What Killed Him?

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 24, 1877

As I look out of my study window, I see in the village the late cosy residence of a departed preacher. He was a fine-looking man, in the maturity of his manhood, and was, to all appearances, a noble specimen of our best New England clergymen. He was a pastor in Connecticut, and was probably much respected and beloved by his hearers. But his brain gave way; he found his nerves would not permit him to go on in his holy vocation, and he retired from his pulpit and came to Vineland for the benefit of his health; and he was here just regarded as one of our best Christian citizens. He looked hale and hearty—it was the mind that was shattered.

One of our doctors remarked to him one day, “Mr. T———, why do you not follow your vocation, and preach the gospel? You look competent to the task.”

“Oh!” said he, “I cannot do it. I cannot compose a sermon. My mind will not permit continuous thought. This is what keeps me from work.”

In reply the doctor said, “Allow me to say, then, in all frankness, that this chaos of the mind is the result of your free use of tobacco; and you may expect, as the next result, paralysis, which will wholly use you up.”

He admitted that this might be so, but could not and would not pledge himself to abstinence. The will-power of the mind was too far gone to cope with and break the binding chains of this slavery. He continued the use of the quid and pipe, and within a few months a paralytic shock was experienced; the body and mind at once both fell into ruin. He lingered for a year or more, and died.

Now, what destroyed this worthy, good man, drove him from the pulpit and hurried him to the grave in the zenith of his manhood and capabilities? Not too much brain or head work; but that deadly poison, the oil of nicotine found in tobacco. After many years’ observation, and some sad lessons of experience, I am satisfied more minds are shattered into chaos and nervous irritability by narcotics, opiates, and dissipating stimulants, than by fasting, prayer, and earnest work. The body and the mind are made for work; they will bear much hard, earnest, and steady labor; but the nervous system is delicate and complicated, and will bear but little abuse, and when goaded on to desperation by stimulation, will be sure to make reprisals.— Watchman and Reflector.