p. 157 | A Very Little by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 29, 1872

“A Very Little.”

By Roswell F. Cottrell

Of unhygienic food and condiments, I hear some say that they use a very little of these. Why not use more? Why not use them freely? Because convinced that they are hurtful. Then why not abandon them entirely? Because it is admitted it is not best to make the change in our manner of living too suddenly. How long have you been in making the change? From five to ten years. Is the quantity of these things which you use constantly growing less? No; it was reduced quite considerably for a time, with the view of leaving them entirely; but the caution came not to be in too great haste, and concluding it was not necessary, we slacked our speed, and perhaps we now use more of them than we did years ago. Very well. You have avoided the evil of leaving off too suddenly; but how long will it take to discontinue them, at this rate? Progressing a little, as you do, in the wrong direction, when will you reach the desired end? Will it ever be reached?

To leave off gradually, if I understand it rightly, still means to leave off. It is too much like nonsense to talk of leaving off gradually, while not intending to leave off at all. If a thing is good and wholesome, why talk of discontinuing the use. Keep on; and say nothing about using a very little. But if it is not good, and you therefore intend to leave it, make progress in that direction until the object is attained; and do not act as though you intended to use up a whole millennium, and more, in making the change. R. F. COTTRELL.