Truth Commends Itself by Roswell F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 5, 1872

Truth Commends Itself

By Roswell F. Cottrell

ALL that is necessary to satisfy one of the truth of the principles of the reform we advocate, is candid and careful investigation. These principles are so self-evident that nothing is necessary to convince, but to examine. But to embrace and live out these principles calls for independence of mind, a little self-denial in the beginning, and perseverance that will not be baffled till right habits have been formed and established. When this is once done, there will be no disposition to return to former habits. He that has fairly tested hygienic living will not wish to return to the hurtful habits he has discarded, and be again in bondage to perverted tastes and pernicious habits. For our tastes, though once perverted, can, by proper education, be brought to choose the good in preference to the evil. We can educate ourselves to relish wholesome food, and to conform to good and healthful habits.

Why, then, is health reform so slow in its progress? One reason is, that the self-denial appears so great. They feel that they cannot afford to part with those hurtful articles of diet which taste so good. Another reason is, it will make them so out of fashion. What will friends and neighbors think of it? In other words, sinners love their sins, and hate to part with them; and besides this, they are ashamed to have their friends know that they design to amend their lives. The yoke of health reform looks too heavy; and therefore they will not interest themselves enough in it to investigate its principles. They choose darkness rather than light, which would convince them that their deeds are evil. If they would take the yoke, they would find it easy, and the burden light. That which looked so burdensome would be their delight.

But here is the great difficulty: Men are so stupefied and blinded by a course of sin and evil, that they cannot be induced to investigate the principles of a better way. Abnormal appetites have been formed, and wrong habits indulged in, till the mind has become so beclouded that evil seems to be good, and good, evil. To break this spell, and induce men to inquire earnestly for the good, is the thing needed. Those who will inquire earnestly for the good way, will find it.

And when it is found, how good it is! That which was dreaded as an enemy, is the very best friend. All is transformed. It is found at length that what the reform proposes is the very thing that is for our good, and not only so, but it is the good thing which we desire. It does not rob us of one good thing, or any real pleasure. The wrong course promises pleasure, but gives us pain. This is the “deceitfulness of sin.” The right course gives real pleasure, and that continually.

And the health reform lays the foundation for every other reform. Health of body gives health of mind. The clear mind can appreciate moral and religious truth. Hence there is better ground of hope in the case of one who has seen the value, and partaken of the benefits, of health reform. But what good hope can there be in the case of those who are so besotted and beclouded that they cannot be induced to choose the good and forsake the evil, so far as their own bodies and the present life are concerned? In other words, What hope can there be for sinners, if they will not repent of their sins, which are most evidently working their ruin?

R. F. COTTRELL.