Home and the Temperance Crusade
307
of right, of reform and abstinence. In every crisis they will then have
moral independence to breast the storm of opposition sure to assail
those who take their stand in favor of true reform
Intemperance Is Often a Result of Home Indulgence—Great
efforts are made in our country to put down intemperance, but it is
found a hard matter to overpower and chain the full-grown lion. If
half these efforts were directed toward enlightening parents as to their
responsibility in forming the habits and characters of their children,
a thousandfold more good might result than from the present course.
We bid all workers in the cause of temperance Godspeed; but we invite
them to look deeper into the cause of the evil they war against, and go
more thoroughly and consistently into reform
In order to reach the root of intemperance we must go deeper than
the use of alcohol or tobacco. Idleness, lack of aim, or evil associa-
tions may be the predisposing cause. Often it is found at the home
table, in families that account themselves strictly temperate. Anything
that disorders digestion, that creates undue mental excitement or in
any way enfeebles the system, disturbing the balance of the mental
and the physical powers, weakens the control of the mind over the
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body, and thus tends toward intemperance. The downfall of many a
promising youth might be traced to unnatural appetites created by an
unwholesome diet
The tables of our American people are generally prepared in a
manner to make drunkards. Appetite is the ruling principle with a
large class. Whoever will indulge appetite in eating too often, and
food not of a healthful quality, is weakening his power to resist the
clamors of appetite and passion in other respects in proportion as he
has strengthened the propensity to incorrect habits of eating
Tea and Coffee Are Contributing Factors—Through the intem-
perance begun at home, the digestive organs first become weakened,
and soon ordinary food does not satisfy the appetite. Unhealthy condi-
tions are established, and there is a craving for more stimulating food.
Tea and coffee produce an immediate effect. Under the influence of
these poisons the nervous system is excited; and in some cases, for the
4
The Health Reformer, May 1, 1877
.
5
The Review and Herald, September 23, 1884
.
6
Education, 202, 203
.
7
Testimonies For The Church 3:563
.