MAKING EXCUSES by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 19, 1867

MAKING EXCUSES.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

As remarked in a previous article, many excuses take the form of reasons in the minds of those who offer them; but as they do not rest on any good reason, those who offer them must be deceived as to their real nature. We cannot suppose that in all these cases there is an intention to evade the truth. In charity, then, we ought to endeavor to expose the deception.

It has been urged that, “in this climate, and especially in the winter, we need to eat meat to keep up a supply of animal heat.” To prove this, it is argued that in the extreme northern latitudes the inhabitants subsist entirely on flesh and fat. Let us notice a few facts on this point.

1. In the same latitudes and countries referred to, the reindeer will keep up sufficient animal heat to endure the severest cold, and perform the hardest labor; traveling 70 or 80 miles a day and drawing a burden, with no more stimulating or heating food than mosses and the twigs of trees. This proves that a degree of “animal heat” consistent with health, strength, and activity, may be generated on the simplest and coarsest vegetable diet. We have the same illustrated daily before our eyes in the cases of our horses which perform great labor in cold weather on uncooked grain and grass.

2. The inhabitants of Pitcairn’s Island, who seldom taste of meat, though in a warm climate, ’tis true, have fully established the fact that great strength and power of endurance may be obtained on a very plain diet.

3. A brother, who has spent much of his life on the ocean, told me that while his ship was lying some time at Cronstadt, there and at St. Petersburg he had an opportunity of learning the habits and diet of the Russian sailors. He said their ships were provisioned principally with brown bread, and that they told him they seldom tasted meat. Yet they were as hardy as any sailors he ever saw.

4. The inhabitants of the Highlands of Scotland, though living in a climate much colder than that of the Lowlands, seldom taste meat, living mostly on oatmeal; yet they are generally strong and healthy. See article in Reformer No. 7.

5. The opposite of the above plea has proved true by the experience of many individuals throughout the country, who have discarded meat, and who have found their strength increased and their health improved by the change. Of course the change must be made voluntarily, for people will reduce themselves and destroy their health by fretting and repining even though they have everything they can desire.

But let us look awhile at the argument as adduced in favor of meat-eating. The Esquimaux, some living as far north as lat. 70°, live on the fattest meat, and on that only. Can they raise grains and fruits there as we can here? They cannot. Has anybody ever been known to try the experiment of living there on fruits and good, healthy bread? They have not. Have we, then, any means of ascertaining that they are healthier and hardier living on fat meat than they would be living in a different manner? We have not. If they live on the best they can get, we can find no fault with them; here we can get better. The truth on this subject can only be fully learned by comparison; but the contrast has never been fully presented there; here it has; and experiment proves that the simpler diet is the better. Thus the supposed argument is shown to be no argument at all.

But more should be said on this subject. It cannot be too strongly impressed on the mind that it has a moral bearing; and it would seem better if the advocates of meat-eating could present higher specimens of humanity than those referred to. I remember reading a sketch of their habits by a traveler, who said he saw one awake from sleep in his hut, and who, without rising, took a living fowl which was within reach, and plucking off its head and feathers, devoured it raw, and then turned over to sleep again; and it is well known that their children will eat a piece of tallow candle with as much avidity and relish as ours will a ripe peach! This cannot be attributed to the necessities of the climate, but to habit and training; for practices equally filthy and disgusting are found amongst savages in warm climates. The natives of Australia, in a climate warmer than that of the Southern States, live on raw flesh, and will eat rancid grease as readily as the Esquimaux. Why do not our friends sometimes refer to them? It would help them to an argument in favor of a meat diet in summer.

It is easily demonstrated that by such a diet the disposition is perverted and depraved, and the lower passions stimulated. This should be a sufficient reason for adopting a plain diet with every one professing Christianity, and especially with those who are looking and preparing for the coming of the Lord. That this effect is produced, we may see by observing the habits and dispositions of various animals. All animals are fierce and blood-thirsty that live on animal food, without regard to climate; while those which live on vegetables are comparatively mild and harmless. And this view is greatly strengthened by the fact that the disposition of any animal may be changed where a change of food can be effected. Raise a dog on brown bread (he cannot be raised on white bread without other food), and he will be mild and playful. Transfer him to a butcher’s shop where he will be fed only on meat, and he soon becomes fierce and cruel. The Saviour likened his disciples to sheep; but give them a meat diet exclusively, and they would be better represented by tigers. It must be evident to every one that the prevailing hindrance to our overcoming, and developing to a high standard of Christianity, is impatience, irritability, fretfulness, or ill-temper. Says the angel (Rev. xiv, 12), “Here is the patience of the saints;” and we are hoping to see it; but it does not yet appear to any great extent. Nor do I think we shall be gratified with the sight till the reform in diet is more fully appreciated, and more fully carried out.

The truth is, brethren and sisters, we are generating too much animal heat. What we want now is coolness, moderation, patience. The race is greatly degenerated; our moral powers are weak, and our passions are strong. But the right is spreading, and it is too late to offer excuses. I have been led to pity some who argue in favor of flesh-food, yet complain that they find great difficulty in subduing self; in controlling their passions and tempers.

The same plea used to be urged in favor of ardent spirits; and no one denies that they will produce that effect, firing up the system, and causing the blood to flow with great celerity, but at a great expense of physical and moral power. I feel assured that all true Christian Reformers will yet come to look upon the two causes as being much alike in their natures, and the effects certain and unavoidable. And parents will yet learn that it is as inconsistent to feed vile passions into their children with their food, and then try to teach, pray, or whip them out of them, as it would be to fill their stomachs with whiskey and then whip them for being intoxicated. The great majority among us are but just learning the virtue, the necessity, or the principles of this reform. Lord, speed on the light.

J. H. WAGGONER.

Wright, Mich., March, 1867.