The Story of our Health Message

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Pioneers in Health Reform

Such men as Drs. Jackson and Trail recognized the therapeutic value of water, and they also saw that it was but one of the remedial agencies provided by nature for the alleviation of suffering. Their practice and their institutions survived, but those failed who made the “water cure” their main dependence, and their names are largely lost in oblivion. SHM 37.1

It is also worthy of note that some of these health reformers recognized the relationship between obedience to the laws of life and Christian character. Thus Dr. J. C. Jackson wrote: SHM 37.2

“There are two classes of persons engaged in the discussion of questions pertaining to human welfare as embodied in the health reform. First, those who relate themselves to it from the side of science and natural law only. Second, those who in addition thereto are quickened in their activities from a sense of the duty which Christ imposes to consecrate and sanctify their bodies as well as their souls to His service. We belong to the latter class, and our hope in presenting health considerations to the people originates mainly from the latter point.”—“The Christian Aspect of the Health Reformation,” in Laws of Life, 6:22, February, 1863. SHM 37.3

With such a background of reform, and with able exponents of health principles, the way was prepared in the providence of God for impressing upon the minds of Seventh-day Adventists the importance of physical reform as an adjunct to their message setting forth the pressing need for the restoration of Bible truths and the keeping of God’s commandments. SHM 37.4