p. 5 | THE BREATH OF LIFE by Augusta C. Bainbridge

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Sep 21, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 37.

THE BREATH OF LIFE.

By Augusta C. Bainbridge

BY AUGUSTA C. BAINBRIDGE.

THIS is one of God's gifts to man, to the whole human family through Adam. Each human being born into this world, at once becomes a receiver of that gift.

We read in Gen. 2:7 that God breathed into Adam, into his nostrils, the breath of life.

It is God's breath. He breathed it into man. It made man live. These three facts are incontrovertible. They are continuous. The air we breathe is still God's breath for us. No human being has ever yet been able to approximate a counterfeit. No one has ever found a substitute. The mark of the Creator is upon it, and seals it His by composition, service, effect—His and His only. He is still breathing it into every mortal man. Man's organism is constructed in harmony with a continuance of this plan. Every air-cell, every blood-cell, every artery, every vein, every heart-beat, simply repeats the creative act, and God, our loving heavenly Father, is still, by His wondrous work of creation, breathing into man the breath of life. In the beginning it made man live. We read, "Man became a living soul." That creative act is still keeping men alive. That plan has not been changed. The elements of which the air is composed are still the same; and are still in harmony with man's need. They still supply that need. They still bring life to the race. The command, so to speak, "Breathe and live," is still sounding through the earth.

The people of the world, the heathen in all lands, who do not know God as the Creator, think there is creative power in something else. Hence, we see them resorting to alcoholics, in numerous forms, tobacco, under many names, even drugs in pills, powders, or drops; but the Christian does not need these.

The blood is the life of the physical frame; and God gave man the air, and the machinery to utilize it; in order that the blood might be kept pure and in a condition to do His will.

Then, when you are tired, exhausted, do not look to any art of man's device; but thankfully, joyfully take your Father's gift. Open the door and breathe. Breathe sunny air. Breathe deeply. Breathe abundantly. There is plenty for you. It stands fifty miles high all around our earth.

Inhale through your nose, the organ made and used in the beginning for that purpose. Take all your lungs will hold, retain it a few seconds, and let it escape very slowly through the mouth, and voice your thankfulness in praise, if you will. Know assuredly that life and breath are given us for service, and, as we breathe, let us praise God that His promise is given to guide us in that service, to the benefit of our fellows, and the glory of His name.