Part 1
Introduction
We have included the statements of a number of differentnatural healing pioneers in this volume. Here are insightfulcomments from the writings of Ellen G. White, who had a profoundunderstanding of the origin and transmission of pathologicalproblems.
"The transgression of physical law is the transgressionof God's law. Our Creator is Jesus Christ. He is the author ofour being. He has created the human structure. He is the authorof the physical laws, as He is the author of the moral law. Andthe human being who is careless and reckless of the habits andpractices that concern his physical life and health, sins againstGod."—Letter, May 19, 1897.
"God's law is written by His own finger upon every nerve,every muscle, every faculty which has been entrusted toman."—Letter, August 30, 1896.
"Health, strength, and happiness depend upon immutablelaws; but these laws cannot be obeyed where there is no anxietyto become acquainted with them."—Healthful Living,18.
"The Lord has made it a part of His plan that man'sreaping shall be according to his sowing."—Letter,May 19, 1897.
"To make plain natural law, and urge the obedience of it,is the work that accompanies the third angel's message to preparea people for the coming of the Lord."—3 Testimonies,161 [CDF, 69].
"There are many ways of practicing the healing art, butthere is only one way that Heaven approves. God's remedies arethe simple agencies of nature, that will not tax or debilitatethe system through their powerful properties. Pure air and water,cleanliness, a proper diet, purity of life, and a firm trust inGod are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying; yetthese remedies are going out of date because their skillful userequires work that the people do not appreciate."—5Testimonies, 443.
"It is the duty of every human being, for his own sakeand for the sake of humanity, to inform himself or herself inregard to the laws of organic life, and conscientiously to obeythem . . It is the duty of every person to become intelligent inregard to disease and its causes."—Letter, December4, 1896.
"God has formed laws to govern every part of ourconstitutions, and these laws which He has placed in our beingare divine, and for every transgression there is a fixed penalty,which sooner or later must be realized."—HealthfulLiving, 20.
"Our first duty, one which we owe to God, to ourselves,and to our fellow men, is to obey the laws of God, which includethe laws of health."—3 Testimonies, 164.
"The laws governing the physical nature are as trulydivine in their origin and character as the law of the TenCommandments. Man is fearfully and wonderfully made; for Jehovahhas inscribed His law by His own mighty hand on every part of thehuman body."—Letter, August 5, 1896.
" `Have I not a right to do as I please with my ownbody?' —No, you have no moral right, because you areviolating the laws of life and health which God has given you.You are the Lord's property,—His by creation and His byredemption. Every human being is under obligation to preserve theliving machinery that is so fearfully and wonderfullymade."—Letter, May 19, 1897.
"Our very bodies are not our own, to treat as we please,to cripple by habits that lead to decay, making it impossible torender to God perfect service. Our lives and all our facultiesbelong to Him. He is caring for us every moment; He keeps theliving machinery in action. If we were left to run it for onemoment, we should die. We are absolutely dependent uponGod."—Letter, October 12, 1896.
"The health should be as sacredly guarded as thecharacter."—Christian Temperance, 82.
"Proportionally as nature's laws are transgressed, mindand soul become enfeebled . . Physical suffering of every type isseen . . Suffering must follow this course of action. The vitalforce of the system cannot bear up under the tax placed upon it,and it finally breaks down."—Letter, August 30,1896.
"Sickness is caused by violating the laws of health; itis the result of violating nature's laws."—3Testimonies, 164.
"Health is a great treasure. It is the richest possessionthat mortals can have. Wealth, honor, or learning is dearlypurchased, if it be at the loss of the vigor of health. None ofthese attainments can secure happiness if health iswanting."—Christian Education, 35.
"That time is well spent which is directed to theestablishment and preservation of sound physical and mentalhealth . . It is easy to lose health, but it is difficult toregain it."—Review, No. 39, 1884.
"Perfect health depends on perfectcirculation."—2 Testimonies, 531.
"Many have inquired of me, `What course shall I take tobest preserve my health?' My answer is, Cease to transgress thelaws of your being; cease to gratify a depraved appetite, eatsimple food, dress healthfully, which will require modestsimplicity, work healthfully, and you will not be sick."—Counselson Health, 37.
"An aimless life is a living death. The mind should dwellupon themes relating to our eternal interests. This will beconducive to health of body and mind."—Review, No.31, 1884.
"God has pledged Himself to keep this living machinery inhealthful action, if the human agent will obey His laws andcooperate with God."—Letter, January 11, 1897.
"Let it ever be kept before the mind that the greatobject of hygienic reform is to secure the highest possibledevelopment of mind and soul and body."—ChristianTemperance, 120.
"Nature will restore their vigor and strength in theirsleeping hours, if her laws are not violated."—SolemnAppeal, 16.
"Close confinement indoors makes women pale and feeble,and results in premature death."—Healthful Living,61.
"Indulging in eating too frequently, and in too largequantities, overtaxes the digestive organs, and produces afeverish state of the system. The blood becomes impure, and thendiseases of various kinds occur."—Spiritual Gifts,Vol. 4, 133.
"The effects produced by living in close, ill-ventilatedrooms are these: . . The mind becomes depressed and gloomy, whilethe whole system is enervated; and fevers and other acutediseases are liable to be generated . . The system is peculiarlysensitive to the influence of cold. A slight exposure producesserious diseases."—1 Testimonies, 702.
"What influence does overeating have upon the stomach?—It becomes debilitated, the digestive organs are weakened,and disease, with all its train of evils, is brought on as aresult."—2 Testimonies, 364.
"The free use of sugar in any form tends to clog thesystem, and is not infrequently a cause of disease."—Counselson Health, 154.
"The liability to take disease is increased tenfold bymeat eating."—2 Testimonies, 64.
"Rich and complicated mixtures of food are healthdestroying. Highly seasoned meats and rich pastry are wearing outthe digestive organs."—Letter, November 5, 1896.
"Drugging should be forever abandoned; for while it doesnot cure any malady, it enfeebles the system, making it moresusceptible to disease."—5 Testimonies, 311.
"A neglect of cleanliness will inducedisease."—How to Live, Chapter 4, 61.
"Rooms that are not exposed to light and air become damp. . Various diseases have been brought on by sleeping in theserooms."—How to Live, 243.
"Dwellings, if possible, should be built upon high anddry ground. If a house be built where water settles around it,remaining for a time and then drying away, a poisonous miasmaarises, and fever and ague, sore throat, lung diseases, andfevers will be the result."—How to Live, 246.
"If the clothing worn is not often washed, it becomesfilthy with impurities which are thrown off from the body bysensible and insensible perspiration . . The pores of the skinabsorb again the waste matter thrown off."—How toLive, 242.
"When we do all we can on our part to have health, thenmay we expect that blessed results will follow, and we can askGod in faith to bless our efforts for the preservation ofhealth."—How to Live, 246.
