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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 19, 1873

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 42, No. 10.

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Tobacco.

By Merritt E. Cornell

BY ELD. M. E. CORNELL.
The man who is addicted to the use of tobacco, and the habit is so confirmed upon him that he finds it difficult to break it off, is deserving of sincere pity. He feels that it injures him—that it is stealing away his life forces, and undermining his constitution, and wishes he was free from it, but he finds it more difficult to get out of the scrape than it was to get into it. He knows that it must be overcome, and has made some feeble efforts to reform, but failed, and now sees that he must make a desperate effort to get rid of the monster. Many are halting, it may be, because they do not yet see and realize sufficiently the enormity of the evil, and what they are hazarding in its continuance. It is not merely health and happiness here in this world that is at stake, but it is eternal life in the world to come. Come and let us reason together. You know the promise is only to the overcomer. Now can you afford to barter away your hope of eternal life for a little worldly indulgence? Will it pay to forfeit the home of endless joy for such false pleasure? Now is the time to duly consider the matter and count the cost. Now is the time to act, and to act as you will wish you had done in the Judgment. It is not safe to wait here on enchanted ground. The time is short, but it is not yet too late to break off, and lay aside every weight, and be free men in Christ.
Is there any sacrifice required too great for us to make cheerfully, to secure such a prize as eternal life? Dare you presume upon the mercy of God, and say, He will not shut me out for this one idol? What is the self-denial required, compared with what Jesus suffered for you? It is only to make a short, earnest effort, and the prize is gained.
Some who use the filthy weed become impatient over the earnest exhortations they have had, and seek to excuse themselves in the practice. “The Bible,” they say, “does not condemn it by name.” True, but neither does it name “whisky.” The inebriate could make the same excuse. But is it necessary that the Bible should name all the evils which it condemns? Is it not enough to describe the character of the ugly creature so that we cannot fail to recognize it? But why seek to excuse that which is so generally admitted to be a great evil? There are too many palpable reasons for abandoning its use at once and forever. I can only give a few of the many in this brief article.
1. Its use is doubtful. The best of men believe it to be sinful. The best physicians say it is very injurious to health.
2. It is a worldly habit, and its use is in favor of the carnal, and against the spiritual.
3. It defiles the whole body, and renders it unfit for a temple for the pure Spirit of God.
4. It is offensive to friends and associates, especially the pure and the good.
5. It is a waste of time and money, and is worse than useless.
6. It is one of the abominable idolatries referred to in the Scriptures. Men become so wedded to it that it becomes dear to them, and fully takes its place as an idol.
7. It cannot be used to the glory of God. The apostle says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31.
8. It is impossible to fulfill God’s will while using tobacco, for it is written, “In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thess. 5:18. How would it sound to thank God for good smoking or chewing tobacco?
9. A man could not pray for tobacco. But we are taught to pray for our daily bread and all the necessaries of life. Who ever heard of a man praying for good tobacco?
10. Those who use tobacco are generally so well satisfied that it is a great evil that they would not on any account give their consent for their children to use it.
11. It is an uncleanly habit. Ladies of refinement involuntarily shrink from a man who uses it.
12. It is a disgusting poison. The victim’s lips are swollen, his gums are spongy and tender, and his entire mouth and throat are affected by it.
13. The habit is unbecoming to a Christian gentleman. It destroys his self-respect, and necessarily lowers him in the estimation of others. “I love my pipe,” said a clergyman, “but I despise myself for using it.”
14. A great waste of money is involved in its use. Official statistics show that more money was expended in 1871 for tobacco than for bread—the staff of life. The amount paid for tobacco in all forms was three hundred and fifty million dollars, while that paid for flour was only two hundred millions! “Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not?” Isa. 55:2.
15. The action of the heart is greatly disturbed by its use, and the man is in constant danger. Many have dropped dead without a moment’s warning, from its effects.
16. It weakens the mind, affects the memory, and produces nervousness and irritability.
17. It is a constant rebellion against conscience. Those who use it generally realize that it is a waste of time and money, strength and life powers. It tramples on the laws of nature, and hence is a sin.
18. It is an injury to society. The example is constantly infecting the youth and spreading the evil.
19. Those who use it are in bondage, voluntary slaves. The fetters that bind them are more cruel than fetters of iron.
O man, will you not resolve to give it up at once and forever? How can you continue to disgrace your manhood with so disgusting and pernicious an evil as tobacco? Oh! be entreated forthwith to issue your emancipation proclamation, and to take up the cry, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” In the name of all that is pure and of good report, assert your liberty. It is in your power to rejoice the hearts of all your friends by renouncing this pernicious habit. In many respects, it is the worst evil that ever disgraced and degraded mankind. May God help you to rule down the evil, be master of yourself, and rise to the noble dignity of God’s free man, hoping for the victor’s crown.