REFRESHING by Editor

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Apr 15, 1875

REFRESHING.

By Editor

Says the National Temperance Advocate, a journal which stands in the front ranks of the temperance reform, opposing the use of tobacco as well as that of alcohol:—

“It is refreshing to see in some of the religious journals a vigorous testimony borne against Mr. Spurgeon's plea for tobacco, wherein he says he has ‘felt grateful to God’ and has ‘blessed his name’ for a cigar! The London Christian World says it could ‘fill many columns with the letters it has received severely commenting on Mr. Spurgeon's remarks.’ The Boston Watchman and Reflector regrets that he has ‘made his name, if not the song of the drunkard, yet of the next akin.’ These comments reveal the growth of an opinion adverse to tobacco and strong drink against which even a most popular and honored clergyman may not do violence with impunity.”

Such omens of progress are truly refreshing, indicating, as they do, not only the advance-ment of anti-tobacco reform, but also a growing disposition to form and hold opinions independent of the sanction of either political or religious demagogues, which is always so favorable to reforms of every kind.