Basic HTML Version
142
The Ministry of Health and Healing
God who is above.’” “None of them can by any means redeem his
brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—for the redemption of
their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10
;
Job 31:24, 28
;
Psalm 49:7, 8
.
Riches and worldly honor cannot satisfy the soul. Many among
the rich are longing for some divine assurance, some spiritual hope.
Many long for something that will bring to an end the monotony of
their aimless lives. Many in official life feel their need of something
that they do not have. Few among them go to church, for they feel
that they receive little benefit. The teaching they hear does not touch
the heart. Shall we make no personal appeal to them?
Among the victims of want and sin are some who were once in
possession of wealth. Men and women of different vocations and
different stations in life have been overcome by the pollutions of the
world, by the use of strong drink, by the indulgence of lust and have
fallen under temptation. While these fallen ones demand pity and
help, should not some attention be given to those who have not yet
descended to these depths but who are setting their feet in the same
path?
Thousands in positions of trust and honor are indulging habits
that mean ruin to soul and body. Ministers of the gospel, statesmen,
authors, men and women of wealth and talent, people of vast business
capacity and power for usefulness, are in deadly peril because they
do not see the necessity of self-control in all things. They need to
have their attention called to the principles of temperance, not in a
narrow or arbitrary way, but in the light of God’s great purpose for
humanity. If the principles of true temperance were brought before
them, very many of the higher classes would recognize their value
and give them a hearty acceptance.
Show these persons the result of harmful indulgences in lessen-
ing physical, mental, and moral power. Help them to realize their
responsibility as stewards of God’s gifts. Show them the good they
could do with the money they now spend for that which does them
only harm. Urge them to stop using liquor, tobacco, and similar
products, and ask that the money they would otherwise spend for
these indulgences be devoted to relief of the sick poor or for the
training of children and youth for usefulness in the world. Many
would respond to such an appeal.