Proper Dietary
71
repast. But He supplied only that which would suffice for their need,
that which was the daily food of the fisherfolk about the sea.
If men were today simple in their habits, living in harmony with
nature’s laws, there would be an abundant supply for all the needs
of the human family. There would be fewer imaginary wants, and
more opportunity to work in God’s ways. Christ did not seek to attract
men to Him by gratifying the desire for luxury. The simple fare He
provided was an assurance not only of His power but of His love, of
His tender care for them in the common needs of life.—
Testimonies
for the Church 6:345, 1900
[88]
128. Men and women who profess to be followers of Christ, are
often slaves to fashion, and to a gluttonous appetite. Preparatory to
fashionable gatherings, time and strength, which should be devoted
to higher and nobler purposes, are expended in cooking a variety of
unwholesome dishes. Because it is fashion, many who are poor and
dependent upon their daily labor, will be to the expense of preparing
different kinds of rich cakes, preserves, pies, and a variety of fashion-
able food for visitors, which only injure those who partake of them;
when, at the same time they need the amount thus expended, to pur-
chase clothing for themselves and children. This time occupied in
cooking food to gratify the taste at the expense of the stomach should
be devoted to the moral and religious instruction of their children.
Fashionable visiting is made an occasion of gluttony. Hurtful food
and drinks are partaken of in such a measure as to greatly tax the
organs of digestion. The vital forces are called into unnecessary action
in the disposal of it, which produces exhaustion, and greatly disturbs
the circulation of the blood, and, as a result, want of vital energy is felt
throughout the system. The blessings which might result from social
visiting, are often lost for the reason that your entertainer, instead
of being profited by your conversation, is toiling over the cookstove,
preparing a variety of dishes for you to feast upon. Christian men
and women should never permit their influence to countenance such a
course by eating of the dainties thus prepared. Let them understand that
your object in visiting them is not to indulge the appetite, but that your
associating together, and interchange of thoughts and feelings, might
be a mutual blessing. The conversation should be of that elevated,
ennobling character which could afterward be called to remembrance
with feelings of the highest pleasure.—How to Live 1:54, 55, 1865.