BIBLE HYGIENE.

GOD has been pleased to reveal himself to us through two books — the Bible and nature. Between these there must be entire harmony. Nature as truly reveals one almighty, all-wise God as does the Bible; for "the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork." The laws of nature are as truly the laws of God as are the ten commandments, and "a continual transgression of nature's laws is a continual transgression of the law of God." As God's word and God's works always agree, so a careful examination will reveal the fact that not only is the Bible in harmony with those physical laws of our being revealed to us by scientific investigation, but that it gives us much useful information relating to matters of personal and domestic hygiene. That the Bible should deal with such questions will not appear strange when we consider their importance. And their importance will be more and more apparent as we consider the close relation that exists between the mind and the body — between the physical, and the mental and spiritual faculties. A failure to appreciate the closeness of this relation causes many to exalt the mental and spiritual powers to the detriment of the physical.The Bible idea of human development is that the " whole spirit and soul and body " be brought to the highest degree of culture attainable.

The Bible is not a text-book of hygiene. Many of its allusions to the subject are merely incidental. It does not enter largely into details, nor give many specific rules. But it gives principles, suggestions, and hints, in the application of which, to ourselves,we should be guided by the light of common-sense and experience.

A few citations from the Scriptures will illustrate this, and also show the importance the word of God attaches to the care of the body. Isa. 43 : 7 teaches that the design of the Creator in making man was for his own glory. If, then, man, who was made in the image of God, by the transgression of nature's . laws defaces that structure, he dishonors his Maker. The apostle says that our bodies are the temples of God, and adds: " If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy." 1 Cor. 3 :17.

In Eccl. 10 :17 the principle laid down that should govern us in eating, is broad and comprehensive : " Bat in due season ;" i. e., at proper intervals; at such times and in such a manner as will be conducive of the best physical development. Eat, not for the pleasure of eating, not for the mere gratification of an oftentimes perverted appetite; but eat " for strength and not for drunkenness." How many physical evils might be avoided if this principle was applied in our own daily lives.

Hygiene relates to the care of the body. Webster thus defines it: " That department of medical science which treats of the preservation of health ; a system of principles or rules designed for the promotion of health." The apostle John says : " Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2. That physical prosperity or bodily health is here meant, is clear from the fact that it is contrasted with spiritual or soul prosperity. And physical health was considered of so much importance that he desires " above all things " that we should have it. He evidently realized what so many now fail to appreciate, that a sound mind is found only in a sound body.

In Luke 21 :34, Christ, speaking directly to those who should be living in the last days, gives this solemn warning : " And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting [overeating], and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." The term " heart" is doubtless used here in the sense of "mind." "Overcharged" means literally "overburdened" or "weighted down." The danger to those in this mental condition is that they will not know when the day of the Lord is at hand. This scripture shows very clearly the blighting effect of wrong dietetic habits. The mental powers are weakened, the spiritual vision blinded, rendering the victim incapable of discerning sacred truths.

But hygiene is not restricted to dietetics ; so the Bible not only gives instruction in the matter of eating and drinking, but many hints and suggestions concerning the importance of exercise, ventilation, drainage, cleanliness, etc., are found on its pages. Only a few of these references can be given in a short a article like this, but any one will be amply repaid for his labor in exploring this field.

The relation of physical labor to the proper development of the body is not fully realized by many. God saw that work was necessary for man's best good, so he gave command to subdue the earth. Gen. 1: 28. (See also chapter 2 :15.)

" God made Adam and Eve in paradise, and surrounded them with everything that was useful and lovely. He planted for them a beautiful garden. No herb, nor flower, nor tree was wanting, which might be for use or ornament. The Creator of man knew that the workmanship of his hands could not be happy without employment. They must have labor to call into exercise the wonderful organs of the body. The Lord made the organs for use....Not only will the organs of the body be strengthened by exercise, but the mind also will acquire strength and knowledge through the action of those organs....Each faculty of the mind and each muscle has its distinctive office, and all require to be exercised in order to become properly developed and retain healthful vigor." " Testimony for the Church," Vol. 3, p. 77. Bead also 1 Thess. 4: 11; 2 Thess. 3 :10-12. Eccl. 10 : 18 contains a suggestion on this point worthy of consideration. Whether the house referred to is the building of wood or stone in which we live, or that more wonderful structure, the human body, certain it is that " by much slothfulness the building decayeth." Organs not used, soon lose their vigor, and decay.

Cleanliness is Next To Godliness

In regard to cleanliness, both physical and moral, see Ex. 19 : 10; Deut. 23 : 10-14 ; 2 Cor. 7:1. In the Jewish Talmud (not in the Bible, as some suppose) is found this excellent maxim, " Cleanliness is next to godliness." Perhaps this might be improved by changing one word thus : " Cleanliness is a part of godliness." Certainly, in the sanitary code given by God through Moses to ancient Israel, much stress was laid on this matter of cleanliness. If people living in modern times would pay as much attention to drainage and disinfection, the burning up or removal of all refuse and excretory matter, garbage, etc., as was required in the camp of ancient Israel, millions of lives would be saved every year, which are now sacrificed through ignorance or carelessness,— quenched by diseases produced by germs generated in decaying animal and vegetable matter.