THE MISSIONARY SIDE OF THE HYGIENIC DINING-ROOM WORK.
By David Paulson
TWENTY-FIVE years ago many of us thought that if we carried the message to the representatives of all nations in this country, then the gospel injunction to us would be obeyed. But little by little the Lord has helped us to take a broader view of His work in the earth. Early in this movement the only way we had of propagating the principles of truth was by the means of public lectures and a handful of literature. God in His providence has opened up, one after the other, additional channels whereby the masses may be reached. Humanity cannot all be equally helped by the same methods. In recent years the canvassing work, medical missionary work, and the educational work have each become prominent factors in this work of helping the world. It is becoming more and more evident that we ought to be daily interested in every movement that is truly good so far as God in His providence opens the way for us. It is only within the last few years that our attention has been called to the question of establishing hygienic dining rooms in our large cities. We were slow at first to see the great need that existed in this direction. It had hardly dawned upon us that thousands were going to their graves every year because we were not doing our duty in educating them to eat only healthful foods, actually providing such for them, thus heeding in a practical way the Master's injunction, “Give ye them to eat.” God has signally blessed the efforts that have been made to take up this work. It has brought our workers into contact with a class of society that before scarcely knew of our existence. I refer to the business elements in our large cities, and we find that the hearts and minds of these people are wonderfully open for the reception of truth. The many encouraging experiences in this enterprise recently started at the University of Chicago will be noted in a future article. A personal letter just received from Brother Menkal, who a few months ago opened up this work in Denver, is so full of encouragement that I take the liberty of making some extracts from it for the benefit of the readers of the REVIEW:— “We can see an overruling providence in the establishment of our hygienic dining room here in Denver. In the first place, it is situated in the very heart of the city, where it is difficult to find a suitable place; but we were led to a man who had rented this place for other purposes, but failing to carry out this plan, had decided to sell his lease; thus we secured one of the best spots in Denver for our work. “We expected a hard and long pull to educate the people in the principles of health; but to our amazement, we found, a few days after opening, that our capacity was too small; so we crowded in all the tables possible, and these were soon filled. The next move was to take out our food counter, and occupy that space with tables; still we had not sufficient room, so two weeks ago we moved the partition between the kitchen and the dining room back six feet, which allowed room for more tables, and our work is still growing. “The class of people who patronize our dining rooms are the leading business people in the city, and a number of physicians are also sending their patients. One lady physician told me the other day that since beginning to eat at our place she had gained thirty-two pounds. People ask her, ‘Doctor, what are you doing for yourself?’ Her reply is, ‘Eating Battle Creek foods.’ A lady stenographer to one of the leading railroad officials, told me that she had gained fourteen pounds. Previously to her coming to our place her health was poor, while now she is the very picture of health. Her expression the other day was, ‘I feel wholesome, inside.’ This same young lady has been skeptical regarding religious matters, but the other evening she requested Mrs. Menkal and myself to give her a study regarding personal salvation. Through her influence many bright young people have been converted to the principles of right living. “Recently a young man came to me and said, ‘Mr. Menkal, will you please write up a paper which I can sign, pledging myself not to use meat, tea, coffee, tobacco, or alcohol, and to eat only two meals a day?’ He said, ‘The other day I went into a restaurant and ordered some meat; after eating this I wanted a cigar, after smoking which I felt a desire for some beer, which I drank, and now my stomach is all upset; please make me out something which I can sign right away.’ I am very much interested in this young man. “A number of business men have been bringing their wives to our dining rooms in order that they may become familiar with our dishes, and adopt the same principles in their home cooking. “It is almost an every-day occurrence for us to hear our patrons inquire for light on some point of our faith. The other day a physician called for me, saying he desired to have me meet a certain clergyman; so we called upon him, and the doctor, in introducing me, said, among other things, ‘I believe these people are the most orthodox in the interpretation of the Bible, and the most modern in their methods of reaching the people.’” “This work is certainly making an excellent impression upon the minds of the most intelligent and the best people. I have had splendid opportunities to explain our views to a number of business men here, while calling upon them in the interest of this work. “There is one important feature of this branch of the message which demands earnest consideration. Those who are engaged in this work meet many unpleasant experiences, and unless there is a constant effort to point out the divine order in this work, and a continual reminder of the importance of keeping in touch with God, worldliness and the cares of life are likely to take possession. “We have organized a medical missionary Sabbath-school, which is held in the afternoon, and some of our brethren are also attending this. The evil one has his snares laid everywhere, and what we need is much divine wisdom. The prospects are all encouraging thus far, and interesting features are developing every day. I am impressed with the importance of recognizing God in every experience of life, and then every event will be interesting.”