AN INTERESTING LETTER

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 28, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 26.

AN INTERESTING LETTER.

In a letter received from our friend, Pastor G. Irwin, who is visiting the islands of the Pacific in the interest of future missionary efforts in behalf of these people, he says:

"I have had a very interesting and profitable trip thus far. I have embraced every opportunity to go ashore, and visit the different tribes of natives, that I might form some just conception of their needs. I am decidedly of the opinion that here, as elsewhere, the health reform and evangelical work should go hand in hand. While people live in such filthy homes, not much can be expected in the way of spirituality.

"The natives and their many dogs lie together on mats in these dark, vermin-infected dens. Many of the children are covered with horrible sores. The stench from these so-called homes is simply awful.

"One of two things is certain—either these people are beyond all hope, or the missionaries already here have neglected a very important part of their work. I am more inclined to the latter opinion, when I see such a condition of things under the very eaves of a mission that has been in existence for thirty years. What can be expected from missionaries who drink beer and wine, and smoke black plug tobacco? All do not do this, but as far as I have gone, those who do not are the exception. I believe we are training our missionaries in right lines, when we teach them how to care for the bodies as well as the souls of men.

"I have had some interesting experiences on the boat. It was known by all the first day, it seems, that I was a vegetarian, as I brought to the table my granose biscuits, protose, and malted nuts. They watched me closely, as tho they expected I would collapse in a few days, but as they saw I got along well, and could stand more tramping on shore without the customary after-aches, they began to make remarks about my way of living. A young doctor in our company publicly avowed his intention of practising vegetarianism in the future. He said to me one day, "How is it you always seem so happy, while I have such terrible blue spells, and feelings of depression?" I told him it was because I endeavored to live in harmony with the laws of my being. I gave him quite a lecture on dietetics, etc. He admitted all I said was true."

—Australasian Good Health.