24
Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods
Some are never really drunk, but are always under the influence of
cider or fermented wine. They are feverish, unbalanced in mind, not
really delirious, but in fully as bad a condition; for all the noble powers
of the mind are perverted. A tendency to disease of various kinds,
as dropsy, liver complaint, trembling nerves, and a determination of
blood to the head, results from the habitual use of sour cider. By
its use many bring upon themselves permanent disease. Some die of
consumption or fall under the power of apoplexy from this cause alone.
Some suffer from dyspepsia. Every vital function is deadened and
the physicians tell them that they have liver complaint, when if they
would break open the cider barrel, and never replace it, their abused
life-forces would recover their vigor.
Cider drinking leads to the use of stronger drinks. The stomach
loses its natural vigor, and something stronger is needed to arouse
it to action We see the power that appetite for strong drink has over
men; we see how many of all professions and of heavy responsibilities,
men of exalted station, of eminent talents, of great attainments, of
fine feeling, of strong nerves, and of good reasoning powers, sacrifice
everything for the indulgence of appetite, until they are reduced to
the level of the brutes; and in very many cases their downward course
commenced with the use of wine or cider.
When intelligent men and women who are professedly Christians,
plead that there is no harm in making wine or cider for the market,
because when unfermented it will not intoxicate, I feel sad at heart.
I know there is another side to this subject that they refuse to look
upon; for selfishness has closed their eyes to the terrible evils that may
result from the use of these stimulants.... As a people, we profess to
be reformers, to be light-bearers in the world, to be faithful sentinels
for God, guarding every avenue whereby Satan could come in with
his temptations to pervert the appetite. Our example and influence
must be a power on the side of reform. We must abstain from any
practice which will blunt the conscience or encourage temptation. We
must open no door that will give Satan access to the mind of one
human being formed in the image of God. If all would be vigilant and
faithful in guarding the little opening made by the moderate use of the
so-called harmless wine and cider, the highway to drunkenness would
be closed up. What is needed in every community is firm purpose,