long ago a robust, strong young man met with an injury to his arm. He was compelled to lie in bed for two weeks very quietly. At the end of this time he attempted to walk, but found, to his surprise, that he was unfit for the task. When inactive, the blood does not circulate freely, little life is carried to the muscles, and the impurities, or wastes, are not expelled. This accumulation of impurities in the system not only acts as muscle poison, causing feelings of physical feebleness and sickness, but it also causes a depraved condition of the brain, leading to impure thoughts and acts. This was the cause of the licentious condition of Sodom. “Fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters.” The young men and women found walking in the streets of our large cities, trying to gain a livelihood without honest work, have in nearly every case been reared in idleness. By tracing back the history of these poor unfortunates, we find that in their homes, pride was encouraged, children were allowed to eat and drink to excess, controlled by appetite instead of principle. The daughters were permitted to spend their time in idleness, or doing a little fancy work, or12playing the piano, while mother did the housework and drudgery. This is the surest way for mothers to ruin their sons and daughters. Hard work and a simple dietary with God’s blessing are the surest protectors against immorality. The only way for us to save our children from lives of shame and crime is by avoiding the causes which lead to such a life. We are all anxious to avoid results, but this we cannot do without avoiding causes. The standing pool becomes filled with filth, germs, and slime. A flowing stream keeps the water free from these poisons. Air in motion purifies itself. Perfect health and purity depend on perfect circulation of the life stream. None are so happy and healthy as those who are always busy, cheerfully going about their daily work, not scheming to do as little as possible, but seeing how much they can do to lighten the burdens of others.