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Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods
We are living in an age of gluttony, and the habits to which the
young are educated, even by many Seventh-day Adventists, are in
direct opposition to the laws of nature. I was seated once at the table
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with several children under twelve years of age. Meat was plentifully
served, and then a delicate, nervous girl called for pickles. A bottle of
chow-chow, fiery with mustard and pungent with spices, was handed
her, from which she helped herself freely. The child was proverbial
for her nervousness and irritability of temper, and these fiery condi-
ments were well calculated to produce such a condition. The oldest
child thought he could not eat a meal without meat, and showed great
dissatisfaction, and even disrespect, if it was not provided for him.
The mother had indulged him in his likes and dislikes till she had
become little better than a slave to his caprices. The lad had not been
provided with work, and he spent the greater portion of his time in
reading that which was useless or worse than useless. He complained
almost constantly of headache, and had no relish for simple food.
Parents should provide employment for their children. Nothing
will be a more sure source of evil than indolence. Physical labor that
brings healthful weariness to the muscles, will give an appetite for
simple, wholesome food, and the youth who is properly employed will
not rise from the table grumbling because he does not see before him
a platter of meat and various dainties to tempt his appetite.
Jesus, the Son of God, in laboring with His hands at the carpenter’s
trade, gave an example to all youth. Let those who scorn to take up the
common duties of life remember that Jesus was subject to His parents,
and contributed His share toward the sustenance of the family. Few
luxuries were seen on the table of Joseph and Mary, for they were
among the poor and lowly.
Parents should be an example to their children in the expenditure
of money. There are those who, as soon as they get money, spend it
for dainties to eat, or for needless adornments of dress, and when the
supply of money becomes reduced, they feel the need of that which
they have wasted. If they have an abundant income, they use every
dollar of it; if small, it is not sufficient for the habits of extravagance
they have acquired, and they borrow to supply the demand. They
gather from any source possible to meet their fancied necessities. They
become dishonest and untruthful, and the record that stands against
them in the books of heaven is such as they will not care to look