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follow. The appetite fails. They think something must be done, and
perhaps send for ale, which stimulates for the time, but as soon as the
influence of the ale is gone they sink as much lower, and a continual
use of the ale keeps them stimulated and over-excited. They think that
the ale was of so much benefit to them, they must continue its use.
After a while it loses its influence, then they use a stronger beverage,
until they give themselves up to every excess, and man formed in the
image of his Maker degrades himself lower than the beasts. It required
time to benumb the sensibilities of the mind. It was done gradually,
but surely.
Tobacco, in whatever form it is used, tells upon the constitution. It
is a slow poison. It affects the brain and benumbs the sensibilities, so
that the mind cannot clearly discern spiritual things, especially those
truths which would have a tendency to correct this filthy indulgence.
Those who use tobacco in any form are not clear before God. In such
a filthy practice it is impossible for them to glorify God in their bodies
and spirits, which are his. And while they are using slow and sure
poisons, which are ruining their health, and debasing the faculties of
the mind, God cannot approbate them. He may be merciful to them
while, they indulge in this pernicious habit in ignorance of the injury it
is doing them, but when the matter is set before them in its true light,
then they are guilty before God if they continue to indulge this gross
appetite.
God required the children of Israel to observe habits of strict clean-
liness. In any case of the least impurity they were to remain out of the
camp until evening, then to wash themselves and come into the camp.
There was not a tobacco-user in that vast army. If there had been, he
would have been required to choose to remain out of the camp, or
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cease the use of the filthy weed. And after cleansing his mouth from
the least of its filthy remains, he might have been permitted to mingle
with the congregation of Israel.
The priests, who ministered in sacred things, were commanded to
wash their feet and their hands before entering the tabernacle in the
presence of God to importune for Israel, that they might not desecrate
the sanctuary. If the priests had entered the sanctuary with their mouths
polluted with tobacco, they would have shared the fate of Nadab and
Abihu. And yet professed Christians bow before God in their families
to pray with their mouths defiled with the filth of tobacco. They