
EGW ON HEALTH
A) BODY HEALTH.
B) CLOTHING.
C) DISEASE.
D) DRUGS.
E) INACTIVITY.
F) SICKNESS.
G) SLEEP.
H) STANDING AND SITTING POSITION.
I) STOVE HEAT.
J) TEA AND COFFEE
K) TOBACCO.
L) WINDOWS/AIR.
M) WATER TREATMENTS.
A) BODY HEALTH
Keep in mind that Ellen White also ate meat before her visions.
“Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thought and feelings -- as much a duty as it is to pray. If we are Heaven-bound, how can we go as a band of mourners, groaning and complaining all along the way to our Father’s house?” MH:251.
“True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely with everything hurtful and to use judiciously that which is healthful.” PP:562.
B) CLOTHING
“If the clothing worn is not often washed, and frequently aired, it becomes filthy with impurities which are thrown off from the body by sensible and insensible perspiration. And if the garments worn are not frequently cleansed from these impurities, the pores of the skin absorb again the waste matter thrown off. The impurities of the body, if not allowed to escape, are taken back into the blood, and forced upon the internal organs.” 4aSG:140.
“Every woman who values health should avoid hanging any weight upon the hips. The shoulders should be made to sustain the weight of every article of clothing worn upon the person. This will relieve the bowels from undue pressure, and prevent that weakness of the stomach and bowels which is prevailing to an alarming extent.” HR, February 1, 1877 par. 7.
“True dress reform regulates every article of clothing worn upon the person.” PH022:2.1.
(Side Note: “Many need instruction as to how they should appear in the assembly for worship on the Sabbath. They are not to enter the presence of God in the common clothing worn during the week. All should have a special Sabbath suit, to be worn when attending service in God’s house.” CG:531.2.
C) DISEASE
“A neglect of cleanliness will induce disease. Sickness does not come without a cause.” AH:22.2.
“The physical surroundings in the cities are often a peril to health. The constant liability to contact with disease, the prevalence of foul air, impure water, impure food, the crowded, dark, unhealthful dwellings, are some of the many evils to be met.” AH:135.2.
“If so much food is taken into the stomach that the digestive organs are compelled to overwork in order to dispose of it and to free the system from irritating substances, the mother does injustice to herself and lays the foundation of diseasein her offspring.” AH:258.1
“Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health.” MH:127.1. Hippocrates stated, “The end result of longtime abuse in the form of poor living habits, faulty nutrition, and other health destroying environmental factors.”
D) DRUGS
Vaccines are legally called “biologics.” Technically they may fall under the broad category of “drugs.” But they belong to the subset called, “BIOLOGICALS.” The FDA division of BIOLOGICALS regulates vaccines. But many doctors would also call them “drugs” and most people would accept the term as “drugs,” or better still, as “BIOLOGICAL DRUGS.”
“Physicians, by administering their drug-poisons, have done very much to increase the depreciation of the race, physically, mentally, and morally. Everywhere you may go you will see deformity, disease and imbecility, which in very many cases can be traced directly back to the drug-poisons, administered by the hand of a doctor, as a remedy for some of life's ills. The so-called remedy has fearfully proved itself to the patient, by stern suffering experience, to be far worse than the disease for which the drug was taken. All who possess common capabilities should understand the wants of their own system. The philosophy of health should compose one of the important studies for our children. It is all-important that the human organism be understood, and then intelligent men and women can be their own physicians. If the people would reason from cause to effect, and would follow the light which shines upon them, they would pursue a course which would insure health, and mortality would be far less. But the people are too willing to remain in inexcusable ignorance, and trust their bodies to the doctors, instead of having any special responsibility in the matter themselves.” 2SM:442.4.
“I was shown that more deaths have been caused by drug-taking than from all other causes combined. If there was in the land one physician in the place of thousands, a vast amount of premature mortality would be prevented. Multitudes of physicians, and multitudes of drugs, have cursed the inhabitants of the earth, and have carried thousands and tens of thousands to untimely graves. . . A physician is sent for, who prescribes some drug which gives present relief, but which does not cure the disease. It may change the form of disease, but the real evil is increased ten fold.” 4aSG:133.
“Drugs never cure disease. They only change the form and location.” 4aSG:134.
“When drugs are introduced into the system, for a time they may seem to have a beneficial effect. A change may take place, but the disease is not cured. It will manifest itself in some other form. In nature’s efforts to expel the drug from the system, intense suffering is sometimes caused the patient. And the disease, which the drug was given to cure, may disappear, but only to re-appear in a new form, such as skin diseases, ulcers, painful diseased joints, and sometimes in a more dangerous and deadly form. The liver, heart and brain are frequently affected by drugs, and often all these organs are burdened with disease, and the unfortunate subjects, if they live, are invalids for life, wearily dragging out a miserable existence. Oh, how much that poisonous drug cost!” 4aSG:135.
“There are more who die from the use of drugs, than all who could have died of disease had nature been left to do her own work.” 4aSG:135.
“The Lord is not pleased with the dealing out of drugs. Many a life whose eyes have closed in death might have been saved if the physicians had left alone their drug poisons, if there had been a decided application of health and life-giving remedies, pure water used for drinking purposes, pure water used most thoroughly for all, hot and cold, upon the afflicted as we used to do. But there is need of reforms and the sanitarium has come to be very important.” 10LtMs, Letter 106, 1895, paragraph 43.
“They are victims of poisonous preparations, which have been, in many cases, administered to cure some slight indisposition, which after a day or two of fasting would have disappeared without medicine.” 4aSG:139.
“He [Christ] did not give countenance to drug medication, He [Christ] sanctioned the use of simple and natural remedies.” MH:233.
“Experimenting in drugs is a very expensive business. Paralysis of the brain and tongue is often the result, and the victims die an unnatural death. . .” MM:228.2.
“The human family have brought upon themselves diseases of various forms by their own wrong habits. They have not studied how to live healthfully, and their transgression of the laws of their being has produced a deplorable state of things. The people have seldom accredited their sufferings to the true cause -- their own wrong course of action. They have indulged in intemperance in eating, and made a god of their appetite. In all their habits they have manifested a recklessness in regard to health and life; and when, as the result, sickness has come upon them, they have made themselves believe that God was the author of it, when their own wrong course of action has brought the sure result. When in distress, they send for the doctor, and trust their bodies in his hands, expecting that he will make them well. He deals out to them drugs, of the nature of which they know nothing; and in their blind confidence they swallow anything that the doctor may choose to give. Thus powerful poisons are often administered, which fetter nature in all her friendly efforts to recover from the abuse the system has suffered; and the patient is hurried out of this life.” RH, August 15, 1899, paragraph 1.
AND HUNDREDS MORE.
E) INACTIVITY
“The power of the will is a mighty soother of the nerves, and can resist much disease, simply by not yielding to ailments, and settling down into a state of inactivity.” 4aSG:145.
“Inactivity weakens the system. God made men and women to be active and useful. Nothing can increase the strength of the young like proper exercise of all the muscles in useful labor.” CG:340.1.
“Those who have overtaxed their physical powers should not be advised to forego labor entirely. To shut them away from all exercise would in many cases prevent their restoration to health. The will goes with the labor of the hands; and when the will-power is dormant, the imagination becomes abnormal, so that it is impossible for the sufferer to resist disease. Inactivity is the greatest curse that could come upon one in such a condition.” CTBH:100.3.
F) SICKNESS
“Many have expected that God would keep them from sickness merely because they have asked Him to do so. But God did not regard their prayers, because their faith was not made perfect by works. God will not work a miracle to keep those from sickness who have no care for themselves, but are continually violating the laws of health, and make no efforts to prevent disease.” 4aSG:144.
“Sick persons are debilitated by disease, and need all the invigorating air that they can bear to strengthen the vital organs to resist disease.” PH:144:22.1.
G) SLEEP
“Irregular hours for eating and sleeping sap the brain forces.” CD:395.
“Sleep is worth far more before than after midnight. Two hours’ good sleep before twelve o’clock is worth more than four hours after twelve o’clock.” 7MR:224.
“Proper periods of sleep and rest and an abundance of physical exercise are essential to health of body and mind.” GW:442; 7T:247; 9MR 169; SpTA09:64.
AND MANY MORE.
H) STANDING AND SITTING POSITION
“Among the first things to be aimed at should be a correct position, both in sitting and in standing. God made man upright, and He desires him to possess not only the physical but the mental and moral benefit, the grace and dignity and self-possession, the courage and self-reliance, which an erect bearing so greatly tends to promote.” CG:364.3; ED:198.3. And ML:128.4 adds: “The lungs should be allowed the greatest freedom possible. Their capacity is developed by free action; it diminishes if they are cramped and compressed. Hence the ill effects of the practice so common, especially in sedentary pursuits of stooping at one’s work. In this position it is impossible to breathe deeply. Superficial breathing soon becomes a habit, and the lungs lose their power to expand. . . Thus an insufficient supply of oxygen is received. The blood moves sluggishly.”
I) STOVE HEAT
“Stove heat destroys the vitality of the air, and weakens the lungs. The child’s [22] lungs have been weakened by the room being kept too warm.” PH:144:21-22; 2SM:305.2; 4aSG:152.
J) TEA AND COFFEE
“Even professed Christians will use tea, coffee, snuff, tobacco and spirits, all of which benumb the finer sensibilities of the soul. If you tell them they cannot have Heaven, and these hurtful indulgences, and that they should deny their appetites, and cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord, they are offended, look sorrowful, and conclude that if the way is so strait that they cannot indulge in their gross appetites, they will not walk any longer in it.” 1SP:108.1.
“Tea and coffee, as well as tobacco, have an injurious effect upon the system. Tea is intoxicating; though less in degree, its effect is the same in character as that of spirituous liquors. Coffee has a greater tendency to becloud the intellect and benumb the energies. It is not so powerful as tobacco, but is similar in its effects. The arguments brought against tobacco may also be urged against the use of tea and coffee.
“Those who are in the habit of using tea, coffee, tobacco, opium, or spirituous liquors, cannot worship God when they are deprived of the accustomed indulgence. Let them, while deprived of these stimulants, engage in the worship of God, and Divine grace would be powerless to animate, enliven, or spiritualize their prayers or their testimonies. These professed Christians should consider the means of their enjoyment. Is it from above, or from beneath?” RH, January 25, 1881.
K) TOBACCO
(Note: This was written in an age when “tobacco” was thought to be beneficial).
“Tobacco is a slow, but sure poison,” 17MR:42.
“The use of intoxicating drink, which dethrones reason, and tobacco, which clouds the brain and poisons the life current, is increasing.” CME:38:2.
“Tobacco using is a habit which frequently affects the nervous system in a more [404] 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.” {CG:403.3}
“Tobacco. . . affects the brain and benumbs the sensibilities, so that the mind cannot clearly discern spiritual things, especially those truths which would have a tendency to correct this filthy indulgence. Those who use tobacco in any form are not clear before God. In such a filthy practice it is impossible for them to glorify God in their bodies and spirits, which are His. {CG:404.1}
“Tobacco weakens the brain and paralyzes its fine sensibilities. Its use excites a thirst for strong drink, and in very many cases lays the foundation for the liquor habit. {CG:404.2}. . .
“Intoxicating liquors and tobacco have proved a terrible curse to our race, not only weakening the body and confusing the mind, but debasing the morals.” CG:403.3-404.3.
“If James had seen his brethren using tobacco, he would have denounced the practice as ‘earthly, sensual, and devilish.’ As I have seen men who claimed to enjoy the blessing of entire sanctification, while they were slaves to tobacco, spitting and defiling everything around them, I have thought, How would Heaven appear with tobacco-users in it? The lips that were taking the precious name of Christ were defiled by tobacco spittle, the breath was polluted with the stench, and even the linen was defiled; the soul that loved this uncleanness and enjoyed this poisonous atmosphere must also be defiled. The sign was hung upon the outside, testifying of what was within.
“Men professing godliness offer their bodies upon Satan’s altar, and burn the incense of tobacco to his Satanic majesty. Does this statement seem severe? The offering must be presented to some deity. As God is pure and holy, and will accept nothing defiling its character, He refuses this expensive, filthy, and unholy sacrifice; therefore we conclude that Satan is the one who claims the honor. . .
“To a tobacco-user, everything is insipid and lifeless without the darling indulgence. Its use has deadened the natural sensibilities of body and mind, and he is not susceptible of the influence of the Spirit of God. In the absence of the usual stimulant, he has a hungering and yearning of body and soul, not for righteousness, not for holiness, not for God’s presence, but for his cherished idol. In the indulgence of hurtful lusts, professed Christians are daily enfeebling their powers, making it impossible to glorify God.” RH, January 25, 1881.
AND HUNDREDS MORE.
L) WINDOWS/AIR
“The windows should be opened, and the blinds fastened back, and the air left to circulate freely for several hours, if not all day, through the sleeping apartments. In this manner the bed and clothing will become thoroughly aired, and the impurities will be removed from the room.” 4aSG:144.
“They would not close the doors and windows and leave in the room some purifying substance, but would open the doors and throw wide the windows, and with diligent effort expel all the dust.” CG:496.2.
“In no case should sick persons be deprived of a full supply of fresh air in pleasant weather. Their rooms may not always be so constructed as to allow the windows or doors to be opened, without the draft coming directly upon them, thus exposing them to the taking of cold. In such cases windows and doors should be opened in an adjoining room, thus letting fresh air enter the room occupied by the sick. Fresh air will prove far more beneficial to sick persons than medicine, and is far more essential to them than their food. They will do better, and will recover sooner, when deprived of food, than when deprived of fresh air.” CH:55.1.
“Each should have exercise in the open air as often as possible. This is important to sickbed attendants, especially if the friends of the sick are among the class that continue to regard air, if admitted into the sickroom, as an enemy, and will not allow the windows raised or the doors opened. In such cases the sick and the attendants are compelled to breathe the poisonous atmosphere from day to day because of the inexcusable ignorance of the friends of the sick.” CH:56.1.
“Many have been taught from childhood that night air is positively injurious to health, and therefore must be [60] excluded from their rooms. To their own injury they close the windows and doors of their sleeping apartments, to protect themselves from the night air which they say is so dangerous to health. In this they are deceived. In the cool of the evening it may be necessary to guard from chilliness by extra clothing; but they should give their lungs air. . . Many are suffering from disease because they refuse to receive into their rooms at night the pure night air. The free, pure air of heaven is one of the richest blessings we can enjoy.” CH:59-60.
M) WATER TREATMENTS
Many are found when searching under “hot and cold.”
“I know if we had any one that could give the water treatment, hot and cold to the spine, and hot fomentations, she could be relieved of much of her pain.” 8LtMs, Letter 92, 1893, paragraph 1.
“Some weeks ago we rented the building in Hamilton known as the Turkish Baths. This building is provided with facilities for giving Turkish baths and hot and cold water baths. It is surrounded by open grounds, and is only a few minutes walk from our Church in Hamilton. {KC:127.2}
“As soon as we saw the advantages of this place, we decided that the best thing we could do was to secure it. We feel very thankful to the Lord for this opening in Newcastle. Work at the Baths was begun about two weeks ago, and thus far success has attended it. Several prominent men are taking treatment and yesterday three Catholic priests came in for a bath. Brother Currow, who is in charge of the bath work, is an excellent nurse. His wife who used to be Miss Lizzie Hubbard, and he are both doing well.” KC:127.2-3.
“The light which has been given me in reference to several critical cases has been represented to me as a sick child I had in charge, and in every case the directions given were, Do not apply ice to the head, but cool water; but apply hot fomentations to the bowels, stomach, and liver. This will quell the fever much sooner even than cold. The reaction after the cold applications raises the fever, in the place of killing it. This direction has been given me again and again. In some cases, the ice applications may be warrantable, but in most cases they are not advisable. If the invalid has any vitality, the system will send the blood to where the cold is, and very often the system has no power for this taxation. Some cases may endure this kind of treatment, but I greatly fear for Brother -----, if it is continued. Use hot water. In nine cases out of ten it will do a more successful work than the cold ice would do.” Letter 112a, 1897; 3MR:365.3.
“Experimenting in drugs is a very expensive business. Paralysis of the brain and tongue is often the result, and the victims die an unnatural death, when, if they had been treated perseveringly, with unwearied, unrelaxed diligence with hot and cold water, hot compresses, packs, and dripping sheet, they would be alive today.” MM:228.2.