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Stimulants and Narcotics
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children and youth of today. Mental inability, physical weakness,
disordered nerves, and unnatural cravings are transmitted as a legacy
from parents to children. And the same practices, continued by the
children, are increasing and perpetuating the evil results. To this
cause in no small degree
“For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to
poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”
Proverbs 23:21
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is owing the physical, mental, and moral deterioration which is
becoming such a cause of alarm.
Boys begin the use of tobacco at a very early age. The habit
thus formed when body and mind are especially susceptible to its
effects, undermines the physical strength, dwarfs the body, stupefies
the mind, and corrupts the morals.
But what can be done to teach children and youth the evils of
a practice of which parents, teachers, and ministers set them the
example? Little boys, hardly emerged from babyhood, may be seen
smoking their cigarettes. If one speaks to them about it, they say,
“My father uses tobacco.” They point to the minister or the Sunday-
school superintendent and say, “Such a man smokes; what harm for
me to do as he does?” Many workers in the temperance cause are
addicted to the use of tobacco. What power can such persons have
to stay the progress of intemperance?
I appeal to those who profess to believe and obey the word
of God: Can you as Christians indulge a habit that is paralyzing
your intellect and robbing you of power rightly to estimate eternal
realities? Can you consent daily to rob God of service which is His
due, and to rob your fellow men, both of service you might render
and of the power of example?
Have you considered your responsibility as God’s stewards, for
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the means in your hands? How much of the Lord’s money do you
spend for tobacco? Reckon up what you have thus spent during
your lifetime. How does the amount consumed by this defiling lust
compare with what you have given for the relief of the poor and the
spread of the gospel?