THE TEMPERANCE WORK AT BATTLE CREEK.
By John Harvey Kellogg
At no place has there been more interest in the temperance work than at Battle Creek. From the first organization of the association here, a lively interest in the subject has kept up. Battle Creek has always been noted as one of the most decidedly temperance cities in the State of Michigan, and has been foremost in all temperance questions. This has been due in great measure, no doubt, to the fact that the members of our denomination located here have always stood on the right side of every temperance question, whether political or moral, and so have greatly aided in giving character to the place. Indeed, on more than one occasion it has been positively known that the votes of S. D. Adventists have given a victory for temperance at the polls, when success would otherwise have attended the opposite side. At the organization of the Health and Temperance Association last New Year's, a membership of about one hundred and fifty was obtained, which gradually increased at the successive monthly meetings to two hundred and fifty. It was not until within a few days, however, that the work here has been what could really be considered a complete success. Coming here directly from the excellent camp-meeting in Missouri, where a glorious triumph for temperance was achieved, Bro. and Sr. White, although much worn with arduous labors, were ready to take hold of the work here, and did so with most excellent results. Sunday evening, June 8, in accordance with appointment the day before, they addressed a large audience gathered in the tabernacle, with telling effect. After their remarks, a committee of ten solicitors was appointed to canvass the audience for signers to the pledge, only the tee-total pledge being circulated. While the solicitors were quietly at work, the time was filled with interesting remarks by Bro. White, and singing by the choir, who rendered “Dare to be a Daniel,” a most appropriate piece for such an occasion, with excellent effect. It was found at the close of the meeting that one hundred and twenty-five names had been added to the list of members. By vote of the society, a committee of ten was appointed by the chairman to canvass the community with the tee-total pledge, and to report at the regular monthly meeting of the association to be held on the Wednesday evening following. A public announcement being made that Eld. and Mrs. White were to address the public on Wednesday evening, a larger audience than usual gathered at the appointed hour and listened with the closest interest to their excellent addresses. Sr. White is everywhere recognized as the most instructive and interesting lady temperance lecturer who has appeared before the public. Bro. White gave on this occasion a few very interesting remarks concerning the temperance work among the denomination, and the prominent part which it had played in bringing S. D. Adventists into favorable notice, and gaining for them at once the respect and confidence of the people wherever they had entered new fields of labor. The pledge was again circulated, receiving many additional signatures, when it was found that with the names obtained by the solicitors since the last meeting, the membership of the association in this place had been increased to over five hundred. The slight opposition which had been offered by some who did not fully comprehend the objects of the organization, and did not appreciate the advantages which might be gained by it, was wholly removed, the opposing ones laying down their opposition and giving their influence on the right side. A grand victory has been gained for temperance; and now Battle Creek stands foremost in the ranks, and says to all her sister churches, Come, let us join hands in this noble work, and present a solid front against the foes of temperance, the most dangerous of which exist in our own perverted appetites and artificial tastes. In accordance with the plans of organization now perfected, the members of the association at Battle Creek adopted at this meeting the constitution and by-laws for local organizations, and will hereafter be known as the Battle Creek Health and Temperance Club. Eld. L. McCoy was elected leader, Eld. W. C. Gage secretary, and Dr. W. B. Sprague treasurer of the new organization. Meetings will be held monthly as heretofore. J. H. KELLOGG, M. D.