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Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods
is overborne, and there seems to be no power to deny the unnatural
craving. Stronger and still stronger stimulants are called for, until
exhausted nature can no longer respond.
The Review and Herald, January 25, 1881
Tea and coffee, as well as tobacco, have an injurious effect upon
the system. Tea is intoxicating; though less in degree, its effect is the
same in character as that of spirituous liquors. Coffee has a greater
tendency to becloud the intellect and benumb the energies. It is not
so powerful as tobacco, but is similar in its effects. The arguments
brought against tobacco may also be urged against the use of tea and
coffee.
Those who are in the habit of using tea, coffee, tobacco, opium
or spirituous liquors, can not worship God when they are deprived
of the accustomed indulgence. Let them, while deprived of these
stimulants, engage in the worship of God, and divine grace would
be powerless to animate, enliven, or spiritualize their prayers or their
testimonies. These professed Christians should consider the means of
their enjoyment. Is it from above, or from beneath?
The Facts of Faith 2:128-129
Tea and coffee are stimulating. Their effects are similar to those
of tobacco; but they affect in a less degree. Those who use these
slow poisons, like the tobacco user, think they can not live without
them, because they feel so very badly, when they do not have these
idols. Why they suffer when they discontinue the use of these stim-
ulants, is because they have been breaking down nature in her work
of preserving the entire system in harmony and in health. They will
be troubled with dizziness, headache, numbness, nervousness, and
irritability. They feel as though they should go all to pieces, and some
have not courage to persevere in abstaining from them till abused
nature recovers, but again resort to the use of the same hurtful things.
They do not give nature time to recover the injury they have done her,
but for present relief return to these hurtful indulgences. Nature is
continually growing weaker, and less capable of recovering. But if
they will be determined in their efforts to persevere and overcome,
abused nature will soon again rally, and perform her work wisely and