WHAT IS THE USE? by Stephen N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 6, 1879

WHAT IS THE USE?

By Stephen N. Haskell

ARE we not a temperance people? and does not our church covenant bind us as strongly to the principles of health and temperance reform as any pledge we can sign? If so, what is the use of circulating a pledge and urging our brethren and sisters to sign it. In reply we wish to ask another question: If our church covenant binds us as strongly as the teetotal pledge, and it certainly does, or should, what is the objection to signing this pledge? The truth is, we as a people are backsliding from the principles of health and temperance, and we do not realize it. The presentation of the pledge reveals this fact. A conscientious brother, whom I respect, objected to signing the pledge, and very candidly gave his reasons. He was engaged in mental labor requiring constant thought, and therefore must have his tea three times a day, and occasionally something stronger, to keep him up. If he did not have it, he would become nervous and unfitted for labor. There is not a tobacco-inebriate in the country that could not use the same argument. Although our brother did not realize it, he was using the drunkard’s argument, and it is the same that is used by many of our sisters. They could not perform their daily duties without a cup of tea to tone up the system and rest them.

The question is a moral one, and relates to the nature of the article itself, and its effects on the human system. The same arguments which are brought forward to sustain the use of tea and coffee will also sustain the use of alcoholic drinks, tobacco, and all such articles which destroy the equilibrium of the system, and derange the fine machinery of the body, which is so fearfully and wonderfully made. This is the effect produced by stimulants, which excite and intoxicate, but furnish no nutriment to the system. Will God approve of such an abuse of the temple in which he proposes to dwell? “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Cor. 3:17. Daniel “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.” From this it is evident that wine defiles the body. Wine is spoken of as making the heart of men glad, but it was unfermented wine, which contains no alcohol. Alcohol deranges, and creates a morbid appetite in the system which enslaves the noble qualities of the soul. Tobacco does the same, and like charges are truthfully laid at the door of tea and coffee. The difference is in the degree of effect, not in their nature.

Every S. D. Adventist should sign the teetotal pledge for the sake of his influence upon others. There are scores of our brethren and sisters who are to-day using these stimulants and unconsciously undermining their constitutions. The excited state of the mind, and the trembling nerves, in the absence of these stimulants, unmistakably reveal this sad fact. If they would but weigh their motives and the reasons why they do not sign the pledge, it would arouse a consciousness with many that they are fearfully backsliding from God.

Our influence as a people will be greatly increased if we can present an organized temperance front, and invite those not of our faith to unite with us in the temperance reform. They will be led to identify themselves with those who are trying to save the weak, and to raise the fallen to a higher standard than is usually presented in temperance platforms. We have several times organized a Health and Temperance Association where those not of our faith were present, and in every instance some of these persons have abandoned the vile practice of tobacco-using and signed the pledge, and still more have left off the use of tea and coffee. By thus securing the interest of those not of our faith in this temperance movement, we shall open the way for the distribution of temperance literature from our publishing houses to thousands of the best class of people, who will be interested to read our publications upon other subjects.

A temperance meeting should be held at least each quarter, and particular pains should be taken to invite all friends of temperance to attend. Plans should be matured before the meeting, so as to avoid all confusion. Invite those not of our faith, also our brethren, to speak on the subject. Good music will help much to make it interesting. Tokens of good are already seen in the temperance movement among our people. May God speed the right, and hasten the victory. S. N. HASKELL.