p. 22 | TEMPERANCE by Mrs. Geo. A. Irwin

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 8, 1901

TEMPERANCE

By Mrs. Geo. A. Irwin

MRS. GEO. A. IRWIN

As WE read the articles from week to week by Dr. Lindsay, portraying the dreadful effects on the system of drugs and stimulants, which are taken as medicine, and of tobacco and liquor, an appetite for which was acquired by the use of tea and coffee, spices and meats, should we not call a halt? I have been surprised lately to learn that many of our people are using these things in their homes. If our sisters could read the letters that come to the Woman’s Department of Gospel Work requesting prayers for husbands, sons, and dear ones who have acquired an appetite for tobacco and liquor, and could realize that a stimulating and innutritious diet was in a great measure responsible for the downfall of these loved ones, I am sure there would be a general clearing out of the bottles of patent medicine from our cupboards, and also of tea, coffee, spices, and meats from our tables.

I feel sure there is not a woman in our ranks who does not wish to do all she can to banish this dread monster, intemperance, from our land. Shall we not begin at home, and talk to our own dear ones of the evil effects of stimulating articles of food, and in their place put on our tables something much better, such as fruit, grains, and nuts? By doing this, and by setting our tables with care and taste, these injurious things will not be missed.

I am more anxious than I can express, my dear sisters, that we begin a search in our own homes to see if any of these things that have been mentioned are lurking there, and if so, put them away; then we can go to our friends and neighbors and tell them what temperance has done for us.

“We witness great struggles in our country to put down intemperance; but it is a hard matter to overcome and chain a full-grown lion. If half the efforts that have been put forth to stay this giant evil had been directed toward enlightening parents in regard to their responsibility in forming the habits and character of their children, a thousandfold more good might have resulted. The unnatural appetite for spirituous liquors is often created at home, in many cases at the tables of the very ones who are most zealous to lead out in the temperance work. We bid all workers Godspeed; but we invite them to look more deeply into the cause of the evil they war against, and to be more thorough and consistent in reform.” — “Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene,”