If have often thought that all our evangelists ought to take a course in the presentation of our health principles, for surely the health message should be a part of every effort. When our health principles are presented in connection with our evangelistic meetings, the converts are more sub stantial and are much less likely to backslide. An evangelist is fortunate if he is holding meetings in the vicinity of one of our health institutions, or near enough so that he can enlist the co-operation of the institutional workers in giving health les sons in connection with his meetings. The follow ing topics might well be covered.
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CHOICE OF MEALS. How to choose adequate meals. This should include a brief statement of the food constituents and their use in the body ; and by contrast inadequate meals; good and bad food combinations.
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ADEQUATE BREAKFASTS. A lesson on the place and importance of cereals in the diet, with special emphasis on the importance of adequate breakfasts that include sufficient protein. Sample of good breakfasts.
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IMPORTANCE OF PROTEIN. Protein in the diet, its function and importance. How to include enough protein, kinds to choose, kinds to avoid, and an exhibit of the foods that supply protein.
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PLACE OF SALADS. Including instruction on the function of fats in the diet, kinds to use, kinds to avoid, how they should and should not be used, with a demonstration of salad making, and instruction about the importance of raw vegetables and fruits in the diet.
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FOOD MINERALS. Their importance and function, how to get sufficient minerals, with emphasis .upon the importance of vegetables and fruits in the diet.
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NECESSITY OF VITAMINS. Their functions, what happens to the health when there is an in adequate supply, how to get enough, with emphasis on the "protective foods."
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SIMPLE DESSERTS. Including an exhibition of good, simple desserts, with instruction on the harm of too much sugar, especially refined sugar in the diet, and how to satisfy that sweet tooth with benefit to the health, instead of detriment. A lesson on the building and saving of good teeth might be included.
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TEA AND COFFEE. Why we should not use them. A demonstration of the presence of tannic acid in tea adds interest, also the showing of caffeine crystals, if someone knows how to extract the caffeine from tea. This lesson might well call attention to the harmful effects of the cola drinks, mate, and soda fountain drinks. There should be an exhibit of healthful beverages, with instruction in preparing them.
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COOKERY FOR THE SICK. Instruction in the making of substitutes for meat broth, why meat broths are not recommended, the making of gruels, value of fruit juices and vegetable juices in the diet of the sick, with sample liquid diets, soft diets, and light diets, and conditions in which they are used.
In all this instruction it seems better to lay the emphasis on the positive side rather than the negative. Emphasize strongly what should be done, and keep the people so busy doing what they should do that the things that should not be done will disappear out of their lives without effort.
The United States Government and many firms are putting out valuable material on the subject of health that can be used. This is free, or may be obtained for very little charge. An example is the U. S. Department of Agriculture (Washington, D.C.) charts of the basic seven foods that are being widely distributed. Of course, we would emphasize meat substitutes in place of flesh foods shown on the chart.
The Westinghouse Electric Company, Mans field, Ohio, loans excellent moving pictures that forcibly teach the importance of diet and good habits. In fact, it has printed instructions for the giv ing of a whole course of health instruction. Also Kellogg Company Home Economics Department, Battle Creek, Michigan, and General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, might be added to the comprehensive list in the January MINISTRY, page 36.
The old saying, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach," may be applied to the cook's and dietitian's work in winning people to this message, to Christian living, salvation, and eternal life. When we meet patients who have recovered from bleeding ulcer of the stomach or sinus trouble or arthritis of the spine or tuberculosis through diet, we think that food is a powerful means of influencing and benefiting people.
Truly the nutritionist has opportunities for missionary endeavor, and the dietitian has a part in giving the third angel's message. This is illustrated by my own experience in giving health lessons in a. mission conducted by Brother Neiman, a lay member of our Boston church. This affords a chance to give health instruction, answer questions, and help people solve their problems.
The mission is located in what would be called one of the toughest districts of Boston. Part of a building is hired to be used as a mission. It is run largely for the benefit of poor people and those who are addicted to bad habits, drinking, smoking, gambling, etc. A Sabbath school is held Sabbath afternoon, a meeting Sunday evening, and a prayer meeting Wednesday evening. On Wednesday evenings bags of food are given away to the needy. The bags are made up from food donated by merchants of Boston. The mission sells secondhand furniture, books, and health foods.
I go to the mission one Wednesday evening a month to give a health talk or demonstration. The health talk is sometimes illustrated by stereopticon slides. At times I take nurses to the mission to give a health talk on some other subject than food, or to give a demonstration of simple treatments. One of our doctors and our business manager go sometimes to give a talk, and other workers go occasionally to assist with the music.
The mission has been running for five years. Five people have joined the church as a result of the work of the mission. Others are keeping the Sabbath, but are not quite ready to be baptized. Still others are interested. We are commissioned to preach the gospel to everyone, and someone has to preach the gospel to these underprivileged people.
