As the followers of Christ approach the time of trouble they should make every exertion to place themselves in a proper light before the people in order to disarm prejudice. (The Great Controversy, p. 616.) Such instruction, given in the Spirit of prophecy, inspired the Adventists living in the vicinity of Utica, New York, to plan a Dorcas Federation that would be a bit different from the usual program. It was held on December 5 at the American Legion hall in Utica. Members of the five churches in the district were in attendance. The newspaper gave fine publicity before it was held, telling who the guest speakers would be, and a summary of our Dorcas Welfare work for the past quarter. We invited several city officials, including the mayor.
In the afternoon the Dorcas session was held. Excellent reports of work were rendered, and plans for the future were cited. The union and local home missionary secretaries of the New York Conference, the conference president, the Dorcas Federation leader, and the local district superintendent were speakers. During the intermission the Dorcas Societies had needle work and health-food displays on sale.
The supper was prepared and served by the local Dorcas Society. The meal was planned in as simple a way as possible. The Dorcas ladies prepared and cooked the food in the hall kitchen, except for the pies, which were donated by the church members. The tables were attractively decorated for the occasion. Several young women acted as waitresses.
The menu included tomato-juice cocktail, whole-wheat crackers, celery, broiled choplets, mashed potatoes, peas, sliced beets, cabbage and pineapple salad, cranberry jelly, Vegex gravy, apple pie, cereal coffee, and rolls. The food items were purchased wholesale. The contacts made with the businessmen were most favorable. They were interested, and glad to give a liberal discount from the retail price.
A freewill offering was taken at the close of the meatless meal. The principal speaker of the evening was Dr. Donald R. Gibbs, of the Gibbs Memorial Clinic, Cortland, New York. His subject was "Health and Happiness From Your Table."
Dr. Gibbs said he would tell three things about our tables—when to set the table, what to put on the table, and what to take off the table. He explained the principles of a balanced diet in simple and easily understood language. Some of the thoughts expressed were that disease may be brought on by wrong diet, and that bad food habits impair health. Caring for the. sick is important, of course, but the prevention of disease is of even greater importance. How much better to know how to keep well than to mistreat the body and then try to recover health.
The mayor of Utica also spoke, expressing his appreciation at being invited to attend, and saying how he had enjoyed it. He especially mentioned our health program, and how it was an honor to the city to have such a gathering.
We feel this program has helped in many ways. Church members were present who had never attended a Dorcas Federation before, and they gained an inspiration for this work. Nonbelieving husbands and families were favorably impressed, both with the program and the vegetarian meal. The mayor gave us a special invitation to visit him in his office, and we feel that a favorable impression has been made. The local press sent a photographer. A picture taken at the supper was printed in the daily newspaper. We are reminded of the words found in the Medical Ministry: "We must educate, educate, educate, pleasantly and intelligently."—Page 262.
