146 Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists
indulgence. What men have done, men may do. Did those faithful
Hebrews stand firm amid great temptation, and bear a noble testimony
in favor of true temperance? The youth of today may bear a similar
testimony, even under circumstances as unfavorable. Would that they
would emulate the example of those Hebrew youth; for all who will,
may, like them, enjoy the favor and blessing of God.
There is still another aspect of the temperance question which
should be carefully considered. Not only is the use of unnatural stimu-
lants needless and pernicious, but it is also extravagant and wasteful.
An immense sum is thus squandered every year. The money that is
spent for tobacco would support all the missions in the world; the
means worse than wasted upon strong drink would educate the youth
now drifting into a life of ignorance and crime, and prepare them to do
a noble work for God. There are thousands upon thousands of parents
who spend their earnings in self-indulgence, robbing their children of
food and clothing and the benefits of education. And multitudes of
professed Christians encourage these practices by their example. What
account will be rendered to God for this waste of his bounties? Money
is one of the gifts intrusted to us with which to feed the hungry, to
clothe the naked, to minister to the afflicted, and to send the gospel to
the poor. But how is this work neglected! When the Master shall come
to reckon with his servants, will he not say to many, “Inasmuch as ye
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did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me”? All around
us there is work to do for God. Our means, our time, our strength, and
our influence are needed. Shall we take hold of this work, and live to
glorify God and bless our fellow-men? Shall we build up the Lord’s
kingdom in the earth?
There is need now of men like Daniel,—men who have the self-
denial and the courage to be radical temperance reformers. Let every
Christian see that his example and influence are on the side of reform.
Let ministers of the gospel be faithful in sounding the warnings to
the people. And let all remember that our happiness in two worlds
depends upon the right improvement of one.