p. 10 | Are You Using the Right Arm? by J. R. LEADSWORTH

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 23, 1907

Are You Using the Right Arm?

By J. R. LEADSWORTH

J. R. LEADSWORTH

In looking through a popular monthly magazine lately, we saw it quoted with evident satisfaction that Adventists were a non-flesh-eating denomination. We have wondered if it were true. Is it as true to-day as it was twelve years ago? If the diet reform is still a much-needed reform, we wonder if as much energy is being expended in advocating it as was done some years ago. Then, it was a very unpopular truth. People cared little, and thought less, of what was suitable food for brain and blood. But the health work was then considered the strong right arm of the message, and “great was the company of those that published it.” Ministers, doctors, lay members, and all seemed to feel the importance of practising and preaching these cherished precepts. And it was not long till many of the educated people in the world began to recognize in this gospel of health a pearl of great price. They regarded its principles as a safeguard against sickness and disease, and as capable of furnishing clearer intellects and stronger muscles to meet the battles of life. Not only did they consider it necessary to discard flesh foods as a part of the daily ration, but tea, coffee, and injurious drugs were likewise given up as not only unnecessary, but as absolutely injurious.

To-day, the vegetarian is a factor important enough to be considered. On steamships and dining-cars, provision is made for catering to his requirements. To fail to include flesh as a part of your order in any of the popular dining resorts does not now give rise to a suspicion that you are a “little off.”

But, in spite of this, the great mass of people have little definite knowledge as to proper habits of eating and drinking. With no other subject can one gain such ready access to the public ear. The most elementary principles on the subject of foods and proper living are eagerly sought for by them. And yet, I fear that Seventh-day Adventists are largely holding their peace. It is a regrettable fact that in many Sabbath-keeping homes where health principles were formerly highly regarded, they are now largely ignored.

A few days ago a prominent business man came to make inquiry as to where he could go to get rid of the uncontrollable desire to go on periodical sprees. He said: “This drink habit has grown on me until I just feel that something desperate must be done to get rid of it. It is now or never. I have tried all the drug cures, but they do not pan out. Can not you tell me of a place where I can go on a treatment cure and have a diet cure at the same time? It just seems to me that I must change my way of living.” And until one does change his habits of eating, there is little hope of overcoming the drink habit.

But is there any relation between a flesh diet and liquor drinking? Listen: “That the man with carnivorous instincts should want liquor is not surprising. He fills his stomach with tissue-building elements, and, naturally, craves for stimulants to take the place of force-producing or heat-furnishing carbohydrates,” says Dr. Jeuttner, in his book on physio-therapy. The experience of Lot illustrates the same truth.

We wonder if parents who are blessed with the light of present truth realize the importance of becoming well informed upon the subject of dietetics. Do they appreciate that it is an essential part of the message that is calling out a people for his name? If there ever was a time when the people of God needed unclouded minds to detect the delusions and snares of these last days, it is just now. And that necessity promises to grow more and more intense until the end.

Some years ago a long-distance running contest was arranged between two German cities. A score or more of active young men from various countries were eager for a chance to prove their power of endurance. They represented the strength and vigor of the country whence they came. One of these contestants had been an easy victor in several previous contests. He had learned the value of being temperate in all things. For this trial of endurance, he had spent days in systematic training, and had exercised the greatest care relative to his diet. It had resulted in putting him in the pink of condition. But, just before the signal was given for the start, when every nerve and muscle would be put to its limit of endurance, this trained athlete acceded to the urgent request of an interested friend to be a little more liberal in his abstemious diet at this time. Instead of refusing on the same ground as did David for not accepting the armor of Saul, he acceded to the request. And that simple indiscretion proved his undoing. It brought upon him ignominious defeat. He did not finish first, nor second, nor third. In fact, he did not finish the race. The “more liberal diet” produced an acute indigestion which prevented his continuing in the race. All the previous days and weeks of discipline and training and endurance tests were brought to naught by this simple indiscretion.

In view of the fact that we are in the race for that incorruptible crown, ought we not to be even more particular in experimenting with “the king’s meat”? Says the apostle, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

The many advantages of a fleshless diet may not be apparent to us at all times, but in the end we have the assurance that because we have kept the word of his patience, he will also keep us in that hour of temptation that shall come upon all the world. Then, when “a thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand,” it shall be discerned why the plague does not come nigh thee.