Presenting Health and Christian Standards
231
country. Thus the poor, as well as those in better circumstances, can
be taught to live healthfully.—
Gospel Workers, 233
(1915).
Keep It to the Front—The work of health reform is the Lord’s
means for lessening suffering in our world and for purifying His church.
Teach the people that they can act as God’s helping hand, by co-
operating with the Master worker in restoring physical and spiritual
health. This work bears the signature of heaven, and will open doors
for the entrance of other precious truths. There is room for all to labor
who will take hold of this work intelligently.
Keep the work of health reform to the front, is the message I am
instructed to bear. Show so plainly its value that a wide-spread need
for it will be felt. Abstinence from all hurtful food and drink is the fruit
of true religion. He who is thoroughly converted will abandon every
injurious habit and appetite. By total abstinence he will overcome his
desire for health-destroying indulgences.
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I am instructed to say to health-reform educators, Go forward. The
world needs every jot of the influence you can exert to press back the
tide of moral woe. Let those who teach the third angel’s message stand
true to their colors.—
Testimonies For The Church 9:112, 113
(1909).
Total Abstinence From Liquor and Tobacco—Men and women
have many habits that are antagonistic to the principles of the Bible.
The victims of strong drink and tobacco are corrupted, body, soul, and
spirit. Such ones should not be received into the church until they give
evidence that they are truly converted, that they feel the need of the
faith that works by love and purifies the soul. The truth of God will
purify the true believer. He who is thoroughly converted will abandon
every defiling habit and appetite. By total abstinence he will overcome
his desire for health-destroying indulgences.—
Letter 49, 1902
.
Conversion the Secret of Victory—The very first and the most
important thing is to melt and subdue the soul by presenting our Lord
Jesus Christ as the sinbearer, the sin-pardoning Saviour, making the
gospel as clear as possible.
When the Holy Spirit works among us, as it surely has done at the
camp meeting in _____, souls who are unready for Christ’s appearing
are convicted. Many come to our meetings and are converted who
for years have not attended meetings in any church. The simplicity
of the truth reaches their hearts. It touches all classes. The tobacco
devotees sacrifice their idol and the liquor drinker his liquor. They