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Temperance and Spirituality
147
the moral powers, Satan well knows that his power to overcome with
his temptations is very small.
To Meet the Demands of Fashion
—In our day, people talk
of the dark ages, and boast of progress. But with this progress
wickedness and crime do not decrease. We deplore the absence
of natural simplicity, and the increase of artificial display. Health,
strength, beauty, and long life, which were common in the so-called
“Dark Ages,” are rare now. Nearly everything desirable is sacrificed
to meet the demands of fashionable life.
A large share of the Christian world have no right to call them-
selves Christians. Their habits, their extravagance, and general
treatment of their own bodies, are violations of physical law, and
contrary to the Bible. They are working out for themselves, in their
course of life, physical suffering, and mental and moral feebleness.
Through his devices, Satan, in many respects, has made the
domestic life one of care and complicated burdens, in order to meet
the demands of fashion. His purpose in doing this is to keep minds
occupied so fully with the things of this life that they can give but
little attention to their highest interest. Intemperance in eating and
in dressing has so engrossed the minds of the Christian world that
they do not take time to become intelligent in regard to the laws of
their being, that they may obey them. To profess the name of Christ
is of but little account if the life does not correspond with the will of
God, revealed in His word....
When Sanctification Is Impossible
—A large proportion of all
the infirmities that afflict the human family, are the results of their
own wrong habits, because of their willing ignorance, or of their
disregard of the light which God has given in relation to the laws
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of their being. It is not possible for us to glorify God while living
in violation of the laws of life. The heart cannot possibly maintain
consecration to God while the lustful appetite is indulged. A diseased
body and disordered intellect, because of continual indulgence in
hurtful lust, make sanctification of the body and spirit impossible.
The apostle understood the importance of the healthful condi-
tions of the body for the successful perfection of Christian character.
He says, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest
that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should
be a castaway.”—
Redemption; or the Temptation of Christ, 57-62
.