Our Reasonable Service
15
But it is not thus alone that the appetite is perverted and made a
snare. The food is often such as to excite a desire for stimulating drinks.
Luxurious dishes are placed before the children,—spiced foods, rich
gravies, cakes, and pastries. This highly seasoned food irritates the
stomach, and causes a craving for still stronger stimulants. Not only
is the appetite tempted with unsuitable food, of which the children
are allowed to eat freely at their meals, but they are permitted to eat
between meals, and by the time they are twelve or fourteen years of
age they are often confirmed dyspeptics.
You have perhaps seen a picture of the stomach of one who is
addicted to strong drink. A similar condition is produced under the
irritating influence of fiery spices. With the stomach in such a state,
there is a craving for something more to meet the demands of the
appetite, something stronger, and still stronger. Next you find your
sons out on the street learning to smoke. It is a grievous lesson; it
makes them deathly sick. Yet they press the matter through with a
perseverance that would be praiseworthy in a better cause. Tobacco
weakens the brain, and paralyzes its fine sensibilities. Its use excites a
thirst for strong drink, and in very many cases lays the foundation for
the liquor habit.
The use of tobacco is an inconvenient, expensive, uncleanly habit.
The teachings of Christ, pointing to purity, self-denial, and temperance,
all rebuke this defiling practice. When we think of the long fast that
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Jesus endured in the wilderness of temptation in order to break the
power of appetite over man, we marvel that those who profess to be
his followers can indulge in this habit. Is it for the glory of God for
men to enfeeble the physical powers, confuse the brain, and yield the
will to this narcotic poison? What right have they to mar the image of
God? What says the apostle?—“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by
the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
A great responsibility rests upon us. We cannot render to God true
service unless we present our bodies a living sacrifice. No one can
be justified in marring this wonderfully intricate human organism. If
we do this, not only do we suffer ourselves, but the evil is transmitted
to our children. Can we wonder that the children who have such a
legacy do not fear God? How often do we see boys not more than eight
years old using tobacco! If you speak to them about it, they say, “My