American Health and Temperance Association.
We have just received a supplement to the Review which contains an account of the organization at Battle Creek, Mich., of the "American Health and Temperance Association." Its object is three-fold: To advance the cause of health, of temperance, and of an elevated Christianity. And yet its object is but one, as the subjects of health and temperance properly belong to the subject of Christianity. It was organized by electing a Board of officers, Dr. J. H. Kellogg being President, and adopting a Constitution and By-Laws. It presents three pledges :— 1. A teetotal pledge, discarding all stimulants. 2. An anti-rum and anti-tobacco pledge. 3. An anti-whisky pledge. A certificate is to be given with each pledge, graded according to the pledge. Eld. Haskell follows the Constitution in the supplement with an article, "Temperance from a Bible Standpoint," which is here copied :— "There is power in the Christian religion to keep men from being overcome by evil habits. It is often said, 'That man is a worthless fellow; he can't be saved.' But the question arises, 'How do you know that?' 'Because he's so far gone that he is a slave to his appetite.' In a paper received a few months since from a correspondent who is an ardent advocate of temperance, a writer in Europe speaks as follows: 'I have labored many years in the Old World to lead men to abolish wine and all ardent spirits from their tables, and in all the time thus spent I have not accomplished as much in this direction as Eld. J. N. Andrews, a missionary from America, accomplished in a few months. Eld. Andrews is a missionary sent by Seventh-day Adventists. He presents the subject of temperance from a religious standpoint, believing that no man can be truly converted to God unless all his passions are in subjection to the mind and will of Heaven. He reasons that if the appetite controls the man, the Spirit of God does not; and that no man who is a slave to his appetite can be a free man in Christ.' "Intoxication can be produced by all fermented wines, liquors, and beer, small beer not excepted. The first teetotal society in America originated as follows: In 1825, Captain Joseph Bates, of Fairhaven, Mass., having seen the evil of intoxicating drinks, formed a temperance society. Captain Stephen Merihew was President, and Mr. Charles Drew, Secretary. It was voted that rum, gin, brandy, and whisky were ardent spirits. "'A short time after our organization,' says Captain Bates, 'one of our number was reported to have violated his pledge. This he denied. 'But you were intoxicated,' said we. He declared that he had drank nothing but cider, and that was allowed. (We were told that his wife said she would a great deal rather he would get drunk on brandy; for when he got drunk on cider he was as ugly again.) After considerable trouble the member was expelled. Then they inserted in their pledge, 'all intoxicating drinks.' 'From this a reform was introduced which finally resulted in the disuse of all intoxicating drinks except for medicinal purposes. This reform gave us the name of 'Teetotalers.'' This organization took its birth in the bosom of the Christian Church. "Those reforms which have molded society for the better have ever been nurtured by the people of God. It is conscience, enlightened by the Spirit of God, that gives life and vitality to every advance step in righteousness. It is hoped that this organization now originated among Seventh-day Adventists will ever be found a shining light in the world."