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Evangelism
could not do this if they did not grasp by faith the promises of God for
the forgiveness of their sins. Is it not worth a decided effort to save
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these souls?—
Letter 4, 1899
.
Begin Reform at the Foundation—Liquor drinking encourages
the vilest debauchery and strengthens the most Satanic propensities....
As we face these things, and see the terrible consequences of liquor
drinking, shall we not do all in our power to rally to the help of God in
fighting against this great evil? At the foundation of liquor drinking lie
wrong habits of eating. Those who believe present truth should refuse
to drink tea or coffee, for these excite a desire for stronger stimulant.
They should refuse to eat flesh meat, for this too excites a desire for
strong drink. Wholesome food, prepared with taste and skill, should
be our diet now.
Those who are not health reformers treat themselves unfairly and
unwisely. By the indulgence of appetite they do themselves fearful
injury. Some may think that the question of diet is not important
enough to be included in the question of religion. But such make a
great mistake. God’s Word declares, “Whether therefore ye eat, or
drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” The subject of
temperance, in all its bearings, has an important place in the working
out of our salvation. Because of wrong habits of eating, the world is
becoming more and more immoral.—
Letter 49, 1902
.
Personal Labor for Intemperate—Missionary work does not
consist merely of preaching. It includes personal labor for those who
have abused their health and have placed themselves where they have
not moral power to control their appetites and passions. These souls
are to be labored for as those more favorably situated. Our world is
full of suffering ones.
God has written His law upon every nerve and muscle, every fiber
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and function of the human body. The indulgence of unnatural appetite,
whether for tea, coffee, tobacco, or liquor, is intemperance, and is at
war with the laws of life and health. By using these forbidden articles
a condition of things is created in the system which the Creator never
designed. This indulgence in any of the members of the human family
is sin.... The eating of food that does not make good blood is working
against the laws of our physical organism, and is a violation of the law
of God. The cause produces the effect. Suffering, disease, and death
are the sure penalty of indulgence.—
Letter 123, 1899
.