THE HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION.
By John Harvey Kellogg
Fifty-four years ago, Eld. Joseph Bates, now deceased, long known as one of the pioneers of the S. D. A. denomination, succeeded in effecting the organization of the first total abstinence society in America. Previous to that time, there had been moderation societies, but they only made the use of intoxicants respectable, and in no degree lessened the real evils of intemperance. Eld. Bates had been a total abstainer himself for several years, and while a sea captain had required total abstinence on the part of his crews. His own experience relative to the great benefits of thorough temperance made him anxious for others; and his earnest labors resulted, as before remarked, in the formation of a total abstinence society, which was supposed to be the first organized in this country. Eld. Bates did not stop with abstinence from liquor; he discarded also tobacco, and afterward tea and coffee. More than thirty years ago, Bro. and Sr. White introduced the subject of reform among the early members of this denomination. By degrees, not only temperance, but health reform on various points, has been introduced by them, as the people have been prepared to receive new truths on these subjects, until S. D. Adventists have become generally known as a denomination of the most thorough temperance reformers to be found anywhere. It has been evident, however, that for a few years there has been something of a retrograde on this subject, and it has been feared that while engaging so earnestly in the carrying forward of other enterprises, the important one of temperance was being neglected. To in some degree counteract this tendency, and keep the subject of true temperance reform before the people, steps were taken, after long deliberation on the subject, for the formation of an organization to represent the important ideas embodied in this reform. It seemed, indeed, very appropriate that the very denomination one of whose earliest pioneers was active in the formation of the first temperance society in America, should be foremost in temperance reform now, and should be the one to organize the first temperance society with a platform broad enough to include all varieties of intoxicants, and every species of intemperance. A favorable opportunity presenting itself for introducing the matter, several preliminary meetings were held, and an organization was finally effected in this place on the evening of the first day of 1879. About one hundred and fifty signed the pledge and became members of the society at the first meeting. Active measures were taken to bring the matter to the attention of the people in various parts of the country; and the membership has been gradually increasing by additions from all parts of the United States, as well as from this vicinity; but no very great advance was made until within the last month, it being thought best not to urge the matter until all should become sufficiently well acquainted with the objects of the organization and convinced of its importance to be ready to take hold of it with interest and earnestness. At the recent camp-meeting in Kansas, the subject of health and temperance reform was presented so forcefully by Bro. and Sr. White that a great interest was aroused, which resulted in the formation of a State temperance society there, one hundred and nine names being taken on the ground. At the Missouri meeting, the subject was again presented, and with still greater success, as reported by Eld. Geo. I. Butler last week, a society of one hundred and thirty-two members being organized, including two-thirds of all the persons on the ground, and nearly all the adults. The glorious result obtained at this meeting was in part attributable to the active efforts of Eld. Butler and Col. D. C. Hunter in seconding the labors of Bro. and Sr. White by the circulation of pledges. We presume the Missouri State Society will soon number four or five hundred. Organizations are being rapidly effected in other States. Plans for the formation of State and local organizations have been perfected, and we expect that very soon every State will have its health and temperance society, and every church its health and temperance club, with an army of active workers in the glorious cause of temperance in its truest, broadest, noblest sense.