Temperance by C. H. Bliss

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 24, 1870

Temperance.

By C. H. Bliss

THAT this is an age of intemperance, certainly no one will deny; and its evil effects are not seen among the ungodly alone; but many of all ages and classes are suffering as the result of the violation of this law of nature.

To be temperate is not simply to abstain from intoxicating drinks. We may never pollute our lips with these vile poisons, and yet be very intemperate. It is well defined by a late author as follows: "To use those things which are beneficial to us, moderately, and to entirely abstain from those things which are evil."

To this agree the words of Milton:

"If thou well observe The rule of Not too much; by temperance taught, In what thou eat'st and drink'st, seeking from thence Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight, Till many years over thy head return; So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit thou drop Into thy mother's lap; or be with ease Gathered."

How many there are who despise persons who have been made drunk by taking liquor to excess, and censure them severely for their conduct, when they are themselves reeling under the influence of tobacco or opium; or perhaps they were intemperate in eating or drinking, insomuch that their sensibilities are blunted, and they know but little more than the man who is drunk.

No man can be truly temperate while using any thing immoderately, nor until he entirely abstains from those things which injure either body or mind. Nor does it seem possible for a man to be a Christian, in the true sense of the word, without being temperate.

The Scriptures require us to be temperate. It is one of the subjects on which the apostle Paul preached. See Acts 24: 25. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Gal. 5: 23. It is one of the Christian graces to be added to our faith. 2 Pet. 1: 6. From this we learn that we cannot be perfect or holy without being temperate; and without holiness, no man can see the Lord. See Heb. 12: 14.

And again, "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity." Zeph. 3: 13. This scripture refers directly to a class of people living just prior to the coming of the Lord. The remnant of Israel must be holy; and we can not be holy without being temperate. Here it seems to me we may see our duty in regard to the health reform, and the relation it sustains to present truth. The health reform teaches us to use those things which are beneficial to us, moderately, and to entirely abstain from those things which injure us; and this is temperance, and in doing this we elevate ourselves: our minds become clearer, and we become stronger, both physically, intellectually, and morally; and we are thereby better prepared for the worship of God, and for translation. But the world reject the health reform, and laugh at those who are trying to be benefited by it. And in this we may discern a sign of the times; for the Saviour has said, As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man: They did eat, they drank, they married wives, &c. Likewise as it was in the days of Lot: They did eat, they drank; even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. Luke. 17.

We are not to understand from this that it is wrong to eat and drink. These are necessary; but eating and drinking immoderately is what constitutes the sin. This will be seen when we compare verse 28, of this chapter, with Eze. 16: 49. The Saviour, foreseeing these things, warns us concerning them: "And take heed to yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting [overeating], and drunkenness and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." May the Lord help us to take heed and be sober, just, holy, and temperate.

C. H. BLISS.

Peoria Co., Ill.