Sabbath Keeping and Healthful Living
By William McAndrew
Bro. Smith: It is more than two years since I became acquainted with your views. I was an easy convert to most of them. The keeping of the Sabbath cost me considerable; but I believe what the Psalmist says, In keeping of God's Commandments there is great reward. I have been entangled with the things of time for a number of years past, but with God's blessing I hope soon to be free. Our Saviour has told us not to be anxious about what we shall eat or drink, or wherewithal we shall be clothed, but to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto us. Matt. vi, 31-34. I agree with you fully as regards tea, tobacco, &c., and in my practice for five years past, have gone further than that; for there are a great many other things in common use that are very prejudicial to health; and body and mind are so closely connected, that what impairs the bodily vigor, darkens and clouds the mind. In dietetic habits we might learn a useful lesson from God's ancient children; for we may be sure that whatever God prohibited, was for the wisest ends; and swine's flesh is one of the abominations spoken of in Isaiah lxv, 4; lxvi, 17, of which the Jews were forbidden to eat; also the fat of animals, &c. And not only the Jews, but other nations knew the properties of swine's flesh; for the very name in Latin is significant—scrofa, a sow—from which, some writers say, the disease known as scrofula took its name, as that animal was very subject to the disease. And where animal food is partaken of, as a necessary consequence its properties enter into the system, and engender many of those diseases to which flesh is heir. And again, the constant use of superfine flour and concentrated victuals, highly seasoned, are among the many inventions which help to ruin our race; that make us a miserable, short-lived, groaning people. Wheat is one of the best grains for the nourishment of man, but made into superfine flour it is robbed of its best qualities. If we use it as the ancient Jews, or as the Syrians now do, then indeed would it be the staff of life. I can give it as my experience after five years' trial, that a vegetable diet, (as it is called,) without animal food of any kind, is far the best for insuring health of body and vigor of mind. The light on this subject has been very abundant for many years. Howard, the philanthropist, Newton and a host of others, who subsisted on a plain wholesome diet, and accomplished great things, give abundant testimony to its superiority. As followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, we are called upon to mortify the flesh, with its affections and desires, and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present evil world, looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus ii, 12-14; Col. iii, 5. But how can we be so, if in our diet we do everything to stir up and stimulate the corruption of our nature? We are commanded—whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, to do all to the glory of God. I Cor. x, 31. God glories in the happiness of his creatures here, and their fitness for eternal bliss; but is not glorified in our groans and tears, on account of our bodily pains. God is dishonored generally; for all the sickness, pain and death, are ascribed to his providence; but the Bible says that the curse causeless will not come; [Prov. xxvi, 2;] and one has wisely remarked that there is no atonement, no forgiveness, for physical sin. We must bear the penalty. A watch-maker has no glory if the work of his hands is always out of order; neither has our Father by our sins, moral and physical. We have a striking example in the case of Daniel and his three companions. They refused to defile themselves with the king's meat, but chose rather pulse and water. Dan. viii, 21. Daniel knew well the influence diet had on the mind, and in that he served God, and was a man greatly beloved, and if we would escape the plagues that are shortly to come, we must be pure soul, body and spirit; and may God help us all so to act, that we may be fit for a place in that kingdom where Christ shall reign. Yours in the faith. WM. MCANDREW.
Ypsilanti, Mich., Feb. 11th, 1857.