More on Pork Eating by A. S. Hutchins

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 3, 1866

More on Pork Eating.

By A. S. Hutchins

BRO. WHITE: In this time of fear and excitement on the subject of pork-eating, we, as a people, have reason to be grateful for the light we have received on this subject, and for the stand we have taken.

Many will expend large sums of money, and suffer much of many physicians, to regain health when once lost, but how few will practice self-denial to preserve their health and strength.

The following I clip from my county paper, of a recent issue. After speaking of the trichinæ, or hog-worm, and the dreadful consequences of eating this infected pork, the writer says:

"Now there is but one safe and sure remedy—abstinence; an ounce of prevention in this case, is worth, I know not how many pounds of cure, for it is not safe to eat swine's flesh, even though it is cooked, for these parasites, like many other animalculæ, will stand a reasonable amount of frying before they will surrender.

"Pork-eating is a barbarous custom in these enlightened days. Several thousand years ago it was considered wicked, and was prohibited by the wise law-giver, and it is presumed that Moses knew what he was about when he enumerated the unclean beasts; and unclean the hog is, in most shocking excess.

"Again I would say, prevention is better than cure, for the first is within our reach, the last is not."

But it is said that thorough boiling of pork kills the trichina, and renders the infected pork harmless.

But have men such a relish for that animal, which God and all reason pronounces "unclean" that they will eat boiled worms rather than deny themselves of it?

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. x, 31.

A. S. HUTCHINS.