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Thoughts from an early Health Reform Movement writer [J.N. Andrews, 1871]

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Hi Tim,

 

I so appreciate your sharing this writing. It turns out that many of the

great healing discussions from the 1800s have a similar emphasis upon

character, spirit, energy. This can be said, for example, of the writings of

Palmer (originator of chiropractic) and of Hahnemann (originator of

homeopathy).

 

That's why I seek to learn ways of thinking, thought forms, from their

respective originators whenever I can and suggest that others consider the

same.

 

Best,

Elchanan

_____

 

Tim Campbell [jtcaell]

Tuesday, October 23, 2007 8:44 AM

rawfood

[Raw Food] Thoughts from an early Health Reform Movement writer

 

 

" The press teems with accounts of wonderful cures wrought by such and such

medicines; and the point of each statement is this: 'If you would have

health, buy this marvelous remedy.' Sensible people long ago decided that

these certificates were in the great majority of cases entirely unreliable,

and that they were formed for the manifest purpose of enriching the

proprietor of 'the matchless sanative' that they respectively extol.

 

" Now, why should not health reformers be as generally and as promptly

discredited as should the venders of the various 'magic cordials' and

'healing balsams' everywhere offered 'for the relief of suffering humanity'?

They should, if they can be justly classed together. And if the same

principle governs the action of each, then let them share in the same

condemnation.

 

" But observe the contrast: The advocates of the hygienic system declare, as

a fundamental principle, that health can be regained or preserved only upon

condition that we 'cease to do evil and learn to do well;' while the dealers

in the aforesaid wonderful preparations severally state, as one of the most

convincing reasons for the use of their respective medicines, that 'no

change of diet or of habits of life is required in order to be bene- fited

by this wonderful remedy.'

 

" The first party declares that the restorative power exists only in the

vital forces which God has given us; the other, that it is to be found in

drugs. The one affirms that the restorative power within ourselves can alone

give us health, but will do it only upon condition of abstinence from wrong

habits, and of simple obedience to the laws of our being. But the other

replies in derision, 'This is all humbug; you may eat, drink, and act as you

will, with- out any danger of evil consequences, provided you freely use my

healing balm.'

 

" Which of these parties is entitled to our confidence? One of them asks no

money, but insists that we govern ourselves by the laws which the Author of

our being has established within our own organization. The other bids us

freely disobey, and promises us immunity from evil consequences on condition

that we use the medicines which they desire us to buy at their hands.

 

" We know which of these two kinds of teaching is the more enticing to the

multitudes; but would it not be well to ask which is the more reasonable?

One of them declares that obedience to the laws of life is the one condition

upon which we can have health. The other asserts that God has provided means

whereby men may deliberately disobey those laws, and yet escape the

consequences of that disobedience; and that that means is something known

only to the ones who say this, and to be had only on condition that you pay

them well for it. On which side are reason and common sense? On that of

self-control, or on that of self-indulgence? And which of these two classes

is attempting to get your money upon false pre- tenses?

 

" I am a firm believer in the principles of health reform. I have cause to be

such. My judgment is convinced that its principles are reasonable, and just,

and true. Moreover, I have proved them true by the test of actual

experience. In this thing, therefore, I speak not merely that which I have

heard, but I also testify that which I know. I believed in the health reform

when I first learned its principles, because to me they were self-evident

truths. But there is no teacher like experience. Ever after I was first

instructed in this system, I believed it to be true; but the experience of

seven years enables me to speak now as one who knows whereof he affirms. "

 

J.N. Andrews

1871

 

from: natural-health-forum " at "

 

 

 

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