Sweet cakes, sweet puddings, and custards will disorder the digestive organs; and why should we tempt those who surround the table by placing such articles before them? The more largely flesh composes the diet of teachers and pupils, the less susceptible will be the mind to comprehend spiritual things. The animal propensities are strengthened, and the fine sensibilities of the mind are blunted. Diligent study is not the principal cause of the breaking down of the mental powers. The main cause is improper diet, irregular meals, and a lack of physical exercise. Irregular hours for eating and sleeping sap the brain forces.—The Youth’s Instructor, May 31, 1894
(CD 395.1)
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[Not Prepared in 1884 to Do away Entirely with Meat Eating in Our Institutions, Although the Step Would Be Eventually Taken—720] [Undiseased Flesh Meat Preferable to Free Use of Milk and Sugar—527, 533] [Physicians to Educate away from, But Not to Make Prescriptions Forbidding Use of Flesh Meat—434, 438] [Possible Unwise Changes from Flesh Diet of Those Dying of Consumption—435] [Flesh Foods Not to Be Condemned When Adequate Nonflesh Diet Is Not Available—796] [Flesh Food Not the Right Food for God’s People in Countries Where Fruits, Grains, and Nuts Are Available in Abundance—719] [Flesh Served to Patients in Sanitariums in Their Rooms—437]
(CD 395)
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701. Meat is not essential for health or strength, else the Lord made a mistake when He provided food for Adam and Eve before their fall. All the elements of nutrition are contained in the fruits, vegetables, and grains.—The Review and Herald, May 8, 1883
(CD 395.2)
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[Sanitarium Patients to Be Taught in Parlor Lectures—426] [Sanitarium Patients to Be Taught Correct Diet by Properly Furnished Table—442, 443] [Sanitarium Patients to Be Taught Temperance—474]
(CD 462)
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795. In this country [Australia] there is an organized vegetarian society, but its numbers are comparatively few. Among the people in general, meat is largely used by all classes. It is the cheapest article of food; and even where poverty abounds, meat is usually found upon the table. Therefore there is the more need of handling wisely the question of meat eating. In regard to this matter there should be no rash movements. We should consider the situation of the people, and the power of lifelong habits and practices, and should be careful not to urge our ideas upon others, as if this question were a test, and those who eat largely of meat were the greatest sinners.
(CD 462.1)
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All should have the light on this question, but let it be carefully presented. Habits that have been thought right for a lifetime are not to be changed by harsh or hasty measures. We should educate the people at our camp meetings and other large gatherings. While the principles of health reform should be presented, let the teaching be backed by example. Let no meat be found at our restaurants or dining tents, but let its place be supplied with fruits, grains, and vegetables. We must practice what we teach. When sitting at a table where meat is provided, we are not to make a raid upon those who use it, but we should let it alone ourselves, and when asked our reasons for doing this, we should in a kindly manner explain why we do not use it.—Letter 102, 1896
(CD 462.2)
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796. I have never felt that it was my duty to say that no one should taste of meat under any circumstances. To say this when the people have been educated to live on flesh to so great an extent, would be carrying matters to extremes. I have never felt that it was my duty to make sweeping assertions. What I have said I have said under a sense of duty, but I have been guarded in my statements, because I did not want to give occasion for any one to be conscience for another....
(CD 462.3)
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