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Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods
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 en-
dangered 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.
Testimonies for the Church 3:487-488
Intemperance commences at our tables, in the use of unhealthful
food. After a time, through continued indulgence, the digestive organs
become weakened, and the food taken does not satisfy the appetite.
Unhealthy conditions are established, and there is a craving for more
stimulating food. Tea, coffee, and flesh-meats produce an immediate
effect. Under the influence of these poisons, the nervous system is
excited, and, in some cases, for the time being, the intellect seems
to be invigorated and the imagination to be more vivid. Because
these stimulants produce for the time being such agreeable results,
many conclude that they really need them, and continue their use. But
there is always a reaction. The nervous system, having been unduly
excited, borrowed power for present use from its future resources of
strength. All this temporary invigoration of the system is followed by
depression. In proportion as these stimulants temporarily invigorate
the system, will be the letting down of the power of the excited organs
after the stimulus has lost its force. The appetite is educated to crave
something stronger, which will have a tendency to keep up and increase
the agreeable excitement, until indulgence becomes habit, and there
is a continual craving for stronger stimulus, as tobacco, wines, and