312 THE WONDERFUL HOUSE THAT JACK HAS 



made after His image, and that, with proper care and 

 training, we may become strong and noble in body and 

 mind ! What a charge to keep we have, and with 

 what care and prayerfulness we should guard and 

 shape so precious and sacred a gift ! 



But if full-grown oaks are to be straight, strong, 

 well-proportioned, and sturdy, they must not be bent 

 and weakened when saplings. So if the joyous, healthy, 

 active boys and girls of to-day are to become happy, 

 vigorous, well-poised, and capable men and women of 

 the future, they must train these wonderful gifts to 

 achieve their highest and best possibilities. In the 

 preceding chapters we have read how to make food, air, 

 waiter, exercise, and rest serve the best growth and 

 development of these bodies God has given us. These 

 are rules easily remembered and readily made our 

 habit of living, if only begun early enough. While 

 fleeting pleasure may attend their transgression, the 

 truest joy and highest satisfaction accompany their 

 keeping. "More to be desired are they than gold, 

 yea, than much fine gold : sweeter also than honey 

 and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant 

 warned : and in keeping of them there is great reward." 



How truly these words used by the Psalmist in 

 describing the laws of the Lord may be applied to the 

 simple laws of health ! If we regard our bodies as 

 precious, sacred gifts, which, keeping pure and clean 

 within and without, we try to shape and develop to 

 their highest and best, then we can more proudly and 



