Health and Temperance Day by H. W. Miller

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 23, 1916

Health and Temperance Day

By H. W. Miller

The first Sabbath in April has been set apart as Health and Temperance Day. Action to this effect was taken at the Loma Linda council by the North American Division Conference.

Not least among the blessings coming to those connected with this wonderful message, has been the development of body and mind as well as the great freedom from disease which our people have enjoyed, in contrast to those not thus enlightened in reference to the great principles of health and temperance reform.

This should be a day of thanksgiving for temporal prosperity due to good health. The carrying of this message to all the world, in varying climates, in many places where sanitation is not to be found, where exposure to disease of a contagious character cannot be avoided, and where tremendous responsibilities rest upon our laborers, who work often under conditions of privation,—such a work can be carried on and successfully maintained only by a people to whom has been committed light in regard to the care and hygiene of the body. Much still remains to be learned and practiced, and what has been revealed needs to be more perfectly interpreted and taught to others. Fortune and comfort depend on health. The failing health of the man making the plan has caused many important projects in this work to be temporarily abandoned, with very great loss. Disappointment and discouragement often come to individuals, when all that is needed is knowledge in the care of health. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6.

A program has been prepared for the use of all the churches on the first Sabbath in April, with the special object in view of creating a still greater interest in the preservation of bodily energy, and to give those intrusted with the carrying of the gospel message greater efficiency through improved health conditions. As a people, we need again to review the great fundamental principles known as the laws of life, which are as fixed and as much to be respected as any laws commanded by the Creator.

Never before have our health institutions enjoyed such prosperity and good patronage as during the recent past. The public is becoming more and more favorably disposed toward those distinctive methods by which we have cared for the sick during the last quarter of a century, until now, instead of our system of treatment being ridiculed, it is held in highest esteem among medical men, and is also becoming popular among the people. As a result of this, our institutions are filling with guests searching for health, and we are very happy to see the great majority of these leave the institution with a more favorable impression than when they came.

If these great principles are doing so much, and becoming so highly appreciated by the world, certainly Seventh-day Adventists ought to profit beyond their fellows, in the care of health and in securing relief from sickness and disease. The primary object of our health institutions was for the benefit of Seventh-day Adventists, and every effort is now being put forth to place the facilities of our sanitariums within the reach of all our brethren and sisters. A large number of our people have, through their liberal contributions, and in some cases through illness and misfortune, become so limited in means that in times of illness they cannot have the advantages of our sanitariums. For such, arrangements have now been made with every conference to care for their needy sick at a very nominal sum per week.

Another purpose of this Health and Temperance Day is to provide, through a general collection, a fund to be held in store by the several conferences for the sick poor among our people.

Already we have a large corps of trained doctors and nurses who are enlightening the public concerning these principles, and their work should be greatly aided through dissemination of medical literature and the work of our local churches.

In connection with the reading which will be sent out for use on Health and Temperance Day, there will be a more complete and detailed explanation given of the plans already mentioned.

This work should have the hearty support of every church member, who may be assured of personally reaping returns from his interest in this kind of missionary endeavor.

H. W. MILLER, M. D.