A. No; God has given to man, not without wise design, a body, hands, and feet: he is to make use of them and labour, and through labour to preserve life and health, to promote his own happiness, and that of his fellow creatures.
Q. But cannot exercise and labour hurt a man?
A. By all means: if man exceeds the bounds of reason, and of his natural powers, he may hurt himself.
Q. Is it good to take much exercise, or work hard immediately before or after dinner?
A. No; a little rest before and after dinner is necessary, and promotes appetite and digestion, recruits the powers of the body, and fits it for future work.
Admonition. He who owes his birth and education to healthy, strong, sensible, virtuous, and industrious parents, who, from his infancy, has constantly breathed fresh, pure, and dry air; whose skin and apparel are always kept clean: who, with regard to his meals, observes moderation and order, and drinks no brandy or other spirituous liquors; whose habitation is orderly, clean, dry, and lightsome; who has been accustomed from his infancy to order and cleanliness, to assiduity and industry, and whose reason and virtue have been fortified and improved in his youth by instruction and example; who fears God, loves mankind, and does justice; who works six days out of seven for the maintenance of his wife and children:— he only enjoys terrestrial bliss; he is truly happy, and may, anticipating the joys of eternal felicity, brave all the horrors of death.
Of Sleep.
Q. Ought children to sleep much?
A. Yes; children and young people that are constantly in motion when awake, ought to sleep more than grown people.
