At the Camp Meetings
[
Testimonies for the Church 6:110, 111
(1900).]
Every true reform has its place in the work of the third angel’s
message. Especially does the temperance reform demand our attention
and support. At our camp meetings we should call attention to this
work and make it a living issue. We should present to the people the
principles of true temperance and call for signers to the temperance
pledge. Careful attention should be given to those who are enslaved
by evil habits. We must lead them to the cross of Christ.
Our camp meetings should have the labors of medical men. These
should be men of wisdom and sound judgment, men who respect
the ministry of the word and who are not victims of unbelief. These
men are the guardians of the health of the people, and they are to be
recognized and respected. They should give instruction to the people
in regard to the dangers of intemperance. This evil must be more
boldly met in the future than it has been in the past. Ministers and
doctors should set forth the evils of intemperance. Both should work in
the gospel with power to condemn sin and exalt righteousness. Those
ministers or doctors who do not make personal appeals to the people
are remiss in their duty. They fail of doing the work which God has
appointed them.
In other churches there are Christians who are standing in defense
of the principles of temperance. We should seek to come near to these
workers and make a way for them to stand shoulder to shoulder with
us. We should call upon great and good men to second our efforts to
save that which is lost.
If the work of temperance were carried forward by us as it was
begun thirty years ago, if at our camp meetings we presented before the
people the evils of intemperance in eating and drinking, and especially
[434]
the evil of liquor drinking, if these things were presented in connection
with the evidences of Christ’s soon coming, there would be a shaking
among the people. If we showed a zeal in proportion to the importance
448