3340.-The Use of Fat by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, Cal. · Feb 7, 1911

3340.—The Use of Fat

By Editor

Does the Bible denounce the use of fat of clean animals? Does Lev. 3: 15-17 apply to our times? Do you think it wrong to use cottolene, or cotton fat made from cotton-seed oil and pressed beef fat? P. B.

In a particular sense the fat seems to have been taken as a figure of sin, and, too, its use tended to grossness. For that purpose certain fats connected with the sacrifice were not to be used by God's children. The law of sacrifices, of course, has passed away; and yet just as far as those prohibitions rested on principles which involved thoro hygiene and healthful living, they ought to be regarded by those who believe in eating and drinking to God's glory. 1 Cor. 10: 31. The best grades of cotton-seed oil as now prepared, it seems to us, are preferable to all animal fats. A few years ago cotton-seed oil had an odor about it which was very unpleasant, but in the latest refining processes this has been eliminated. A great deal of it doubtless is sold as olive-oil; but the process of its preparation, it is said, is much cleaner than olive-oil or animal fats. Of course it is best to use just as little of any shortening as possible; but wherever such material is used, it seems to us that vegetable fats are preferable.