108
Counsels on Diet and Foods
[
Intemperance and Overeating Encouraged by Mothers—351, 354
]
A Cause of Forgetfulness
224. The Lord has given me light for you on the subject of tem-
perance in all things. You are intemperate in your eating. Frequently
you place in your stomach double the quantity of food your system
requires. This food decays; your breath becomes offensive; your
catarrhal difficulties are aggravated; your stomach is overworked; and
life and energy are called from the brain to work the mill which grinds
[138]
the material you have placed in your stomach. In this, you have shown
little mercy to yourself.
You are a gormand when at the table. This is one great cause
of your forgetfulness and loss of memory. You say things which I
know you have said, and then turn square about, and say that you said
something entirely different. I knew this, but passed it over as the sure
result of overeating. Of what use would it be to speak about it? It
would not cure the evil.—
Letter 17, 1895
Counsel to Sedentary Workers and Ministers
225. Overeating is especially harmful to those who are sluggish in
temperament; these should eat sparingly, and take plenty of physical
exercise. There are men and women of excellent natural ability who do
not accomplish half what they might if they would exercise self-control
in the denial of appetite.
Many writers and speakers fail here. After eating heartily they
give themselves to sedentary occupations, reading, study, or writing,
allowing no time for physical exercise. As a consequence, the free
flow of thought and words is checked. They cannot write or speak
with the force and intensity necessary in order to reach the heart; their
efforts are tame and fruitless.
Those upon whom rest important responsibilities, those, above all,
who are guardians of spiritual interests, should be men of keen feeling
and quick perception. More than others, they need to be temperate
in eating. Rich and luxurious food should have no place upon their
tables.
Every day men in positions of trust have decisions to make upon
which depend results of great importance. Often they have to think