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Temperance
not be intellectually great, but if pure and humble, God-fearing and
true, the Lord will accept their labors.—
Testimonies for the Church
5:127
.
Not to Work Alone
—One man should not try to do this work
alone. Let several unite in such an effort. Let them come to the
front with a message from heaven, imbued with the power of the
Holy Spirit.... Let men and women be shown the evil of spending
money in indulgences that destroy the health of mind and soul and
body.—
Evangelism, 531
.
Present God’s Appointed Way
—The self-denial, humility, and
temperance required of the righteous, whom God especially leads
and blesses, is to be presented to the people in contrast to the extrav-
agant, health-destroying habits of those who live in this degenerate
age. God has shown that health reform is as closely connected with
the third angel’s message as the hand is with the body. There is
nowhere to be found so great a cause of physical and moral degen-
eracy as a neglect of this important subject. Those who indulge
appetite and passion, and close their eyes to the light for fear they
will see sinful indulgences which they are unwilling to forsake, are
guilty before God.
The Hazard of Turning From the Light
—Whoever turns from
the light in one instance hardens his heart to disregard the light upon
other matters. Whoever violates moral obligations in the matter of
eating and dressing prepares the way to violate the claims of God in
regard to eternal interests....
The people whom God is leading will be peculiar. They will not
be like the world. But if they follow the leadings of God they will
accomplish His purposes, and will yield their will to His will. Christ
will dwell in the heart. The temple of God will be holy. Your body,
says the apostle, is the temple of the Holy Ghost.
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Called to Obedience of Natural Laws
—God does not require
His children to deny themselves to the injury of physical strength.
He requires them to obey natural law, to preserve physical health.
Nature’s path is the road He marks out, and it is broad enough for
any Christian. God has, with a lavish hand, provided us with rich
and varied bounties for our sustenance, and enjoyment. But in order
for us to enjoy the natural appetite, which will preserve health and
prolong life, He restricts the appetite. He says: Beware; restrain,