Tobacco by J. F. Case

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 24, 1857

Tobacco.

By J. F. Case

It is very natural for those who have just embraced the Third Angel's Message to enquire if they can be justified in indulging their carnal appetites as they have in past life. Paul says, 'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.' The christian when he is converted to God feels willing to put off the old man, consequently it is his chief aim to glorify God by purifying himself even as his Master is pure. But there are some things so commonly practiced by professed christians of the present day, that the enquiry seldom arises in the mind whether these things are right or not, unless attention is called to them by some one. Among these is the use of tobacco. This sin, (for such I consider it to be) is too frequent among the people of God; but the time is coming, I trust, when this with all other sins will be put away from among Israel. That tobacco using is a filthy habit is too well known to need any words here. Those who use it most are willing to admit it. Every one knows that tobacco is offensive to the majority of those who do not use it, and that nine tenths of those who do use it are obliged to break down the barrier of nature before they can relish its taste. That it is poisonous too, in its nature is so well known that I need not stop to adduce any proof; but notwithstanding these facts there are those who still persist in the use of this filthy weed. The excuses for this practice are various, among which are the following. First. It is used to cure disease. Second. The use of it has become habitual with me, therefore I cannot leave off the habit. Third. The use of tobacco is nowhere forbidden in the Scripture, therefore it cannot be sin to use it. These excuses I believe are fallacious. First, that tobacco has medicinal qualities, and may be used successfully on certain occasions for the healing of certain diseases, I do not doubt; but it is well known that by the habitual use of most medicines, they cease to act as restoratives; consequently, how can any one expect to be benefitted by tobacco after they have used it daily for several years? If people use it as medicine, why do they not lay it aside after the cure is effected. The truth is it does not as a general thing effect any cure at all. If it did, it would do it in a short time like other restoratives. What would you think of a person who would sell you a medicine that was of itself poison to cure you of some disease with which you were afflicted, and tell you that you must take it daily all your life? You would think that your money was his object, and that his medicine was of but little account; yet thousands there are that suffer themselves to be thus deceived by Satan, and spend their money for that which is worse than useless, which will but defile the body which God has declared to be the temple of the Holy Ghost.

Not many years ago a ship touched on the coast of New England, where a chief came on board and told the captain that he and his companions had slain a company of whites not long before and eaten them. What! asked the astonished captain, did you eat all of them? Yes, replied the cannibal, all but one; good too. Why did you not eat that one? asked the captain. Because he taste of tobacco so much, he was not good. Thus this poor barbarian, though unacquainted with science gave a practical demonstration of the effects of tobacco. And yet notwithstanding the effects of this noxious weed, modern refinement calls it manly to use it.

But it is urged by some that it is beneficial for them to use tobacco after partaking of a hearty meal. This argument is so inconsistent that it hardly deserves a passing notice, and if it was not so frequently made use of I should not notice it. Those who eat too much are guilty of as great an error as those who violate the laws of nature in any other way; and he that violates the law of nature by eating and then uses tobacco to counteract the effect is guilty of two errors. But let us now notice the second excuse, that because the use of tobacco has become habitual, it cannot be broken off. As well might the thief or murderer plead the privilege of committing his crimes because they have become habitual, and his nature become so imbued with the love of committing crime that it is impossible for him to leave off. The gospel nowhere makes any provision for any such excuses, but commands men everywhere to repent, i. e. reform, for "godly sorrow worketh reformation unto salvation that needeth not to be regretted." All know that the thief could not be justified while he continued to sin; so then let me say if any brother uses this weed let him give heed unto the words of Paul. "What shall we say then, shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Rom. vi. 1, 2. Remember that the same method that will enable the habitual thief to leave off stealing, will also enable the habitual tobacco user to leave off this filthy habit. That is, he can reform if he sets about it with a fixed purpose, and a desire to glorify God rather than gratify self, and seeks strength from him, the same as the penitent thief would, who desired to leave his unlawful deeds.

That the use of tobacco is not directly forbidden by name in Scripture I do not deny; but that does not prove that tobacco using is not contrary to the spirit of the Bible. Peter exhorts or rather beseeches his brethren to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. 1 Pet. ii, 11. As we understand that the soul is the whole man, or sometimes the life, we understand that Peter beseeches his brethren to abstain from lusts that corrupt the man, and sap as it were the vital principle of life. As we have shown that tobacco using does this, we necessarily conclude Peter's testimony is to the tobacco user as well as those that lust after other evil things. Paul gives us a beautiful idea in Eph. v, 25, that presents the subject to us in its true light. It is this. Christ so loved the church that he gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. If tobacco-using is contrary to the Word, christians must lay it aside before they can be without blemish. But this testimony comprehends physical as well as moral impurity. The ancient Israelites were required to be very cleanly in their persons, and habits as we learn by reading the Old Testament, and it is not reasonable to suppose that God's people in this dispensation are to be less cleanly than in the former. Paul did not think they were to be, for he prayed that the God of peace might sanctify us wholly, and preserve our whole spirit, soul, and body blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. v, 23. He also exhorts us to abstain from all appearance of evil. Again we are told, if any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Cor. iii. 17.

Christ's church should occupy a dignified position, and should have a higher standard of morals and manners than the world have; yet many that bear the name of christians, lower the standard by conforming to those customs of the world in which the most degraded of mankind indulge to the greatest extent. To such the testimony of Paul to the Corinthians is peculiarly applicable. What concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Cor. vi. 15-18.

What I have written is in love with a desire of pointing out what I consider to be a great evil; therefore I hope that no brother or sister will be tried with me. I have appealed to facts, and Scripture, and now I would appeal to the conscience of every one. Let conscience answer. Is there anything about the use of tobacco that is lovely, that is pure, that is of good report, or that is virtuous? If there is not, why continue its use. By using it, do you glorify God? Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. x, 31. Remember that you are not your own, you have been bought with a price, even with the precious blood of Jesus; and know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Rom. vi. 16. Jesus was given as our pattern, and could any one suppose for a moment that he would have used tobacco in any of its forms, even if it had been as customary to use it as it is at the present time? Why then will christians do that, which they would not suppose that Jesus would have done? If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Rom. viii. 13. Strive to mortify the deeds of the body, deny self, ask God for help. You cannot do it in your own strength, because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom. viii. 7. You must first have your carnal mind renewed, then you can get rid of this habit with perfect ease. You have a right to think for yourself, but remember we are all amenable to God for our opinions and practices. The question is between you and God, and you will do well to ponder the subject and see where the danger lies. There is no danger that you will do wrong if you deny yourself this indulgence, but you may do wrong if you continue it. Let conscience perform its duty, and if after reflection you see that the use of tobacco is not consistent with the Spirit of the gospel

for your own sake, and for the sake of the influence you are casting upon the society in which you move, abandon it at once. May the Lord guide his people into all truth is my prayer. J. F. Case. Burr Oak, Mich.