The Century Mark: How to Reach It by G. B. Starr

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 18, 1911

The Century Mark: How to Reach It

By G. B. Starr

G. B. STARR

MATERIAL for the construction of monuments, buildings of state, and other large edifices, designed to resist decay and the elements of destruction in storm and time, and for centuries hold their place as witnesses of a nation's deeds, are most carefully selected. We do not erect such buildings of soft woods or sandstone. Iron and steel, marble and granite, are chosen, and carefully wrought into the structure. Parts exposed to wind and rain are constructed of specially selected material, containing the greatest possible resisting qualities. Joints are made weather-proof by the application of the best-known wear-resisting substances. In all this men act wisely; but how much attention is given by the average man, woman, or child to the careful selection of body-building material? As much more care and thought should be given to this subject as the living body temple is superior to, and more valuable than, any building constructed of the rarest marbles and decorated with the finest gold.

The question most often asked about our food is not: “Is it good body-building material? Will it work into solid muscle and steady nerve fiber? Will it strengthen my disease-resisting forces?” but rather, “Does it taste good?” Taste is the god that rules the twentieth century, both in food and drink; but as surely as this standard continues, man's days are numbered.

The postponement of old age and premature death depends largely upon the body-building material worked into the living structure at the family table three times each day. Grains, fruits, nuts, and the finer vegetables are the best body-building materials. Witness the long time-resisting power of all grains. They even outlive marble and granite in their power to resist the destructive elements of the centuries, and retain their hidden life-treasure, to reproduce themselves, and supply man with heat, energy, and the best of food elements for body-building. The nuts contribute their beautifully prepared lubricating oils, generated in nature's germ-proof laboratories; and the fruits contribute nectars most rare, colored and blended in flavors to suit the most exquisite and exacting taste. Here again, produced in her own laboratory, free from germs, bottled dust-proof, or protected with insect-destroying coverings, as the orange and lemon, nature offers to man the very best of what he most needs,—water, absolutely pure, and mingled with acids in exactly the right proportion.

Why do we turn from such gifts to the poisoned, germ-filled substances offered by man as substitutes? The decayed apple-juice, grape-juice, and caffein-filled soft drinks, the flesh foods, rich cakes and pastries,—these are not good brain- and body-builders. Witnesses to this statement may be seen by the tens of thousands on every street and in the majority of homes; they testify to its truth in the bloated features, the fatty heart, and the body temple ready to fall to pieces at the slightest strain.

In contrast note the elastic step, the erect bearing, the noble mien, of the men and women who eat of God's best body-building materials, and who drink pure water and fruit nectars. See them as they resist the attacks of disease, and come forth from the conflict with death again and again, until, with the bearing of a conqueror, they near or reach the century mark, victors over appetite, in one sense over death itself, nature's greatest noblemen. In those who thus obey the laws of God will the words of the psalmist have their fulfilment:—

“Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” Ps. 91:5-7.

Melrose, Mass.