Zeal Not According to Knowledge
By GEO. H. HEALD
An earnest brother one day said to me, “I like Brother D’s testimony: it has the old-time ring so seldom heard nowadays. He says ‘Some people are becoming discouraged in their attempt to live health reform, but I am not. I have started to live health reform, and I shall stick to it, if I die in the attempt!’ This reminds one of the earnestness of the early church.” This is no doubt an extreme case. Few people express themselves this way in words, though numbers do mentally and in their actions. The above sentiment involves, as one may readily see, two errors: first that health reform is a certain formula of life, a collection of rules,—“Thou shalt,” and “Thou shalt not,” similar to that given in the eleventh chapter of Leviticus; second, that it is an act of merit to observe these rules whether they tend to improve or impair the health. The spirit manifested is good, the willingness to sacrifice is praiseworthy, but is it not in a wrong cause? Does true health reform ever cause people to die or fail in health in the attempt to live it out? We can honor the man, who, knowing that shortly he will be cut down in the midst of his usefulness, goes to the Gold Coast or to a leper colony to spread the gospel. He counts not his life too dear to sacrifice on the altar for souls purchased by his beloved Master. If as a result of his labor one soul is turned to Christ, he will count that his life has been well spent. But those who adopt a so-called health reform and become thinner, weaker, less efficient and possibly shorter lived,— there have been many such,—what do they gain for themselves or for the truth? Do they recommend to others the truth they profess to believe? Will such a health reform prove to be an “entering wedge” to lead people to investigate other phases of the message? Doubtless many in reading the thrilling story recounted in the first chapter of Daniel, have been led to believe that if they should conscientiously adopt a diet which they believe to be right, God would bless them with increased health and strength and with greater power in presenting the gospel of truth. Now, of all things, one should not violate his conscience by eating what he believes to be wrong or injurious, for “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” On the other hand, a food is not necessarily the best for a person because he believes it is. Suppose, for instance, that as a result of the study of the Testimonies I conclude that I should confine myself to fruits and grains; suppose, again, that these foods do not happen to agree with me. May I, reasoning from the first chapter of Daniel, conclude that there will be divine interference with the laws of nature in my case so that the foods will be beneficial to me? Has the Lord laid down a fiat that these foods shall be eaten, purposing that as we comply with his requirements, he will bless us with better health, or has he pointed out the foods which were originally given to man as best, and which, as man becomes more normal will be found now to best serve the purpose for which food is intended? As we study the question more at length, it will appear that the Lord has dealt rather in principles than in specific details to be blindly followed by each individual, regardless of his heredity, training, and idiosyncrasies. One principle which has been given us, and which should govern all our study of this subject is, “What is one man’s meat is often another man’s poison.” If we attempt to live by any code of health precepts, we may find that “the commandment which was ordained unto life” is “unto death.” As in spiritual matters, so in the matter of diet, it is often the case that “The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” The Lord has directed us to make a close study of physiology. He has even said that it should be taught to children from the time they are able to understand, and that it should be made the basis of all educational effort. Why is this? In order that they may know how to care intelligently for their own bodies; how to avoid the indifference of ignorance on the one hand, and the tendency to follow fads on the other. He wants his people, by a careful study of foundation principles, to be level-headed. Many people,—among those usually accounted well educated as well as among the ignorant,—are not so well able to select a proper dietary as an ordinary animal. The Lord desires better things of his people. He would have his people use not only the specific directions he has given, but also the facts learned from an intelligent study of physiology, and from observation of the effects of foods on themselves and others.