A SUMMARY OF VKGETARIANISM

BY REV. WM. PENN ALCOTT.

IN THE Bible our Creator teaches the best diet: "God said, Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed ; to you it shall be for meat." (Gen. 1 : 2Q.) Some expounders explain anything in other Scriptures seemingly inconsistent with this, by "accommodation," — as with divorce (Matt, ig: 8). or by "kenosis" (Phill. a: 7, see the Greek). On the testi- mony of early historians, Matthew and Peter were Vegetarians, also James "the Lord's brother," first head of the Church. Com- pare mauna and quails as food (Numb. 1 1 : 18 — 35) and read Daniel i. Fruits, nuts, grains, legumes and vegetables are our best food.

Revelation is confirmed by Science, (a) Comparative Anatomy: man is near the anthropoid apes which eat fruit and nuts. Our "canines" are even smaller than theirs. Man's nails, tongue, bands, intestines and blood, point to vegetable food {Linnoiis, Cuvier, Owen, Lawrence, Bell.) (b)Chem- ical Physiology: the saliva, gastric juice and excretions confirm this view. So does (c) Embryology {Scklicheysert). (d) "It may be accepted as a fair deduction from the Anatomy and Physiology of man, and more especially from his dentition, and from his want of natural weapons of attack and de- fence, that he must at first have been fru- givorous (Dawson), (e) Development theo- ries confirm this (Darwin, Hseckel). (0 Chemistry shows that all elements essential to health, are contained in the diet of Paradise (Liebig, Playfair, Church, Dun- can, Atwater). (g) Medical Science, through Drs. H. Thompson, N. B. Carpen- ter, B. W. Richardson. E. Smith, Keith, declare flesh-food unnecessary. It is only nutriment at second-hand, generally half excrementitious matter, the remainder ve- nous blood, tissue exhausted and so 'twice dead, 'stimulating poisons (ptomaines, etc ), and a small residuum of value, (h) So tes- tifies Biology, (i) Zoology names as the strongest animals, the elephant, ox, horse, camel, gorilla. The lion and tiger See

Digitized by Google

from the enraged buSalo. Camivora would starve without fangs, claws, cuntiing. The polar reindeer and musk-ox find vigor in lichens and sedges, and the former lives where Eskiuio dogs, fed on flesh, die from cold and exhaustion. Reindeer can make a daily journey two or three times as great as a dog-team (Harris U. S. Report on Alaska). (j) There is argument in the instincts o/ <-A/7rf/-f«, fairly tested: Kreophagy is there- fore unnecessary, unnatural, undesirable. *******

A high authority on longevity (Hufe- land) says: "Rich and nourishing food and an immoderate use of flesh do not prolong life. Instances of the greatest age are to be found among those who from their youth lived principally on vegetables and who perhaps never tasted flesh." Examples of Vegetarian longevity are John Wesley, who died at 88, a tremendous worker to the last; Adam Ferguson, aged 93. Superior health and immunity from disease may be shown. John Hotvard's experience is in point, also the testimony of Drs. Copeland, Rush. Rees. Many facts indicate that a large part of ailments could be cured by a fruit diet, and the remainder mitigated. Quicker recovery is asserted by Dr. Allinson and others. "Wounds in Turkish and Zulu bodies close as if by magic" (/. Smith).

On this diet we escape epidemics and the diseases of childhood, or have them in mild forms. "Parturition without pain" is nearly realized on fruits and an ont-door life.

Inshort, "it is probable that the health and mental and bodily vigor of the inhab- itants of temperate climes are more attrib- utable to this food fwheat) than to any other single canse" {Foods, E. Smith).

In northern Europe the Finns, while liv- ing mainly on the products of the soil, be- came a race of large and good physique. superior to the more carnivorous Lapland- ers. Eskimo and Fuegians, flesh-eaters altogether, are low types, small, consump- tive, short-lived.

"The diseases of animals which render their flesh unfit for food are very numer- ous," says Dr. A. M. Davis. He specifies fifteen. English butchers assert that, if all

unhealthy meat were rejected, England could not be supplied. Nor could America. Therefore no inspection will save us from danger. Question farmers, cattle dealers, etc., for a sickening argument against such food. "Putrescent alterations are much less likely to take place with respect to vegetable than to animal, food" (Prof. Beanmetz). "All suffering of any creature just before it dies poisons the meat" (G. T. Angell).

Greater enjoyment of food is one blessing of the simple diet which ours should be. Cornaro at 80 said : "My palate nowrelish- es better the simple fare I eat, than the most delicate dishes when I led an irregular dietetic life," Of bread he says: "I find such sweetness in it that I should be afraid of sinning against temperance were it not for my being convinced of the absolute necessity of eating it." Epiatrus himself said: "Simple fare can give a relish equal to the mostexpensive luxuries." We invite to an epicurean, not to an ascetic, diet.

Here the prevention, alleviation and cure of intemperance find potent aid. Graham gave up flesh eating through seeking causes of the drink evil. Miss Fowler and C. O. G Napier have elaborated this argument. "The story of intemperance everywhere is the story of heavy over-eating of animal food in highly seasoned forms. * * The man who can eat plain food with relish is in no danger of falling a victim to alcohol." (HelenCampbell. See Rom. 14: 21). Some vigorous nations are large consumers ol flesh and intoxicants, but to neither do they owe their power. The Chaldeans, Persians, Assyrians, Greeks and Romans, in their ages of conquest, used little of either. (Raw- linson, etc.). Compare the Eskimo.

The saving of labor and expense is not to be overlooked. "Making meat from grass or grain is costly. * * The protein of beef is several times as expensive as that of flour." (Atwater, U. S. Agr. Rep.). "Twenty-two acres of land are needed to sustain one man on fresh meat." Under wheat that land will feed 42 people, under oats 88; under potatoes, maize or rice, 176; under the banana, over 6000. The crowded nations of the future must abandon flesh- eating for a diet that will feed more than October,

d by Google

ten-fold people by the same soil, expense and labor. Hach sheep in Australia needs 2}i acres (Ballon) How rich men will be when they cease to toil for flesh-meat, alcohol, drugs, sickness and war !

Slavery to the stomach is the heaviest bordea working men bear and makes riches a curse. Vegetarianism may free woman in large measure from the suicidal drudgery of A^r life. "By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest." What abundant resources for ministering to the needy, would follow a simpler and more healthful diet !

So great is the inlellectual advantage that many authors, like Walter Scott, have fore- sworn flesh-meat while engaged in "high- thinking." Out of a "great cloud" of crowned names (besides those elsewhere indicated by our italics) note Clement of Alexandria, TerlulUan, Porphyry, Ckrysos- tom, Budda, Pythagoras, Plato, Seneca, Plutarch, Milton, Thompson, Pope, Isaac Newton, Rousseau, Voltaire, Swedenborg, Shelley, Byron, Dick, Lamartine, Michelet, Struve, Franklin, Mussey, Trail. Eminent brain-workers now living in every land might multiply this list.

An important aid to moral and spiritual progress is here found, "When we raise the physical life of men, give them purer air, better water, more wholesome food, we contribute to their chances of moral im- provement and * * we contribute to the possibility of their christian perfection . ' ' (Fairbairn). "The Ethics of Diet," (A^. Williams) ably discusses this theme. War, cruelty, vice and crime are checked by cooler, purer, blood. Our transportation of animals by land and sea is the envy of devils. Wholesale and domestic butchery are sickening and degrading to a kind heart.

The inevitable and manifest drift of civi- lization is in this direction. Increasing density of population, humanitarian reforms and progressive Christianity are with us. Our literature is now very great. It has many periodica! publications in America, in Germany, in England and her colonies. The British organizations are numerous, enrolling thousands of members. A large and increasing number of Vegetarian res- taurants and clubs are found in England

and America. There are many thousands ofusinthe United States, including large portions of the S. D. Adventists, Shakers, some Roman Catholic orders and other religions bodies. Many Sanitariums are advancing the cause. We have a national organization with various local ones, and in 1893 held a World's Congress at Chicago, Rev. H. S f/uWand Dr./. H. Kellogg are among our active American leaders. Prof. Mayor, of Cambridge University, stands foremost in England. As Beketoff, Chan- cellor of St. Petersburg's University, said, and as Tolstoi teaches : "the future is with the Vegetarians." "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain : for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the I^rd."

— Boxford, Mass., 1899.

MR. SPENCER'S PENMANSHIP.

The following is a facsimile of a letter

received by us from Mr. H, Alden Spencer:

BusmEss iBDCiTnn Oitick

Food, Home and Garden.

V.oin'..>^H Soc

KTV OF ASMIC4, P«bli.hn,.

All communk«Iion> 81.. SUlion P, {N

( (0 CJiestoM St.) Phil.delphl«.

RBV. HB

>1RV S, CUOBB, Bdilor.

Ooe SubKriplion. 50

line, ooe laiertloa, lo ceau, 1. For ii/lnci I iDiertJan Si. 00. s. Pcrptie.lasiae.Sis.oalsUe,

The excellent article oa Vegetarianism by Rev. Wm. Penn Alcott, is quoted from the new edition of his "Summary of Argu- ments," enlarged and improved with a portrait of the author, and in long primer type. The price, however, is still kept at five cents in order to secure its extensive distribution.

We have here a first-class Vegetarian restaurant and Mr. Huber, the proprietor, has a fine patronage. — Stanley G. Wright, Detroit, Mich.

Mrs. Josephine Parkman, well-known in the literary and Vegetarian circles of Wash- ington, D. C, is with us on a visit to Frankford and Philadelphia, where she has numerous friends.

Rev. H. S. Genevra Lake is meeting with good success in interesting the people of Olympia, Wash., in the higher aspects of human living. Attention is called to the various reforms which underlie the com- ing social order.

Tie Friend is publishing letters from Wm. Evans, who has tieen visiting the Dukhobors. The accounts confirm all that has been said of the hardy and stalwart character of these people, "notwithstanding the fact that they do not eat meat. ' '

A recent trip to Washington resulted in the discovery of Mrs. Siltiman, formerly Miss Annie English, again in the Agricul- tural Department, having taken the place temporarily to give the present incumbent a little vacation. Mtss Belle Saunders is still in the office with her father, who is superintendent of the division of useful plants in the same department. These firi^nds are firm Vegetarians and fill their places with great regularity and efficiency, 13O

The next issue of Our Postscript will take up the question of "Economy in Food" and will appear about the loth of October, The little quarterly is gaining in favor. This will make the sixth number and the whole six will be sent by mail on the receipt of five cents.

On Reading Humphrey's Homeopathic Mentor or Family Adviser we were surprised to see that this high Homeopathic authority is tainted with the flesh-eating delusion and gives great attention to the value of various animal bodies for food. It is wonderful how the practice of flesh-eating blinds men to a perception of the truth on this subject.

Miss May Yates, London, writes in refer- ence to the visit of Dr. Kellogg to England "that if England and America would only unite in promoting Vegetarianism, the Anglo-American Alliance would soon es- tablish peace throughout the world." It i: true that peace with the animals would lead to peace with the humans. It is one of those things in which the greater is included in the lesser.

The autobiography of Harve' Alden Spencer is so admirably written that we could not improve it by putting it in the third person, although in doing so we could have made the point of personality much Stronger than Mr. Spencer's modesty would permit. The medallion, though excellent, gives but little idea of the stalwart pro- portions of the man, who, weighing over October,

300 pounds, is tall and in excellent pro- portion, which require a full length picture to represent. His strength is, we believe, double that of an ordinary athlete and were he a fighting man, we would not envy the pugilist that would have the temerity to challenge him.

As many Vegetarians use Homeopathic remedies, and as we believe Homeopathy a decided advance upon Allopathy, we direct attention to Dr. Humphrey's advertisemeut.

A lady in California suggests a Vegeta- rian Excursion to Prance, England and Scotland next year and kindly invites the President of the V. S. A. to cbaperone the party. Who wants to go?

The Vegetarian (London) of September i6, gives an account of the National Vegeta- rian Congress in London on September 12. It gives the address of President Hills con- taining an interesting resume' of the Vegeta- rian movement. Next year the convention will be held in Paris.

John Keidel and his eldest son Henry, aged 14, are coming irom Germany in Oc- tober, and propose to travel from New York to San Diego, Cal., delivering Vegetarian lectures and giving entertainments at the various cities between. Dr. Keidel is an amusing and forcible speaker and those who desire to hear him should write to the editor of Food, Hohb and Garden, so as to arrange meetings. He will take the route oil which most engagements are secured.

THE EXPORT EXPOSITION. The great Export Exposition, Phila., was opened September 14, and is now in good running order. We were present at the opening and could see in that event a great future for American manu&cturers. 1899

The Peanut Butter bandmill described in our pamphlet on the Vegetarian Society Mill was on exhibition and attracted much attention. Samples of butter were distrib- uted by Mr. Gartside, who had the Straub exhibition ready on opening day. Many exhibitions of food were in preparation, as well as innumerable other exhibits which must be seen to be appreciated. The U. S. Marine Band is also a great attraction. The Exposition remains open till November 30, and we hope our friends from all parts of the country will avail themselves of the opportunity to visit Philadelphia at ex- cursion rates.

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W. V. We had a very pleasant visit to Berkeley Springs. September 19 to aa, where we had the pleasure of meeting our Vegetarian friend, Mrs. F. Q. Ogden, of Natchez, Miss., whose plantation adjoining that for- merly belonging to Jefferson Davis, on the river 17 miles below Vicksburg, containing 400 acres, she hopes soon to convert into a nut producing orchard. The Pecan nuts of the largest variety on sale by Mr. Herbert Post, of Fort Worth, Texas, are to be planted, and probably peanut culture will also be commenced there. One of the greatest curiosities at the Springs is the sand hill, which furnishes the pure silica for glass factories in Pittsburg. The water at the Springs is always warm, winter and summer, and is considered an excellent remedy for kidney and liver disorders. It is not unpleasant to drink. It seems to have an immediate effect on the kidneys. We certainly enjoyed excellent health there and therefore could only judge of its ' curative effects by its health preserving qualities. There is a good opening for a Sanitarium and Hotel at Berkeley. We enjoyed the stay at the Fairfax Inn.

. Goeiglc

tFOODHOMEv'^GARDENj

AN ENTHUSIASTIC VKGETARIAN. Being impressed with the enviable healthy appearance of his family, we re- quested A. H. Potts, Publisher of Parkers- burg, Pa., to allow us to reproduce some pictures of them in Food, Home and Gardgn. Speaking of Vegetarianism, he says:

"When a boy I was fed th; usual msiiu of pork, fried meats and greasy gravies, it being especially insisted on that I should eat more fat than lean. I probably passed through all the diseases of childhood and boyhood, and at manhood Was sulfering with headache, dyspepsia and their com- panions. A health magazine published at Battle Creek, Mich., came into my bauds about that time and I began to look into the subject for myself, gradually adopting such reforms as seemed to impress me, and it was not long until I became a pretty thorough Vegetarian in practice, with the accompany- ing benefits. Fortunately my wife was sensible enough to 'taste and see, ' and this before the children came, so that they re- ceived the benefit and are to-day living examples of what diet can do for health. Reiner, now past nine years, and Clive, past seven years, each started to school on their sixth birthdays and have never yet missed an hour, which is in evidence of health. They learn readily, an evidence of a clear, active brain, not dulled by improper diet. The three younger ones, including the twins, now two years old, bear evidence of the same advantage.

"I, however, do not believe in stopping at one point of health reform, but several years ago adopted Dr. Dewey's no break- fast discovery, and the benefit has, if pos- sible, been doubled, uiy experience con- vincing me that he has made one of the grandest means of more perfect health and intellect for those who have the ' 'backbone ' '

to begin its practice. Experience proves with OS that it is alike practical for children and ofi'ntold benefit to body and brain. For some years we have also been practicing to our further advantage some new truths discovered and taught by Dr. Keith, of Bellville, O. For many years obt head- aches and stomach troubles have been practically things of the past."

MAMMALS NOT ALL CARNIVOROUS An anonymous writer signing as "C" in the Chicago Inter-Ocean makes a review of the "Golden Age Cook Book" an occasion for an attack on Vegetarianism and Vegeta- rians. The chief argument is based on the assumption that because man, in common with other mammals, has to subsist on milk in infancy, therefore he cannot be naturally a vegetable eating animal. The absurdity of this position is seen in the fact that all clean mammals are vegetable eaters and do not subsist on animal food after being weaned. Indeed, if the theory ad- vocated by "C" be correct, to be consistanl, having partaken of mother's milk in infancy, we have a right to eat mother's flesh at maturity. Is there any consbtency in this argument which upholds cannibalism in its most diabolical forms?

As is the practice with Sesh-eaters after having enjoyed the milk of a family cow a number of years, when that kind motherly creature becomes old so as to be no longer profitable for milk, she is driven to slaughter and devoured often by the very same per- sons to whom she has been a foster-mother or wet-nurse ! This is the kind of civiliza- tion advocated by this writer and it is not surprising he hides himself behind a single initial.

-Be like the bird Ibit halting In her flight.

Awhile on bousha ttw Hlight

Peels them give way beneath her. and yet sin,

Compiled from Guide for Nut Cookery.