The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-01-25
MUST FEED MEN WELL
THAT IS IMPORTANT TO SAVE
MEN FROM TEMPTATION.
FOOD PREPARATION AN Ak
The Want of Proper Nourishment Has a len
dency to Lead Men to the Saloon--
Kitchens Should do Noble
Work.

=, r1c Editor: My mission to-day good
fsends. IL 10 say a word, or several OF
them, on the subject of housekeeping.
Dear me, it is a simple sounding yoca-
ton! Yet really in Importance, and IN
far reaching influence, and conSe-
uuences; it ranks the majority Of secu-
lar occupations.
Indeed l do not think | am heretical
when I declare that it takes rank with
the professions! Listen while | tell you
why | think SO, and then | am sure that
all of the noes that sprung to MN
at my assertion will promptly turn to
yeas verify What is a housekeeper's
~prOvincet
Amongst myriads of other unimportant
things that most responsible duty of pro-
viding proper food. A duty that takes
into account, not only mortal bodies, but
immortal souls. Does this seem a
strange mingling of the solemn and Pc
culiar? Yes, but | do mingle them
here, for just here lies the rash import
ance of so considering it, the great
danger of ignoring this view of it.
There are hundreds of thousands of
people to whom eating has never pre-
scented itself in the light of a factor for
good or evil, in the moral world. Yet it
most unquestionably is. No matter how
ignorant we may be of the fact, or no
matter how we may dislike to realize it,
the wants of the body have a most de-
pressing effect on heart, and mind and
soul!
An exalted Christian may be able TO
put down the body and keep it in
subjection," but with the average man,
I'D M, acnnnia1lr a,on,urt IL ri
working people, the starved body beats
down heart and spirit and lays upon
them a burden of inexorable depression.
II a man has worked hard mentally OF
physically, so that he is YEARLY and ex-
hausted, and feels the need of repair
ing the waste Places he will not he
sufficiently restored by a Door, i'll cook
ed meal! And then the discomfort IN
physical depression Will react POI the
soul, and life's horizon will seem to
close in and a sort of impatient endur-
ance take the place of the cheerfulneSs
and hOpefulness that should mark the
average life.
There is no fallacy so absurd. or
so productive of serious results as that
that which we eat is of minor import
ance That it should not be the subject
Of constant thought and desire. and that
people should not be ]gluttOnous or eX-
traVagant | do admit. But that it is a
matter Of grave and vital Importance |
DO ASSERT! Why | assert it lies in
the fact lis disastrous to many homes,
that when God is poor and insufficient
for the daily toll that is putting away
the body, there comes the great and
often over mastering desire. nay ~necesSi-
ty to supply that which is lacking by
the use Of StimulantS.
Many q man has beer driven to it to
shake off the wolf that was gnawing his
yltalS. He really did not mean to be-
come Incorporate. he would not have
drank, but that he was literally driven
to it. Can You blame him wholly! Are
there many of us who are morally so
strong thhat we would necessarily and
cOurageously drag this WEAKNESS and
want through all of our days of hard
work and care?
1t is quite easy to say what a man
should not do-and really he should not
do lt-but put yourself in his place for
inst . few Of all of the days of his
hard life. Take up all of his cares and
want. iGHt~rierco With him that sense
OF loneliness and exhausitno, and then
find some excuse for, though you bitterly
deplore, the moral weakness that was
the distinct outcome of physical want
and mental depression.
If people had sufficiently nourishina
food so that there was no waste OF
strength, no unsatisied necessities; there
would not be so many causes Of irresis
table longing for artificial stimulants. II
would be n desire with some, but not :
necessity, as in cases where people are
i'll fed.
There are those who would be intern
perate, no matter how satisfying then
meals were. But there are many Others
who woul never drink, did there not Ii,
in them the memorable necessity fol
working, and an equal necessity fol
strength to work with.
May the day be not distant when wo
men Will think that the time spent il
learning how to plan and prepare com
Portable meals is more han well spent
The intensely poor nave in this-aS il
everything else-but little chance. Lit
tie that is written on the subject eve
reachest them, and if it did what coult
they do? They cannot get half of VIVA
they need. Nor, is it possible, Situated
as they are, to properly prepare wha
they have.
But that class Of people who can ee
the necessary comforts of life are tn,
ones who could, by careful thought an,
a little more trouble, make their meals
not only sufficient and nutritious, bu
comfortable as we'll.
1t is troublesome like everything els
in the world that is to bring the hes
results. 1t requires thought and car
and extra work. The doing of som
things yourself, or the personal super
vision Of them!
But it is worth it; and beyond this
is ones duty, and as such must brin
more or less evil consequences if neglect
ed more or less blessing, if taken up an
done bravely- TNle temperance move
ment must begin in the kitchens if it
to succeed! People must learn how t
make the best use Of their meals. The