324
Counsels on Diet and Foods
Remaining True to Our Principles
724. Lately the number of patients at the sanitarium has decreased,
owing to an array of circumstances that could not be helped. One
reason for the lack of patronage is, I think, the stand that those at
the head of the institution have taken against serving flesh meat to
the patients. Ever since the opening of the sanitarium, meat has been
served in the dining room. We felt that the time had come to take a
decided stand against this practice. We knew that it was not pleasing
to God for flesh meat to be placed before the patients.
Now no tea, coffee, or flesh meat is served in the institution. We
are determined to live out the principles of health reform, to walk in
the way of truth and righteousness. We shall not, for fear of losing
patronage, be half-and-half reformers. We have taken our position,
[415]
and by God’s help we shall stand by it. The food provided for the
patients is wholesome and palatable. The diet is composed of fruits
and grains and nuts. Here in California there is an abundance of fruit
of all kinds.
If patients come who are so dependent on a diet of flesh meat that
they think that [they] cannot live without it, we shall try to make them
look at the matter from an intelligent point of view. And if they will
not do this, if they are determined to use that which destroys health, we
shall not refuse to provide it for them, if they are willing to eat it in their
rooms and willing to risk the consequences. But they must take upon
themselves the responsibility of their action. We shall not sanction
their course. We dare not dishonor our stewardship by sanctioning the
use of that which taints the blood and brings disease. We should be
unfaithful to our Master if we did that which we know He does not
approve.
This is the stand that we have taken. We are resolved to be true to
the principles of health reform, and may God help us, is my prayer.
Plans must be set in operation that will bring an increase of pa-
tronage. But would it be right for us, for the sake of obtaining more
patients, to return to the serving of flesh meat? Shall we give the
sick that which has made them sick, that which will keep them sick if
they continue to use it as food? Shall we not rather take our stand as
those who are resolved to carry out the principles of health reform?—
Manuscript 3a, 1903