Seite 133 - Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene (1890)

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preserve physical health. Nature’s path is the road he marks out, and it
is broad enough for any Christian. With a lavish hand God has provided
us with rich and varied bounties for our sustenance and enjoyment.
But in order for us to enjoy the natural appetite, which will preserve
health and prolong life, he restricts the appetite. He says, Beware!
restrain, deny, unnatural appetite. If we create a perverted appetite, we
violate the laws of our being, and assume the responsibility of abusing
our bodies and of bringing disease upon ourselves.
God has bountifully provided for the sustenance and happiness of
all his creatures; if his laws were never violated, if all acted in harmony
with the divine will, health, peace, and happiness, instead of misery
and continual evil, would be the result.
Some are not impressed with the necessity of eating and drinking
to the glory of God. The indulgence of appetite affects them in all
the relations of life. It is seen in the family, in the church, in the
prayer-meeting, and in the conduct of their children. It is the curse of
their lives. It prevents them from understanding the truths for these
last days.
I saw that God does not require any one to practice such rigid
economy as to weaken or injure the temple of God. There are duties
and requirements in his word to humble the church, and cause them to
afflict their souls; there is no need of making crosses and manufacturing
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duties to distress the body, in order to cause humility. All this is outside
the word of God.
The time of trouble is just before us, and then stern necessity will
require the people of God to deny self, and eat merely enough to sustain
life; but God will prepare them for that time. In that fearful hour, their
necessity will be God’s opportunity to impart strength, and sustain his
people. But now God requires them to labor with their hands, the thing
that is good, and lay by them in store as he has prospered them, and to
do their part in sustaining the cause of truth. This is a duty enjoined
upon all who are not especially called to labor in word and doctrine, to
devote their time to proclaiming to others the way of life and salvation.
Those who labor with their hands, and those who labor in word and
doctrine, must have a care to sustain their physical powers; for Satan
and his evil angels are warring against them, seeking to undermine
their strength. When they can, they should take rest both in body and
mind, and should eat of nourishing food; for they will be obliged to