Health and Temperance by New England Farmer

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 1, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 25.

Health and Temperance.

By New England Farmer

A Healthful Diet.

THE custom is becoming so common in the towns and villages, at hotels as well as private houses, to have for breakfast, oatmeal, wheaten grits, or other cereals, with graham "gems" and fruit, so that the traveler or guest may choose between such diet and the usual meat and hot cake food, that our farming communities must fall into the habit sooner or later, and give their children a chance to work out their own salvation. How much clearer is the head, how much less craving is the appetite for drinks and stimulants, how much more under subjection the temper, and how much more healthful the whole system, when the food is mainly of unexciting nature, and how soon the taste is formed to enjoy it, and to cease to crave after the flesh-pots which have heretofore yielded their more noxious supplies.

There are many farmers and their wives who are considering these things, but hesitate about differing with their neighbors, or are, as is too common in this country, afraid of their children; but let them once more try a change, and have their morning and evening meals consist of grains and fruit, with well-baked bread and not always fresh and hot, and such vegetables as they desire, and milk for the children, water instead of coffee, and see if, after a sufficient length of time to produce effects, there is not more health, peace, and contentment in the household, and a consciousness that the way is not being prepared for subsequent violence and breaches of God's and man's laws, occasioned by gross appetites and indulgence.—New England Farmer.