Ellen G. White spoke strongly against the use of coffee, describing it as a harmful stimulant with negative effects on the mind, body, and spiritual life. Here are key points from her writings, with direct annotation references:
- Coffee is described as a "hurtful indulgence" that temporarily excites the mind but leads to exhaustion, prostration, and a lessening of mental, moral, and physical powers. She warns that continued use can permanently reduce brain activity (
CTBH 34.4).
- Both tea and coffee are said to be "highly injurious," with coffee specifically noted to "benumb the brain" (Testimonies for the Church 4:365; HL 107).
- The stimulating effect of coffee is called "false strength," as it excites the nerves and gives only short-lived energy, followed by exhaustion and prostration (Testimonies for the Church 2:65;
HL 201.1).
- Ellen White compares the difficulty of breaking the coffee habit to that of overcoming alcohol addiction, and she states that money spent on coffee is "worse than wasted" (
CTBH 34.5).
- She links coffee use to negative physical signs, such as sallow, lifeless skin, and a lack of the "glow of health" (
HL 108.1;
2T 64.1).
- White places coffee in the same category as tea, tobacco, and alcohol, recommending total abstinence: "touch not, taste not, handle not" (
MH 335.3).
- She also notes that coffee does not nourish the system, and the apparent strength it gives is only nervous excitement, followed by languor and debility (
MH 326.2).
In summary, Ellen G. White consistently counseled against the use of coffee, viewing it as a harmful stimulant with no health benefits and many dangers to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
References:
- White, E. G. (1890). Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene (CTBH), pp. 31-35.
- White, E. G. (1870). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 65; Vol. 3, p. 487; Vol. 4, p. 365.
- White, E. G. (1897). Healthful Living (HL), pp. 107-108, 201.
- White, E. G. (1905). The Ministry of Healing (MH), pp. 326, 335.
- White, E. G. (1892). Steps to Christ (SL), p. 32.
- White, E. G. (1870). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 64.
- White, E. G. (1908). Historical Sketches (HS), p. 199.
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