TASTE AND APPETITE by A. S. Hutchins

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 3, 1867

TASTE AND APPETITE.

By A. S. Hutchins

That our taste and appetite are capable of being so disciplined and changed, perverted or corrected, as to crave and relish those things which we once very much disliked, and which were even nauseating and injurious, or to disrelish and loathe that which was once palatable, is a fact which needs no proof.

Thousands who have little by little created an appetite for strong drink, that liquid fire, have proved this, as from day to day they have poured down this poisonous mixture, till all the powers of nature have given away, and they sink to a drunkard's grave. The tobacco eater, snuffer and smoker; the tea and coffee drinker, and many who use poisonous drugs and medicines, as well as multitudes who use unhealthy and highly-seasoned food, know this to be true.

With these facts before us, why do some reformers on the subject of health move so slowly. Why will they allow their taste and appetite to so far control them in changing from an unhealthful to a healthful diet, as some do? For I am sure that we should not have to make one-half the sacrifice of feeling to so far correct our taste and appetite as to relish the good, healthful diet which Health Reform offers us, that many have made to create an appetite for that which undermines health and strength and finally ruins its victim.

Let the point be settled that we have been educated wrong in matters of diet, that we have eaten and drunken wrong, have used improper food, used it in improper quantities and at unseasonable hours, and in this direction strengthened all of our bad habits, and then can it be expected that we are going to get right, that we are going to eat and drink to the glory of God, without a gigantic struggle? without denying self? No! there is a battle to be fought, a victory to be gained, and a glorious triumph will it be to the conqueror.

Could we find a class of individuals whose dietetic habits had always been strictly hygienic, their taste and appetite would be to them in this matter, what the well-educated, tender and good conscience of the Christian is in his high and holy warfare. But the vitiated and perverted appetite is no more to take the place of reason and judgment, than the seared and defiled conscience is to guide one in matters of religion.

A. S. HUTCHINS.

Health Institute, Nov., 1867.