CONTROLLING WRONG HABITS.
By D. H. Kress, M.D.
CAN I give up tobacco, morphine, etc.?—Yes. God dwells in man. The body is "the temple of God." "The kingdom of God is within." Every good impulse or desire comes from within. But "there is none good but one, that is, God." "It is God which worketh in you both to will [desire] and to do of His good pleasure." All good, therefore, that comes from within, proceeds from Him. Seated on His throne in these earthly temples, He desires recognition. David says, "When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek." Ps. 27:8. When David felt a prompting to seek God's face, he recognized it as the voice of God within him, and at once responded. God is behind every good motive, every effort to do right. He is its author; it proceeds from Him. Therefore, when a man makes an effort to do right, he has God on his side; and there can be no such thing as failure; for there is nothing too hard for God, nothing impossible with Him. When a man who is a slave to tobacco feels a desire to give it up, that desire is God's voice saying, Give it up. When he says, I will, it is done; for God works in us, not only to will, but also "to do of His good pleasure." I have witnessed some most remarkable deliverances from old established habits in those who would will to give them up. The morphine habit, for instance, is considered incurable by many physicians; yet I have repeatedly seen cases cured by saying, I will. Few know the power of the will. When placed on the right side, it is placed on God's side, and we can expect that great things will be done. God's arm is not shortened that it can not save. There is no need of remaining a slave to any habit; for God has given us power "over all the power of the enemy." It is right that we should place ourselves under the most favorable conditions possible, and avail ourselves of every God-given help to aid us in overcoming. Instead of being a denial, this is a confession of true faith. A pure diet, composed largely of ripe fruits, discarding pepper, mustard, the free use of salt, meat, eggs, and fried foods, and the excessive use of sweets, will be found helpful. Eliminative baths for a time and tonic treatments are also aids. One who has shattered the nervous system by a long-continued use of tobacco, whisky, morphine, tea, etc., will find it a great aid to visit a good sanitarium, where for a time he can have proper diet and treatment and the moral support of a Christian physician and nurse. There is no such thing as a hopeless case. Every evil habit can be broken. I shall be glad to give advice to those who desire further help, and to receive testimonials from those who have experienced deliverance from any of these habits.