236 MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE. 



the body, whether voluntary, or not. Thus the heart, 

 and the muscles of respiration, are equally, with the 

 voluntary muscles dependent on the action of the brain. 

 The organs of mastication, and digestion are also under 

 the same influence. 



In. every series of actions, therefore, which take place 

 in any part of the whole system, there is a mutual sym- 

 pathy and dependence on some other part. 



MUSCULAR EXERCISE OF THE CLERGY AND OTHER 

 LITERARY MEN* 



And now we come to the more especial object of this 

 part of our work, which is, to show that the vigorous 

 functions of the brain cannot long be sustained, without 

 a corresponding exertion of the muscles, and that this 

 exertion absolutely requires that the brain should be more 

 or lets excited. We intend that these doctrines should 

 apply more particularly to students and literary men, 

 and we shall begin by showing the duty of ministers of 

 the gospel in respect to bodily exercise. The present 

 condition of the clergy and other literary men of our 

 country, points to the vast importance of seeking some 

 remedy against the consequences of literary pursuits, 

 and sedentary habits, on their corporeal and mental 

 functions. Not only ministers of all ages, but students, 

 only a few years advanced in their studies, are constant- 

 ly " breaking down" as it is termed, under the pressure 

 of their literary burthens ; many of the first class being 

 obliged to go to Europe, or otherwise suspend their 

 labors in order to recruit their worn out frames, and 

 rest awhile from their cerebral occupations ; while per- 

 haps an equal number of the last, find themselves under 

 the necessity of retiring entirely from the field of litera- 

 ry pursuits and of seeking some employment, in which 

 less is required of the nervous, and more of the muscu- 

 lar system ; and thus the literary or ministerial services 

 of many young men of great promise, and whose labors 

 and influence would be highly important to the church, 

 or the interests of education, are in a great measure, 

 lost to the country. 



