Untitled article by Wm. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · July 23, 1867

From Bro. Cottrell.

By Wm. Cottrell

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: The Psalmist says that we should vow, and pay unto the Lord our God. Ps. lxxvi, 11. It is right that God's people should vow unto the Lord, but let us be sure to pay all our vows. Let us vow to love the Lord; for he has loved us and done great things for us. Let us then love the Lord, with all the heart. If we thus love God, it will lead

us to obey all his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.

We are commanded to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. I believe that it is our duty to obey the Lord in this, as well as every other requirement that he makes of us. But can we cleanse ourselves while we follow those practices that defile us? Come and let us reason together. Can we perfect holiness in the fear of God, without first cleansing ourselves? Then let us set about this cleansing work to-day; for we have no promise of any time but to-day. To-day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts. Heb. iv, 7.

If we neglect this cleansing work, which is so essential to perfection, and holiness, our hearts will eventually become hardened in sin; for disobedience to God is sin. There is then, great danger in neglecting this work.

Can we cleanse ourselves whilst we continue in any form, the use of tobacco? I think not. We cannot be very clean, while continuing a practice so unclean. I speak from experience, having been a slave to tobacco for twenty-five years. The filthiness that is visible to the eye of the beholder is not all. Just consider the effect that it has on the nervous system; and then, think you, can we with shattered nerves, and constitutions thus ruined, make that progress in holiness, that the Lord requires of us, in these last days? I fear that those who think so, will at last be weighed in the balance and found wanting.

Then there is our tea and coffee, the effects of which are in many respects similar to that produced by tobacco. My experience also is that the use of flesh meats is hurtful to our health. If so, can we injure ourselves and be innocent? Our kind Father in Heaven has instituted laws to govern us physically, mentally, and morally. If we violate physical laws, we have diseased bodies; then the mind must suffer also. Is there not then immorality in transgressing such laws? Then as we have made a vow to the Lord that we would obey him, let us pay that vow, lest the Lord turn against us as he did against his ancient Israel, and cast us off.

Well, says one, I cannot live without flesh meats. Perhaps you mistake. Have you ever tried? No. Well then, how do you know that you cannot live without meat? Wait until you try the experiment, before you testify so positively. I once thought, and talked just as you do. But experience has taught me that I was mistaken.

But says the objector, Every creature of God is good, &c. Will you then argue that it is therefore right and healthful to eat flesh? Does not every creature mean all other animals and fowls, as well as the ones that you use for food? Certainly. Then it embraces all the creeping reptiles as well as all insects. Why not, then, eat all the creatures of God?

Examine the history of God's ancient Israel, and see how they tempted God in their hearts by asking meat for their lust. Ps. lxxviii, 17-19. “And they speak against God by saying, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” The Lord heard all this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob. Now shall we fail to keep our vow, and tempt God by our lust as did Israel? He rained down manna upon them and gave them of the corn of Heaven. They even ate angel's food; but they were not satisfied; they lusted for flesh. He rained flesh also upon them. Read verses 27-31. Let us not tempt God as did they; but as we have made the vow to love God, and as John says that this is the love of God that we keep his commandments, let us keep our vow by cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh.

Your brother in hope. WM. COTTRELL. Bowersville, Ohio.