p. 13 | Untitled article

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 17, 1904

19,000,000 a Day

THIS enormous sum represents the number of cigars smoked by the American people each day for the last fiscal year. The money spent for cigars amounts to three hundred and forty-six millions of dollars. The enormity of these figures is simply paralyzing. It is evident that large numbers of persons, mostly men, are already slaves to this pernicious and expensive habit. But the worst feature is that church-members by the thousands are tobacco users, and go on wasting their money, as well as endangering both body and soul, without rebuke from either pulpit or pew. Does God look upon this extravagance and waste with impunity? We aver not. It is stench in his nostrils, as it is stench in the nostrils of any clean man or woman.

The habit is unquestionably on the increase. Boys and young men are beginning early in life. The effect upon the physical system and as a hereditary influence is blighting. Shall the church not cry out against it? — The Soul-Winner.