TOBACCO | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 2, 1880

TOBACCO.

"How are you, sir? you seem to be a gentleman."

"Well, yes; I count myself a gentleman in every sense of the word."

"Well, I am glad to meet one once in awhile. It is so seldom one meets a gentleman in every sense of the word that it does a fellow good. I suppose you belong to the church?"

"O yes, certainly; count myself a good Christian."

"Then you believe in the Golden Rule?"

"'Certainly—do unto others as you would have them do to you.' Oh, certainly, certainly; could not think of deviating from it."

"Well, I suppose you have a good influence in society."

"Well, yes; they count that I have. A great many come to me for advice, and follow my example. In short, they count me a model man."

"Have you a wife?"

"Yes; a fine little woman she is. It would do you good to see her."

"Have you any children?"

"Yes, four of the nicest little chicks you ever saw—two boys and two girls."

"Does your wife use tobacco?"

"Oh, my! She is too nice to think of such a nasty, filthy habit as that. I could not think of living with her if she did. Just think of it!"

"Do your boys talk of smoking?"

"Oh, no; I would not have them acquire the habit for anything in the world."

"Do your daughters use snuff?"

"No, no; hope they will never indulge in such a filthy habit."

"Well, well! Do you smoke? I see a case of cigars in your pocket."

"Well, yes, sometimes, just for pastime. Will you have one?"

"No, thank you. I would not have my wife, sons or daughters use it, and it would be contrary to the Golden Rule if I did, and how could I claim to be a Christian? And then if I have an influence over the rising generation I want to wield it in a better cause."

"Oh, yes; but I acquired the habit while young, and can't quit."

"So did I, and of swearing and drinking; but in order to be a Christian I had to quit."—Observer, in Eureka Herald.