AN ITEM OF EXPERIENCE by H. F. Baker

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 19, 1860

AN ITEM OF EXPERIENCE.

By H. F. Baker

READING an article in Review No. 19, upon tobacco, I learned what grieved me much; that there are those who profess faith in the third angel's message and the near approach of the Saviour, who yet will allow themselves to indulge the carnal mind in the use of that noxious weed.

I can sympathize with all who feel the fierce grip of the ugly habit; for I was once inordinately addicted to its use; but thank the Lord for his grace, I broke from it.

A short time before the tent came here, on my way home from a visit in the country a few miles, my tobacco box gave out. I knew it would not last me home, and so felt almost a double desire for the use of it. It will not require much stretch of imagination for tobacco-users to realize this state of mind. Well, thought I, it must be a miserable appetite and scarcely worth having that can never be satisfied; so I concluded I had served tobacco long enough, and would assert my manhood and claim my freedom. A man certainly may be excused who submits to slavery from oppressive force. He can still be a man; but willing slavery is most abject, and really to be despised. I verily believe, had I listened to the brethren in the tent with my mind befogged with tobacco smoke, or called to eject every few minutes an accumulating mouthfull of saliva, too offensive to swallow, I should never have accepted the beautiful light of the truth, or made an effort to gain the kingdom. Nor am I alone in this; for I know others who I am satisfied are prevented from seeing the truth, or if seeing, prevented from living it out, in a great measure, by a habit they have not moral courage to overcome.

They of course will not admit this; finding abundant excuses in other directions; but can they not see that it may exert a powerful influence in inducing them to hunt for excuses, that that heart which is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked misleads them? It becomes us to know ourselves.

I would not stop here; but having pointed out a wrong, it is but just to point out a remedy. This must have for a foundation a firm determination to yield no longer to the habit. The most powerful help I found to be an absolute determination not to let the mind dwell upon it in any shape; banish all thought of it; resolutely think of something else; silently pray to God for assistance; do something which will divert the mind, and soon, much sooner than I ever had an idea it could be done, the habit will be broken up. Then you can rejoice in liberty; in that liberty wherewith Christ has made you free. Sin is bondage; righteousness is liberty. If we would be sons of God we must be sons of liberty. Having on the whole armor of God (part of which is the breastplate of righteousness), let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Brethren and sisters, let us remember those who are afflicted with this habit at the throne of mercy, praying that their eyes may be anointed that they may see the consistency of true liberty, and not yield their members as instruments of unrighteousness, but consecrate their all to God and the furtherance of his glory.

H. F. BAKER.

Wauson, Ohio.