p. 18 | A Temperance Rally in Every Church by M. E. K.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 24, 1910

A Temperance Rally in Every Church

By M. E. K.

Our Relation to the Temperance Movement

Every Seventh-day Adventist church should be a beacon light of Christian temperance, and every Missionary Volunteer Society a loyal band of temperance workers. In a special sense we are a temperance people, and “as we near the close of time, we must rise higher and still higher upon the question of health reform and Christian temperance, presenting it in a more positive and decided manner. We must strive continually to educate the people not only by our word, but by our practise.” Does not the great army of young men and—sad to say—young women, who today are being bound about by soul-destroying habits of intemperance, constitute a mighty appeal to our young people to “give themselves to God for the purpose of helping other youth”?

Weapons for Temperance Warfare

For months devoted workers have been laboring to produce some valuable helps to be used by our young people in this temperance warfare. “Temperance Torchlights” and the Temperance number of the Instructor are the result. Now it remains for every loyal soldier to seize these valuable weapons, rally around the standard, and make a vigorous charge upon the enemy.

Beginning a Campaign

Let us begin this campaign with a grand temperance rally, about the third of April, or as soon as it can be arranged. Will not you who read this article study this question from the standpoint of the message we have for the world? Will you not study it from the standpoint of your community, its needs, and your duty? And while you muse, will you not let the fire of enthusiasm burn in your heart till you are anxious to do more for God and for weak, tempted humanity than you have ever done before?

Plans for the Rally

Every society or church must of course adapt its work to local needs and conditions, but the following general suggestions may be of service:—

1. Prayer is the key to success in the Lord's work. Begin to pray that God will give wisdom to plan and power to carry forward this effort.

2. The Missionary Volunteer leader should consult with the other officers of the church in regard to having such a rally. Let a committee from the society and church be appointed to plan for, and to take charge of, the program. If there is no Missionary Volunteer Society, the church should take up the matter anyway, as this is a work for all. Let the committee begin its work at once.

3. It would be well to study the many helpful plans and suggestions made in “Temperance Torchlights,” in the section on “Temperance Meetings.”

4. An abundance of material from which to draw in preparing the program will be found in “Temperance Torchlights” and the Temperance Instructor. Procure these at once, if you do not have them, and study them carefully.

5. Get some earnest temperance worker who is willing to co-operate with you to take part in the program.

6. Let some central theme which your community especially needs, be emphasized by one or two leading parts. Even these parts, however, need not be long addresses.

7. Remember the power of song to influence the human heart. “Temperance Torchlights” has some good ones.

8. Simple experiments, well prepared, do much to impress an audience. “Temperance Torchlights” suggests several. Charts, maps, and illuminated statistics (such as cords or ribbons of various lengths to illustrate the comparative expenditure for liquor, tobacco, and other things) appeal to the sense of sight, and are not easily forgotten, if well selected and prepared.

9. Having put forth your best effort to prepare a good program, do not neglect to let the people know about it. Successful people in any business must advertise. Announce your rally in the papers, in the schools or previous public meetings. Distribute well-prepared printed announcements, and invite the people to attend.

10. In the rally, “call for signers to the temperance pledge;” have pledge cards at hand. Beautiful lithographed pledges—one against liquor, tobacco, tea, and coffee, the other against liquor and tobacco—can be procured for one cent each; a liquor pledge alone for one cent, or seventy-five cents a hundred. Order from the Review and Herald.

11. If possible have a well-arranged exhibit of temperance literature. Have on hand a quantity of the Temperance Instructor, also copies of “Temperance Torchlights” and “Ministry of Healing.” Endeavor to sell the Instructor to every one present. Many will also be interested in these books if their attention is called to them.

12. Lay plans to follow up this rally by a vigorous campaign with the Temperance Instructor. In connection with this canvass many yearly subscriptions for the Instructor might be obtained, and copies of “Temperance Torchlights” and “Ministry of Healing” be sold.

Let these words from the spirit of prophecy stir us to a continuous effort: “The honor of God, the stability of the nation, the well-being of the community, of the home, and of the individual, demand that every possible effort be made in arousing the people to the evils of intemperance.”

M. E. K.