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Counsels on Diet and Foods
youth until they have a practical knowledge of this subject. Some have
felt at liberty to criticize and question and find fault with health reform
principles of which they know little by experience. They should stand
shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, with those who are working in
right lines.
The subject of health reform has been presented in the churches;
but the light has not been heartily received. The selfish, health-
destroying indulgences of men and women have counteracted the
influence of the message that is to prepare a people for the great day
of God. If the churches expect strength, they must live the truth which
God has given them. If the members of our churches disregard the
light on this subject, they will reap the sure result in both spiritual and
physical degeneracy. And the influence of these older church members
will leaven those newly come to the faith. The Lord does not now work
to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members
who have never been converted, and those who were once converted,
but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated
members have on new converts? Would they not make of no effect the
God-given message which His people are to bear?—
Testimonies for
the Church 6:370, 371, 1900
Every Member to Impart Truth
785. We have come to a time when every member of the church
should take hold of medical missionary work. The world is a lazar
house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease. Every-
where people are perishing for lack of a knowledge of the truths that
have been committed to us. The members of the church are in need
of an awakening, that they may realize their responsibility to impart
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these truths. Those who have been enlightened by the truth are to be
light bearers to the world. To hide our light at this time is to make a
terrible mistake. The message to God’s people today is, “Arise, shine;
for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”
On every hand we see those who have had much light and knowl-
edge deliberately choosing evil in the place of good. Making no
attempt to reform, they are growing worse and worse. But the people
of God are not to walk in darkness. They are to walk in the light, for
they are reformers.—
Testimonies for the Church 7:62, 1902