Real Temperance Work by L. A. H.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 13, 1914

Real Temperance Work

By L. A. H.

ALMOST any phase of activity in behalf of temperance is commendable. The evils of the liquor curse are so monstrous that striking it anywhere is a blow in the right direction. No one interested in the welfare of his fellow men and in the good of society in general can consistently withhold support from any movement that will help to overthrow the saloon.

It is to be appreciated that so many men and women are uniting for organized battle against this terrible foe. Invaluable service to humanity is being rendered in various ways. Scientific men are devoting themselves to research in seeking accurate data on the effects of alcohol, and as a result most valuable information is available. Statisticians have given us facts and figures on the cost of liquor drinking and its effects, which are nothing short of astounding in their immensity. Most interesting volumes are written presenting convincing argument in behalf of temperance. Several magazines devoted to temperance are published, and a few newspapers are printed wholly in the cause of prohibition.

Of late, considerable activity is seen in behalf of legislation in favor of prohibition. Several prominent persons have taken up the fight to outlaw the liquor evil. A few nations are on record as opposed to the drink evil; and, as is also known, the United States has now before it the question of putting into the Constitution an amendment calling for nation-wide prohibition. For all these means and measures in favor of temperance and prohibition, we may well be thankful. Where we can consistently lend help to further them, it is a privilege to do so. And we should also utilize every advantage offered by the various means now available in behalf of temperance, to carry forward as earnestly and energetically as possible the work of health and temperance as we understand it.

With the knowledge of health and temperance principles that this people has had for half a century or more, and with the development of these truths in practical living, and with a realization of the benefits thereby obtained, we should be more than anxious to give as wide an extension as possible to these truths and their benefits.

Our view of this question embraces all in the way of real temperance reform that is included in the work of others. We go a great deal farther than others in the presentation of temperance, including abstinence from all that is harmful in eating and drinking. More than this, we teach and practice the principles of health and temperance as a matter of religion, in harmony with the purpose of God, rather than as a matter of mere welfare or as a subject of legislation. We hold this phase of Christian living as of particular importance at this time in view of the condition of things in the world just before Christ's second coming.

In our judgment, it is not consistent that we take our pattern from others. Rather should we feel that our position is the standard. While we can join with others to help make every right effort in behalf of temperance successful as far as it goes, we should try to see that it goes as far as possible toward its true aim as given in the Word of God. We can make good and wise use of material furnished by others, but must also be diligent in supplying material that is as good, or better.

Our facilities for supplying good material are unsurpassed. Our organization for quick and effective use of this material is unequaled anywhere. With our many publishing houses and our Publishing Department, our well-developed colporteur system and tract societies, our Home Missionary Department and church missionary societies, and with our large number of people already trained in methods of active missionary work, we are in a position to give furtherance to any good work that might come before us.

So much for the technical side of the question, if we may so speak of it. The other phase of our temperance work, the spiritual, is also important. Recognizing as we do that true temperance is a part of godliness and has its place in the preparation of a people for God's kingdom, we cannot ignore it in its bearing on soul saving. We must see intemperance as sin, and the intemperate man as a sinner. No drunkard can enter heaven, therefore every person who dies a drunkard is a lost soul, a trophy for Satan.

In freeing men and women from intemperance, we must point them to Jesus; for they cannot get free without his help. Our temperance efforts, then, should be such as will lead souls to the Lord. We should, of course, use good judgment, as well as taste and propriety, in presenting the spiritual side of the question. A drunken man cannot grasp much religion. A popular temperance meeting may not be the place to tell about the three angels' messages. But there are many other ways in which we very properly can and most assuredly ought to give the temperance question its true setting. That setting is the Bible one.

We can, therefore, see in the temperance movements of the day an opportunity not only of doing good as far as the current interest goes, but of doing more good in making the work the means of presenting advanced truth on health and temperance and of bringing souls to God and his whole truth. We should not only aid in every consistent way we can to carry forward the measures that are ameliorative of the terrible woe and distress caused by the liquor traffic, but we should be faithful in giving the special truths that are so timely and that just now can be so readily given.

L. A. H.

THE mother's heart is the child's schoolroom.—Henry Ward Beecher.