Trafficking in Forbidden Things

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 13, 1907

Trafficking in Forbidden Things

A READER asks, “Is it proper for a Seventh-day Adventist to sell pork and tobacco?” In view of all the light given our people in reference to the use of swine’s flesh, liquor, and tobacco, we can not understand how a loyal Seventh-day Adventist could hesitate a moment over that question. Tobacco and intoxicating liquor go hand in hand, the one creating a demand for the other, and both working for the ruin of the bodies and souls of individuals. We can not serve God while doling out to men that which is dulling their consciences, benumbing their sensibilities, and rendering it harder for the truths of the third angel’s message to find an entrance to their hearts. This people is set in this world for a purpose, and that purpose is to uphold the light of the gospel, to exemplify Christ, not to pander for pay to the depraved appetites of men. He who deals in such things while claiming to belong to this people is holding up the cause of God to reproach. To any one desiring to do God’s will, but troubled over a question of this kind, we commend this scripture: “If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy.” 1 Cor. 3:17. God does not dwell in a destroyed or defiled temple. Liquor and tobacco are defiling and destroying souls in whom God designed to dwell. He who sells those opiates of the soul, or either of them, is helping on that work of destruction, and God says that the one who does that shall be destroyed. Is it proper, then, that a Seventh-day Adventist should engage in that work? It is entirely out of the question.

A true member of this peculiar people will have so much love for the cause that he can not think of bringing reproach upon that cause by engaging in such traffic.

In the matter of traffic in swine’s flesh, this scripture should be sufficient for any Seventh-day Adventist—any Christian, for that matter: “And the swine, because he parteth the hoof but cheweth not the cud, he is unclean unto you: of their flesh ye shall not eat, and their carcasses ye shall not touch.” Deut. 14:8. We have a message which is to enlighten the world. We can not give it while trafficking in forbidden things.