THE LAWS OF HEALTH by M. E. Olsen

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 27, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 43.

THE LAWS OF HEALTH.

By M. E. Olsen

IN our article last week we considered the subject of health in the light of the Gospel, and found to our satisfaction that health of body, as well as health of mind, belongs to the Christian, is among the definite blessings provided for him. We wish now to direct attention to the manner in which health is bestowed, and the fixed laws governing the same.

The human body may fitly be compared to a piece of complicated machinery. Now every machine made by men runs according to certain laws, determined by the maker. These laws must be observed if the machine is kept intact, and is to do good work. Just so with our bodies. The Creator made their health and efficiency dependent upon their being treated and worked in harmony with the laws He has Himself laid down for their government.

Now the question may arise in the reader’s mind: “If health is one of the blessings of the Gospel, and a direct gift from God, then why talk about the laws of health? Must that which is a free gift be earned by the works of the law?” The answer is that all blessings, spiritual as well as temporal and physical, come to us from our heavenly Father, through His Son Jesus Christ. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights; with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Rom. 8:32. But they also come in certain channels, which may be called God’s way or manner of working,—in other words, His laws.

Man’s part in carrying out the plan of salvation is to make himself acquainted with these laws so far as they affect him, and conscientiously obey them. Only in this way can he intelligently co-operate with God. It is by the righteousness of Christ that the sinner is justified, but in the very act of receiving this justification, he admits that the law is holy, just, and good, and promises in the future to be guided by it. His future happiness and continuance in that state depend on constant recognition of God’s law. Oneness with God implies a mind and a body in harmonious relations with him.

As soon as the Christian violates divine law, whether natural or spiritual, he has in that very act placed himself in the attitude of a rebel toward his Commander-in-chief, and only by confessing and forsaking the sin can he be restored. Or, putting it in slightly different words, violation of the law throws the violator out of the channel through which the blessings flow. Thus there is nothing arbitrary in God’s dealing with men. He longs to give His richest blessings to all, but can not in consistency do so until men will place themselves in a proper attitude for receiving them.

What are some of the laws governing the health and well-being of our bodies?—First, the bodies must be nourished. A locomotive, in order to pull a train of cars must be supplied with air, water, and fuel to generate steam—the motive power. The locomotive is giving off energy continually; hence must receive continually new supplies of energy. Likewise the human body is giving off energy in a variety of forms, and must receive new supplies in the form of air, water, and food. Here, then, is the first and greatest law of health,—the proper nourishment of the body.

A second law, in close connection with this, is the exclusion from the body of poisonous substances, which irritate and destroy the cell life and otherwise interfere with the bodily functions.

The third law of our being, no less important, requires that perfect freedom of movement be given each organ. Who would think of tying up the piston or other parts of a locomotive supposed to be in action? Yet women will persist in inclosing their bodies in corsets, which greatly hamper the lungs in their work of aerating the blood, and injure the liver, stomach, and other delicate organs.

The fourth law is that of activity, both mental and physical. A piece of machinery will rust if it is not used. The human body is still more dependent on healthful activity. Its very life is dependent on action. The energies of mind and body must be taxed if they are to be kept in a healthful condition.

Next week we will consider some more of the laws of health. While we are studying these laws, let us ever keep in mind that they are divine. Let us also remember that man is created in the image and after the likeness of God Himself. Thus the subject is one of sacred importance, and is not to be lightly regarded and ignored. M. E. OLSEN.