Extremes in Diet
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should not consider it a denial of principle to use eggs of hens which
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are well cared for and suitably fed....
God calls upon those for whom Christ died to take proper care of
themselves, and set a right example to others. My brother, you are not
to make a test for the people of God, upon the question of diet; for
they will lose confidence in teachings that are strained to the farthest
point of extension. The Lord desires His people to be sound on every
point in health reform, but we must not go to extremes....
The reason for Doctor-----’s poor health is his overdrawing on his
bank stock of health, and then failing to replace the amount drawn out
by wholesome, nutritious, palatable food. My brother, devote your
whole life to Him who was crucified for you, but do not tie yourself
down to a meager diet; for thus you misrepresent health reform.
While working against gluttony and intemperance, we are to re-
member the means and appliances of gospel truth, which commend
themselves to sound judgment. In order to do our work in straight, sim-
ple lines, we must recognize the conditions to which the human family
are subjected. God has made provisions for those who live in the
different countries of the world. Those who desire to be co-workers
with God must consider carefully how they teach health reform in
God’s great vineyard. They must move carefully in specifying just
what food should and should not be eaten. The human messenger must
unite with the divine Helper in presenting the message of mercy to the
multitudes God would save.
We are to be brought into connection with the masses. Should
health reform be taught them in its most extreme form, harm would
be done. We ask them to leave off eating meat and drinking tea and
coffee. This is well. But some say that milk also should be given
up. This is a subject that needs to be carefully handled. There are
poor families whose diet consists of bread and milk, and, if they can
get it, a little fruit. All flesh food should be discarded, but vegetables
should be made palatable with a little milk or cream or something
equivalent. The poor say, when health reform is presented to them,
“What shall we eat? We cannot afford to buy the nut foods.” As I
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preach the gospel to the poor, I am instructed to tell them to eat that
food which is most nourishing. I cannot say to them: You must not eat
eggs, or milk, or cream; you must use no butter in the preparation of