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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
before his father Terah.” The patriarchs from Adam to Noah, with
few exceptions, lived nearly a thousand years. Since then the average
length of life has been decreasing.
At the time of Christ’s first advent the race had already so degen-
erated that not only the old but the middle-aged and the young were
brought from every city to the Saviour to be healed of their diseases.—
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 7, 8, 1890
. (
Counsels on
Diet and Foods, 117, 118
.)
Children to Avoid Wrong Habits of Parents—Disease never
comes without a cause. The way is prepared and disease invited by
disregard of the laws of health. Many suffer in consequence of the
transgression of their parents. While they are not responsible for what
their parents have done, it is nevertheless their duty to ascertain what
are and what are not violations of the laws of health. They should
avoid the wrong habits of their parents and by correct living place
themselves in better conditions.—
The Ministry of Healing, 234
(1905).
[144]
Ancestors’ Sins Filling World With Disease—Our ancestors
have bequeathed to us customs and appetites which are filling the
world with disease. The sins of the parents, through perverted appetite,
are with fearful power visited upon the children to the third and fourth
generations. The bad eating of many generations, the gluttonous and
self-indulgent habits of the people, are filling our poorhouses, our pris-
ons, and our insane asylums. Intemperance in drinking tea and coffee,
wine, beer, rum, and brandy and in using tobacco, opium, and other
narcotics has resulted in great mental and physical degeneracy, and
this degeneracy is constantly increasing.—
The Review and Herald,
July 29, 1884
. (
Counsels on Health, 49
.)
Inherited Appetite for Stimulants—For some persons it is by no
means safe to have wine or cider in the house. They have inherited
an appetite for stimulants which Satan is continually soliciting them
to indulge. If they yield to his temptations, they do not stop; appetite
clamors for indulgence and is gratified to their ruin. The brain is
benumbed and clouded; reason no longer holds the reins, but they are
laid on the neck of lust.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:356, 357
(1885).
Evils of Tobacco Passed to Children—Among children and
youth the use of tobacco is working untold harm. The unhealthful
practices of past generations affect the children and youth of today.
Mental inability, physical weakness, disordered nerves, and unnatural