THE VEGETARIAN

In the daily papers recently was an article declaring that the Chinese were small and addicted to opium as a result of their rice diet. It tried to show that a race which was in the habit of eating food of such a character without sufficient protein became stunted in growth and ideas, and addicted to the use of stimulants. The writer must have felt the fallacy of his argument, for he made the following statement:

"With regard to meat, for instance, it is well known that it is not only a food, but also a stimulant; and physiologists agree that the use of one of one form of stimulant evokes cravings for others. The English partiality for roast beef is directly responsible for the national indulgence in alcoholic drinks. The more meat a nation eats, the more beer, whisky, and rum it will consume."

The writer goes on to show that the Chinese race demands opium because it has not eaten sufficient meat, He says that vegetarianism is a good thing for a while, it is hard on a race, making it stunted. Yes, of course the elephant, the gorilla, and a score of the most powerful animals known to man are not worthy of note! These animals are not only the most powerful, but they are among the largest. We might stop to state that they are also vegetarians. It it not the Chinese food, but other causes that have held the race in subjection so long; but it is fast getting out of its rut.

It has been argued that vegetable foods are "non-vital:, yet the above mentioned animals are vegetarian and long-lived animals. The conclusion that animal carrion is vital is a fallacy.

We know that thought controls the longevity of the human animal. It is generally acknowledged that passive kind thoughts are easier on the human machine. Scientists agree that meat makes animals ferocious. Why not avoid irritating foods, and be kind?

Along the same line of thought that has been portrayed in the foregoing article might be quoted the following from Bunyan, in his famous book "Pilgrim's Progress." It shows that he knew more about dietics than a great many of his contemporaries. He was also a most profound student of the Bible. He based his views on this knowledge.

"Now therefore as the body is maintained in health and vigor, so does the soul flourish and triumph within herself. On the contrary, when the body is sickly and weak the soul languishes by sympathy. He therefore that eats and drinks to excess and thereby clogs his stomach, fills his body full of contagious humors, and sows the seed of many diseases within his bowels. This man ins no friend to his soul, for she by this time grows sluggish, dark, cloudy, sad and melancholy, and void of all pleasure and comfort. Whereas he that bridles his appetite and eats and drinks no more nor no oftener than

what suffices nature and refreshes his spirits, his soul is always lively and rigorous and sprightly as a youth, and serene as the morning, full of light and comfort. Well said Solomon, 'Be not a companion of wine-bibbers, and riotous eaters of flesh.' There was no mention made as yet of flesh or fish to be eaten—no. not till after the flood. So that many are of opinion the fathers before the flood did eat no manner of flesh; and it is not improbable that this was one reason of their living so very long, nothing conducing to health and long life more than an ascetic diet—that is, a diet of fruits, roots, herbs, honey, oil, etc., without flesh and fowl."

The following is a clipping from one of the daily papers, which may be of interest to our readers:

Denver, Nov. 3—That vegetables are more nourishing than meat is being made evident by. Jesse Buffum and Warren H. Jesse Buffum, brothers who are walking across the continent as an experiment, under the direction of Harvard University. They proceeded from here on their journey toward the Pacific coast to-day. One is eating meat, and the other vegetables. They arrived in Denver last night and slept on the roof of a local hotel They have not slept in a bed since they started from Boston, they claim.

When they started from the East there was but three pounds difference in their weights. Warren H. Buffum, the vegetable eater, is now fifteen pounds heavier than his brother.

The Vegetarian Table

Mock Veal Roast

One-half pint shelled roasted peanuts; one-half pint lentils; one-half teaspoonful salt; a little dash of pepper.

Soak lentils over night; drain, bring them to a boil. Throw tbe water away; cover with fresh water, boil until you can press them through a colander. Add nuts (ground), bread crumbs, and seasoning, with just enough soy milk to make a mush. Bake in a moderate oven about one hour.

Spinach

Get about two pounds of young spinach, wash well and and put in a stone crock. Bake in the oven without water, well covered. Add orange juice, a little soy butter, and ground nuts or almonds.

Tasty Carrots

Chop carrots fine. Bake in an earthen pot until done, add soy butter and fine-chopped nuts and a little salt and red pepper.

Artichokes

Scrape and wash Jerusalem artichokes. Bake without water. Add a little lemon juice and oil. This may be served either warm or cold.

(Contributed by an enthusiastic vegetarian cook. Try them.)

"Justify your opinions by translating them into a holy life."