Function of the Brain – Part 3

INTOXICATING LIQUOR

“The use of liquor or tobacco destroys the sensitive nerves of the brain, and benumbs the sensibilities. Under their influence crimes are committed that would have been left undone had the mind been clear and free from the influence of stimulants or narcotics.” Te., p. 59.

“Indulgence in intoxicating liquor places a man wholly under the control of the demon who devised this stimulant in order to deface and destroy the moral image of God.” Te., p. 32.

“The man who has formed the habit of using intoxicants is in a desperate situation. His brain is diseased; his will power is weakened. So far as any power in himself is concerned, his appetite is uncontrollable. He cannot be reasoned with or persuaded to deny himself” Te., p. 37.

“Drinking houses are scattered all over the cities and towns. . . The traveler enters the public house I with his reason, with ability to walk in an upright manner; but look at him as he leaves. The luster is gone from his eye. The power to walk uprightly is gone; he reels to and fro like a ship at sea. His reasoning power is paralyzed, the image of God is destroyed. The poisoning, maddening draft has left a brand upon him. . . . Body and soul, he is in slavery, and he cannot distinguish between right and wrong. The liquor dealer has put his bottle to his neighbor’s lips, and under its influence he is full of cruelty and murder, and in his madness actually commits murder.’1 Te., p. 37.

WINE, BEER AND CIDER

“Persons may become just as really intoxicated on wine and cider as on stronger drinks, and the worst kind of inebriation is produced by these soailed milder drinks. The passions are more perverse; the transformation of character is greater, more determined and obstinate. A few quarts of cider or wine may awaken a taste for stronger drinks, and in many cases those who rave become confirmed drunkards lave thus laid the foundation of the drinking habit. For some persons it is ?y no means safe to have wine or cider in the house. They have inherited an appetite for stimulants, which Satan’s continually soliciting them to indulge. If they yield to his temptations, they do not stop; appetite clamors for indulgence, and is gratified to their ruin. The brain is Benumbed and clouded; reason no longer holds the reins, but they are aid on the neck of lust. Licentiousness, adultery, and vices of almost every type, are committed as the result of indulging the appetite for wine or cider. A professor of religion who loves these stimulants, and accustoms himself to their use, never grows in grace. He becomes gross and sensual; the animal passions control the higher powers of the mind, and virtue is not cherished.” CDF, p. 433.

“Some are never really drunk, but are always under the influence of cider or fermented wine. They are feverish, unbalanced in mind, not really delirious, but in fully as bad a condition; for all the noble powers of the mind are perverted- A tendency to disease of various kinds, as dropsy, liver complaint, trembling nerves, and a determination of blood to the head, results from the habitual use of sour cider. By its use many bring upon themselves permanent disease. Some die of consumption or fall under the power of apoplexy from this cause alone. Some suffer form dyspepsia Every vital function is deadened and the physicians tell them that they have liver complaint, when if they would break open the cider barrel, and never replace it, their abused life forces would recover their vigor.

“Cider drinking leads to the use of stronger drinks. The stomach loses its natural vigor, and sometimes stronger is needed to arouse it to action. . . . We see the power that appetite for strong drink has over men; we see how many of all professions and of heavy responsibilities – men of exalted station, of eminent talents, of great attainments, of fine feelings, of strong nerves, and of good reasoning powers – sacrifice everything for the indulgence of appetite, until they are reduced to the level of the brutes, and in very many cases their downwards course commenced with the use of wine or cider.” CDF, p. 434.

“There is danger to health in the use of even sweet cider as ordinarily produced. If people could see what the microscope reveals in regard to the cider they buy, few would be willing to drink it. Often those who manufacture cider for the market are not careful as to the condition of the fiuit used, and the juice of wormy and decaying apples is expressed. Those who would not think of using the poisonous, rotten apples in any other way, wifl drink the cider made from them, and call it a luxury; but the microscope shows that even when fresh from the press, this pleasant beverage is wholly unfit for use.

“Intoxication is just as really produced by wine, beer and cider, as by stronger drinks. The use of these drinks awakens the taste for those that are stronger, and thus the liquor habit is established. Moderate drinking is the school in which men are educated for the drunkard’s career. Yet so insidious is the work of these milder stimulants, that the highway to drunkenness is entered before the victim suspects his danger.” CDF, p. 436.

OTHER STIMULANTS AND NARCOTICS

“Under the head of stimulants and narcotics is classed a great variety of articles that, altogether used as food or drink, irritate the stomach, poison the blood, and excite the nerves. Their use is a positive evil. Men seek the excitement of stimulants, because, for the time, the results are agreeable. But there is always a reaction. The use of unnatural stimulants always tends to excess, and it is an active agent in promoting physical degeneration and decay.” Te., p. 73.

“Never be betrayed into indulging in the use of stimulants: for this will result not only in reaction and loss of physical strength, but in a benumbed intellect.” Te., p. 73/74.

TEA AND COFFEE

“The stimulating diet and drink of this day are not conducive to the best state of health. Tea, coffee, and tobacco are all stimulating, and contain poisons. They are not only unnecessary, but harmful, and should be discarded if we would add to knowledge, temperance.

“Tea and coffee do not nourish the system. The relief obtained from them is sudden, before the stomach has time to digest them. This shows that what the users of these stimulants call strength is only received by exciting the nerves of the stomach, which convey the irritation to the brain, and this in turn is aroused to impart increased action to the heart and short-lived energy to the entire system. All this is false strength that we are the worse for having. They do not give a particle of natural strength.” Te., p. 75

“What Tea Does – Tea. . . enters into the circulation and gradually impairs the energy of body and mind. It stimulates, excites, and quickens the motion of the living machinery, forcing it to unnatural action, and thus gives the tea drinker the impression that it is doing him great service, imparting to him strength. This is a mistake.

“Tea draws upon the strength of the nerves and leaves them greatly weakened. When its influence is gone and the increased action caused by its use is abated, then what is the result? Languor and debility corresponding to the artificial vivacity the tea imparted.

“When the system is already overtaxed and needs rest, the use of tea spurs up nature by stimulation to perform unwonted, unnatural action, and thereby lessens her power to perform and her ability to endure; and her powers give out long before heaven designed they should. Tea is poisonous to the system. Christians should let it alone. . .. The second effect of tea drinking is headache, wakefiilness, palpitation of the heart, indigestion, trembling of the nerves, with many other evils,” Te., p. 76.

Coffee is a hurtful indulgence. It temporarily excites the mind, … but the aftereffect is exhaustion, prostration, paralysis of the mental, moral, and physical powers. The mind becomes enervated, and unless through determined effort the habit is overcome, the activity of the brain is permanently lessened.”

“The action of coffee and many other popular drinks is similar. The first effect is exhilarating. The nerves of the stomach are excited; these convey irritation to the brain, and this in turn is aroused to impart increased action to the heart, and short-lived energy to the entire system. Fatigue is forgotten; the strength seems to be increased. The intellect is aroused, the imagination becomes more vivid.

“By this continual course of indulgence of appetite the natural vigor of the constitution becomes gradually and imperceptibly impaired. If we would preserve a healthy action of all the powers of the system, nature must not be forced to unnatural action. Nature will stand at her post of duty, and do her work wisely and efficiently, if the false props that have been brought in to take the place of nature are expelled.” Te., p. 77.

“The continued use of these nerve irritants is followed by headache, wakefolness, palpitation of the heart, indigestion, trembling, and many other evils; for they wear away the life forces. Tired nerves need rest and quiet instead of stimulation and overwork. Nature needs time to recuperate her exhausted energies. When her forces are goaded on by the use of stimulants, more will be accomplished for a time; but as the system becomes debilitated by their constant use, it gradually becomes more difficult to rouse the energies to the desired point. The demand for stimulants becomes more difficult to control, until the will is overborne, and there seems to be no power to deny the unnatural craving. Stronger and still stronger stimulants are called for, until exhausted nature can no longer respond.” Te., p. 78

“Through the use of stimulants, the whole system suffers. The nerves are unbalanced, the liver is morbid in its action, the quality and circulation of the blood are affected, and the skin becomes inactive and sallow. The mind, too, is injured. The immediate influence of these stimulants is to excite the brain to undue activity, only to leave it weaker and less capable of exertion. The aftereffect is prostration, not only mental and physical but moral. As a result we see nervous men and women, of unsound judgement and unbalanced mind.” Te., p. 78/79.

“Al! should bear a clear testimony against tea and coffee, never using them. They are narcotics, injurious alike to the brain and to the other organs of the body.” Te,, p. 79.
“Tea and coffee drinking is a sin, an injurious indulgence, which, like other evils, injures the soul. These darling idois create an excitement, a morbid action of the nervous system.” Te., p 80.

CAFFEINE

The effects of caffeine are detectable in whatever form it is taken.
“It is debatable whether or not caffeine is dangerous. It is known that it stimulates the central nervous system. It can make one irritable, cause sleeplessness and, in some cases, trigger ventricular fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) which can cause heart attack. Caffeine is a drug, not a nutrient, so you do not need to consume caffeine to be healthy. You should be aware of the caffeine in other products besides coffee.

Chocolate, colas, tea, and coid remedies are but a few of the products that contain caffeine. Children, as well as adults, can consume too much caffeine. For optimum health, one should learn to identify products that contain caffeine and reduce intake. If a person cannot give up coffee, he or she should switch to a good decaffeinated type to reduce intake of caffeine.” Personal Fitness and Nutrition, International Correspondence Schools, Australia, page 49.

“Whether you are a coffee drinker, cola guzzler, tea sipper, or you do not drink anything but water, it is hard to consume caffeine. The obvious place to look is, of course, coffee, but caffeine is found also in chocolate bars, cola drinks, stay-awake pills, cocoa, tea and cold remedies. A parent should not assume caffeine is only an adult consideration; it is a problem for children, too. Beware! Caffeine will show up in the most unexpected places.” Ibid, p. 50.

“Tobacco, in whatever form it is used, teils upon the constitution. It is a slow poison. It affects the brain and benumbs the sensibilities, so that the mind cannot clearly discern spiritual things, especially those truths which would have a tendency to correct this filthy indulgence. Those who use tobacco in any form are not clear before God. In such a filthy practice it is impossible for them to glorify God in their bodies and spirits which are His. And while they are using slow and sure poisons, which are ruining their health, and debasing the faculties of the mind, God cannot approbate them. He may be merciful to them while they indulge in this pernicious habit in ignorance of the injury it is going them, but when the matter is set before them in its true light, then they are guilty before God if they continue to indulge this gross appetite.” Te,, p. 55.

“If tobacco is used, … the healing power of nature is weakened to a greater or less extent.
“Among children and youth the use of tobacco is working untold harm. The unhealthful practices of past generations affect the children and youth of today. Mental inability, physical weakness, disordered nerves, and unnatural cravings are transmitted as a legacy from parents to children. And the same practices, continued by the children, are increasing and perpetuating the evil results. To this cause in no small degree is owing the physical, mental, and moral deterioration, which is becoming such a cause of alarm.

“Boys begin the use of tobacco at a very early age. The habit thus formed, when body and mind are especially susceptible to its effects, undermines the physical strength, dwarfs the body, stupefies the mind, and corrupts the morals.

“There is no natural appetite for tobacco in nature unless inherited.” Te., p. 56.
“Tobacco is a poison of the most deceitful and malignant kind, having an exciting, then a paralyzing influence upon the nerves of the body. It is all the more dangerous because its effects upon the system are so slow, and at first scarcely perceivable. Multitudes have fallen victims to its poisonous influence. They have surely murdered themselves by this slow poison. And we ask, What will be their waking in the resurrection morning?” Te.p. 57.

“Tobacco inebriates are multiplying. What shall we say of this evil? It is unclean; it is a narcotic; it stupefies the sense; it changes the will; it holds its victims in the slavery of habits difficult to overcome; it has Satan for its advocate. It destroys the clear perceptions of the mind that sin and corruption may not be distinguished from truth and holiness. This appetite for tobacco is self-destructive. It leads to a craving for something stronger – fermented wines and liquors, all of which are intoxicating.” Te. p. 58.

“The infant lungs suffer, and become diseased by inhaling the atmosphere of a room poisoned by the tobacco user’s tainted breath. Many infants are poisoned beyond remedy by sleeping in beds with their tobacco-using fathers. By inhaling the poisonous tobacco effluvia, which is thrown from the lungs and pores of the skin, the system of the infant is filled with poison. While it acts upon some infants as a slow poison, and affects the brain, heart, liver, and lungs, and they waste away and fade gradually, upon others, it has a more direct influence, causing spasms, fits, paralysis, and sudden death.” Te. p,59.

“By fastening upon men the terrible habit of tobacco using, it is Satan’s purpose to palsy the brain and confuse the judgment, so that sacred things shall not be discerned. When once an appetite for this narcotic has been formed, it takes firm hold of the mind and the will of man, and he is in bondage under its power. Satan has the control of the will, and eternal realities are eclipsed. Man cannot stand forth in his God-given manhood; he is a slave to perverted appetite.

“Those who claim that tobacco does not injure them, can be convinced of their mistake by depriving themselves of it for a few days; the trembling nerves, the giddy head, the irritability they feel, will prove to them that this sinful indulgence has bound them in slavery. It has overcome will power. They are in bondage to a vice that is fearful in its results.” Te., p. 60/61.

DRUGS

“By the use of poisonous drugs, many bring upon themselves lifelong illness, and many lives are lost that might be saved by the use of natural methods of healing. The poisons contained in many so-called remedies create habits and appetites that mean ruin to both soul and body. Many of the popular nostrums called patent medicines, and even some of the drugs dispensed by physicians, act a part in laying the foundation of the liquor habit, the opium habit, the morphine habit, that are so terrible a curse to society.
“Drugs given to stupefy, whatever they may be, derange the nervous system.” Te. p. 83

“People need to be taught that drugs do not cure disease. It is true that they sometimes afford
present relief, and the patient appears to recover as the result of their use, this is because nature has sufficient vital force to expel the poison and to correct the conditions that cause the disease.

Health is recovered in spite of the drug- But in most cases the drug only changes the form and location of the disease. Often the effect of the poison seems to be overcome for a time, but the results remain in the system, and work great harm at some later period.” Te. p. 86.

“God’s servants should not administer medicines which they know will leave behind injurious effects upon the system, even if they do relieve present suffering. Every poisonous preparation in the vegetable and mineral kingdoms, taken into the system, will leave its wretched influence, affecting the liver and lungs, and deranging the system generally.

“Years ago the Lord revealed to me that institutions should be established for treating the sick without drugs.” Te. p. 87.

CONCLUSION

In this part of “The Function of the Brain” we see how intoxicating liquor, stimulants and narcotics, as well as milder intoxicants have a negative influence on the brain and other organs of the body. All these have an influence on the function of the brain. The Bible says we should be sober in order to hear His voice when He bids us to advance. He imparts to every mind information for the brain to follow but too many follow information from beneath.

So let us follow God’s instruction and not abuse our bodies because they belong to God. He purchased us with His own blood. If we want good health, we have to obey the laws of our being which are the laws of God. I believe health is the best treasure which we can possess