I refer to the formation of a National Health Society.[23] Such a society seems to be much needed--needed to give combination, direction, and impulse to the efforts of individuals; to form a storehouse of information to which all could apply; to assist health legislation by looking at this great subject from a family point of view, and educating the community into an intelligent appreciation of wise legislative measures; to attack such a great and growing evil as that of unconsumed smoke; to suggest improvements in education, and draw every charitable institution into health missionary work. Every other subject of human interest is represented by some society, more or less active, which takes up the social side of each particular work and urges its claims. It seems characteristic of the general neglect with which Health is treated that no national society of men and women has yet been formed to promote this vital subject--Health. Such a society should extend its branches into every town and village of the land, and form a body of corresponding members, not only throughout the kingdom, but abroad. It might, with great advantage, promote the wide application of that excellent system of instruction initiated by Mr. Twining, of Twickenham. This gentleman has devoted his life to the diffusion of sanitary knowledge. Having established a museum of domestic arts in his grounds, open to the public, he has written a series of lectures, which are read by the curator of his museum and illustrated by his librarian, the illustrations for each lecture being ingeniously packed in a small box; he generously sends this little establishment to any place which will make arrangements for the delivery of the lectures. Such a system, varying the lectures and illustrations, might be applied to every little village in England, for two young ladies or gentlemen might certainly be found in every place to read discourses so prepared. If a Health Society did no other work than keep in constant activity such a simple plan of instruction as this, it would do a work of immense utility. There is, however, no limit to the practical suggestions that might thus be brought before the public to the influence that might be exercised upon family life, or to the sanitary institutions that might be formed by an energetic Health Society. I have thus endeavoured to show: 1. That there are laws governing human growth according to an unvarying plan. 2. That neglect to study and obey these laws produces individual suffering in all classes of society and national degeneration. 3. That obedience must be rendered through legislation, education, and social life. It is only when we have learned to recognise that God’s law for the human body is as sacred as--nay, is one with--God’s law for the human soul, that we shall begin to understand the Religion of Health. FOOTNOTES: