Deliberate Poisoning by G. K. Abbott, M. D.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 2, 1915

Deliberate Poisoning

By G. K. Abbott, M. D.

Seeking Stimulants, but Is Slowly Poisoned Instead—How We Deceive Ourselves by Some of Our Habits—Must Meet the Result if We Persist

By G. K. ABBOTT, M. D.

“Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. . . . I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor. 9:25, 27.

ESSENCE OF A TEMPERATE LIFE

The essence of a temperate life lies in self-control,—that is, control from within, and not by circumstances or environment. It is control by the judgment and reason, not by impulse or passion. Christian temperance consists in the control of self, together with its judgment and reason, by an enlightened conscience, and by a will fully surrendered to the will of the Creator. Being “temperate in all things” means so relating ourselves to the habits of life and the things which create habit, that the voice of God may always be heard, and circumstances and events may always appear in their true light.

A full understanding of the meaning of temperance is essential to any consideration of the question of stimulants and narcotics. Without a clear knowledge of all that temperance means, we are very likely to limit the list of stimulants and narcotics to alcohol, tobacco, and a few other of the more grossly harmful things.

STIMULANTS

A stimulant is anything that gives one an exaggerated sense of human power, calling forth an extravagant and prodigal expenditure of energy, thus depleting the reserve forces, without in any way adding to the available energy of the body, or providing for the replenishment of energy. Among such substances are tea, coffee, small doses of strychnine, condiments, and the juices and extractives of meat. One and all, these enable the body to expend greater energy, thus for a short time accomplishing more work. The one who uses them feels stimulated and enlivened.

This stage of stimulation varies in duration with the substance and the amount used; but sooner or later the vital forces sink below normal, and the endurance fails.

LESSENING ENDURANCE

This lessening of endurance may become manifest in a few hours, or it may require days or even months or years before the user himself appreciates the true condition. Scientific tests will usually show a falling off in work power in a very short time; but with youth and otherwise good health, nature endures this whipping up of its energy for a long time before the break comes. Like the last straw that breaks the camel’s back, the effort to meet some emergency receives credit for all the damage done.

HOW THEY FALSIFY

Sir William Broadbent has well defined the effect of stimulants. He says: “A falsehood that dies hard is the idea that stimulants of whatever kind actually give strength and are necessary for the maintenance of health and vigor. Such is not the case; and the well-worn comparison that they are the whip and spur and not the corn and grass is strictly accurate. Anything accomplished under the influence of stimulants is done at the expense of blood and tissue, and if frequently repeated, at the expense of the constitution.”

INTOXICATED BY DELUSIONS

But there are other things than chemical substances and so-called foods and drinks that we should consider under Christian temperance. In the mental and spiritual realm there are stimulants, as well as in the physical. Just as stimulants are false substitutes for physical food, so is assumed holiness Satan’s substitute for spiritual zeal. The deluded zealot feels enthused, he says and does many things which may appear meritorious; but his strength is all from self. He feels no need of the quiet, all-sustaining power of God in his life; and soon the stimulation is followed by a depression. The last state of that man is worse than the first. Such a result is all too commonly seen in many of the popular religious revivals of our day.

NARCOTICS

A narcotic is anything that so benumbs the senses, sense perception, or sense interpretation, as to prevent the mind from giving facts and events their actual significance. Alcohol is one of these. It is not a stimulant, never was, and never can be. It benumbs the senses. The weak feel strong, and cares and difficulties disappear. Hence the worn-out body continues to work, expending its little reserve force. But always with this, the narcotic gives a sense of renewed vigor and well-being—false, of course, but nevertheless deceiving its victim. Wine is indeed “a mocker.”

Morphine and cocaine are likewise narcotics, though often classed, by those who use them, as stimulants. Tobacco is another narcotic. The after-dinner cigar, by the narcotic effect of the nicotine, allays digestive distress, and the dyspeptic feels that he has been benefited.

A MENTAL NARCOTIC

But these are not all. Christian Science is another narcotic very popular at the present day. It narcotizes the conscience and puts it to sleep. It makes the devotee deny the existence of pain, disease, and sin, and hence he sees no need of any remedy for them. Pain is disease’s warning; but the Christian Scientist disregards it, and disease goes on to death.

A troubled conscience is the Holy Spirit’s warning of sin. But the disciple of Mrs. Eddy denies its existence; and it too must one day end in death, for “the wages of sin is death.” Stimulants of whatever kind are the archenemy’s substitutes for power and true zeal. Likewise the hypnotism of a narcotic is Satan’s substitute for true peace and rest, which can come only from a conscience void of offense, and a life fully surrendered to Christ. Both stimulants and narcotics give a false sense of human power; and by allowing a false interpretation of existing conditions, they are in essence the same.

When indulging in any of these things, is it at all possible for the mind to be clear, and the energies alert to do God’s bidding intelligently and with true zeal? But one says, I need just a little wine, or something of the sort, for my special frailty. “Touch not, taste not, handle not” does not apply to wine alone. No bypath ever began at any other place than side by side with the highway.

Both revelation and science have told us these things. The progress of human events demonstrates them. Is it more knowledge or more obedience that we need?