p. 8 | Organization and Health and Temperance

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 21, 1916

Organization and Health and Temperance

By George I. Butler

G. I. BUTLER

Organization

The growth of this message was rapid and continuous. In the early days there was no formal organization, even of churches. It was thought that when a person took his stand as an observer of the seventh-day Sabbath, in spite of the great unpopularity, opposition, and prejudice prevailing, he needed to give no further evidence of his desire to live according to all Bible truth. Little companies of believers met in private houses, barns, and other buildings, to worship God by singing, prayer, and the giving of testimonies. Being so few in numbers, and living so far apart, they rarely had preaching.

The number of believers, however, rapidly increased, and various conditions arose which demonstrated that steps must be taken to organize the work, and as early as 1853 Elder and Mrs. White wrote articles in favor of organization. But there was some opposition. Some felt it would be imitating the popular churches and becoming like Babylon. There was more or less discussion of the question, and as their number grew, it became more and more evident that something must be done.

In 1858 other articles were written, and action was further urged upon the believers. Yet there was lack of confidence, even among men of influence. One talented brother wrote an article in the REVIEW in opposition to further organization, and it was evident that there were many who felt opposed to a general system of organization, feeling that it would interfere with Christian liberty and be like the popular churches.

For the sake of brevity, it will not be advisable to give all the reasons why organization was so essential at this early period in our work. We can give only a very brief synopsis.

The legal holding of denominational property was an important reason. Meetinghouses, offices, and property owned by our people could be held legally only by properly organized bodies of officers. The organization of churches, conferences, schools, and various other societies was an absolute necessity. It must also be known who were recognized as true and genuine believers, and who

were not. It must be understood who were properly qualified to elect church officers, and to set apart men to the work of the gospel ministry. It was important to detect unworthy persons,—strangers who came to our little companies of believers professing to be ministers of our people when they were not; and therefore letters of introduction were required, showing who were our ministers or members. Many other reasons might be given.

Our leading brethren were guided by the Spirit of prophecy, which was a prominent agency in perfecting the system of organization among our people. Experience has demonstrated the great benefits of our simple but effective system of organization. “Order is heaven’s first law,” it is said, and without it we should be helpless. It is very doubtful if we could ever have had so complete a system as exists among us, but for the blessed gift of prophecy, which always counselled unity and gospel order. In the work of organization our people carefully studied the Bible, and sought to follow its instructions. We fully believe that no other denomination has a system of organization superior to ours.

Health and Temperance

There is, perhaps, no topic which is being given greater prominence in civilized countries in our day than that of health and temperance. The prevalence of disease everywhere and in every form makes the subject of health a live issue. Comparatively few enjoy perfect health. In all our world today, in civilized and uncivilized countries, disease holds sway. Multitudes are being swept away to premature death. Intemperance in one form or another prevails everywhere. Millions, yea, billions, of dollars are being spent for “that which is not bread.” Poisonous liquors, tobacco, and other unnatural stimulants, poisonous drugs of almost innumerable names and effects, and most destructive to health and life, are being taken into the human system. What will be the end of all this?

In the early period of the third angel’s message these issues were really forced upon our people in such a way that something had to be done. The work was small; the believers were poor; the ministers very few. The work was unpopular, and it seemed that all the world was against us. The burdens to be borne by our workers were heavy. The health of many of our best laborers was breaking down. Up to that time no special instruction on healthful living had been given. The believers lived about as other people lived, only none of them used alcoholic drinks or tobacco. The physical condition of our leading laborers became alarming.

At this stage of the work, God began to give heavenly light through visions given to Mrs. White. These great subjects of health and temperance were opened to her mind. Before this time she had not in her writings or studies made these topics especially prominent, but from now on during many years, even to nearly the close of her labors, these topics were constantly dwelt upon in her sermons and writings.

It is well known that Seventh-day Adventists have scores of health institutions established in different parts of the world. Some of them are large, and have a good patronage, a patronage that comes largely from the general public, though many of our own people go to them for physical benefit. These sanitariums have done an immense amount of good, and have been a blessing to multitudes of sufferers, physically and spiritually.

What has been the general benefit of the work of Mrs. White’s teaching in regard to health and temperance? We cite a few of the benefits realized:—

1. Great physical improvement was at once apparent in the health of our public laborers. By following the instructions given her, Mrs. White’s own health was much improved. Some of our most influential workers had practically become invalids, and could no longer labor, but these regained their health and served the cause of God for many years. Many saved themselves from sickness and physical breakdown, and thus conserved their strength, maintained their health, and prolonged their lives.

2. From the writer’s long experience and general acquaintance with our people in the different sections of our country, he is positive our people generally have been saved from much sickness, and have been able to preserve the health of their families by heeding the light given.

3. The financial benefits of health and temperance are worthy of consideration. The saving of doctors’ bills and the cost of drugs, which are a common expense in many families, is quite a large item. People embrace this truth who have been accustomed to drinking alcoholic beverages or to using tobacco. When they come among this people, these articles are necessarily laid aside. Here is a large saving in money, to say nothing of the moral benefit to the persons concerned. It is well known that the milder stimulants, tea and coffee, are not sanctioned among this people. Here also is a great pecuniary saving. There are many other savings in living expenses concerning which the brevity of this article forbids us to speak. In the aggregate these reforms involve considerable financial saving.

4. The moral uplift of this phase of the great reform movement as introduced to this people by the Spirit of prophecy must not be overlooked. It has the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. By following its teaching the mind of the believer is turned from the earthly to the heavenly, and his thoughts and character are elevated.

5. The subject of temperance is one of great prominence today. The battle against King Alcohol has been raging of late as never before in our country, and throughout the whole world. State after State has adopted prohibition of alcoholic drinks. Let the good work go on. Would to God every saloon in the land could be shut up forever. The writer rejoices that he belongs to a religious body, every member of which is a believer in prohibition and would be glad to vote for it. Seventh-day Adventists believe in a temperance which discards not only alcoholic drinks, but all other harmful stimulants,—tobacco in all its forms, tea and coffee, opium and all its derivatives, and many other drugs hurtful in their effects. Highly stimulating foods are also discarded. Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables form a wholesome dietary.

For the knowledge we have of this high plane of living we are largely indebted to the writings of Mrs. White. For these we thank God. They have greatly benefited us.

Bowling Green, Fla.