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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
cautious not to advance too fast, lest we be obliged to retrace our steps.
In reforms we would better come one step short of the mark than to go
one step beyond it. And if there is error at all, let it be on the side next
to the people.
Above all things, we should not with our pens advocate positions
that we do not put to a practical test in our own families, upon our own
tables. This is dissimulation, a species of hypocrisy. In Michigan we
can get along better without salt, sugar, and milk than can many who
are situated in the Far West or in the far East, where there is a scarcity
of fruit. But there are very few families in Battle Creek who do not
use these articles upon their tables. We know that a free use of these
things is positively injurious to health, and, in many cases, we think
that if they were not used at all, a much better state of health would be
enjoyed. But at present our burden is not upon these things. The people
are so far behind that we see it is all they can bear to have us draw
the line upon their injurious indulgences and stimulating narcotics.
We bear positive testimony against tobacco, spirituous liquors, snuff,
tea, coffee, flesh meats, butter, spices, rich cakes, mince pies, a large
amount of salt, and all exciting substances used as articles of food.
If we come to persons who have not been enlightened in regard
to health reform, and present our strongest positions at first, there is
danger of their becoming discouraged as they see how much they have
to give up, so that they will make no effort to reform. We must lead
the people along patiently and gradually, remembering the hole of the
pit whence we were digged.
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