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Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods
I am instructed to say to parents: Place yourselves, soul and spirit,
on the Lord’s side of this question. We need ever to bear in mind
that in these days of probation we are on trial before the Lord of the
universe. Will you not give up indulgences that are doing you injury?
Words of profession are cheap; let your acts of self-denial testify that
you will be obedient to the demands that God makes of His peculiar
people. Then put into the treasury a portion of the means you save by
your acts of self-denial, and there will be that with which to carry on
the work of God.
There are many who feel that they can not get along without flesh
foods; but if these would place themselves on the Lord’s side, reso-
lutely resolved to walk in the way of His guidance, they would receive
strength and wisdom as did Daniel and his fellows. They would find
that the Lord would give them sound judgment. Many would be sur-
prised to see how much could be saved for the cause of God by acts of
self-denial. The small sums saved by deeds of sacrifice will do more
for the upbuilding of the cause of God than larger gifts will accomplish
that have not called for denial of self.
Seventh-day Adventists are handling momentous truths. More
than forty years ago the Lord gave us special light on health reform,
but how are we walking in that light? How many have refused to
live in harmony with the counsels of God! As a people we should
make advancement proportionate to the light received. It is our duty to
understand and respect the principles of health reform. On the subject
of temperance we should be in advance of all other people; and yet
there are among us well-instructed members of the church, and even
ministers of the gospel, who have little respect for the light that God
has given upon this subject. They eat as they please, and work as they
please
We do not mark out any precise line to be followed in diet; but
we do say that in countries where there are fruits, grains, and nuts in
abundance, flesh food is not the right food for God’s people. I have
been instructed that flesh food has a tendency to animalize the nature,
to rob men and women of that love and sympathy which they should
feel for every one, and to give the lower passions control over the
higher powers of the being. If meat-eating were ever healthful, it is
not safe now. Cancers, tumors, and pulmonary diseases are largely
caused by meat-eating.