HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE CLUB AT OAKLAND, CAL.
By Barbara C. Stickney
The friends of the temperance cause convened at the Seventh-day Adventist house of worship in Oakland, Tuesday, Oct. 7, to consider the matter of organizing a health and temperance club. The exercises of the evening were introduced by a march from the Pacific Press Band. A select choir, led by D. S. Hakes, sang the anthem, “Wine is a Mocker,” which was well sung. Prayer by Eld. J. H. Waggoner. The congregation then sang, “Lift him up.” Eld. S. N. Haskell stated the object of the meeting. He said that while we as a denomination are in sympathy with all temperance movements, there are reasons why Christians should raise still higher the standard of temperance. (1.) They should be so near to God that they may point the inebriate to our Lord Jesus Christ, who can enable him to overcome his appetite. The Saviour placed himself in man’s stead, and was tempted on the point of appetite, that he might know how to succor those that are tempted. (2.) The platform of temperance should be broader than that which is commonly recognized by the world. It should include everything which intoxicates. Hence alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, and all such stimulants, which unfavorably affect the human system, should be discarded by all Christians. The Greek word rendered temperance signifies self-control, and it is included in the list of Christian graces. (3.) An organization should be effected that can reach all, even the most degenerate; for this reason we have three pledges. First and best is the teetotal pledge, which rejects all narcotics and stimulants, including tea and coffee; next the anti-rum and tobacco pledge, and then the anti-whisky pledge. The standard should be raised so high, and efforts be put forth with such zeal, that the attention of the world will be called to our work. The choir then sang, “Look not upon the Wine.” An appreciated address was made by Rev. John Thompson, of Oakland. Referring to the use of tobacco, he said that the power to mitigate this evil rested, to a great extent, with the ladies, whose influence, if applied in solemnly protesting against the hurtful and ungodly practice of tobacco-using, and discountenancing all who indulge in it, might almost wholly eradicate this foul habit from our land. The body should be made a fit temple for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, which it cannot be with all this stench and filthiness about it. The gospel plan of temperance is the only one upon which any permanent work will ever be effected. The secretary then read the constitution for local health and temperance clubs, and it was unanimously voted that such an organization should be formed. A nominating committee was appointed by the Chair, and while they were deliberating, the pledge papers were circulated among the audience. As the solicitors commenced their work, “Dare to be a Daniel” was sung with an instrumental accompaniment consisting of eight pieces, followed by remarks from J. E. White. Seventy names were obtained, nearly all of them upon the teetotal pledge. A goodly number had previously signed, which are not included. The nominating committee reported as follows: For leader, J. E. White; secretary, C. H. Jones. These persons were duly elected. “Labor and Wait” was then sung by the choir. Eld. Waggoner then made some forcible remarks, showing the evil effects of stimulants upon the system, and the necessity of preserving our health and strength in order to be acceptable servants of the Most High. The closing piece, “For God and the Right,” was then sung. Thus closed our encouraging temperance meeting, some renouncing tobacco and not a few tea and coffee. We can but hope that this commencement will result in permanent good to the temperance cause. BARBARA C. STICKNEY, Sec.