The Cholera by G.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 17, 1865

The Cholera.

By G.

THE "American Phrenological Journal" has some good remarks in reference to this much-to-be-dreaded scourge. The cholera may, probably will, soon visit our shores on its westward march, but who is so well prepared to grapple with the emergencies of such a visitation as the thoroughly hygienic, religious, man? The present reform, lately inaugurated among Seventh-day Adventists in reference to food, and dress, and the general habits of life, will be the best safeguard in the event of such a calamity. In the meantime, let us post up on hygiene, and not take the cholera before it comes. G.

Our European exchanges are full of startling accounts of the ravages and steady westward progress of this fell-destroyer—the worst of human scourges. Commencing in the East, it is working westward. In China, Russia, Turkey, Prussia, etc., it has swept—is sweeping—off thousands daily.

According to its common course, the epidemic will soon reach Western Europe, and sweep thence over the German States, Belgium, France, and Great Britain, from whence it will be brought to America. Intercourse between the United States and Europe is now so regular and so frequent—it is almost like a daily line—by one or more of the numerous steamers, that it will be impossible, no matter how carefully the quarantine regulations be observed, to keep it out. We who speak the same language in the Old and New countries are so mixed up by trade, commerce, literature, etc., that our interests are daily becoming more and more inseparable. An affliction there becomes an affliction here. An affliction here—the rebellion, for example—causes untold suffering by starvation there. But an epidemic like the cholera, which baffles all medical skill, spreads like wildfire along the water-courses, railways, and other thoroughfares. Then what is to be done to avert this threatened pestilence?

This: Trust in God, and do our duty. But what is our duty? To obey the laws of our being. What are those laws? They are these: "TEMPERANCE IN ALL THINGS," good food, pure air, regular bodily exercise, plenty of sleep, a clean skin, good digestion, a clear conscience, and good-will to man.

If you feed on garbage, drink slops, swill-milk, alcoholic liquors, medicinal bitters, chew, smoke, or snuff tobacco, lie around nights on the wharves, breathe the odors from dirty streets, dirty sewers, bone-boiling establishments, filthy cellars, unclean stables, pig-pens, slaughter yards, water-closets, and other pestilential places; or if you "abuse yourselves" by any excess, you are in danger, and will be an easy subject for attack.

If you are a wicked transgressor, a doubting skeptic, a timid coward, you are in danger.

AN ANECDOTE.—When lecturing in New Orleans several years ago, we visited the hospitals, asylums, schools, and other public places, kept so nice and clean by the Sisters of Mercy. We remarked to a warden, that we should not fear the cholera here; when he replied, "There was never a case known to occur within these walls. Here the prisoners have regular rations dealt out to them. They get no alcoholic liquors; commit no excesses; retire early, and escape the cholera. If a young man residing here can not regulate his appetite, and feels in danger of the disease, let him commit a crime meriting imprisonment, and he will be shut up during the prevalence of the plague, and he will be quite safe."

FAITH VS. FEAR.—Two ladies in New Orleans from the North were attacked at the same time in the same way. The one overcome by fear gave up in despair, lamenting the absence of husband, children, and friends, exclaiming, "Oh, I shall die! I know I shall die!" The other, with faith, calmness, and self-possession, and trust in Providence, remarked that she, too, felt quite alone, away from home and family; "but if it be the will of God that I should go hence, I hope I may be resigned."

We inquired of the landlady if she considered these cases dangerous? She promptly replied, "That one with so much fear, will die, and the other will recover." Surprised at this confident answer, we interposed, "They were both well but an hour ago, and that one—the first—seemed to have the best constitution, why may she not recover?" Her answer was, "Did you not hear her say, 'I know I shall die?'" Sure enough, she did. The other cast herself, as it were, into the keeping of Him who can save, and with the spirit of perfect resignation, let nature take its course. She recovered, and is a living witness today in favor of the power of FAITH.

Those who live in the mountains, or in the country, away from the dissipations of city life, and breathe the pure air, escape the cholera. So do the more cleanly and temperate citizens. The cholera attacks first those who are the most fit, those whose blood has been rendered impure by improper living; while those best fortified—such as we have described—are exempt, and escape. With clean streets—nuisances removed—pure air, good food, and proper sanitary arrangements, we may hope to escape, or at least to be touched lightly, by the cholera, which will, no doubt, pay us a visit early next spring or summer. Let us be fortified with health, and ready for it.