THE TOBACCO HABIT by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 30, 1879

THE TOBACCO HABIT.

By R. F. Cottrell

It may be thought that enough has already been said in the REVIEW on this subject, and it doubtless is enough to those who have read it. Still there are new readers that need to be enlightened and benefited. There is a class to whom it would be a pleasure to speak, but there is this difficulty in reaching them,—they are too poor to take the paper. If any know of such who are called brethren or sisters in their vicinity, please do them the favor to lend this copy to them to read.

Such are also apt to complain that the REVIEW is a dear paper; because the price is nominally higher than that of the papers that depend more upon what they receive for advertising than they do upon their subscribers. Now the REVIEW costs but two dollars a year. How much does your tobacco cost? Is it five, ten, twelve, fifteen or twenty dollars a year? Is not the tobacco too dear? Which do you prize the higher?—enlightening and saving truth, or the gratification of a perverted, unnatural appetite, of your own acquiring? The following testimony will bear the strictest scientific investigation:—

“Tobacco, in whatever form it is used, tells upon the constitution. It is a slow poison. It affects the brain and benumbs the sensibilities, so that the mind cannot discern spiritual things, especially those truths which have a tendency to correct this filthy indulgence. Those who use tobacco in any form are not clear before God. In such a filthy practice it is impossible for them to glorify God in their bodies and spirits, which are his. And while they are using slow and sure poisons, which are ruining their health, and debasing the faculties of the mind, God cannot approbate them. He may be merciful to them while they indulge in this pernicious habit in ignorance of the injury it is doing them, but when the matter is set before them in its true light, then they are guilty before God if they continue to indulge this gross appetite.” “Tobacco is a poison of the most deceitful and malignant kind, having an exciting, then a paralyzing influence upon the nerves of the body.” “Multitudes have fallen victims to its poisonous influence. They have surely murdered themselves by this slow poison.”

It is false for any one to say, as many have said, “It does not hurt me.” A poison so virulent is hurtful to every one who takes it. There are no exceptions in natural laws. Tobacco-using has not one redeeming quality. It is useless, expensive, injurious, and filthy. It makes the near presence of the user repulsive to those who are free from the habit. A Christian ought to be free from its disgusting taint. And is it not evident that it is a sin against self and society? If so, is it not a sin against God?

R. F. COTTRELL.