COFFEE-ITS EFFECTS by M. B. Smith

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 1, 1861

COFFEE—ITS EFFECTS.

By M. B. Smith

THERE are two reasons why the writer believes that this article should not be used as a beverage:

1. Because it is poisonous to the human system.

2. Because it is using the Lord's money for that which at most only gratifies the taste without nourishing the body.

We read in 1 Thess. v, 23, that Paul prayed that their bodies might be preserved blameless. Now in order to preserve our bodies blameless it is necessary that we use all those means within our reach which will enable us to become acquainted with those organic laws by which we are governed, and then in our dress, food, drink, &c., pay strict obedience to them. Now if the use of coffee and tea is contrary to those laws, we are under most solemn obligations to quit their use.

Again, we read in 1 Cor. x, 31, that whether we eat or drink we are to do all to the glory of God. Now if the use of coffee as an article of daily consumption is contrary to the organic laws (and the organic laws are the laws of God), then we cannot use it "to the glory of God."

Some may call this a very small and unprofitable subject to write upon, but perhaps if they could fully realize the amount of suffering in the shape of neuralgia, dyspepsy, nervous debility, &c., produced by these narcotics, they would not think so.

Many are the arguments and excuses brought forward to sustain the use of these articles; and while we desire to exercise christian charity and forbearance, we are compelled for the sake of truth to join issue with those who try to justify themselves in their use. We hope that none will try to justify themselves because many good and wise men have used them (although they have only been used in Europe about two hundred years); for if they are anti-vital they cannot become nourishing because many have used them, any more than Sunday can become God's sanctified rest-day because many have observed it as such.

A very common excuse is that those who use them do not experience any ill effects from their use. Let me say to such that feelings are not a safe guide in a physical, any more than in a religious, point of view. There is a false as well as a true experience. We need something besides feelings in religious matters; and in physical matters, we need facts as well as feelings. Conscience is not a safe guide of itself in religious things, neither is experience in physical things.

For instance, Alexis St. Martin had his left side so wounded as to leave an external opening through which could be seen the condition, and, to some extent, the operations, of the stomach. In these circumstances Dr. Beaumont instituted a series of experiments on the nature and effects of the gastric juice, by which he made many curious discoveries. One of these was that the lining membrane of the stomach might be so inflamed and filled with eruptions and ulcerations as not only to secrete pus, but to bleed without the subject being conscious of the least suffering, and without his health being in any way affected "in any sensible degree." This was often caused by a moderate use of liquor, eating voraciously, or to excess, &c. Now suppose St. Martin, relying on his feelings alone, were to insist that drinking liquor, beer, cider, tea, coffee, &c., did not hurt him, while the facts in the case proved the contrary, ought we to believe him? He certainly would speak from experience, but yet it would be a false experience. We hope all who profess to deny themselves and follow Christ, all who wish to get rid of every foolish or hurtful habit and do all to the glory of God, will try to be willing to be convinced of the truth, let it be what it may, and be governed by reason rather than appetite.

Coffee is a medicine, a narcotic. To prove this we will cite some of the best medical men of Europe and America.

Hooper, in his medical dictionary, says, "It possesses nervine and astringent qualities. It is said to be a good antidote against an over dose of opium, and to relieve obstinate spasmodic asthmas."

Dr. Paris says, "It is suspected of producing palsies, and not without foundation."

Do we need any stronger evidence of its narcotic tendency?

Dr. Willich represents coffee as possessing anti-spasmodic virtues, and speaks of its powerful effect on the nervous system.

Prof. Hitchcock, in his "Dyspepsy Forestalled," speaks of coffee as a narcotic. He says, "The bewitching influence lies in its narcotic qualities—the same principle that gives opium and tobacco their attractions. The exciting principle is the same as ardent spirits."

Dr. Trotter, in speaking of the cause of nervous maladies, say that "the only means of cure lie in a total abstinence from every species of fermented liquor, and from everything that bears any analogy to them, such as tea, coffee, opium, and all other narcotics."

Dr. Dunglison admits its narcotic tendency. The same admission is made in the Journal of Health, the Catechism of Health; and in Bell's Catechism of Health it is admitted that coffee in all circumstances has a "pernicious effect on the stomach, bowels, and nervous system generally."

All this is good authority, and cannot be set aside unless we can discard all physiological facts, and consent to be led by feeling altogether.

Dr. Combe, in his work on Diet and Regimen, says, "It acts as a strong stimulant, and certainly increases our comfort for the time. Like all other stimulants, however, its use is attended with the disadvantage of exhausting the sensibility of the part on which it acts, and induces weakness."

Dr. S. A. Shurtleff, of Boston, says: "Of all common beverages drunk in society, coffee is decidedly the worst."

Londe, a French writer on health, classes coffee among the drinks which stimulate, but do not nourish. "Coffee," he adds, "should be used only in those circumstances in which it is proper to use fermented or spirituous liquors."

Dr. Millengen says, "It is liable to produce feverish heat, anxiety, palpitations, trembling, weakness of sight, and pre-disposition to apoplexy."

Dr. Wm. A. Alcott, the well-known writer on health, bears this testimony: "They (tea and coffee) are among the numerous tributaries to the mighty stream of premature death; and he who effects a reform in his habits with regard to tea and coffee, though he were for a time to retain beer, cider, wine, or even alcohol, opium or tobacco, has not only removed from his family two articles that never ought to have been received into it, but has begun a good work in the right way, by commencing at the foundation.

Let the sources of intemperance and disease, the causes of an undue fondness for excitement, and an unnatural thirst, be but dried up, and the larger streams which they have so long fed will soon cease to flow, while the renovated, and happier, world will rejoice in their extermination."

He elsewhere says, "Coffee, like tea, is a slow poison to all under all circumstances."

We might quote from the writings of Hahnemann, father of the homeopathic system, Dr. Burdell, of New York, Mr. Cole, and others, to prove that coffee is a medicine—a narcotic. Besides all the suffering it produces, think of the vast amount of money we spend as a nation for this luxury. Dr. Alcott makes the estimate at $12,000,000 yearly. Suppose there are 4000 families of Sabbath-keepers in the United States, and they each spend $12 a year for these articles, it would amount to $48,000 yearly; and notwithstanding this large sum might be spent for these unnecessary articles, and will be if we use them, the cause of God is suffering for want of pecuniary aid. The work is hin

dered and crippled for the want of means to carry it on.

In a world like this, all that we have above what we need to supply us with the necessary things of life, can be spent in a good manner in advancing the cause of God, helping the needy, or in some way that will be a blessing to our fellow beings. Remember that we are under solemn obligations to do all in our power in this direction to advance the cause of truth and righteousness; not merely to do as much as some one else, but to do all in our power. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. We are stewards, and will have to render an account for the manner in which we use the Lord's property. O, let us cast away our idols, our unnecessary articles of dress and diet, and make to ourselves friends of the unrighteous mammon, that they may receive us into everlasting habitations. Luke xvi, 9.

M. B. SMITH.

Marion, Iowa.