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Counsels for the Church
of the present truth and will lose their perception of what is truth; they
will surely reap as they have sown.
I have been instructed that the students in our schools are not to
be served with flesh foods or with food preparations that are known
to be unhealthful. Nothing that will serve to encourage a desire for
stimulants should be placed on the tables. I appeal to old and young
and to middle-aged. Deny your appetite of those things that are doing
you injury. Serve the Lord by sacrifice.
There are many who feel that they cannot get along without flesh
food; but if these would place themselves on the Lord’s side, resolutely
resolved to walk in the way of His guidance, they would receive
strength and wisdom as did Daniel and his fellows. They would find
that the Lord would give them sound judgment. Many would be
surprised to see how much could be saved for the cause of God by
acts of self-denial. The small sums saved by deeds of sacrifice will
do more for the upbuilding of the cause of God than larger gifts will
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accomplish that have not called for denial of self.
An Appeal for a Firm Stand
Seventh-day Adventists are handling momentous truths. More
than forty years ago [in 1863] the Lord gave us special light on health
reform, but how are we walking in that light? How many have refused
to live in harmony with the counsels of God! As a people, we should
make advancement proportionate to the light received. It is our duty to
understand and respect the principles of health reform. On the subject
of temperance we should be in advance of all other people; and yet
there are among us well-instructed members of the church, and even
ministers of the gospel, who have little respect for the light that God
has given upon this subject. They eat as they please and work as they
please.
Let those who are teachers and leaders in our cause take their stand
firmly on Bible ground in regard to health reform, and give a straight
testimony to those who believe we are living in the last days of this
earth’s history. A line of distinction must be drawn between those who
serve God and those who serve themselves.
I have been shown that the principles that were given us in the
early days of the message are as important and should be regarded just