The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-08-25
Festivals and Late Suppers.

1t is unquestionably true that such
refreshments as are taken at eating
saloons and churches, alike, in addition
to the usual meals, at late hour. near
the time of retiring, are Objectionable.
IN conflict with established rules and
conditions of health. Such are ordin-
arily taken after day of labor, if not
| OF toil-to some extent impairinp di-
gestive power-and certainly after the
stomach has performed its usual labor,
generally sufficiently toilsome, even I'M
der the most favorable circumstances.
While the victims of such excuses are.
oftener than otherwise, children-many
OF whom should be in bed much earlier
than these exercises close-with fe-
males, whose digestive powers will sell
dom warrant undue toll, and while the
articles consumed are not of the most
desirable character-if one has any re-
gard to right and wrong, if one would
cat and drink "to the glory of God, :"
as commanded-the indulgence cannot
but prove disastrous to sound health,
laying the foundation for dyspepsia.
Some of the articles usually found at
such tables are rich cake, pies, ham
sandwiches, strawberries and cream,
ice-cream, nuts and confectionery, and
often pork and beans But few if any
of these can be tolerated by dyspeptics,
while most of them have the power to
produce our national disease. OF the
rich cake not a word can be said in its
favor, as an article for the production
of health and strength. Of course the
great objection to it is the use of such
articles as lard, etc, in regard to which
Dr. Pereira-eXcellent authority-says:
The action Of heat on butter and lard
renders this compound highly injurious
to the dyspeptic, who, therefore, should
most carefully avoid its USE" He quotes
DR.. Paris as saying: "All pastry is an
abomination; verify believe that one
half of the cases of dyspepsia, at least,
may be attributed to this cause DR..
Beaumont, who had the best opportuni-
ties for observation ever enjoyed, in
dorses the same ideas. Too much can
scarcely be said against the use of ham,
at this or any other time, which de-
mands at least five and quarter hours
for its digestion! The Strawberries, of
themselves, would not be obiectional,
when needed at mealtime, but, with
the addition of sugar and cream, they
are made more difficult of diges-
ton, besides adding the heat element,
not needed in hot weather. To
close such scene of gormandizing-
as it often is-by the use of ice-cream
so depressing the temperature of the
stomach that digestion will be impos-
sible till it is restored, is one of the
special curses of the occasion. As this
is a special occasion, the viands are
specially tempting to the appetites of
the young, while the articles are more
than usually indigestible, from which
fact headaches, COLES and general di-
gestive arrangements are usual on the
following morning, or during the night,
with a loss of appetite.
/ cannot but regard all of this as sin
against the body and its Creator. This
is eating and drinking, not as we are
commanded, but for mere sensual graf
ifcation-for the glory" of the
stomach! These festivals, whether to
aid in adding to the Sabbath-schoOl Ii
brary, in building a new editice, sup
porting preaching, or otherwise, are
unworthy of our Christian civilization,
a blot on our Christian character, and
should be denounced by those who
stand on the walls of Zion, who profess
to discourage carnal indulgences. Let
purity of body and soul alike be en-
couraged by the Christian Church.
DR.. Hannatord, IN Golden Rule.