THE SCHOOL OF HYGIENE by G. C. Tenney

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 3, 1878

THE SCHOOL OF HYGIENE.

By G. C. Tenney

The intimate relation existing between moral principles and the laws of health is, through the blessing of God, more clearly seen and taught by Seventh-day Adventists than by any other people. And God is honoring us as a people, before the world, for the position we have taken upon the subject of temperance reform. We stand in the front rank of this reformation; and instead of its being a reproach and stigma upon our cause, nothing gives us favor with the intelligent portion of our communities as do the grand truths of health reform. And if we follow the providence of God, we shall certainly avail ourselves of the influence which these truths afford us. We should seek to become intelligent upon the subject, in order that we may be qualified to help and instruct others.

It is noticeable that an important feature of the work of Christ on earth was to relieve the sick and those in distress. Though we may not be able to imitate his divine miracles, we can partake of his spirit and follow his example by relieving the afflicted ones and instructing them in those simple means by which good health may be gained and maintained.

A few discourses by our ministers in each of the neighborhoods where they labor, upon the laws of hygiene, Christian temperance, and sanitary rules, would awaken an interest in the minds of many when nothing else would. In no other way can we gain the confidence and gratitude of an individual so readily as by affording him relief in his distress. So shall we be laborers together with Christ.

It is with the object of preparing men and women for this work that a School of Hygiene has been organized in connection with our Sanitarium, to be conducted by Dr. Kellogg and his able assistants. In a term of twenty weeks, such instruction will be given as will enable the student to teach reliably, by theory and practice, the principles of hygiene. As ministers, we all need this instruction. Each of our churches needs at least one person who is thus qualified. Being connected with the Sanitarium, this school affords superior advantages. It is a sufficient guarantee of the thorough and scientific nature of the teaching to say that Dr. Kellogg is to be the principal instructor. The tuition is placed at an amount merely nominal. The term, commencing Jan. 14, will occupy the spring months, when not much can be done in either public or out-door labor. Thus the circumstances are all favorable for those who wish to attend, and prepare themselves for greater usefulness in the Master's vineyard.

G. C. TENNEY.