Diet and Morals
53
ing the animal propensities, and crippling the growth and development
of the moral faculties. There is no encouragement given to any of the
sons or daughters of Adam that they may become victorious overcom-
ers in the Christian warfare unless they decide to practice temperance
in all things. If they do this, they will not fight as one that beateth the
air.
If Christians will keep the body in subjection, and bring all their
appetites and passions under the control of enlightened conscience,
feeling it a duty that they owe to God and to their neighbors to obey
the laws which govern health and life, they will have the blessing of
physical and mental vigor. They will have moral power to engage in
the warfare against Satan; and in the name of Him who conquered
appetite in their behalf, they may be more than conquerors on their
own account. This warfare is open to all who will engage in it.
Testimonies for the Church 2:485-486
The brother referred to felt a lack in his system; he was not nour-
ished, and he thought that meat would give him the needed strength.
Had he been suitably cared for, his table spread at the right time with
food of a nourishing quality, all the demands of nature would have
been abundantly supplied. The butter and meat stimulate. These have
injured the stomach and perverted the taste. The sensitive nerves of
the brain have been benumbed, and the animal appetite strengthened at
the expense of the moral and intellectual faculties. These higher pow-
ers, which should control, have been growing weaker, so that eternal
things have not been discerned. Paralysis has benumbed the spiritual
and devotional. Satan has triumphed to see how easily he can come
in through the appetite, and control men and women of intelligence,
calculated by the Creator to do a good and great work.
The Review and Herald, January 25, 1881
Let none who profess godliness regard with indifference the health
of the body, and flatter themselves that intemperance is no sin, and
will not affect their spirituality. A close sympathy exists between the
physical and the moral nature. The standard of virtue is elevated or
degraded by the physical habits. Excessive eating of the best of food
will produce a morbid condition of the moral feelings. And if the food