Temperance by G. W. Mitchell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 7, 1870

Temperance.

By G. W. Mitchell

WHEN Demetrius Poliorcetes declared war on the Island of Rhodes, and besieged the city of Rhodes, he discovered in the suburbs an artist, earnestly at work in his shop. Demetrius, surprised at his quiet industry amidst the din of battle, inquired of him the cause. The artist replied, “Demetrius has made war on the Rhodians, and not on the arts and sciences.” For this reply, the prince put a guard around his premises, that he might continue his labors without molestation.

This artist was the celebrated Protogenes, a native of the city of Caunus, in Caria. He was at work at that time on his master-piece, which was bought by the city of Rome, and hung up in the temple of peace. On this painting, Protogenes labored seven years, and during that time, he ate nothing but lupines, a kind of pulse, boiled in water, that “the delicacy of his taste and imagination, might not be affected by his diet.”

What a lesson can the Christian learn from this heathen artist! Temperance is one of the Christian graces; and I know from experience, that it requires a continual effort to attain to it.

One of the great sins of the present day, is gluttony. Let us strive to be temperate in all things, that we may be cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.

G. W. MITCHELL.