Bro. SMITH: The following anecdote on the use of tobacco, I clipped some months since from a religious paper, and now send it to you for an insertion in the Review if you think it best. The conversation took place between two professors of religion. One or both of them I think were ministers. Circumstances brought them together. The smoker was using his pipe. After some conversation the writer says:
"I inquired, Do you chew as well as smoke tobacco? He answered, Yes. Then followed a dialogue in substance as follows:
“H. Bro. G., do you think tobacco does you any good?
“G. Why no, I don't know as it does.
“H. Well, do you think it does you any hurt?
“G. Why yes, I think likely it does.
“H. If it does you hurt, don't you think it will shorten your life?
“G. Yes, I suppose it will.
“H. How many years do you think?
“G. I don't know; several, perhaps.
“H. How much does your tobacco cost you annually?
“G. Well, perhaps — dollars.
“H. You say the use of tobacco will probably shorten your life several years, and that it will cost several dollars yearly. How dare you use the Lord's time in such a way, and his money for such a vile purpose?
“G. I dare not any longer.
“H. Take a piece of tobacco and place it in your hand. You are accustomed, as a christian, to ask the blessing of God upon all you do; now, dare you ask the blessing of God upon the use of that tobacco?
“G. No, I dare not, and will abandon its use forever.
“This anecdote I have related a great many times, and with good effect upon tobacco users who had not become completely besotted with their unnatural and filthy habit, and others have heard it with a sneer and a jest, affecting to pity my simplicity, in supposing that an appeal to conscience and christian obligation had anything to do with a matter of such trivial importance!”
Are not the above questions worthy of the consideration of the few Sabbath-keepers who use tobacco? Was not the above decision to “abandon its use forever” worthy of imitation? A. S. HITCHINS.