Camp-Meeting Temperance Rallies by K. C. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 16, 1908

Camp-Meeting Temperance Rallies

By K. C. Russell

A New Departure

For some time there has been a growing desire on the part of our people to make more vigorous and earnest efforts against the liquor traffic.

There is no other body of people so uncompromisingly opposed to this evil as are Seventh-day Adventists; and, too, our ideas of temperance reform involve more than simply abstaining from alcoholic liquors. While we have always believed that the saloon is a terrible curse to humanity, we have been too backward in making it known to others, for fear that, should we unite in opposing the liquor traffic with other organizations, we would be compromising the principles of truth by appearing to favor the Sunday closing of the saloon. While it is true that we should never, in opposing the liquor traffic, compromise principle, yet on the other hand, we should not be so fearful of being classed with those who are seeking Sunday legislation as never to take a positive stand on the side of that which is just and right. The devil would only be too glad to get every Seventh-day Adventist so frightened that he would never be found exerting his influence on the side of legitimate reforms. The Lord has repeatedly outlined in no uncertain way the position that Seventh-day Adventists should occupy on this great issue—the temperance reform.

In “Ministry of Healing,” page 346, we find the following:—

The honor of God, the stability of the nation, the well-being of the community, of the home, and of the individual, demand that every possible effort be made in arousing the people to the evil of intemperance. Soon we shall see the result of this terrible evil as we do not see it now. Who will put forth a determined effort to stay the work of destruction? As yet the contest has hardly begun. Let an army be formed to stop the sale of the drugged liquors that are making men mad. Let the danger from the liquor traffic be made plain, and a public sentiment be created that shall demand its prohibition. Let the drink-maddened men be given an opportunity to escape from their thraldom. Let the voice of the nation demand of its lawmakers that a stop be put to this infamous traffic.

Again, from an article by Mrs. E. G. White in the REVIEW of June 18 we take this extract:—

The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union is an organization with whose efforts for the spread of temperance principles we can heartily unite. The light has been given me that we are not to stand aloof from them; but, while there is to be no sacrifice of principle on our part, as far as possible we are to unite with them in laboring for temperance reforms. My husband and I in our labors united with these temperance workers, and we had the joy of seeing several unite with us in the observance of the true Sabbath. Among them there is a strong prejudice against us, but we shall not remove this prejudice by standing aloof. God is testing us. We are to work with them when we can, and we can assuredly do this on the question of utterly closing the saloon.

As the human agent submits his will to the will of God, the Holy Spirit will make the impressions upon the hearts of those to whom he ministers. I have been shown that we are not to shun the W. C. T. U. workers. By uniting with them in behalf of total abstinence, we do not change our position regarding the observance of the seventh day, and we can show our appreciation of their position regarding the subject of temperance. By opening the door, and inviting them to unite with us on the temperance question, we secure their help along temperance lines; and they, by uniting with us, will hear new truths which the Holy Spirit is waiting to impress upon hearts.

In this connection it may be of interest to the reader, especially to those upon whom is placed the responsibility of planning for the work at the coming camp-meetings, to learn of the plan which has recently been followed in the camp-meetings in the East,—in conducting temperance rallies. At the camp-meetings in the Greater New York, Central New England, West Pennsylvania, and Chesapeake conferences, we conducted these rallies on the last Sunday afternoon of the meeting. The first thing in arranging for such a meeting is to visit one or more of the leading Protestant ministers, who are recognized in the community as strong champions of the temperance cause, a leading W. C. T. U. speaker, and the secretary of the Y. M. C. A., and invite them to join in a temperance rally.

We found no difficulty in securing good speakers, who gave character and influence to our meetings. We also found it desirable to divide the offerings that were gathered at the meetings with the local or State W. C. T. U. or the Y. M. C. A. of the city, where our meetings were held.

After securing the services of the outside speakers, a neat and attractive program should be gotten out, and placed in the hands of the invited speakers, in order that they may distribute copies to the members of their congregations or associations.

It is fitting on such occasions to have the president of the conference act as chairman of the meeting, and one of our own ministers should make the closing address. It is not wise to have the program too lengthy. We found no difficulty in getting the pastors, who do not participate in the rally, to allow the programs to be distributed in their congregations; for they are willing to co-operate with any denomination opposing the liquor traffic. This is a most effective way to advertise the rally, and will result in securing the attendance of a class of hearers who might not otherwise attend the camp-meeting.

It has seemed a necessity in the rallies which we have thus far conducted to hold them on the last Sunday of the camp-meeting; but we believe that if arrangements could be made to conduct such a rally on the first Sunday, a better outside attendance could be secured throughout the entire meeting.

We would suggest that the last topic presented at these rallies should involve a brief but clear statement, showing that we believe in appealing to the civil law for the prohibition of the liquor traffic, not because it is immoral or unchristian; but because it invades the natural rights of the citizen by being a menace to society. Of course, we should make it plain that it is unchristian and immoral; but in opposing it on that ground, we should not appeal to the arm of the state. This will open the way to make clear the limits of civil authority without discussing the question of Sunday legislation.

It is very important that this phase of the subject should be made plain; because many who are engaged in the liquor traffic claim that it is not within the province of civil government to prohibit the liquor traffic, as, they say, it is an abridgment of their freedom, etc.

We would also suggest the advisability of providing appropriate music for the occasion.

K. C. RUSSELL.