TOBACCO LOSING FAVOR

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 3, 1879

“TOBACCO LOSING FAVOR.”

A FEW weeks ago I read with much interest an article taken from the Sunday School Times, with the above heading. Having just returned from one of our religious gatherings, it reminded me of what I saw on my way home. While waiting at one of the railroad stations for the coming of the train, I saw two of our prominent brethren walking up and down the platform amid a cloud of smoke. Said another brother near me: “See brother—puffing away at his cigar. How is that for a D. D.?” The brother was one I had long known and respected, yet somehow or other I found my good opinion of him lessened by what I saw.

Soon after, speaking of this scene to another brother, he said, “I heard a most excellent sermon at the Vineyard Camp-meeting, but soon after, seeing the brother who preached it passing along smoking his cigar, I felt grieved, and could not think of him and the sermon as I did before.”

How many there are who are thus shorn of their power for good. Members in our churches are complaining of “hard times,” and giving but little to benevolent purposes, while continuing the use of this expensive habit. They are spending more money for tobacco than for all church purposes. Is this right? Brother, if the habit is fastened upon you, ask God to give you strength and grace to triumph over it.—Selected.