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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 10, 1881

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 7, No. 42.

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Temperance.

CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.

THE second annual session of the Cal. H. and T. Society was held at Sacramento in connection with the camp-meeting. The first meeting was called October 16, at 6 p. m. Several stirring temperance pieces were sung, after which prayer was offered by Eld. Israel. The president gave a brief history of temperance work among us, to advance which the organization of the American Health and Temperance Society was effected about three years ago.
The report of the annual meeting of the society held at Alameda was then read and approved.
Elder Van Horn followed with interesting remarks upon the temperance question, considering it somewhat from a Bible stand-point, after which the following committees were appointed: On Nominations Elder J. H. Waggoner, A. Mason, and I. Morrison; On Resolutions, Elder Wm. Healey, Eld. J. D. Rice, and Dr. E. J. Waggoner.
A second meeting was held Oct. 22, at 5 p. m. After singing, and prayer by Eld. Waggoner, the minutes of the previous meeting were read, also the following report showing the standing and work of the society:—
Total number of members 1,601. Of these 1,045 have signed the Teetotal pledge, 677 full and 368 pledge members; 326 have signed the second or Anti-Rum and Tobacco pledge, 290 pledge and 36 full members; 230 have signed the third or Anti-Whisky pledge, 205 pledge and 25 full members. The number added during the year has been 466; 94 full and 124 pledge Teetotal; 12 full and 154 pledge Anti-Rum and Tobacco; and 9 full and 73 pledge Anti-Whisky members. About 350 sample copies of Good Health have been sent to other temperance societies, and with many of these have been sent letters explaining our position and work in the temperance cause, also circulars advertising our health and temperance publications.

TREASURER'S REPORT.

RECEIPTS.

Cash on hand Sept. 23, 1880…….$21 48 " received on Fees……………… 29 75 " " " Dues……………… 8 40—$59 63

DISBURSEMENTS.

Paid Gen. Association………….$38 25 " Incidentals…………………… 10 60 Cash on Hand…………………… 10 78—$59 63 The Society owes SIGNS Office…… 1 30 " " " Gen. Association. 6 25— 7 55 Cash on Hand……………………$10 78 Assets………………………… 3 23
The Committee on Resolutions submitted the following:—
WHEREAS, Temperance is a Christian grace, and necessary for our happiness here as well as hereafter, Resolved, That we give earnest attention to this work and its claims upon us.
WHEREAS, We are not our own, but all we have and are belongs to God, and in the use of tobacco, tea, and coffee, we see a useless expenditure of means, and a diminishing of our God-given strength, Resolved, That we conscientiously abstain from the use of those articles.
WHEREAS, Our health is affected by the food we eat, and as there is a tendency in society to prepare many unnecessary and unhygienic kinds of food, Resolved, That we will endeavor to be careful in our habits of living, that they be simple and in harmony with the laws of health.
These resolutions were adopted, each being considered separately, and considerable interest manifested. Several spoke to the second and third resolutions. Dr. Waggoner remarked upon the erroneous idea which he had heard expressed, that a dismissal from the society was equivalent to absolving one from his obligation to keep his pledge. The pledge is a solemn vow before God, that with his help we will abstain from certain injurious articles. Nothing can release any one from his obligation. If any one professes himself unable to keep the pledge, it is either because God is not able or willing to help, or the individual has not asked his help. The latter can be the only reason. When the third resolution passed, a rising vote was taken from all present, when those who had already signed the pledge, were requested to be seated, and the remainder were invited to sign the pledge. Twenty-one responded to the invitation, all signing the Teetotal pledge.
The Committee on Nominations reported the names of the former officers as officers for the ensuing year. An amendment was made to the motion sustaining this, and the name of Dr. E. J. Waggoner submitted for President, and that of Mrs. Jessie F. Waggoner for Secretary and Treasurer. These with C. H. Jones as Vice-President were unanimously elected as officers of the society. S. N. HASKELL, Pres. B. C. STICKNEY, Sec.