p. 107 | Tobacco by H. A. St. John

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 19, 1872

Tobacco.

By H. A. St. John

As an evidence of the corruption existing in many of the professed churches of Jesus Christ at the present time, I would present a few facts relative to the use of the filthy weed, tobacco.

At a conference of a religious society of considerable respectability in this country, one of the ministering brethren present offered a resolution looking to the abrogation of the use of tobacco among them, denouncing it as sinful. Remarks condemnatory of the resolution were made by several, and among others a presiding elder said in substance, as follows: “Dear brethren, in a few weeks you will assemble here for communion, and if this resolution be adopted by you, as truthful in sentiment, you will have the sacrament administered to you by an old sinner; for I have used tobacco for a long time, and expect to continue to use it.” After this, an expression was taken, whereupon all voted against the resolution, but one. Thus they could all go on their way rejoicing, snuffing, smoking, and chewing; even teaching, both by precept and example, that the filthy, injurious, and disgusting practice of tobacco-using is not opposed to the pure principles of Christianity. Why can they not see that the common use of this fetid weed is contrary to every principle of purity and holiness found in the word of God? How shameful! that professed followers of the holy Jesus should be guilty of such degrading habits.

Another sect of religionists, remarkable for their tenacious adherence to the rule of their discipline, had the following experience: One of the principles of decorum enjoined upon their members is, that the brethren shall always and invariably greet each other with a kiss. One man was brought to trial for neglecting this duty. It was certain he had passed a brother without giving the accustomed kiss. He confessed to the truthfulness of the charge, but stated by way of self-justification and defense, that the slighted brother, at the time referred to, had his external mouth and otherwise noble beard all besmeared with the vile spewings of tobacco, and that he could not and would not kiss such a man. In vain his plea. He was actually excommunicated! Now it is my judgment that they expelled the wrong man. It appears to me that here is an example of straining at something even smaller than a gnat, and swallowing something a thousand times more disgusting than a camel. Who of us would desire to press the lips of a being, even of the genus homo, whose mouth and beard were blackened with the foul slobberings of tobacco?

The things above mentioned are more than straws, showing how the tide of corruption, which will drown men in perdition, is sweeping over this world in these last days. I came near saying that a clean mouth and a pure breath were inseparably connected with a clean heart and a right spirit. Reader, if your mouth is polluted with tobacco, will you please read the following scriptures, and as you read, try to realize that it is the language of a pure and holy God addressed to you. 1 Cor. 9: 25–27; 6: 19, 20; 3: 16, 17; 2 Cor. 7: 1.

H. A. St. John.