MOKAI. ASPF.C r OF SLEEP. 107 



quire more sleep tlian thev whose constitutions are vigorous. Intense 

 physical exertion which must be followed by great exhaustion, requires 

 more sleep than where this chics not occur. From six to eight hours 

 may be regarded as the medium (Quantity. Not many can do with less 

 than the first named number, and not many in health require more than 

 the second. 



Protracting sleep beyond the necessities of our bodies, is, in a moral 

 point of view, wrong. It obviously contravenes the purposes of our 

 Creator — it is a violation of the counsel given us in revelation to "Re- 

 deem the time" — It leaves out of view, the swiftness of our time, the 

 rapidity with which it flits away and the multiplicity and importance of 

 our engagements. 



Hear on this subject the words of a very wise man : "Go to the ant, 

 thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Which having no guide, 

 overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her 

 food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard .'' when wilt 

 thou arise out of thy sleep } Yet a little sleep, a little folding of the 

 hands to sleep : So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and 

 thy want as an armed man." 



In the hours often wasted in sleep, much might be cccomplished for 

 our own good. and for the good of others. By reducing sleep to the quan- 

 tity absolutely necessary, some eminent men have gained time enough 

 to enable them to prepare works of lasting value to the world. Physi- 

 cians of the highest character declare that it is positively nijurious to 

 the health, and in addition stupifies the mind, readers it sluggish and 

 dull, and produces sleepy heads. Regarded as a sin against God, against 

 our own souls, against the welfare of our fellow men, and against our 

 own bodies, excessive sleep stands justly condemned, and our pur- 

 pose should be not to practice it. 



On the other hand, if we attempt to deny ourselves the requisite 

 quantity, we shall sink under the experiment. Both body and mind will 

 be seriou.sly injured ; a long train of nervous disorders will ensue. Per- 

 manent ill health will be the consequence, and a miserable existence 

 will be dragged out, with a debilitated system; or, a premature death will 

 close the scene. Nothing is more preposterous than attempts in this 

 way to subvert the laws of nature, or the constitution of God. It is 

 morally wrong, and it defeats its own end. Instead of accomplishing 

 more, it accomplishes less. It is a form of self-murder — originating of- 

 ten in a most criminal ambition, and consummated with a most reckless 

 disregard of the authority of the moral Governor of the Universe. 



