Our Present Work
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subsist on fruits, grains, and vegetables. If we move from principle
in these things, if we as Christian reformers educate our own taste,
and bring our diet to God’s plan, then we may exert an influence upon
others in this matter, which will be pleasing to God.
One reason why many have become discouraged in practicing
health reform is that they have not learned how to cook so that proper
food, simply prepared, would supply the place of the diet to which
they have been accustomed. They become disgusted with the poorly
prepared dishes, and next we hear them say that they have tried the
health reform, and cannot live in that way. Many attempt to follow out
meager instructions in health reform, and make such sad work that it
results in injury to digestion, and in discouragement to all concerned in
the attempt. You profess to be health reformers, and for this very reason
you should become good cooks. Those who can avail themselves of
the advantages of properly conducted hygienic cooking-schools, will
find it a great benefit, both in their own practice and in teaching others.
Do not catch hold of isolated ideas and make them a test, criticising
others whose practice may not agree with your opinion; but study the
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subject broadly and deeply, and seek to bring your own ideas and
practices into perfect harmony with the principles of true Christian
temperance.
There are many who try to correct the lives of others by attacking
what they regard as wrong habits. They go to those whom they think
in error, and point out their defects, but do not seek to direct the mind
to true principles. Such a course often comes far short of securing
the desired results. When we make it evident that we are trying to
correct others, we too often arouse their combativeness, and do more
harm than good. And there is danger to the reprover also. He who
takes it upon himself to correct others, is likely to cultivate a habit of
fault-finding, and soon his whole interest will be in picking flaws and
finding defects. Do not watch others, to pick at their faults or expose
their errors. Educate them to better habits by the power of your own
example.
Let it ever be kept before the mind that the great object of hygienic
reform is to secure the highest possible development of mind and soul
and body. All the laws of nature—which are the laws of God—are
designed for our good. Obedience to them will promote our happiness
in this life, and will aid us in a preparation for the life to come.