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The Ministry of Health and Healing
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, people lose their power to resist temptation.
Temperance reformers have a work to do in educating their
hearers along these lines. Teach them that health, character, and
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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 liquor
and tobacco, and in some cases the habit is as difficult to break as it
is for the alcoholic 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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