Effects of Stimulants
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seek to preserve every power in the best condition to serve him? The
very best we can give to God is feeble enough.
Why is there so much misery in the world today? Is it because
God loves to see his creatures suffer?—O no! it is because men have
become weakened by immoral practices. We mourn over Adam’s
transgression, and seem to think that our first parents showed great
weakness in yielding to temptation; but if Adam’s transgression were
the only evil we had to meet, the condition of the world would be much
better than it is. There has been a succession of falls since Adam’s
day.
Indulgence in spirituous liquors is causing great wretchedness in
the world. Though liquor drinkers are told again and again that they
are shortening their life, they still go on in transgression. Why not
cease to break the laws of God? Why not seek to preserve themselves
in a condition of health? This is what God requires of them. If
Christians would bring all their appetites and passions under the control
of enlightened conscience, feeling it a duty they owe to God and to
their neighbor to obey the laws which govern life and health, they
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would have the blessing of physical and mental vigor; they would
have moral power to engage in the warfare against Satan; and in the
name of Him who conquered in their behalf, they might be more than
conquerors on their own account.
All around us are the victims of depraved appetite, and what are
you going to do for them? Can you not, by your example, help them
to place their feet in the path of temperance? Can you have a sense of
the temptations that are coming upon the youth who are growing up
around us, and not seek to warn and save them? Who will stand on
the Lord’s side? Who will help to press back this tide of immorality,
of woe and wretchedness, that is filling the world? We entreat of you
to turn your attention to the work of overcoming. Those who shall at
last have a right to the tree of life, will be those who have kept God’s
commandments.
It is not an easy matter to overcome the appetite for narcotics and
stimulants. But in the name of Christ this great victory can be gained.
His love for the fallen race was so great that he made an infinite
sacrifice to reach them in their degradation, and through his divine
power finally elevate them to his throne. But it rests with man whether
Christ shall accomplish for him that which he is fully able to do. God