THE NATIONAL PURITY CONVENTION.
By David Paulson
From October 8-10, the National Purity Convention was held in Chicago. There were delegates present from Europe and from different parts of this country, and able and earnest workers in purity and other reformatory lines spoke words that were both helpful and instructive. A marked characteristic of the entire session was the high moral tone in which the work was carried on, and the evident desire that those workers felt in their hearts to help beat back the terrible tide of immorality which is now threatening to engulf both old and young. There are thousands of Christian people who imagine that their own children are growing up pure, sweet, and wholesome, when in reality they are rotten to the core. A case which recently came under my own observation serves to illustrate this: One of our sisters was making some comments upon the downfall of one of her neighbor boys, while her own daughter, whom she supposed to be a model girl, was not only habitually drinking liquor, but was smoking cigarettes and occasionally using morphine, and at that very time was in the greatest possible danger of still further degrading herself; yet this mother, who was looking forward to the time when her whole family would be translated to meet the Lord in the air, knew more about neighborhood gossip than she did in regard to her own daughter’s terrible condition. Every one who has come in close contact with young people knows very well that this case is not at all an exceptional one. We need not comfort ourselves with the thought that our children have inherited any stronger traits of character than the children of our neighbors. If our children are to present to the world a higher grade of morality and spiritual power than that which is manifested by the young people around us, somebody must take pains to instruct them in a definite and positive manner in right principles, the acceptance of which keeps them free from the soul- and body-destroying habits that are at present working such havoc upon the race. Those who are leading out in these reformatory movements may not always work in the wisest manner, but in view of the present alarming condition, it is far more commendable to raise danger signals than to sit with folded hands, and regard the present appalling condition with an air of indifference. One of the most impressive talks that was given at this convention was by Mrs. E. M. Whitmore, who has been marvelously used by Providence in the work of rescuing the fallen. Her topic was “Light from the Depths.” She related wonderful answers to prayer and encouraging results that the triumph of faith had wrought. These were certainly a telling evidence of the fact that God blesses faithful efforts, no matter by whom they are put forth. “How to Elevate the Home Life” was discussed by Dr. Mary Wood-Allen, whose publications have been a great help to our people everywhere, who have taken pains to read and study them. Her little booklets furnish charming and instructive lessons as to how to teach in a pure and sweet way from the open book of nature the very truths that every child must be taught by its parents, or else learn sooner or later from lips polluted with vileness. Jenkin Lloyd Jones gave an address upon the subject of “Moralizing versus Demoralizing Amusements,” and the principles which he enunciated upon this subject will not speedily be effaced from the memory of those who had the privilege of listening to it. He deplored the large number of various organizations that are multiplying machinery and wheels within wheels, and declared that each one of them is a standing condemnation to the Church for not having done its full duty. The Battle Creek Sanitarium furnished a purity banquet to all the delegates. This was an appropriate object lesson of what constitutes a pure diet, and was the first practical example of what may be accomplished with the natural products of the earth, that many of these workers had ever had the opportunity of seeing. Many of them had never before recognized so clearly the intimate relation that exists between vile food and a vile life. The man who persists in partaking day by day of Sodom, will, after a while, live Sodom, particularly if he has been properly informed in reference to this question. Dr. Kellogg’s paper the following day, entitled “The Influence of Diet upon Character,” was sent home by the Spirit of God to the audience with peculiar force, and the day of God alone will reveal the full harvest from the sowing of those heaven-born truths which the Lord helped the doctor to put into that paper. One of our lady physicians gave an address on the subject of “The Medical Side of the Purity Question,” which especially emphasized the great and important field which presents itself before consecrated women physicians. She brought out clearly the responsibility which rests on the Church to help encourage those who are taking the first steps toward a higher and better life, and showed how easy it is to discourage and drive such back again to a life of despair. A remark that one Christian worker dropped had a lesson in it for us all. She said that when she saw no souls saved as the result of her efforts, she went to God alone to see “what was the matter with her own heart,” and when she had seen where her shortcomings were, and God had helped her to put them away, then she would get souls for her hire. Is this not a wiser course to pursue than to blame circumstances for getting in our way? We have had special light, and while it may not be our duty to bind ourselves in bundles with these various organizations, which are trying to do what they can to help society, yet, on the other hand, it is not right for us to stand aloof from them. While we should not step down from our elevated platform of reform which the Lord has given us, yet we should on every possible occasion extend to them a helping hand, and bid them Godspeed. If we maintain an indifferent attitude in reference to these reforms, God cannot bless us. We must upon our bended knees learn from God how we can come close to those who show that they love truth and reform. It is not our duty to bid them to come to us. It is our duty to go to them. We should not condemn their imperfect methods, nor create disturbances by presenting arguments, but take hold with them of such correct principles as they are interested in, and thus show them that God has given us a clearer and more beautiful light on these and other subjects, and those who love truth will be charmed by it, and be turned to it. If we had been alive to ALL our opportunities, we could to-day be leaders in every reformatory movement that humanity needs; and unless we speedily arouse and become alive to the present situation, God will raise up other workers who will immediately cry out. Shall we sit still, and compel God to raise up others to do our missionary work for us? If we are to lead the world in these reformatory lines, it will require earnest and persevering study. The literature and truths upon these subjects will have to be thoroughly studied. God will not miraculously fit us to be leaders of men if we ignore the means He has already provided.