The Influence of Diet Upon Health
Those upon whom rest important responsibilities, those, above all,
who are guardians of spiritual interests, should be men of keen feeling
and quick perception. More than others, they need to be temperate
in eating. Rich and luxurious food should have no place upon their
tables.
Every day men in positions of trust have decisions to make upon
which depend results of great importance. Often they have to think
rapidly, and this can be done successfully by those only who practice
strict temperance. The mind strengthens under the correct treatment
of the physical and mental powers. If the strain is not too great, new
vigor comes with every taxation. But often the work of those who have
important plans to consider and important decisions to make is affected
for evil by the results of improper diet. A disordered stomach produces
a disordered, uncertain state of mind. Often it causes irritability,
harshness, or injustice. Many a plan that would have been a blessing
to the world has been set aside, many unjust, oppressive, even cruel
measures have been carried, as the result of diseased conditions due to
wrong habits of eating.
Here is a suggestion for all whose work is sedentary or chiefly
mental; let those who have sufficient moral courage and self-control
try it. At each meal take only two or three kinds of simple food, and
eat no more than is required to satisfy hunger. Take active exercise
every day, and see if you do not receive benefit.—
The Ministry of
Healing, 309, 310
. Some ministers are not particular enough in regard
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to their habits of eating. They partake of too large quantities of food,
and of too great a variety at one meal. Some are reformers in name
only. They have no rules by which to regulate their diet, but indulge
in eating fruit or nuts between their meals, and thus impose heavy
burdens upon the digestive organs.
Because of imprudence in eating, the senses of some seem to be
paralyzed, and they are sluggish and sleepy. These pale-faced ministers
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