Reasons for Reform
453
of sinful indulgence. The aspirations are perverted, and the soul and
body defaced.
Testimonies for the Church 3:171-172
God, in His providence, has given us the light upon health reform,
that we may understand it in all its bearings, follow the light it brings,
and by rightly relating ourselves to life, have health that we may glorify
God and be a blessing to others.
The church in general at Battle Creek have not sustained the In-
stitute by their example. They have not honored the light of health
reform by carrying it out in their families. The sickness that has vis-
ited many families in Battle Creek need not have been, if they had
followed the light God has given them. Like ancient Israel, they have
disregarded the light, and could see no more necessity of restricting
their appetite than did ancient Israel. The children of Israel would have
flesh-meats, and said, as many now say, We shall die without meat.
God gave rebellious Israel flesh, but His curse was with it. Thousands
of them died while the meat they desired was between their teeth. We
have the example of ancient Israel, and the warning for us not to do as
they did. Their history of unbelief and rebellion is left on record as a
special warning that we should not follow their example of murmuring
at God’s requirements. How can we pass on so indifferently, choosing
our own course, following the sight of our own eyes, and departing
farther and farther from God, as did the Hebrews? God can not do
great things for His people because of their hardness of heart and sinful
unbelief.
God is no respecter of persons; but in every generation they that
fear the Lord and work righteousness are accepted of Him; while those
who are murmuring, unbelieving, and rebellious, will not have His
favor nor the blessings promised to those who love the truth and walk
in it. Those who have the light and do not follow it, but disregard the
requirements of God, will find that their blessings will be changed
into curses, and their mercies into judgments. God would have us
learn humility and obedience as we read the history of ancient Israel,
who were His chosen and peculiar people, but who brought their own
destruction by following their own ways.