180
Counsels on Diet and Foods
353. Parents should make it their first object to become intelligent
in regard to the proper manner of dealing with their children, that they
may secure to them sound minds in sound bodies. The principles
of temperance should be carried out in all the details of home life.
Self-denial should be taught to children, and enforced upon them, so
far as consistent, from babyhood.—[
Christian Temperance and Bible
Hygiene, 46
]
Counsels on Health, 113, 1890
[
Irritating Foods That Cause A Thirst Water Will Not Quench—
558
]
354. Many parents educate the tastes of their children, and form
their appetites. They indulge them in eating flesh meats, and in drink-
ing tea and coffee. The highly seasoned flesh meats and the tea and
coffee, which some mothers encourage their children to use, prepare
the way for them to crave stronger stimulants, as tobacco. The use of
tobacco encourages the appetite for liquor; and the use of tobacco and
liquor invariably lessens nerve power.
If the moral sensibilities of Christians were aroused upon the sub-
ject of temperance in all things, they could, by their example, com-
mencing at their tables, help those who are weak in self-control, who
are almost powerless to resist the cravings of appetite. If we could re-
alize that the habits we form in this life will affect our eternal interests,
that our eternal destiny depends upon strictly temperate habits, we
would work to the point of strict temperance in eating and drinking.
By our example and personal effort we may be the means of saving
many souls from the degradation of intemperance, crime, and death.
Our sisters can do much in the great work for the salvation of others
by spreading their tables with only healthful, nourishing food. They
may employ their precious time in educating the tastes and appetites
of their children, in forming habits of temperance in all things, and in
[235]
encouraging self-denial and benevolence for the good of others.
Notwithstanding the example that Christ gave us in the wilderness
of temptation by denying appetite and overcoming its power, there are
many Christian mothers, who, by their example and by the education
which they are giving their children, are preparing them to become
gluttons and winebibbers. Children are frequently indulged in eating
what they choose and when they choose, without reference to health.
There are many children who are educated gormands from their baby-
hood. Through indulgence of appetite they are made dyspeptics at an