Why Conduct Cooking Classes?

Why Conduct Cooking Classes?

Paper presented at Columbia Union ministerial institute.

By VERNA BRETZ, Bible Instructor, Fremont, Ohio

God's people have the responsibility of as­sisting others in preparing themselves for the soon coming of our blessed Saviour by pre­senting their bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. We have only begun the task when the principles have been presented. We must also give the practical side of health­ful living, of which proper diet plays an im­portant part. We are counseled in volume 9 of the Testimonies as follows:

"Greater efforts should be put forth to educate the people in the principles of health reform. Cooking schools should be established, and house-to-house in­struction should be given in the art of cooking whole­some food. Old and young should learn how to cook more simply. Wherever the truth is presented, the peo­ple are to be taught how to prepare food in a simple, yet appetizing way. They are to be shown that a nourishing diet can be provided without the use of flesh food."—Page 161.

When we have made it plain to our audience that a flesh diet is not God's plan for them, and then leave them without proper instruction in a better diet, we have left them in the same condi­tion as the man out of whom Christ cast the evil spirit. When the spirit returned it found the man's house swept and garnished. But finding the home empty and in the state of a vacuum, the spirit this time returned with many other spirits, and thus the last state of that man was worse than the first.

If new converts leave off a flesh diet, with nothing to replace it, their bodies may 'suffer from an improperly balanced food supply, and we are doing them physical injustice greater than we may realize. Sickness may result from not having sufficient material to rebuild the worn-out tissues of the human body. Do we not carry a definite responsibility as instructors, since we have been told we are not to do the work of the Lord negligently ? ( Jer. 48:10, margin.) In the book Healthful Living, we read :

"Something must be prepared to take the place of meat, and these foods must be well prepared, so that meat will not be desired. I know that with care and skill, dishes could be prepared to take the place of meat. But if the main dependence of the cook is meat, she will encourage meat eating, and the depraved appetite will frame every excuse for this kind of diet." —Page 97.

Many long to do what they see to be right, but lack courage and resolution to break away from the power of habit that has so long bound them. When they have confidence in one who shows them the way, and they see that God has provided the help so that there will be no loss to them physically, they will be glad to reform, and will make a thorough work of correcting diet. On the other hand, if no one helps these new believers to get a right start, they will shrink from the effort and cease to struggle with the problem. Much of the discouragement that often leads to apostasy might be averted if proper instruction on practical living were provided at the beginning of the journey heavenward.

Many who have been members for years are still as ignorant concerning a daily properly balanced diet as those newly won to the truth. These also need to be instructed, so that their families may have the proper food.

"Greater reforms should be seen among the people who claim to be looking for the soon appearing of Christ. Health reform is to do among our people a work which it has not yet done. . . . Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat-eating will go from God's people, to walk no more with them." —Counsels on Health, p. 575.

Thus we see that the cooking school would benefit new and old members alike. Here they would study the principles of health reform that God intended should be taught throughout the denomination in order to prepare His people for the time of trouble so soon to break upon the world, for we must conform to every point of truth if we are to be fitted for translation when Jesus comes.

Method of Conducting the School

The pastor -should give his strong support by showing that he is behind health instruction. He should publicly lamieh the plan by sermon on the necessity for such a school, bringing in the instruction given in the Spirit of prophecy regarding the importance of a knowledge of health and diet. He will then aid in getting the names of all those interested in joining a health school, where they can learn how to have a balanced diet without the use of harmful foods that injure the body.

When this is done, the place, time, and date for the opening of the school, also the fee de­cided upon for those who attend, should be an­nounced. Lessons should also be ready, and recipes printed for distribution.

It is best to have each one bring the fee at the time of the first lesson, then there will be money with which to get supplies necessary for the demonstration. Most of the preliminary work would need to be done the day before. There should be samples of the various dishes for each member of the class, and time should be given for asking questions. At least ten les­sons should be given in order to cover the subject of diet properly. Health foods from dif­ferent manufacturers should be displayed and opportunity given to obtain a supply of these as well as whatever is being demonstrated.

The school should be opened and closed with prayer, asking God's divine blessing on carry­ing out the principles He has given us to pre­pare ourselves and our families for eternity:

Souls grounded in healthful living will be the result. We have thus placed in their hands something with which they may interest their neighbors and friends. Our interest in them in a material way develops their spiritual life and opens the way to lead them into the whole truth.

"In every place where there is a church, instruction should be given in regard to the preparation of simple, wholesome foods for the use of those who wish to live in accordance with the principles of health. And the churchmembers should impart to the people of their neighborhoods the light they receive on the subject." —Gospel Workers, p. 362.

"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."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 82.

In this way all will be working for others, their own faith in the truth will be strengthened, and they will become more profitable to the cause of God.


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By VERNA BRETZ, Bible Instructor, Fremont, Ohio

December 1947

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