206 MORAL ASPECT OF SLEEP. 



We suppose all men have yielded obedience to this law of their nature. 

 We presume it commenced with the first man — it spread its influence 

 over all the nations oi'the earth. We have heard of no nation that does 

 not sleep. Some may have had theories on the subject ; may have phil- 

 osophized, and they slept. Others may never have meditated on the 

 subject at all, and yet they render homage to the same law. In the only 

 case in which humanity was presented v/ith so many peculiarities, that 

 if any where there miglit be an exception, it is written of Him, '•'•Jesus 

 slept." 



Some hints to students may here be in place. Arising early, let them, 

 before the day is far advanced, walk abroad and take exercise until they 

 feel moderately weary. Let them then return to their studies, and de- 

 vote faithfully all the prescribed hours to their appropriate duties. In 

 the remaining hours of recreation, take additional exercise, and devote 

 some of this time to general reading, if it be not necessary for your reg- 

 ular studies. Do not overload your stomachs with food, at any meal, 

 particularly at night. Take care that your chambers are not too warm 

 in winter, and let your fires go down before you retire to bed. If the 

 combustion of your lungs and your stoves is proceeding at the same 

 time, it will rob the air so rapidly of its vital part as to produce an un- 

 healthy atmosphere in a close room, and this will not only be unfavora- 

 ble to sleep but likewise to health. It will make you pallid and sickly, 

 enervate your strength, indispose you to action, and rob your minds of 

 their wonted energy. 



"Sufhcient labor during the day," says that distinguished and christian 

 physician, Dr. Heinroth, of Leipzig, "proper exercise in the open air, 

 temperance, cheerfulness, contentment, and an unsullied conscience, con- 

 tribute alike to sound repose and pleasant dreams." 



In regard to the quantity of sleep, it is undeniable that a certain 

 amount is necessary. As a general rule, I suppose men both eat and 

 sleep more than is really necessary. Intemperance in both conduces to 

 no good end, but is on many accounts objectionable. It is positively in- 

 jurious to mind and body. It is not an easy matter to determine the 

 number of hours which the necessities of our frames demand. The 

 best judges concede that it must vary according to circumstances. The 

 stamina of the human system varying in dillerent persons, the extent 

 of exhaustion and the amount of supply must be variously modified. 

 Children and young persons require more sleep than others, mature and 

 old age still less. To this latter fact the writer of Ecclesiastes refers in 

 the graphic representation which he gives of old age: "and he shall 

 rise up at the voice of the bird." Persons ot delicate constitutions re- 



