The Position of the Health Principles in the Message for This Time
By O. A. Olsen
The Fullness of the Gospel — No. 2
The Position of the Health Principles in the Message for This Time
We invite the reader to a careful study of the truths and principles set forth in the following quotations from the spirit of prophecy. We are in the time of the finishing of the mystery of God in the earth, the time when the seal of perfection is to be fixed on the people of God. And is there not danger that in the rush and hurry some of this instruction, so important, so pertinent to just this time and situation, be lost sight of? For if this instruction means anything, it means very much to us individually and collectively; and the attitude we take, and the manner in which we relate ourselves to the instruction from the Lord’s servant, will certainly have a bearing on our eternal destiny. “The health reform, I was shown, is a part of the third angel’s message, and is just as closely connected with it as are the arm and hand with the human body. I saw that we as a people must make an advance move in this great work. Ministers and people must act in concert. God’s people are not prepared for the loud cry of the third angel. They have a work to do for themselves which they should not leave for God to do for them. He has left this work for them to do. It is an individual work; one cannot do it for another. ‘Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.’ Gluttony is the prevailing sin of this age. Lustful appetite makes slaves of men and women, and beclouds their intellects and stupefies their moral sensibilities to such a degree that the sacred, elevated truths of God’s Word are not appreciated. The lower propensities have ruled men and women.5 “In order to be fitted for translation, the people of God must know themselves. They must understand in regard to their own physical frames, that they may be able with the psalmist to exclaim, ‘I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’ They should ever have the appetite in subjection to the moral and intellectual organs. The body should be servant to the mind, and not the mind to the body.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. I, page 486. “The health reform is closely connected with the work of the third message, yet it is not the message. Our preachers should teach the health reform, yet they should not make this the leading theme in the place of the message. Its place is among those subjects which set forth the preparatory work to meet the events brought to view by the message; among these it is prominent.” “In the preparation of a people for the Lord’s second coming, a great work is to be accomplished through the promulgation of health principles. The people are to be instructed in regard to the needs of the physical organism, and the value of healthful living as taught in the Scriptures, that the bodies which God has created may be presented to him a living sacrifice, fitted to render him acceptable service. There is a great work to be done for suffering humanity in relieving their sufferings by the use of the natural agencies that God has provided, and in teaching them how to prevent sickness by the regulation of the appetites and passions. The people should be taught that transgression of the laws of nature is transgression of the laws of God.” “Our sanitariums are an educating power to teach the people in these lines. Those who are taught can in turn impart to others a knowledge of health-restoring and health-preserving principles. Thus our sanitariums are to be an instrumentality for reaching the people, an agency for showing them the evil of disregarding the laws of life and health, and for teaching them how to preserve the body in the best condition. Sanitariums are to be established in different countries that are entered by our missionaries, and are to be centers from which a work of healing, restoring, and educating shall be carried on.” “We are to labor both for the health of the body and for the saving of the soul. Our mission is the same as that of our Master, of whom it is written that he went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by Satan. Acts 10:38. Of his own work he says: ‘The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek.’ ‘He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.’ Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18. As we follow Christ’s example of labor for the good of others, we shall awaken their interest in the God whom we love and serve. “Our sanitariums in all their departments should be memorials for God, his instrumentalities for sowing the seeds of truth in human hearts. This they will be if rightly conducted.”—Id., Vol. VI, pages 224, 225. These quotations set before us the purpose of the Lord in the work of health reform. These things being so, “one important part of the work of the ministry is to faithfully present to the people the health reform, as it stands connected with the third angel’s message as a part and parcel of the same work. They should not fail to adopt it themselves, and should urge it upon all who profess to believe the truth.”—Id., Vol. I, pages 469, 470. In the following paragraphs we are most earnestly admonished to do our full duty in teaching and practicing these important principles that by both precept and example we may lead the people to the fullness of the blessings God has in store for them:— “It means much to be true to God. He has claims upon all who are engaged in his service. He desires that mind and body be preserved in the best condition of health, every power and endowment under the divine control, and as vigorous as careful, strictly temperate habits can make them. We are under obligation to God to make an unreserved consecration of ourselves to him, body and soul, with all the faculties appreciated as his intrusted gifts, to be employed in his service. All our energies and capabilities are to be constantly strengthened and improved during this probationary period. Only those who appreciate these principles, and have been trained to care for their bodies intelligently and in the fear of God, should be chosen to take responsibilities in this work. Those who have been long in the truth, yet who cannot distinguish between the pure principles of righteousness and the principles of evil, whose understanding in regard to justice, mercy, and the love of God is clouded, should be relieved of responsibilities. Every church needs a clear, sharp testimony, giving the trumpet a certain sound. “If we can arouse the moral sensibilities of our people on the subject of temperance, a great victory will be gained. Temperance in all things of this life is to be taught and practiced. Temperance in eating, drinking, sleeping, and dressing is one of the grand principles of the religious life. Truth brought into the sanctuary of the soul will guide in the treatment of the body. Nothing that concerns the health of the human agent is to be regarded with indifference. Our eternal welfare depends upon the use we make during this life of our time, strength, and influence.”—Id., Vol. VI, page 375. “The light that the Lord has given on this subject in his Word is plain, and men will be tested and tried in many ways to see if they will heed it. Every church, every family, needs to be instructed in regard to Christian temperance. All should know how to eat and drink in order to preserve health. We are amid the closing scenes of this world’s history; and there should be harmonious action in the ranks of Sabbath keepers. Those who stand aloof from the great work of instructing the people upon this question do not follow where the Great Physician leads the way. ‘If any man will come after me,’ Christ said, ‘let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.’ Matt. 16:24.”—Id., page 378.