443. We do not hesitate to say that flesh meat is not necessary for health or strength.— T., Vol. II, p. 63.
444. One of the great errors that many insist upon is that muscular strength is dependent upon animal food. But the simple grains, fruits of the trees, and vegetables have all the nutritive properties necessary to make good blood. This a flesh diet cannot do.— U. T., Nov. 5, 1896.
445. Speaking in support of this diet, they said that without it they were weak in physical strength. But the words of our Teacher to us were, “As a man thinketh, so is he.” The flesh of dead animals was not the original food for man. Man was permitted to eat it after the flood, because all vegetation had been destroyed. . . . Since the flood the human race has been shortening the period of its existence. Physical, mental, and moral degeneracy is rapidly increasing in these last days.— U. T., Jan. 11, 1897.
446. The weakness experienced on leaving off meat is one of the strongest arguments that I could present as a reason why you should discontinue its use. Those who eat meat feel stimulated after eating this food, and they suppose that they are made stronger. After they discontinue the use of meat, they may for a time feel weak, but when the system is cleansed99from the effect of this diet, they no longer feel the weakness, and will cease to wish for that for which they have pleaded as essential to strength.— U. T., Aug. 30, 1896.
447. You may think that you cannot work without meat; I thought so once, but I know that in his original plan God did not provide for the use of the flesh of dead animals as a diet for man. It is a gross, perverted taste that will accept such food. To think of dead flesh rotting in the stomach is revolting.— U. T., Feb. 17, 1884.
448. The eating of flesh meats has made a poor quality of blood and flesh. Your systems are in a state of inflammation, prepared to take on disease. You are liable to acute attacks of disease, and to sudden death, because you do not possess the strength of constitution to rally and resist disease.
— T., V. II, p. 61.
449. The physical powers are depreciated by the habitual use of flesh meat. Meat eating deranges the system.— T., Vol. II, p. 64.
450. The use of the flesh of animals tends to cause a grossness of the body.— T., V. II, p. 63.
451. Their meat diet, which was supposed to be essential, was not necessary, and as they were composed of what they ate, brain, bone, and muscle were in an unwholesome condition because they lived on the flesh of dead animals. Their blood was being corrupted by this improper diet. The flesh which they ate was diseased, and their entire system was becoming gross and corrupted.— U. T., Aug. 30, 1896.
452. When we feed on flesh, the juices of what we eat pass into the circulation. A feverish condition is created, because the animals are diseased, and by partaking of their flesh we plant the seeds of disease in our own tissue and blood. Then, when exposed to the changes of a malarious atmosphere, to prevailing epidemics and contagious diseases, these are more sensibly felt, for the system is not in a condition to resist disease.— U. T., Nov. 5, 1896.
453. Because those who partake of animal food do not immediately feel its effects, is no evidence that it does not injure them. It may be doing its work surely upon the system, and yet the persons for the time being realize nothing of it.— H. to L., Chap. 1, p. 59.
454. The liability to take disease is increased tenfold by meat eating.— T., V. II, p. 64.
455. The practise of eating largely of meat is causing diseases of all kinds,—cancers, tumors, scrofula, tuberculosis, and other like affections.— U. T., Jan. 11, 1897.
456. The mortality caused by meat eating is not discerned. If it were, we should hear no arguments and excuses in favor of the indulgence of the appetite for dead flesh.— U. T., Nov. 5, 1896.
457. Her system is full of scrofulous humors from the eating of flesh meats. The use of swine’s flesh in your family has imparted a bad quality of blood.— T., V. II, p. 62.
458. Cancers, tumors, and various other inflammatory diseases are largely caused by meat eating.101From the light which God has given me, the prevalence of cancers and tumors is largely due to gross living on dead flesh.— U. T., Nov. 5, 1896.
Mental and Moral Effects.
459. Cancers, tumors, diseases of the lungs, the liver, and the kidneys, all exist in the animals that are used for food.— U. T., March, 1896.
460. When a limb is broken, physicians recommend their patients not to eat meat, as there would be danger of inflammation’s setting in.— U. T., Nov. 5, 1896.
461. If we subsist largely upon the flesh of dead animals, we shall partake of their nature.— T., V. II, p. 61.
462. A meat diet changes the disposition, and strengthens animalism. . . . To educate your children to subsist on a meat diet would be harmful to them.— U. T., Nov. 5, 1896.
463. Its use excites the animal propensities to increased activity, and strengthens the animal passions. When the animal propensities are increased, the intellectual and moral powers are decreased. The use of the flesh of animals . . . benumbs the fine sensibilities of the mind.— T., V. II, p. 63.
464. It is impossible for those who make free use of flesh meats to have an unclouded brain and an active intellect.— T., V. II, p. 62.
465. Eating much flesh will diminish intellectual activity. Students would accomplish much more in their studies if they never tasted meat. When the animal part of the human nature is strengthened by meat eating, the intellectual powers diminish proportionately.— U. T., Nov. 5, 1896.
466. Meat eating deranges the system, beclouds the intellect, and blunts the moral sensibilities.— T., V. II, p. 64.
467. Such a diet contaminates the blood and stimulates the lower passions. It prevents vigor of thought and enfeebles the perceptions, so that God and the truth are not understood.— U. T., Jan. 11, 1897.
Spiritual Effects.
468. O, if every one could discern these matters as they have been presented to me, those who are so careless, so indifferent in regard to their character building, those who plead for indulgence in a flesh-meat diet, would never open their lips in justification of an appetite for the flesh of dead animals.— U. T., Jan. 11, 1897.
469. A religious life can be more successfully attained and maintained if meat is discarded; for this diet stimulates into intense activity the lustful propensities, and enfeebles the moral and spiritual nature.— U. T., Nov. 5, 1896.
Diseased Meats.
470. The meat diet is a serious question. Shall human beings live on the flesh of dead animals? The answer, from the light that God has given, is, No, decidedly no. Our health institutions should educate on this question. . . . They should point out the increase of disease in the animal kingdom. The testimony of examiners is that very few animals are free from disease.— U. T., Jan. 11, 1897.
471. Disease of every type is afflicting the human family, and it is largely the result of subsisting on the diseased flesh of dead animals.— U. T., March, 1896.
472. Those who subsist largely upon flesh cannot avoid eating the meat of animals which are to a greater or less degree diseased. The process of fitting the animals for market produces in them disease; and fitted in as healthful a manner as they can be, they become heated and diseased by driving before they reach the market. The fluids and flesh of these diseased animals are received directly into the blood, and pass into the circulation of the human body, becoming fluids and flesh of the same. Thus humors are introduced into the system. And if the person already has impure blood, it is greatly aggravated by eating of the flesh of these animals.—T., V. II, p. 64.
473. The very animals whose flesh you eat are frequently so diseased that, if left alone, they would die of themselves; but while the breath of life is in them, they are killed and brought to market. You take directly into your system humors and poisons of the worst kind, and yet you realize it not.— T., V. II, p. 405.
474. There are but few animals that are free from disease. Many have been made to suffer greatly for the want of light, pure air, and wholesome food. When they are fattened, they are often confined in close stables, and are not permitted to exercise, and to enjoy free circulation of air. Many poor animals are left to breathe the poison of filth which is left in barns and stables. Their lungs will not long remain healthy while inhaling such impurities. Disease is conveyed to the liver, and the entire system of the animal is diseased. They are killed,104and prepared for the market, and people eat freely of this poisonous animal food. Much disease is caused in this manner. But the people cannot be made to believe that it is the meat they have eaten which has poisoned their blood, and caused their sufferings. Many die of disease caused wholly by meat eating, yet the world does not seem to be the wiser. . . . It may be doing its work surely upon the system, and yet the person for the time being realize nothing of it.—H. to L., Chap. 1, p. 59.
475. Animals are frequently killed that have been driven quite a distance to the slaughter. Their blood has become heated. They are of full flesh, and have been deprived of healthy exercise, and when they have to travel far, they become exhausted, and in that condition are killed for market. Their blood is highly inflamed, and those who eat of their meat, eat poison. Some are not immediately affected, while others are attacked with severe pain, and die from fever, cholera, or some unknown disease. . . . Some animals that are brought to the slaughter seem to realize what is to take place, and they become furious, and literally mad. They are killed while in this state, and their flesh is prepared for market. Their meat is poison, and has produced, in those who have eaten it, cramps, convulsions, apoplexy, and sudden death.—H. to L., Chap. 1, pp. 59, 60.
476. Swine have been prepared for market even while the plague was upon them, and their poisonous flesh has spread contagious diseases, and great mortality has followed.— H. to L., Chap. 1, p. 60.
477. Meat eating is doing its work, for the meat is diseased.— U. T., Aug. 30, 1896.
478. The flesh which they ate was diseased, and their entire system was becoming gross and corrupted.— U. T., Aug. 30, 1897.
479. Death was caused by the abundant eating of meat which at the last was tainted.— U. T., Nov. 5, 1896.
480. Pulmonary diseases, cancers, and tumors are startlingly common among animals. It is true that the inspectors reject many cattle that are diseased, but many are passed on to the market that ought to have been refused. . . . Thus unwholesome flesh has gone on the market for human consumption. In many localities even fish is unwholesome, and ought not to be used. This is especially so where the fish come in contact with the sewerage of large cities. . . . The fish that partake of the filthy sewerage of the drains may pass into waters far distant from the sewerage, and be caught in localities where the water is pure and fresh; but because of the unwholesome drainage in which they have been feeding, they are not safe to eat.— U. T., Jan. 19, 1895.
481. The fact that meat is largely diseased should lead us to make strenuous efforts to discontinue its use entirely. . . . It will be hard for some to do this, as hard as for the rum drinker to forsake his dram; but they will be better for the change.— U. T., Nov. 9, 1896.
CHAPTER XX.
STIMULANTS.
General Statements.
482. The use of unnatural stimulants is destructive to health, and has a benumbing influence upon the brain, making it impossible to appreciate eternal things.— T., V. I, p. 549.
483. Never be betrayed into indulging in the use of stimulants; for this will result not only in reaction and loss of physical strength, but in a benumbed intellect.— T., V. IV, p. 214.
484. It is these hurtful stimulants that are surely undermining the constitution and preparing the system for acute diseases, by impairing nature’s fine machinery, and battering down her fortifications erected against disease and premature decay.— T., V. 1, p. 549.
485. Because these stimulants produce for the time being such agreeable results, many conclude that they really need them, and continue their use. But there is always a reaction. The nervous system, having been unduly excited, borrowed power for present use from its future resources of strength. All this temporary invigoration of the system is followed by depression. In proportion as these stimulants temporarily invigorate the system, will be the letting down of the power of the excited organs after the stimulus has lost its force.— T., V. III, p. 487.
486. Excitement will be followed by depression.— R. and H., 1883, No. 19.
Tea and Coffee.
487. Tea has an influence to excite the nerves, and coffee benumbs the brain; both are highly injurious.— T., V. IV, p. 365.
488. Tea, coffee, and flesh meats produce an immediate effect. Under the influence of these poisons the nervous system is excited, and in some cases, for the time being, the intellect seems to be invigorated, and the imagination to be more vivid. — T., V. III, p. 487.
480. To a certain extent, tea produces intoxication. It enters into the circulation, and gradually impairs the energy of body and mind. It stimulates, excites, and quickens the motion of the living machinery, forcing it to unnatural action, and thus gives the tea drinker the impression that it is doing him great service, imparting to him strength. This is a mistake. Tea draws upon the strength of the nerves, and leaves them greatly weakened. When its influence is gone and the increased action caused by its use is abated, then what is the result?—Languor and debility corresponding to the artificial vivacity the tea imparted. When the system is already overtaxed and needs rest, the use of tea spurs up nature by stimulation to perform unwonted, unnatural action, and thereby lessens her power to perform, and her ability to endure; and her powers give out long before Heaven designed they should. Tea is poisonous to the system. Christians should let it alone. . . . The second effect of tea drinking is headache, wakefulness, palpitation of the heart, indigestion,108trembling of the nerves, and many other evils.— T., V. II, pp. 64, 65.
490. The influence of coffee is in a degree the same as tea, but the effect upon the system is still worse. Its influence is exciting, and just in the degree that it elevates above par, it will exhaust and bring prostration below par. Tea and coffee drinkers carry the marks upon their faces. The skin becomes sallow, and assumes a lifeless appearance. The glow of health is not seen upon the countenance.
Tea and coffee do not nourish the system. The relief obtained from them is sudden, before the stomach has had time to digest them. This shows that what the users of these stimulants call strength is only received by exciting the nerves of the stomach, which convey the irritation to the brain, and this in turn is aroused to impart increased action to the heart, and short-lived energy to the entire system. All this is false strength, that we are the worse for having. They do not give a particle of natural strength.— T., V. II, p. 65.
491. The stimulating diet and drink of this day are not conducive to the best state of health. Tea, coffee, and tobacco are all stimulating, and contain poisons. They are not only unnecessary, but harmful, and should be discarded if we would add to knowledge temperance.— R. and H., 1888, No. 8.
492. Light has been given showing the injurious effects of tea, coffee, and flesh meats; but this light has been disregarded, even by some who profess to believe the Testimonies. They even feel that to109deny themselves of these health-destroying indulgences would be a restriction of their liberty. If deprived for a time of their meat, tea, and coffee, they feel the loss, because of former indulgences, and are always pleading to be allowed to use them in some form. Enlighten their minds by means of talks and lectures, in regard to the effects of tea, coffee, and flesh meats, and thus lead them to a voluntary correction of their habits.—U. T.
493. He calls upon them to sacrifice their idols. They should lay aside such stimulants as tobacco, tea, and coffee.— T., V. I, p. 224.
494. The highly seasoned flesh meats and tea and coffee, which some mothers encourage their children to use, prepare the way for them to crave stronger stimulants, as tobacco.— T., V. III, p. 488.
Tobacco.
495. The use of tobacco encourages the appetite for liquor; and the use of tobacco and liquor invariably lessens nerve power.— T., V. III, p. 488.
496. By the use of alcoholic drinks and narcotics and the flesh of diseased animals, man has distorted and crippled the Lord’s divine arrangements. Nature does her best to expel the poisonous drug tobacco, but frequently she is overborne, gives up her struggle, and life is sacrificed in the conflict.— U. T., Jan. 11, 1897.
497. Tobacco, in whatever form it is used, tells upon the constitution. It is a slow poison. It affects the brain and benumbs the sensibilities so that the mind cannot discern spiritual things, especially those truths which would have a tendency to correct this filthy indulgence. Those who use110tobacco in any form are not clear before God. In such a filthy practise it is impossible for them to glorify God in their bodies and spirits, which are his. And while they are using slow and sure poisons, which are ruining their health and debasing the faculties of the mind, God cannot approbate them. He may be merciful to them while they indulge in this pernicious habit in ignorance of the injury it is doing them; but when the matter is set before them in its true light, then they are guilty before God if they continue to indulge this gross appetite.— F. of F., p. 126.
498. Tobacco is a poison of the most deceitful and malignant kind, having an exciting, then a paralyzing, influence upon the nerves of the body. It is all the more dangerous because its effects upon the system are so slow, and at first scarcely perceivable.— F. of F., p. 128.
499. Tobacco is a slow, insidious poison, and its effects are more difficult to cleanse from the system than those of liquor.— T., V. III, p. 569.
500. Tobacco using is a habit which frequently affects the nervous system in a more powerful manner than does the use of alcohol. It binds the victim in stronger bands of slavery than does the intoxicating cup; the habit is more difficult to overcome. Body and mind are, in many cases, more thoroughly intoxicated with the use of tobacco than with spirituous liquors; for it is a more subtle poison.— T., V. III, p. 562.
501. It is unpleasant, if not dangerous, to remain in a railroad car or in a crowded room that is not111thoroughly ventilated, where the atmosphere is impregnated with the properties of liquor and tobacco. The occupants give evidence by the breath and emanations from the body that the system is filled with the poison of liquor and tobacco.— T., V. III, p. 562.
592. Many infants are poisoned beyond remedy by sleeping in beds with their tobacco-using fathers. By inhaling the poisonous tobacco effluvium, which is thrown from the lungs and pores of the skin, the system of the infant is filled with poison. While it acts upon some infants as a slow poison, and affects the brain, heart, liver, and lungs, and they waste away and fade gradually; upon others it has a more direct influence, causing spasms, paralysis, and sudden death. The bereaved parents mourn the loss of their loved ones, and wonder at the mysterious providence of God, which has so cruelly afflicted them, when Providence designed not the death of these infants. They died martyrs to the filthy lust for tobacco. Every exhalation of the lungs of the tobacco slave poisons the air about him.— H. R.
593. Tobacco and liquor stupefy and defile the user. But the evil does not stop here. He transmits irritable tempers, polluted blood, enfeebled intellects, and weak morals to his children, and renders himself accountable for all the evil results that his wrong and dissipated course of life brings upon his family and the community.—T., V. IV, p. 30.
594. The tables of our American people are generally prepared in a manner to make drunkards. . . . Alcohol.112By the use of tea and coffee an appetite is formed for tobacco, and this encourages the appetite for liquors. . . . Youth in general are governed by impulse and are slaves to appetite. In the glutton, the tobacco devotee, the wine-bibber, and the inebriate, we see the evil results of defective education.— T., V. III, p. 563.
505. The only safe course is to touch not, taste not, handle not, tea, coffee, wines, tobacco, opium, and alcoholic drinks.— T., V. III, p. 488.
506. If men would become temperate in all things, if they would touch not, taste not, handle not, spirituous liquors and narcotics, reason would hold the reins of government in her hands, and control the animal appetites and passions.— T., V. III, p. 561.
507. Persons may become just as really intoxicated on wine and cider as on stronger drinks, and the worst kind of inebriation is produced by these so-called milder drinks. The passions are more perverse; the transformation of character is greater, more determined and obstinate. A few quarts of cider or sweet wine may awaken a taste for strong drinks, and many who have become confirmed drunkards have thus laid the foundation of the drinking habit. . . . Moderate drinking is the school in which men are receiving an education for the drunkard’s career. The taste for stimulants is cultivated; the nervous system is disordered; Satan keeps the mind in a fever of unrest; and the poor victim, imagining himself perfectly secure, goes on and on, until every barrier is broken down, every principle sacrificed.— R. and H., 1884, No. 13.
508. The Bible nowhere teaches the use of intoxicating wine, either as a beverage or as a symbol of the blood of Christ. We appeal to the natural reason whether the blood of Christ is better represented by the pure juice of the grape in its natural state, or after it has been converted into a fermented and intoxicating wine. . . . We urge that the latter should never be placed upon the Lord’s table. . . . We protest that Christ never made intoxicating wine; such an act would have been contrary to all the teachings and examples of his life. . . . The wine which Christ manufactured from water by a miracle of his power was the pure juice of the grape.— H. R.
Effects of the Use of Alcoholic Drinks.
509. The use of tobacco and liquor invariably lessens nerve power.—T., V. III, p. 489.
510. A tendency to disease of various kinds, as dropsy, liver complaint, trembling nerves, and the determination of the blood to the head, results from the habitual use of sour cider. By its use many bring upon themselves permanent disease. Some die of consumption or fall under the power of apoplexy from this cause alone. Some suffer from dyspepsia. Every vital function refuses to act, and the physician tells them they have liver complaint, when if they would break in the head of the cider barrel, and never give way to the temptation to replace it, their abused life forces would recover their vigor.— R. and H., 1884, No. 13.
511. A single glass of wine may open the door of temptation which will lead to habits of drunkenness. —T., V. IV, p. 578.
512. When the appetite for spirituous liquor is indulged, the man voluntarily places to his lips the draught which debases below the level of the brute him who was made in the image of God. Reason is paralyzed, the intellect is benumbed, the animal passions are excited, and then follow crimes of the most debasing character.— T., V. III, *p. 561.
513. The law authorizes the sale of liquor, and then has to build prisons for the victims; for nine tenths of those who are taken to prison are those who have learned to drink.— R. and H., 1894, No. 19.
514. How many frightful accidents occur through the influence of drink. . . . What is the portion of this terrible intoxicant that any man can take, and be safe with the lives of human beings? He can be safe only as he abstains from drink. No intoxicant should pass his lips; then if a disaster comes, men in responsible positions can do their best, and meet their record with satisfaction, whatever may be the issue.— R. and H., 1894, No. 22.
515. Liquor-drinking men may be seen everywhere. Their intellect is enfeebled, their moral powers are weakened, their sensibilities are benumbed, and the claims of God and heaven are not realized, eternal things are not appreciated. The Bible declares that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God. . . . Intemperance of any kind is the worst kind of selfishness.— T., V. IV, pp. 30, 31.
Cure for the Liquor Habit.
516. What cure would you advise for a person who thus indulges a habit that is rebuked even by115the beasts of the field? The word of God has denounced it: no drunkard shall enter the kingdom of God. What would you recommend to cure such an appetite? You would not say, “You may use strong drink moderately. Continue within bounds, but never indulge to excess.” You would rather say, “There is no such thing as helping you unless you co-operate fully with my efforts, and sign the pledge of total abstinence. You have by indulgence made your habit second nature, and it cannot be controlled unless the moral power shall be aroused, and you look unto Jesus, trusting in the grace he shall give to overcome this unnatural craving.” You would say, “You have lost your self-control. Your self-indulgence is not only a moral sin, but it has become a physical disease. You are not your own; you are God’s property. He has purchased you with an infinite price, and every faculty is to be employed in his service. Keep your body in a healthy condition to do his will; keep your intellect clear and active to think candidly and critically, and to control all your powers.”— U. T., Oct. 12, 1896.
Alcohol in Disease.
517. The taste created for the disgusting, filthy poison, tobacco, leads to the desire for stronger stimulants, as liquor, which is taken on one plea or another, for some imaginary infirmity, or to prevent some possible disease.— T., V. IV., p. 30.
518. By advising friends and neighbors to take brandy for the sake of their health, they are in danger of becoming agents for the destruction of their friends. . . . Physicians are responsible for making many drunkards. Knowing what drink will116do for its lovers, they have taken upon themselves the responsibility of prescribing it for their patients. Did they reason from cause to effect, they would know that stimulants would have the same effect on each individual organ of the body that they have on the whole man. What excuse can doctors render for the influence they have exerted in making fathers and mothers drunkards? — R. and H., 1894, No. 2.
519. Go with me to yonder sick-room. There lies a husband and father, a man who is a blessing to society and to the cause of God. He has been suddenly stricken down by disease. The fire of fever seems consuming him. He longs for pure water to moisten the parched lips, to quench the raging thirst, and cool the fevered brow. But no; the doctor has forbidden water. The stimulus of strong drink is given, which adds fuel to the fire. . . . For a time nature wrestles for her rights, but at last, overcome, she gives up the contest, and death sets the sufferer free.—T., No. 31, p. 191.
520. Those who do not control their appetites in eating are guilty of intemperance. . . . With many, their first error is in making a god of their appetite, subsisting mostly on highly seasoned animal food, which produces a feverish state of the system, especially if pork is used freely. The blood becomes impure. The circulation is not equalized. Chills and fever follow. The appetite fails. They think something must be done, and perhaps send for ale, which stimulates for the time, but as soon as the influence of the ale is gone, they sink as much lower, and a continual use of the ale keeps them stimulated117and overexcited. They think that the ale was of so much benefit to them that they must continue its use. After a while it loses its influence; then they use a stronger beverage, until they give themselves up to every excess, and man formed in the image of his Maker degrades himself lower than the beasts. It required time to benumb the sensibilities of the mind. It was done gradually, but surely. F. of F., p. 126.
CHAPTER XXI.
DRESS.
General Statements.
521. Our words, our actions, and our dress are daily, living preachers, gathering with Christ or scattering abroad. This is no trivial matter.—T., V. IV, p. 641.
522. Turn away from the fashion plates, and study the human organism.— C. T., p. 91.
523. Christians should not take pains to make themselves a gazing-stock by dressing differently from the world. But if, when following out their convictions of duty in respect to dressing modestly and healthfully, they find themselves out of fashion, they should not change their dress in order to be like the world; but they should manifest a noble independence and moral courage to be right, if all the world differ from them. If the world introduces a modest, convenient, and healthful mode of dress, which is in accordance with the Bible, it will not change our relation to God or to the world to adopt such a style of dress. Christians should follow Christ and make their dress conform to God’s word. They should shun extremes.—T., V. I, p. 458.
524. In dress we should seek that which is simple, comfortable, convenient, and appropriate.—R. and H., 1886, No. 24.
525. A plain, direct testimony is now needed, as given in the word of God, in regard to plainness of dress. This should be our burden. But it is too late now to become enthusiastic in making a test of this matter. There were some things which made the reform dress, which was once advocated, a decided blessing. With it the ridiculous hoops, which were then the fashion, could not be worn. The long dress skirts trailing on the ground and sweeping up the filth of the streets could not be patronized. But a more sensible style of dress has been adopted, which does not embrace these objectionable features. The fashionable part may be discarded, and should be by all who read the word of God. The dress of our people should be made most simple. The skirt and sack I have mentioned may be used, not that just that pattern and nothing else should be established, but a simple style as was represented in that dress. Some have supposed that the very pattern given was the pattern that all should adopt; this is not so, but something as simple as this would be the best we could adopt under the circumstances. No one precise style has been given me as an exact rule to guide all in their dress. Let our sisters dress plainly, as many do, in having the dress of good material, durable, modest, appropriate for the age; and let not the dress question fill the mind.— U. T., July 4, 1897.
Mental and Moral Influence of Dress.
526. The sum and substance of true religion is to own and continually acknowledge by words, by120dress, by deportment, our relationship to God.—
T., V. IV, p. 582.
527. Perhaps no question has ever come up among us which has caused such development of character as has the dress reform.— T., V. IV, p. 636.
528. Simplicity of dress will make a sensible woman appear to the best advantage. We judge of a person’s character by the style of dress worn. Gaudy apparel displays vanity and weakness. A modest, godly woman will dress modestly. A refined taste, a cultivated mind, will be revealed in the choice of simple and appropriate attire.— T., V. IV, p. 643.
529. We would not by any means encourage carelessness in dress. Let the attire be appropriate and becoming. Though only a ten-cent calico, it should be kept neat and clean.—T., V. IV, p. 642.
530. Taste should be manifested as to colors. Uniformity in this respect is desirable so far as convenient. Complexion, however, may be taken into account. Modest colors should be sought for. When figured material is used, figures that are large and fiery, showing vanity and shallow pride in those who choose them, should be avoided. And a fantastic taste in putting on different colors is bad.— H. R.
531. Let the wearing of useless trimmings and adornments be discarded. Extravagance should never be indulged in to gratify pride. Our dress may be of good quality, made up with plainness and simplicity, for durability rather than for display.— R. and H., 1878, No. 2.
532. There is no need to make the dress question the main point of your religion. There is something richer to speak of. Talk of Christ; and when the heart is converted, everything that is out of harmony with the word of God will drop off.— S. of T., 1889, No. 25.
533. There is no use in telling you that you must not wear this or that, for if the love of these vain things is in your heart, your laying off of your adornments will only be like cutting the foliage off a tree.— R. and H., 1892, No. 19.
534. Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches, and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from God.—T., V. IV, p. 647.
535. As soon as any have a desire to imitate the fashions of the world that they do not immediately subdue, just so soon God ceases to acknowledge them as his children.— T., V. I, p. 137.
536. Those who have had the light upon the subjects of eating and dressing with simplicity, in obedience to physical and moral laws, and who turn from the light which points out their duty, will shun duty in other things. If they blunt their consciences to avoid the cross which they will have to take up to be in harmony with natural law, they will, in order to shun reproach, violate the ten commandments.— T., V. III, p. 51.
Influence of Dress upon the Body.
537. Physical loveliness consists in symmetry—the harmonious proportion of parts.—C. T., p. 94.
Tight Clothing.
538. Dress reform . . . includes every article of dress upon the person. It lifts the weights from the hips by suspending the skirts from the shoulders. It removes the tight corsets, which compress the lungs, the stomach, and other internal organs, and induce curvature of the spine and an almost countless train of diseases. Dress reform proper provides for the protection and development of every part of the body.— T., V. IV, p. 635.
539. Woman’s dress should be arranged so loosely upon the person, about the waist, that she can breathe without the least obstruction. Her arms should be left perfectly free, that she may raise them above her head with ease. . . . The compression of the waist by tight lacing prevents the waste matter from being thrown off through its natural channels. The most important of these is the lungs. . . . If the lungs are cramped, they cannot develop; but their capacity will be diminished, making it impossible to take a sufficient inspiration of air. . . . The compression of the waist weakens the muscles of the respiratory organs. It hinders the process of digestion. The heart, liver, lungs, spleen, and stomach are crowded into a small compass, not allowing room for the healthful action of these organs.— H. R.; see also, C. T., p. 88.
540. The dress should fit easily, obstructing neither the circulation of the blood, nor a free, full, natural respiration.— C. T., p. 89.
541. Our Creator made no mistake in fashioning the human body. He gave appropriate space for the free action of every organ, and formed us in123such a way that every muscle could come into play without trespassing upon the function of any other muscle.— Y. I., Sept. 14, 1893.
542. Lacing causes displacements, and this form of disease is increasing with each successive generation. — H. R.
543. Many have become lifelong invalids through their compliance with the demands of fashion. Displacements and deformities, cancers and other terrible diseases, are among the evils resulting from fashionable dress.— T., V. IV, p. 635.
544. Half the diseases of women are caused by unhealthful dress.—H. R.
Heavy Skirts
545. The hips are not formed to bear heavy weights. The heavy skirts worn by women, their weight dragging down upon the hips, have been the cause of various diseases which are not easily cured, because the sufferers seem to be ignorant of the cause which has produced them, and they continue to violate the laws of their being by girding the waist and wearing heavy skirts, until they are made lifelong invalids.— H. to L., Chap. 6, p. 64.
546. This heavy weight pressing upon the bowels, drags them downward, and causes weakness of the stomach, and a feeling of lassitude, which leads the sufferer to incline forward. This tends further to cramp the lungs, and prevents their proper action. The blood becomes impure, the pores of the skin fail in their office, sallowness and disease result, and beauty and health are gone. . . . . Every woman who values health should avoid hanging any weight upon the hips.— C. T., p. 89.