- Preface
- Preface to the second edition
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- The Wisdom of God's Works
- Govern the Body
- Adherence to a Simple Diet
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- Develop Ability
- Temperance in All Things
- The World No Criterion
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- Deep Breathing
- Superstitions Concerning Night Air
- The Influence of Fresh Air
- Scrupulous Sanitation
- Use Simple Food
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- Nonuse of Flesh Meats
- Avoid Gluttony
- Lessons From the Experience of John the Baptist
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- A Deceitful Poison
- Abstinence From Narcotics
- Self-Denial and Prayer
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- Healthful Dress
- The Power of the Will
- Suitable Employment
- Control the Imagination
- Moderation in Work
- Temperance in Labor
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- Frequent Bathing
- How to Preserve Our Sensibilities
- To a Brother
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- Self-Development a Duty
- Temptation Through Appetite
- Appetite Ruled Antediluvians
- Intemperance After the Flood
- Esau's Experience
- Israel Desired the Fleshpots of Egypt
- Intemperance and Crime
- Our Youth Lack Self-Control
- Responsibility of Parents
- Evils of Meat Eating
- Proper Preparation of Food a Duty
- Wrong Eating Destroys Health
- Too Frequent Eating a Cause of Dyspepsia
- Evils to be Avoided
- Eat Slowly
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- Partakers of the Divine Nature
- Result of Disregarding Light
- Faithfulness to the Laws of Health
- Healthful Cooking
- Learn to Cook
- A Most Essential Accomplishment
- Unwholesome Bread
- Changing the Diet
- A Harmful Combination
- Unpalatable Food
- An Impoverished Diet
- Extremes in Diet
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- Overworked Mothers
- Gluttony a Sin
- Avoid False Standards
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- The Example of Christ
- Nature a Lesson Book
- In the Country
- The Source of Healing
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- Exercise, Air, and Sunlight
- The Original Plan
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- Simpler Methods
- A Proper Balance of Physical and Mental Labor
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- Health and Efficiency
- Periods of Relaxation
- Sunlight in the Home
- Prohibited Amusements
- Exercise as a Restorer
- Walking for Exercise
- The Evils of Inactivity
- Open the Windows of the Soul
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- The Church Qualified for Service
- Living Waters for Thirsty Souls
- Sanitariums and Gospel Work
- Plants Needed in Many Places
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- Agricultural Advantages
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- Mammoth Sanitariums Not a Necessity
- Amusements in Our Sanitariums
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- Denominational Views Not to Be Urged Upon Patients
- For All Sects and Classes
- Medical Treatment, Right Living, and Prayer
- Centers of Influence and Training
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- Wholesome Substitutes
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- The Secret of Success
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- Health Reform at the Sanitarium
- Results of Faithful Effort
- Maintain a High Standard
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- Not Among the Wealthy
- Not for Pleasure Seekers
- City Conditions
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- Advantages of Wooden Structures
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- Loyalty to Our Institutions
- The Sanitarium as a Missionary Field
- Adherence to Principle
- To the Glory of God
- The Chaplain and His Work
- Hold the Truth in Its Purity
- For the Welfare of Others
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- Tact Essential
- Dealing With Sentimentalism
- The Ennobling Power of Pure Thoughts
- Criticizing and Faultfinding
- Results of Fostered Sin
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- Co-operation Between Schools and Sanitariums
- Equity in the Matter of Wages
- Economical From Principle
- Compensation
- No Exorbitant Salaries
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- Sanitarium Workers
- Recognition of Honest Labor
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- Simplicity and Economy
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- Ready for Every Good Work
- Bearing Witness to the Truth
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- Patience and Sympathy
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- Physicians to Conserve Their Strength
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- Each One in His Place
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- Dangers in Success
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- Qualifications Needed
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- Faith and Works
- Gratitude for Health
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- Obedience and Happiness
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- House-to-House Work
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- Efficiency Depends Upon Vigor
- Integrity Among Workers
- Steadfastness
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- Waves of Influence
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- In Our Schools
- A Lack of Economy
- Our Influence
- Need of Opportunity for Christian Culture
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- Gospel Workers to Teach Health Reform
- The Temperance Reform
- At the Camp Meetings
- A Good Work Made Difficult
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- Teach With Wisdom
- The Right Exercise of the Will
- Sign the Pledge
- Premature Tests
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- Sanitariums Needed in Washington and Other Places
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- Indifference and Unbelief
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- The Ruin Wrought by Satan
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- The Invitation
- Objects Lessons in Health Reform
- Why Conduct Sanitariums?
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- An Illustration
- The Breadth of the Work
- Clear New Ground
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- Rebellion Against Health Reform
- Not a Separate Work
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- In Faith and Humility
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- A Means of Overcoming Prejudice
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- The Ministry and Medical Work
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- Lights Amid Darkness
- A Lesson From Solomon's Fall
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- The Price of Health
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- Extremes in Dress
- Immodest Dresses
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- The Only Safety
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- An Advance Step
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- The Need of Consecration
- Total Abstinence
An Example of Degradation
My husband and myself once attended a meeting where our sympathies were enlisted for a brother who was a great sufferer with the phthisic. He was pale and emaciated. He requested the prayers of the people of God. He said that his family were sick, and that he had lost a child. He spoke with feeling of his bereavement. He said that he had been waiting for some time to see Brother and Sister White. He believed that if they would pray for him, he would be healed. After the meeting closed, the brethren called our attention to the case. They said that the church was assisting them; that his wife was sick, and his child had died. The brethren had met at his house, and united in praying for the afflicted family. We were much worn, and had the burden of labor upon us during the meeting, and wished to be excused.CH 618.3
I had resolved not to engage in prayer for anyone, unless the Spirit of the Lord should dictate in the matter. I had been shown that there was so much iniquity abounding, even among professed Sabbathkeepers, that I did not wish to unite in prayer for those of whose history I had no knowledge. I stated my reason. I was assured by the brethren that, as far as they knew, he was a worthy brother. I conversed a few words with the one who had solicited our prayers that he might be healed; but I could not feel free. He wept, and said that he had waited for us to come, and he felt assured that if we would pray for him he would be restored to health. We told him that we were unacquainted with his life; that we would rather those who knew him would pray for him. He importuned us so earnestly that we decided to consider his case, and present it before the Lord that night; and if the way seemed clear, we would comply with his request.CH 619.1
The night we bowed in prayer, and presented his case before the Lord. We entreated that we might know the will of God concerning him. All we desired was that God might be glorified. Would the Lord have us pray for this afflicted man? We left the burden with the Lord, and retired to rest. In a dream the case of that man was clearly presented. His course from his childhood up was shown, and that if we should pray, the Lord would not hear us; for he regarded iniquity in his heart. The next morning the man came for us to pray for him. We took him aside, and told him we were sorry to be compelled to refuse his request. I related my dream, which he acknowledged was true. He had practiced self-abuse from his boyhood up, and he had continued the practice during his married life, but said he would try to break himself of it.CH 619.2
This man had a long-established habit to overcome. He was in the middle age of life. His moral principles were so weak that when brought in conflict with long-established indulgence they were overcome. The baser passions had gained the ascendancy over the higher nature. I asked him in regard to health reform. He said he could not live it. His wife would throw graham flour out of doors, if it were brought into the house. This family had been helped by the church. Prayer had also been offered in their behalf. Their child had died, the wife was sick, and the husband and father would leave his case upon us, for us to bring before a pure and holy God, that He might work a miracle and make him well. The moral sensibilities of this man were benumbed.CH 620.1
When the young adopt vile practices while the spirit is tender, they will never obtain force to fully and correctly develop physical, intellectual, and moral character. Here was a man debasing himself daily, and yet daring to venture into the presence of God and ask an increase of strength which he had vilely squandered and which, if granted, he would consume upon his lust. What forbearance has God! If He should deal with man according to his corrupt ways, who could live in His sight? What if we had been less cautious and carried the case of this man before God while he was practicing iniquity; would the Lord have heard? Would He have answered? “For Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with Thee. The foolish shall not stand in Thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.” Psalm 5:4, 5. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Psalm 66:18.CH 620.2
This is not a solitary case. Even the marriage relation was not sufficient to preserve this man from the corrupt habits of his youth. I wish I could be convinced that such cases as the one I have presented are rare; but I know they are frequent. Children born to parents who are controlled by corrupt passions are worthless. What can be expected of such children, but that they will sink lower in the scale than their parents? What can be expected of the rising generation? Thousands are devoid of principle. These very ones are transmitting to their offspring their own miserable, corrupt passions. What a legacy! Thousands drag out their unprincipled lives, tainting their associates and perpetuating their debased passions by transmitting them to their children. They take the responsibility of giving to them the stamp of their own characters.CH 621.1