Economy

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 6, 1879

The habit that obtains in many families of 'heaping' food and giving a little and considerable more than asked for, has nothing to be said in its favor, and a great deal against it. Unless one has a strong, firm appetite that only an earthquake or a tempest could effect, a large quantity of food is appalling. It is much pleasanter to send one's plate and have it replenished, than to be obliged to leave food upon the plate. In order to clear the plate one is prone to overeat, from an idea of 'saving' the food.

Economy does not signify a lack of plentifulness nor stinginess. It means enough for each and all, and nothing is wasted, and when food is served in over-abundance, waste must be the result, unless, indeed, the surplus is gathered together again—the simple idea of which is disgusting. Moreover, it is a comfort to get just what one asks for and no more.