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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
they are looked up to as wise above other men. This is especially true
of the physician, who is entrusted with human life. He is expected to
indulge in no habit that will weaken the life forces.
How can a tobacco-using minister or doctor bring up his children in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord? How can he discountenance in
his child that which he allows in himself? If he does the work enjoined
upon him by the Ruler of the universe he will protest against iniquity
in every form and in every degree; he will exert his authority and
influence on the side of self-denial, and strict, undeviating obedience
to the just requirements of God. It will be his object to place his
children in the most favorable conditions to secure happiness in this
life and a home in the city of God. How can he do this while yielding
to the indulgence of appetite? How can he place the feet of others on
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the ladder of progress while he himself is treading the downward way?
Our Saviour set an example of self-denial. In His prayer for His
disciples He said: “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also
might be sanctified through the truth.” If a man who assumes so grave
a responsibility as that of a physician sins against himself in not con-
forming to nature’s laws, he will reap the consequences of his own
doings and abide her righteous decision, from which there can be no
appeal. The cause produces the effect; and in many cases the physi-
cian, who should have a clear, sharp mind and steady nerves, that he
may be able to discern quickly and execute with precision, has dis-
ordered nerves and a brain clouded by narcotics. His capabilities for
doing good are lessened. He will lead others in the path his own feet
are traveling. Hundreds will follow the example of one intemperate
physician, feeling that they are safe in doing what the doctor does.
And in the day of God he will meet the record of his course and be
called to give an account for all the good he might have done, but did
not do because by his own voluntary act he weakened his physical and
mental powers by selfish indulgence.
The question is not, What is the world doing? but, What are
professional men doing in regard to the widespread and prevailing
curse of tobacco using? Will men to whom God has given intelligence,
and who are in positions of sacred trust, be true to follow intelligent
reason? Will these responsible men, having under their care persons
whom their influence will lead in a right or a wrong direction, be
pattern men? Will they, by precept and example, teach obedience to