Temperance | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 19, 1882

Temperance.

California Health and Temperance Society.

THE third annual session of the California H. & T. Society was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Healdsburg. The first meeting was called October 8, at 5 P. M. After singing, and prayer by Elder Van Horn, Barbara C. Rice was elected Secretary pro tem.

The minutes of the last annual session were read and approved.

The report of the work for the past year was given: Number of members added during the year, sixty-seven. Of these, forty-eight are full members, and nineteen are pledge members. Sixty have signed the Teetotal Pledge, three have signed the Anti-rum and Tobacco Pledge, and four have signed the Anti-whisky Pledge. This shows only a part of the work done, as full reports have not been received.

Cash on hand Oct. 16, 1881......................$10 78 Received on fees.............................. 12 00 “ “ dues and donations............... 2 10-$24 88 Paid Gen. Association......................... 6 25 “ on incidentals............................. 3 65 Cash on hand................................ 14 98- 24 88

FINANCIAL STANDING OF SOCIETY. Cash on hand................................ 14 98 Due Gen. Association.......................... 12 00 Assets...................................... 2 98- 14 98

The President appointed the following committees: On Nominations, W. C. White, Wm. Saunders, and Eld. J. D. Rice; On Resolutions, Eld. J. H. Waggoner, Eld. G. D. Ballou, and N. C. McClure.

After a temperance song, Elder Ballou gave an interesting talk, illustrated by the temperance charts. He thought that now, if ever, Seventh-day Adventists should show themselves in the front rank of temperance reformers. The talk was instructive, and the charts served to greatly deepen the impression.

Elder Waggoner then followed with a few remarks. He stated that thirty years ago he attended a man who died of delirium tremens, and that ever since that time he had been a pronounced prohibitionist. He thought the church ought to present the highest type of temperance.

The President then spoke of the significance of the word “temperance.” It is a broad term, having reference to more than simply abstaining from intoxicating liquors. As the command, “Thou shalt not kill,” prohibits not only murder, but also every act or emotion which, if cherished, might lead to the taking of life, so the command to be temperate requires rigid self-control in everything. After singing, the meeting adjourned.

A second meeting was called October 11th, at 9 A. M. After the opening exercises, the Nominating Committee presented the following report: For President, E. J. Waggoner; Vice-President, C. H. Jones; Secretary and Treasurer, Eld. G. D. Ballou. These persons were elected officers for the ensuing year. The Committee on Resolutions presented the following:—

Resolved, That we pledge ourselves for the future to show our faith in the Health and Temperance reform by our works.

The President said that this might mean a great deal, and it might not. If the faith in the work is small, the work will be correspondingly small. He spoke of his faith in the work, especially of the beneficial effects to be derived from practicing the two-meal system. H. C. Palmer said that his strength had greatly increased since adopting that system. Brother Ings to the good effects of the health reform upon himself and wife. Prof. Ramsey followed with remarks upon the benefit which he had derived, physically, mentally, and morally, by regularity in eating, and abstaining from condiments, grease, etc. Brother Lamb said he had faith in the health reform, although of late he had backslidden somewhat. He related that a few years ago while at work with a threshing machine, half of the company were health reformers, abstaining from meat, grease, etc., and the rest ate freely of everything they desired. Those who ate no meat were healthier, and could do more work without fatigue than those who ate meat. Brother Tay told how he had been benefited by abandoning tea and coffee. Elder Van Horn gave his experience in few words. He had never tasted alcoholic liquor or tobacco, and had used very little tea and coffee. Had been a health reformer for many years. He knew nothing of sickness, and had not an ache or pain. These experiences, briefly told, added much to the interest of the meeting. The resolution presented was adopted by unanimous vote.

The President urged the importance of sending to the Secretary the names of all who signed the pledge. The meeting then adjourned.

In the intervals between regular meetings, several children’s temperance meetings were held. Much interest was manifested in learning the temperance lessons which were distributed.

E. J. WAGGONER, Pres. B. C. RICE, Sec. pro tem.