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Chapter 11—Working for the Intemperate
Every true reform has its place in the work of the gospel and tends
to the uplifting of the soul to a new and nobler life. Especially does
the temperance reform demand the support of Christian workers.
They should call attention to this work and make it a living issue.
Everywhere they should present to the people the principles of true
temperance and call for signers to the temperance pledge. Earnest
effort should be made in behalf of those who are in bondage to evil
habits.
There is everywhere a work to be done for those who through
intemperance have fallen. In the midst of churches, religious in-
stitutions, and professedly Christian homes, many of the youth are
choosing the path to destruction. Through intemperate habits they
bring upon themselves disease, and through greed to obtain money
for sinful indulgence they fall into dishonest practices. Health and
character are ruined. Aliens from God, outcasts from society, these
poor souls feel that they are without hope either for this life or for
the life to come. The hearts of the parents are broken. Men speak of
these erring ones as hopeless; but not so does God regard them. He
understands all the circumstances that have made them what they
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are, and He looks upon them with pity. This is a class that demand
help. Never give them occasion to say, “No man cares for my soul.”
Among the victims of intemperance are men of all classes and
all professions. Men of high station, of eminent talents, of great
attainments, have yielded to the indulgence of appetite until they are
helpless to resist temptation. Some of them who were once in the
possession of wealth are without home, without friends, in suffering,
misery, disease, and degradation. They have lost their self-control.
Unless a helping hand is held out to them, they will sink lower and
lower. With these, self-indulgence is not only a moral sin, but a
physical disease.
Often in helping the intemperate we must, as Christ so often did,
give first attention to their physical condition. They need wholesome,
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