Victory by Alonzo T. Jones

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Apr 11, 1878

Victory.

By Alonzo T. Jones

On Sabbath eve, March 1, we enjoyed one of those happy experiences, which the Lord will give to those who put their trust in him. The circumstances were as follows: Among those at Beaverton, Oregon, who embraced the truth, is a brother who since early youth has been using tobacco; and being of not a very vigorous constitution, he found when he attempted to "purify himself even as He is pure;" that there would have to be a struggle, to see who should have the mastery. For three months he struggled bravely with what manhood he had left (for tobacco is destructive of manhood) but he found that it had such a terrible hold on his system that he could not break it.

On the evening already mentioned we came together in their regular prayer-meeting. The Lord met with us, and there was great freedom on the part of all both in speaking and in prayer. This brother in his testimony related some of his experience in his struggle with his great enemy. It was truly touching.

And when he said he was so racked and torn by its effects, that he could stand it no longer, and requested that prayer be offered in his behalf, that the Lord might extend a helping hand and uphold him, we felt our duty to take his case before the Lord. We stated to those assembled that we did not propose that our brother should go from that meeting without full and complete victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Accordingly we all bowed before the Lord and with weeping and supplications we sought the Lord in Jesus' dear name to give our brother the victory, and by the rich blessing of the Spirit of God we knew that our prayers were heard, and when our brother arose and thanked and praised the Lord for the victory which his glorious arm had brought, how could we do anything else than "praise the Lord for he is good for his mercy endureth forever."

We relate this for the benefit of others whom we know are bound to this filthy habit of tobacco using, in fetters which they cannot of themselves break. The objection is sometimes made that the Scriptures say nothing about tobacco. True the Scriptures do not speak of it by that name, but they do speak of it by a name more appropriate, that is filthiness. And this, they themselves also allow, for I have observed often, when they offer me a chew or smoke, it is declined with the remark that I never used it. Then they say: "Well it is a filthy habit and I wish I could quit it." Now most assuredly the Scriptures say, "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh." 2 Cor. 7: 1.

But if for no other reason they ought to put it away out of respect for the Lord Jesus, the "Captain of our Salvation." I have been in the army and I have seen men punished for going into the presence of their commander with tobacco in their mouths. "Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his maker?"

There are men professing to be soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ, telling how good he is, and how much they love him, and have no more respect for him than to go into his presence, to speak to him, and, Oh mirabile dictu, they will ask him to dwell in them! with their mouths full of tobacco and their body reeking with the fumes of it. It is shameful. "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?" Shall we then take the members of Christ and fill them with tobacco? God forbid. My brethren these things ought not so to be. Rather do as did the one of whom we have written, "present your bodies a living sacrifice," and repeat with him these glad words: "Blessed be God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Also I have observed in my short experience in this cause, when this duty is presented and refused, they soon give up the Sabbath. And what wonder, when they choose to serve a perverted and filthy appetite rather than to serve the Holy One in holiness? What wonder if he should let these have their own way? for he has said: "I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people will I be glorified." Lev. 10: 3. Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, and come off more than conquerors through him that loves us.

ALONZO T. JONES.