Teaching Health Principles
363
families whose circumstances would not permit them to furnish their
table with healthful food. Unbelieving neighbors have sent them in
portions of meat from animals recently killed. They have made soup
of the meat, and supplied their large families of children with meals
of bread and soup. It was not my duty, nor did I think it was the duty
of any one else, to lecture them upon the evils of meat eating. I feel
sincere pity for families who have newly come to the faith, and who
are so pressed with poverty that they know not from whence their next
meal is coming. It is not my duty to discourse to them on healthful
eating. There is a time to speak, and a time to keep silent. The
opportunity furnished by circumstances of this order is an opportunity
to speak words that will encourage and bless, rather than condemn
and reprove. Those who have lived upon a meat diet all their life do
not see the evil of continuing the practice, and they must be treated
tenderly.—
Letter 76, 1895
797. While working against gluttony and intemperance, we must
recognize the condition to which the human family is subjected. God
has made provision for those who live in the different countries of the
world. Those who desire to be co-workers with God must consider
carefully before they specify just what foods should and should not be
eaten. We are to be brought into connection with the masses. Should
health reform in its most extreme form be taught to those whose
circumstances forbid its adoption, more harm than good would be
done. As I 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
[464]
preparation of food.” The gospel must be preached to the poor, but the
time has not yet come to prescribe the strictest diet.—
Testimonies for
the Church 9:163, 1909
A Wrong Method of Working
798. Do not catch hold of isolated ideas and make them a test,
criticizing others whose practice may not agree with your opinion; but
study the subject broadly and deeply, and seek to bring your own ideas
and practices into perfect harmony with the principles of true Christian
temperance.