When the atomic bomb sounded around the world, one of nature's great secrets of power was blasted to its very center. This secret was the process which the sun employs in converting material things into energy. The word "atom" means "not divided," and was first used by John Dalton, the scientist, in 1807. But on August 8, 1945, something happened. Man, by his scientific, analytical mind, was able to split the atom, and unleash upon the world a supernatural, electrical power which humanity had never dreamed of before.
At this time we shall consider only one special phase of this atomic energy ; that is, its relation to the plant or vegetable kingdom. One of the most unique yet marvelous miracles of nature is found in the growth of the plant kingdom and the maintenance of animal life from this distant energizing power. This proves anew that science is under the control of divine laws.
Prophecies which were given years ago shine like jewels against the night of woe in this enlightened age of God's power. The sun releases its atomic energy in the form of sunshine—disintegration. This strikes the earth and is picked up and utilized by the vegetable kingdom, producing life and growth in the plant. This is called synthesis, or integration. What a system of transforming, life-giving power !
We cannot drink liquid sunshine, though California might lead you to believe we can. We cannot eat atomic "bomblets," but these life-giving rays are built up into luscious oranges, apples, wheat, carrots,' and beans which we can eat, and enjoy their fine variety of flavors. Is it any wonder they are vitamins? They, and they alone, contain that vital spark of life.
When these "sparklets" are taken into the human body, another miraculous process of disintegration, or digestion, occurs, releasing each element of calcium, iron, starch, etc. With almost human intelligence each tissue and organ picks out the substance it desires to build into its structures —a selective service, if you please. The blood says, "I will take the iron"; the nerves say, "I will take the phosphorus"; the liver says, "I will store the starches."
How rational the original diet given to man now becomes ! (Gen. 1:29.) God designed that there should be no death in the Garden of Eden, but that man should be adequately sustained from the products of the soil, from which he himself had been made.
For years there has been a people who have recognized God's claims upon the body as well as the soul. This people, like Israel of old, recognize that they are journeying to a better country, "that is, an heavenly." Heb. 11:16.
Certain articles of food, as flesh and meats, were considered inferior to God's original diet for the nutrition of body and formation of character. But there came a growth in numbers and popularity of this people, resulting in a falling away from this principle. Some began to partake of flesh foods, "lest we become anemic" and "won't get our protein." As far back as 19o5 fundamentally sound instruction was given on a "better way."
"In order to know what are the best foods, we must study God's original plan for man's diet. He who created man and who understands his needs appointed Adam his food. 'Behold,' He said, 'I have given you every herb yielding seed, . . and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food.' Upon leaving Eden to gain his livelihood by tilling the earth under the curse of sin, man received permission to eat also 'the herb of the field.'
"Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. These foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, are the most healthful and nourishing. They impart a strength, a power of endurance, and a vigor of intellect, that are not afforded by a more complex and stimulating diet. . . .
"Again and again I have been shown that God is bringing His people back to His original design, that is, -not to subsist upon the flesh of dead animals. He -would have us teach people a better way. . . .
"If meat is discarded, if the taste is not educated in that direction, if a liking for fruits and grains is encouraged, it will soon be as God in the beginning designed it should be. No meat will be used by His people."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 81, 82.
"Are These Things So?"
Today we can examine this naked truth in the light of scientific facts and say again, "We have not followed cunningly devised fables." 2 Peter 1:16. In the book How to Live, of which 449,000 have been sold, Dr. Haven Emerson makes the following bold and impressive assertions:
"For people not so impaired as to require special diets, a four-class diet is probably ample, the four classes being: raw fruits, raw nuts, raw greens (or leafy vegetables), and dairy products. Moreover, these may fairly be called natural foods.
"With such a four-class diet, the choosing of one food rather than another is not likely to be injurious. On the contrary, almost any person, who chews and tastes deliberately will find that his natural choices, if made only among raw fruits, raw nuts, raw greens, and dairy products, will never be lured into any of those great errors of diet which today characterize the civilized world. He will not get night blindness for lack of vitamin A, beriberi for lack of vitamin B, scurvy for lack of vitamin C, nor rickets for lack of vitamin D; he will not be sterile for lack of vitamin E, nor stunted for lack of vitamin G. He will not suffer from diabetes from excessive sugar. He will not become anemic for lack of iron. His bones and teeth will not deteriorate for lack of lime. He will not be the victim of a too acid-forming diet. His diet will seldom contain too much or too little protein. It will not lack bulk, not involve any other deficiency, excess, or unbalance. In a word, he can probably eat with perfect safety as much as he likes and exactly what he likes."—Pages 38, 39.
And lest someone fear he is missing something, or will be more puny than his flesh-eating neighbor, Dr. Emerson summarizes his facts in these words : "Fruits, nuts, greens, and dairy products probably include every essential of complete nutrition for the average person."—Ibid., p. 38.
With the elements of nutrition all stored in the plant kingdom, why must they first be passed through the cow, the sheep, or the pig ! Away with such an idea! Naturally, when they are consumed by the animal first, who used up all the "goodies," what is there left for man when he eats the animal's body except dead, wasting muscle tissue, faulty livers and kidneys, and disease germs ? Would it not be just as rational for the natives of South Africa to say, "Let us eat the heart of a Livingstone, so we shall be brave as he was"?
Whence comes the strength of the horse? Why does not the elephant or the cow become anemic or malnourished on its monotonous diet of grain and greens?
The difficulty with an enlightened people is not that the principle of a proscribed diet is wrong, but that it has not been applied and utilized correctly. Today our feet are on the brink of Jordon. Our Caanan land is almost in sight. God is trying to awaken His people to make a special preparation for that final deliverance.
