Cider
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and a will to touch not, taste not, handle not; then the temperance
reformation will be strong, permanent, and thorough....
The world’s Redeemer, who knows well the state of society in the
last days, represents eating and drinking as the sins that condemn this
age. He tells us that as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be when
the Son of Man is revealed. “They were eating and drinking, marrying
and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.” Just such
a state of things will exist in the last days, and those who believe these
warnings will use the utmost caution not to take a course that will
bring them under condemnation.
[16]
Brethren, let us look at this matter in the light of the Scriptures,
and exert a decided influence on the side of temperance in all things.
Apples and grapes are God’s gifts; they may be put to excellent use
as healthful articles of food, or they may be abused by being put to
a wrong use. Already God is blighting the grape vine and the apple
crop because of men’s sinful practices. We stand before the world
as reformers; let us give no occasion for infidels or unbelievers to
reproach our faith. Said Christ, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” “The
light of the world.” Let us show that our hearts and consciences are
under the transforming influence of divine grace, and that our lives are
governed by the pure principles of the law of God, even though these
principles may require the sacrifice of temporal interests.
The Ministry of Healing, 331-333
Persons who have inherited an appetite for unnatural stimulants
should by no means have wine, beer or cider in their sight, or within
their reach; for this keeps the temptation constantly before them. Re-
garding sweet cider as harmless, many have no scruples in purchasing
it freely. But it remains sweet for a short time only; then fermentation
begins. The sharp taste which it then acquires makes it all the more
acceptable to many palates, and the user is loath to admit that it has
become hard, or fermented.
There is danger to health in the use of even sweet cider as ordinarily
produced. If people could see what the microscope reveals in regard to
the cider they buy, few would be willing to drink it. Often those who
manufacture cider for the market are not careful as to the condition of