WE have been talking about physical health; for "the glory of young men is their strength." And surely this includes physical strength. Many see no farther than this. They want to be splendid animals. They want you to see and feel how big and hard their biceps are, what their chest expansion is, how much they can lift, etc. And physical strength is good. Elijah possessed it in abundance, hardy mountaineer that he was. Till his very death Moses was a perfect physical man. At eighty Caleb was as able to go out to war, as when, a young man, Moses sent him to spy out the land.
Of the seven essentials in physical strength and health we have talked about good food, pure air, exercise, and sunshine. Not less essential than these is a clear conscience.
There is no worse depressant on all the bodily functions than a mind ill at ease. It stops digestion, sours the stomach, chills the blood, and makes general war on the system. If one has a just sense of right and a full purpose to do it, the guilty conscience is to him a worse tormentor. It brings the evil Past into the living Present, and shuts down all the hopes that rise, unless we heed the monitor's voice in everything. Peace of conscience may be obtained in two ways: (1) By heeding not its warnings till its voice is forever stilled; but this is death to the soul—eternal death. (2) By listening to the voice of conscience and putting away the sin, and asking God in Christ to cleanse the conscience. He will give a "good conscience;" then keep it, and keep it in everything. "Trust that man in nothing who has not a conscience in everything." Conscience in everything means peace to the soul, and health to the body.
"Why are you particular in painting that fence next to the hedge?" asked one man of another; "no one will know whether you painted it or not." "But I shall know," was the reply. He could not afford to stultify his conscience for a little gain or time. He could go to his rest that night at peace with God and man, and every fiber of his physical being, every drop of blood in his heart, would healthfully respond.
A Sunny Disposition.
To some this is natural. There is no credit to them because they are smiling and pleasant. They are strong, well, healthy, and have inherited a sunny disposition. Their pleasant ways are no credit to them. Yet let them be thankful. When real trial comes to such, they are often the most peevish and fretful.
There are others who have inherited a morose disposition. They are inclined to look upon the dark side. They see the cloud instead of the sunshine. They mean to do right. They are honest, upright, conscientious. But they live on their feelings, and the devil sees that the feelings are not spared.
Let such cultivate a sunny disposition. Smile. Speak pleasantly, smilingly, to all, whether you feel like it or not. Think of the many good things there are, and rejoice. "A merry countenance doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones." It will do others good; it will do the pleasant, healthful man more good. Do not growl or gloom or grieve; scatter sunshine and it will return a thousandfold in health and a better life.
Our next study will consider the will, or purpose.