One Young Lady's Method

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 7, 1907

One Young Lady's Method

“THE most effectual temperance lecture I ever heard in my life was preached to me on New-year’s day,” said a young man, recently, in our hearing.

“Why, Horace, where were you? And who delivered it?” we asked.

“I was visiting in Philadelphia, and with my cousin, John Levins, set out to pay a number of New-year’s calls. It is not the custom now, as formerly, to set out wine before guests, but it is still done sometimes. Our second call was at the princely home of Franklin Graves, of whom you have heard. His lovely daughter greeted us, smiling and beautiful, a very queen among women. There was also an elegant assortment of choice wines which the father pressed upon the guests. ‘Did you come to see papa or me?’ was always the question asked of each guest, and, so far as I know, there was but one answer, ‘We came to see you.’ ‘My guests touch no wine,’ she said, ‘I have other refreshments provided for them.’ The wine glasses stood untouched, the fair young girl flitted to and fro among her guests, ministering herself to their needs. The father gracefully acquiesced, and finally had the wine glasses removed.

“‘Did you ever witness anything so effectual as that?’ said Cousin John, as we started up the street together. “Never,” I answered. “No temperance lecture ever touched me like that quiet speech, ‘My guests touch no wine.’ God helping me, it is the last time the glass shall ever touch my lips.

“I have since learned that more than one young man began reformation on New-year’s day, the result of that very call.

“‘My guests touch no wine.’ They were simple words, quietly spoken, but what did they not imply?”

This Christian girl performed a service as faithfully as if the kingdom of God depended upon her fidelity. Perhaps it does! — Selected.