TO CORRESPONDENTS

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 13, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 15.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A. SMITH: The Bible Student’s Assistant gives the complete use of the words soul and spirit in the Bible, with the different renderings of the Greek and Hebrew words from which they come. The word “pit” in Isa. 14:15 and 38:17, 18, is not from sheol but bohr.

J. HILTON: The Bible does not forbid the use of tobacco by name, and it would not have been consistent to do so; for it was not known when the Bible was written. But the Bible lays down principles that clearly condemn its use. It is one of those “foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” 1 Tim. 6:9. Being a species of intemperance, its use is one of the works of the flesh enumerated in Gal. 5:19–21, of which it is said that “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Our bodies are the temple of God. 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19. By such an indulgence as the use of tobacco, which benumbs and stupefies the sensibilities, and wars upon the vital economy, this temple is defiled; and if “any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself.” 1 Cor. 3:16–18. The same reasoning which would make the words of Christ in Matt. 15:11 justify the use of tobacco, would make them also justify the use of whisky, brandy, and other intoxicating liquors; for these liquors are taken in through the mouth. But they certainly defile the user; for no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 6:10. Christ was speaking of articles of food, which tobacco, whisky, &c., are not, and rebuking the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who were so scrupulous lest they should partake of something adjudged by the ceremonial law to be unclean, while their hearts were full of uncleanness and every evil.

From all of which it seems evident that the Bible condemns such indulgences as the use of tobacco, and that it is therefore a proper matter for discipline.

H. H. BRUNSTETTER: The righteous are judged during the investigative Judgment, before Christ comes; the wicked during the succeeding thousand years. This subject and Rev. 20:10, are explained in “Thoughts on Revelation.”

ANSWERED BY LETTER.

Wm. Cottrell, E. Hutchins, A. Droullow, G. T. Berg, W. J. Hardy, S. N. Haskell, E. Halferty, U. Affolter, J. H. Waggoner, H. Robinson. U. S.