IS IT RIGHT TO SIGN A TEMPERANCE PLEDGE?
By Editor
In harmony with the instruction, “We should present to the people the principles of true temperance, and call for signers to the temperance pledge,” we have made an effort to formulate pledges which would be adapted to work with all classes. Finding nothing better than the pledges used in the Health and Temperance Association of former days, we have decided to reprint them on heavy white cards, with a neat design and border. The pledges will be graded as follows:— I do hereby solemnly affirm that, with the help of God, I will totally abstain from the voluntary use, as a beverage, or in any equivalent manner, of all liquids or substances containing alcohol. ANTI-RUM AND TOBACCO PLEDGE.
I do hereby solemnly affirm that, with the help of God, I will wholly abstain from the voluntary use of alcohol in any form, as a beverage, or in any equivalent manner, and from smoking, chewing, or snuffing tobacco, or using it in any other form, and from in any way encouraging the use of these poisons. I do hereby solemnly affirm that, with the help of God, I will wholly abstain from the voluntary use, as a beverage, or in any equivalent manner, of alcohol, tea, coffee, and from the use of tobacco, opium, and all other narcotics and stimulants. We have become aware of the fact, however, that upon the part of many persons there is considerable prejudice against signing a pledge of any description. We think that the following from the Spirit of Prophecy will bring us all to one mind on this subject; for it is definite and plain. I hope that all will read it carefully, and will prayerfully decide what is their position with reference to temperance in all things. Let us consider well the meaning of true temperance, and having done so, take an advance step, which we shall never retract. “We should never be ashamed of temperance in all things, while we remember Christ’s long and painful fast to break the power of Satan’s temptations over the race upon the point of appetite. Christ fought the battle in painfulness, in weakness, and conquered Satan, making it possible for man to conquer in the name and strength of Jesus Christ. Then why should the followers of Jesus be ashamed to refuse the tempting wine cup? Daniel refused to drink of the king’s wine, or to eat of the meat on the king’s table, because the effect upon his physical and mental powers would not be of that character to give him the strength he needed. At all times and on all occasions it requires moral courage to resist temptation on the point of appetite. We may expect such practice will be a surprise to those who do not practice habits of total abstinence from all stimulants; but how are we to carry forward the work of reform if we are to conform to the habits and practices of those with whom we associate? Here is the very opportunity to manifest that we are a peculiar people, zealous of good works. The beer-drinkers will present their glasses of beer, and those who claim to be children of God may plead the same excuse for not signing the temperance pledge,—because they will be treated with beer, and it will not be agreeable to refuse. These excuses may be carried to any length, but they are not of any weight; and we were sorry that any who claimed to believe the truth should refuse to sign the pledge—refuse to put barriers about their souls and fortify themselves against temptation. They choose to leave the bars down, so that they can readily step over and accept temptation without making the effort to resist it. . . . “Those who claim to believe the truth have not all taken their position in relation to temperance which is their sacred duty to do. There have been those who have stood aloof from decided committal on the side of temperance; and for what reason? Some say that if wine or beer is passed to them, they have not the moral courage to say, I have signed the pledge not to taste of fermented wine or beer or strong drink. Shall the names of those stand registered in the books of heaven as defending the indulgence of appetite? . . . “We as Christians should stand firmly in defense of temperance. There is no class of persons capable of accomplishing more and effecting the object more readily than the God-fearing Bible youth. In this age the young men of our cities should unite in a firm, decided army to set their faces as a flint against every form of selfish, health-destroying indulgence. What a power they might be for good! How many they might save from becoming demoralized because they visit the halls and gardens fitted up with music and every attraction to allure the youth! Intemperance and licentiousness and profanity are sisters. Let every God-fearing youth gird on the armor and press to the front. Put your names on every pledge presented, to give influence to temperance, and to induce others to sign the pledge. Let no feeble, weak excuse be offered to refuse to put your name to the temperance pledge. Work for the good of your own souls and for the good of others. . . . “We thank the Lord that a victory was gained upon these points, even here in Basel; and we hope to carry our brethren and sisters up to a still higher standard to sign the pledge to abstain from Java coffee and the herb that comes from China. . . . “Coffee is a hurtful indulgence. It temporarily excites the mind to unwonted action, and the effect is prostration, sadness, exhaustion of the mental, moral, and physical forces. The mind becomes enervated, and unless through determined effort the habit is overcome, the activity of the brain is greatly lessened. All these nerve irritants are wearing away the life forces, and the restlessness caused by shattered nerves, the impatience, the mental feebleness, becomes a warring element against spiritual progress. Then shall not those who advocate temperance and reform be awake in regard to these injurious things? And shall not this pledge paper embrace coffee and tea, as hurtful stimulants? In some cases it is as difficult to break up this tea and coffee habit as it is for the inebriate to discontinue the use of liquor. The money used for tea or coffee as a common drink is worse than wasted. It does the user, whether man or woman, harm, and that continually. Shall Christians bring under the control of reason this appetite? or will they continue its practice because they feel so let down without it, like the drunkard without his stimulant?”—Review and Herald, April 19, 1887.