p. 577 | Temperance by J. W. Gardner

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 30, 1880

Temperance.

By J. W. Gardner

OAKLAND HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE CLUB.

This Club met according to appointment, December 9, 1880. The meeting was opened by a song entitled, "Keep Me," followed with prayer by W. N. Glenn, after which the song, "Peace be Still," was rendered by a quintette of well trained voices.

After the reading of the Secretary's report of the last meeting, the President, Bro. C. H. Jones, made some remarks pertinent to the work of Health and Temperance Clubs, showing wherein they differ from other organizations of a similar nature. We do not depreciate by any means the work of other societies; but while wishing them God-speed, and all possible good, we cannot but feel that they do not reach the root of the matter. We believe that true temperance is the moderate use of those things that are good, and the total abstinence of all that is bad. And herein, we go farther than other societies. We do not believe in supplementing one evil with a lesser. We would that we might see the rumsellers' frightful and accursed traffic overthrown, but we do not want to see his place re-occupied by the tobacco shop.

We have three degrees of pledges, so that those in the depths of intemperance, not feeling sufficient strength to spring with one bound from the darkness, may be brought, step by step, to a firm footing. In signing the Anti-Whisky Pledge, such take the first step upward, after which, when sufficient strength has been gained, the second step is taken in signing the Anti-Rum and Tobacco Pledge. It then takes but a comparatively short time to enable them to step out entirely by signing the Teetotal Pledge, which prohibits the use of tea and coffee, as well as rum, tobacco, opium, etc.

Following these remarks, came the song, "Banner Bearers," after which an essay, entitled, "Afterward," was impressively rendered by Mrs. E. J. Waggoner. Then came the "Song of the Fountain," followed by a short address by Bro. Aldrich, vividly portraying a touching scene in the life of a drunkard.

The pledges were passed, and seven signed the Teetotal, four the Anti-Rum and Tobacco, and one the Anti-Whisky. The usual committees were then appointed, and the meeting closed with the song entitled, "Temperance Work."

This meeting was considered, by all who attended, as one of the most successful ever held by our Club. Much interest was manifested, and warmth of feeling expressed. God grant that the good resolutions there made may be lasting.

J. W. GARDNER, Sec.