Two Important Works by J. H. W.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 30, 1872

Two Important Works.

By J. H. W.

THE HEALTH INSTITUTE has now in course of publication, soon to be issued, a very complete work by Dr. Trall, on “Tobacco-using.” It is philosophical, full of truth of great importance, and cannot fail to be of deep interest to every lover of true reform. Under the head of “Moral Evils of Tobacco-using,” a comparison is instituted between the effects of tobacco and liquor on the moral intuitions of those who use them. The following remarks will give an idea of the whole:—

“Tobacco-using, even more than liquor-drinking, disqualifies the mind for exercising its intuitions concerning right and wrong; it degrades the moral sense below the intellectual recognitions. Alcohol so disturbs the mind as to confuse the reason more than it dethrones the conscience, while tobacco debases the moral sense more than it confuses the intellect.”

This paragraph is worthy of careful attention; and Dr. Trall fortifies his positions with very forcible reasoning.

Every one must admit that the following remarks present the true basis of correct judgment concerning, not only the subject of this book, but every question of duty:—

“To perceive truth, one must live truthfully. To understand what relation the things of this world and the beings of this universe bear to each other, or to himself, one must be in normal conditions. To be the true interpreter of the book of nature, one must live in obedience to the mandates of the Author of that book.”

Without any query as to the religious status of the writer, we will say, There is more genuine religion in the above paragraph than in many sermons we have heard.

The other book is made up of choice matter compiled from “Dr. Graham’s Lectures on the Science of Life.” Health reformers should be well acquainted with these writings, as Dr. G. was the true pioneer of health reform; and he grasped the principles of the subject and presented them to the world in a masterly manner. Indeed, we have sometimes thought, while reading Graham’s Lectures, that he left but little to be done by those who followed him but to exemplify and illustrate the truths he laid down. His lecture on the teeth is valuable beyond computation. It is a clear and thorough refutation of the oft-repeated claim that the structure of the human teeth proves that man should be classed with meat-eating animals. We are sure our friends will hail these publications with pleasure, and procure, and read them with care. They will be advertised in due time.

These will be followed by other works by Dr. Trall, whom we consider the most scientific living exponent of the principles of health reform.

J. H. W.