TO EVERY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
By D. A. Robinson
These words are addressed, with the hope that all will heartily take hold of the work with energy and zeal. Those who attended our late camp-meeting are aware of the fact that at that meeting a State (Conference) Health and Temperance Association was formed, having for its object, 1. The promotion of the health of its members; 2. The advancement of the interests of the cause of temperance in its truest and broadest sense, by the circulation of health and temperance literature, by securing popular lectures upon those subjects in various parts of the country, and by the wide circulation of suitable pledges, and earnest efforts to secure numerous signers. Nearly every church in the Conference was represented at the camp-meeting, and it was gratifying to see our brethren and sisters so generally take hold of the work. On Sunday morning, when the people were assembled under the large tent, about a dozen brethren and sisters passed around with pledge papers, and solicited signers thereto. The result was that over two hundred signed the teetotal pledge. 1. Let all our brethren and sisters take an interest in this matter immediately. Let this interest be manifested by signing the pledge yourselves, and urging others to do the same. 2. Let each church or company that has not a solicitor already, appoint some one to solicit signers to the pledges. 3. The one thus appointed should be a person of tact, energy, and perseverance, and he should see that every S. D. Adventist in the vicinity, old and young, is invited to become a full member of the association. The point before us now is to secure the co-operation of every one in this Conference. This done, steps will be taken to form local societies throughout the Conference. Who will take hold of this matter at once? What churches will take the lead? Brethren and sisters, do not stop to criticise the move and question the practicability of such a course; but take hold of it with both hands, and do it now. Reserve your criticisms till the results are seen, and it may be you will be spared the trouble of making them. Let us take one long step, and with all S. D. Adventists throughout the country take our position at the front on the temperance question. Have you a desire to break down the walls of prejudice between us and the outside world? If so, lay hold of this question and use it as a lever by which you may cause these walls to totter and fall. “Those who are to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ are represented by faithful Elijah, as John came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for his first advent. The great subject of reform is to be agitated, and the public mind is to be stirred. Temperance in all things is to be connected with the message, to turn the people of God from their idolatry, their gluttony, their extravagance in dress and other things. . . . God has shown that health reform [which is simply another name for true temperance] is as closely connected with the third angel’s message as the hand is united to the body.” How many of us will act as though we believed it. May God help us each to see and realize the full importance of this matter, and to act accordingly. Each church and company will be furnished with a quantity of pledges. These we greatly desire to have presented to all. Any information desired that can be given will be gladly furnished. Address Eld. G. F. Haines, or myself, So. Lancaster, Mass. D. A. ROBINSON, Pres. N. E. H. & T. A.