p. 77 | How to Live by D. T. Bourdeau

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 8, 1865

How to Live.

By D. T. Bourdeau

BRO. WHITE: I have recently read the six pamphlets on "Health; or How to Live," with care and special interest, and have come to the conclusion that they constitute one of our most valuable works, and that the preachers and people should have them and take special pains to circulate them. In fact, it looks to me as though we cannot be said to be faithful to our trust, and to the great principles of health, that we as a people profess to appreciate, and yet be indifferent in circulating a work which so clearly and faithfully sets forth our views on the subject of health.

This work, like all other valuable works, is not to be measured by its size, but by the weight, clearness, genuineness and comprehensiveness of its thoughts and principles. I know of no work of its size that contains so many valuable ideas on the subject of health. As an eclectic work, it may be considered as the pith, marrow and essence of many valuable works on health. While it may serve as an introduction to those works from which its rich extracts are taken, its nature is such, that it meets most of the wants of those who are not able to buy more costly works on health. It is emphatically the work for the times; the work that we need to meet our present wants. It is so plain that the common people can understand the leading truths it purports to teach, and yet the truly learned will not fail to be interested and benefited in perusing it. The articles of the compiler alone, which constitute an important part of this work, are worth more than the cost of the book. Especially are those portions of them that show what we should do on our part to be in a condition for the Lord to work for us in a miraculous manner (if it can be for his glory), worthy of the especial attention of every believer of present truth.

If this work is what we understand it to be, it seems to us that no Sabbath-keeper should consider his library complete without it. It will bear reading and re-reading. It would require a comprehensive mind and a prodigious memory, to understand this work in all its bearings, and retain all its ideas, by reading it once; yet there are doubtless many who would be satisfied by reading such a work over once. Perhaps they are so anxious to get hold of something new, that they hardly ever stop long enough to get hold of anything as they should. This is sometimes seen in questioning those individuals on the very points they have read. All is new to them, and they can hardly answer a question that you will put to them. Perhaps their books are on the shelf, or they have given them away as though they were fully acquainted with all their contents. A wise person will stick to good books as he does to tried friends. He has tried them and is fond of their society. The more he reads them, the more beauty and truth he sees in them. The more he sees their real value, the more he loves them.

Every family should possess at least one copy of this excellent work as a reference book; and many should not be satisfied unless they keep one or more copies on hand, to hand out to those who need it. We should not excuse ourselves by saying that we have not money or time to spend in this direction. Health is worth more than money, and it has often happened that those who would take no time to care for their health, have had to take time for sickness, and spend means for their recovery. If it is duty for us to attend to health, we can attend to health; for no duty is made incumbent upon us that we cannot perform.

Brethren, I am not recommending poisonous drugs and patent medicines, and am not afraid to stake my reputation on what I have said. The merits of this work will bear me out in my assertions. You who have read it with care, are ready to bear witness to the truth of my statements. Let those who have not, read it; test the matter by reading it. Are you sick? you will find instructions in this work on how to regain your health. Are you well? this work will furnish you with instructions on how to keep well. And as you enjoy the benefits of this work, remember the suffering and those who are liable to be sick, and seek to impart to them the blessings you so highly appreciate; and thus the health reform will go on, and you will have the assurance that you are laboring for the welfare of others, as well as for your own individual interest.

D. T. BOURDEAU.

Dansville, N. Y.