Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

of God, they also promote the happiness of men. His restrictions are a
safeguard against depravity of heart and corruption of life. The appetites and
passions, indulged without restraint, enslave and degrade the higher and
nobler powers.
Intemperance in eating and drinking leads to the indulgence of the
animal passions. And those who, understanding the effect of their course,
indulge appetite and passion at the expense of health and usefulness, are
preparing the way to disregard all moral obligations. When temptation
assails them, they have little power of resistance. This was the cause of
Israel's continual backsliding; and it is the reason why there is so much crime
and so little true godliness in the world today. The only path of safety is the
path of daily restraint and self-denial.
Nothing but the power of God, combined with human effort, can
accomplish the work of ennobling and uplifting our race. Had men been
willing to learn the lessons which God had given them, successive
generations would not have deteriorated so greatly in physical, mental, and
moral power. Christ, enshrouded in the cloudy pillar, had spoken again and
again to Israel for their good; but they had not heeded his voice. Again he
appeared to Manoah and his wife with definite instructions concerning the
course she should pursue to insure physical and moral health to her
offspring. God had a work for the promised child of Manoah to do,--a work
which would require careful thought and vigorous action. It was to secure for
him the qualities necessary for this work that all his habits were to be
carefully regulated. There are today many statesmen, senators, lawyers,
judges, and others in responsible positions, whose physical habits have been,
nearly all their life-time, at war with natural laws. At the outset of their
career, these men may have possessed rare intellectual powers; but the
precious gifts of God have been soiled and dimmed, and in too many cases
buried, in the mire of self-indulgence.
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