Beverages
331
only nervous excitement. When the influence of the stimulant is gone,
the unnatural force abates, and the result is a corresponding degree of
languor and debility.
The continued use of these nerve irritants is followed by headache,
wakefulness, palpitation of the heart, indigestion, trembling, and many
other evils, for they wear away the life forces. Tired nerves need rest
and quiet instead of stimulation and overwork. Nature needs time to
recuperate her exhausted energies. When her forces are goaded on
by the use of stimulants, more will be accomplished for a time; but
as the system becomes debilitated by their constant use, it gradually
becomes more difficult to rouse the energies to the desired point. The
demand for stimulants becomes more difficult to control, until the will
is overborne, and there seems to be no power to deny the unnatural
craving. Stronger and still stronger stimulants are called for, until
exhausted nature can no longer respond.—
The Ministry of Healing,
326, 327, 1905
[
Tea and Coffee Ruin the Stomach—722
]
[425]
No Food Value
739. The health is in no way improved by the use of those things
which stimulate for a time, but afterward cause a reaction which leaves
the system lower than before. Tea and coffee whip up the flagging
energies for the time being, but when their immediate influence has
gone, a feeling of depression is the result. These beverages have no
nourishment whatever in themselves. The milk and sugar it contains
constitute all the nourishment afforded by a cup of tea or coffee.—
Letter 69, 1896
Spiritual Perception Blunted
740. Tea and coffee are stimulating. Their effects are similar
to those of tobacco; but they affect in a lesser degree. Those who
use these slow poisons, like the tobacco user, think they cannot live
without them, because they feel so very bad when they do not have
these idols....Those who indulge a perverted appetite, do it to the
injury of health and intellect. They cannot appreciate the value of
spiritual things. Their sensibilities are blunted, and sin does not appear