COMMUNICATIONS by J. M. McLellan

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 9, 1856

COMMUNICATIONS.

By J. M. McLellan

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."

The Temple of God is no place for Idols.

"If any man defile the temple of God him shall God destroy." 1 Cor. iii, 17. Here is a solemn and fearful warning, spoken by one who was endowed with the Spirit of God—by one who spake the will of God as he was moved by the Holy Ghost. The words are solemn indeed, and full of meaning: "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy."

Brethren and friends, weigh well these words of this man of God. He labored for the salvation of souls in the vineyard of his God, and God to a certain extent revealed his will unto him; and his words are left on record "for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come." May they sink with all their weight into our souls. May we attach all the importance to them that God himself did, that they may purify and cleanse us "from all filthiness of the flesh," that we may "present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service." Rom. xii 1. May the Spirit of God force home to every honest heart their solemn and fearful import. The warning is alike to all: "If any man defile the temple of God him shall God destroy."

We will here inquire, What is the temple of God here spoken of by Paul? We will let Paul himself answer: "What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?" 1 Cor. vi, 19. Chap. iii, 16, 17. Our bodies, then, are, if we are Christians, the temple of God. This is where Jesus says he will take up his abode. John xiv, 23. If any Christian men or women defile themselves, they defile "the temple of God;" and him that does this will God destroy.

That tobacco is a poisonous and filthy weed, none can deny, that know anything about it. Its poison preys slowly yet surely upon the system of him who indulges in its use. It injures the constitution and lays the foundation for different diseases.

A French chemist in speaking of some experiments he had been trying in reference to the smoking of tobacco and cigars, says: "From a few experiments it was found that in the smoke of tobacco, extracted by inspiration, there is ten per cent nicotin. Thus a man who smokes a cigar of the weight of twenty grains, receives in his mouth seven grains of nicotin mixed with a little watery vapor, tar, empyreumatic oil, &c. Although a large portion of this nicotin is rejected both by the smoke puffed from the mouth, and by the saliva, a portion of it is nevertheless taken up by the vessels of the buccal and laryngeal mucus membrane, circulated with the blood, and acts upon the brain with those unaccustomed to the use of tobacco; and nicotin when in contact with the latter produces vertigo, nausea, headache and somnolence. . . . Our advice to young men is to shun the vile weed as you would a poisonous serpent. The use of tobacco is the great evil of the age."

Dr. Fowler says, "I knew a woman who applied to the heads of three of her children, affected with the scald head, an ointment composed of snuff and butter; but what was the poor woman's surprise to find them immediately seized with vertigo, violent vomiting, fainting and convulsions."

"Tobacco," says a certain author, "is an absolute poison. A very moderate quantity introduced into the system—even applying the moistened leaves over the stomach, has been known very suddenly to extinguish life. This plant then should not be used as a medicine, except in the hands of a very skillful physician."

Much more testimony might be brought forward, but this is sufficient to show the poisonous effect it has upon the human system. It must be evident to all that it is filthy also, and defiles the person who uses it. Who has a right to destroy himself, and cut short his days, and make himself miserable by using that filthy poison, tobacco? No one. Him that does shall God destroy. The love of tobacco is among the "many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in perdition." 1 Tim. vi, 9. The use of tobacco is a habit that most get into while quite young; therefore Paul says, "Flee also youthful lusts." "If a man therefore purge himself from these (youthful lusts) he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work." 2 Tim. ii, 21, 22.

Lust is defined to be "carnal appetite," which is a gratification of the carnal mind; and this is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom. viii, 7. Therefore James says, "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death." Jas. i, 15. "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies that you should obey it in the lust thereof," [Rom. vi, 12.] "but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." Chap. xiii, 14. "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." They have become new creatures, and are following on to know the Lord by growing in grace.

Remember, the promise is to him that overcometh. "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new." Tobacco is an idol. Eph. v, 5; Col. iii, 5. "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols; for ye are the temple of the living God;" and he that defiles this temple with filthy idols, "him shall God destroy." "Let us purge ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, perfecting holiness in the fear of God;" purge out the old leaven, that we may become a new lump, holy, sanctified through the Spirit; and be meet for our master's use, that the Son of God may present us faultless before his Father and the holy angels.

Says the Son of God, "Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me." Rev. iii, 20. "Let your loins be girded about and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord when he will return from the wedding, (which now is,) that when he cometh and knocketh they may open unto him immediately." Luke xii, 35, 36. Blessed are such servants.

Jesus is soon coming, and just before he comes there will a decree go forth, declaring, He that is filthy let him be filthy still; and he that is holy let him be holy still. There will be no such thing as reversing this sentence. Therefore let us crucify the lusts of the flesh, and make no delay. We are living in the perilous times of the last days. We must be overcomers, or we cannot stand before the Lord at his coming. Lord, save thy people.

J. M. McLELLAN. Hastings, Mich., Sept. 24th, 1856.