Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene - Ellen G. White

elations of life. It is seen in the family, in the
church, in the prayer-meeting, and in the conduct
of their children. It is the curse of their lives. It
prevents them from understanding the truths for
these last days.
I saw that God does not require any one to
practice such rigid economy as to weaken or injure
the temple of God. There are duties and
requirements in his word to humble the church, and
cause them to afflict their souls; there is no need of
making crosses and manufacturing duties to
distress the body, in order to cause humility. All
this is outside the word of God.
The time of trouble is just before us, and then
stern necessity will require the people of God to
deny self, and eat merely enough to sustain life; but
God will prepare them for that time. In that fearful
hour, their necessity will be God’s opportunity to
impart strength, and sustain his people. But now
God requires them to labor with their hands, the
thing that is good, and lay by them in store as he
has prospered them, and to do their part in
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