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144
The Ministry of Healing
brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of
their soul is precious, and it ceaseth forever).”
Ecclesiastes 5:10
;
Job
31:24, 28
;
Psalm 49:7, 8
.
Riches and worldly honor cannot satisfy the soul. Many among
the rich are longing for some divine assurance, some spiritual hope.
Many long for something that will bring to an end the monotony of
their aimless lives. Many in official life feel their need of something
which they have not. Few among them go to church; for they feel
that they receive little benefit. The teaching they hear does not touch
the heart. Shall we make no personal appeal to them?
Among the victims of want and sin are found those who were
once in possession of wealth. Men of different vocations and dif-
ferent stations in life have been overcome by the pollutions of the
world, by the use of strong drink, by the indulgence of lust, and have
fallen under temptation. While these fallen ones demand pity and
help, should not some attention be given to those who have not yet
descended to these depths, but who are setting their feet in the same
path?
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Thousands in positions of trust and honor are indulging habits
that mean ruin to soul and body. Ministers of the gospel, statesmen,
authors, men of wealth and talent, men of vast business capacity and
power for usefulness, are in deadly peril because they do not see
the necessity of self-control in all things. They need to have their
attention called to the principles of temperance, not in a narrow or
arbitrary way, but in the light of God’s great purpose for humanity.
Could the principles of true temperance thus be brought before them,
there are very many of the higher classes who would recognize their
value and give them a hearty acceptance.
We should show these persons the result of harmful indulgences
in lessening physical, mental, and moral power. Help them to realize
their responsibility as stewards of God’s gifts. Show them the good
they could do with the money they now spend for that which does
them only harm. Present the total abstinence pledge, asking that
the money they would otherwise spend for liquor, tobacco, or like
indulgences be devoted to the relief of the sick poor or for the training
of children and youth for usefulness in the world. To such an appeal
not many would refuse to listen.