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The Ministry of Healing
deeply into the cause of the evil they war against and to be sure that
they are consistent in reform.
It must be kept before the people that the right balance of the
mental and moral powers depends in a great degree on the right con-
dition of the physical system. All narcotics and unnatural stimulants
that enfeeble and degrade the physical nature tend to lower the tone
of the intellect and morals. Intemperance lies at the foundation of
the moral depravity of the world. By the indulgence of perverted
appetite, man loses his power to resist temptation.
Temperance reformers have a work to do in educating the people
in these lines. Teach them that health, character, and even life, are
endangered by the use of stimulants, which excite the exhausted
energies to unnatural, spasmodic action.
In relation to tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcoholic drinks, the only
safe course is to touch not, taste not, handle not. The tendency of tea,
coffee, and similar drinks is in the same direction as that of alcoholic
liquor and tobacco, and in some cases the habit is as difficult to
break as it is for the drunkard to give up intoxicants. Those who
attempt to leave off these stimulants will for a time feel a loss and
will suffer without them. But by persistence they will overcome the
craving and cease to feel the lack. Nature may require a little time
to recover from the abuse she has suffered; but give her a chance,
and she will again rally and perform her work nobly and well.
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