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Youth and the Future
187
trained never to touch tobacco or intoxicating drink. Alcohol robs
men of their reasoning powers.—
The Review and Herald, June 15,
1905
.
Nadab and Abihu Had Formed the Habit of Drinking
—
Anything that lessens the physical power enfeebles the mind, and
makes it less clear to discriminate between good and evil, between
right and wrong. This principle is illustrated in the case of Nadab
and Abihu. God gave them a most sacred work to perform, permit-
ting them to come near to Himself in their appointed service; but
they had a habit of drinking wine, and they entered upon the holy
service in the sanctuary with confused minds.... “And there went
out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the
Lord.”—
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 427, 428
.
A Warning to Parents and Youth
—Parents and children
should be warned by the history of Nadab and Abihu. Appetite,
indulged, perverted the reasoning powers, and led to the breaking
of an express command, which brought the judgment of God upon
them. Notwithstanding children may not have had the right in-
struction, and their characters not have been properly molded, God
proposes to connect them with Himself as He did Nadab and Abihu,
if they will heed His commands. If they will with faith and courage
bring their will in submission to the will of God, He will teach them,
and their lives may be like the pure white lily, full of fragrance on
the stagnant waters. They must resolve in the strength of Jesus to
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control inclination and passion, and every day win victories over
Satan’s temptations. This is the way God has marked out for men to
serve His high purposes.—
The Signs of the Times, July 8, 1880
.
The One Worthy of Honor
—The young man who is deter-
mined to keep his appetite under the control of God, and who refuses
the first temptation to drink intoxicating liquor, saying courteously,
but firmly, “No, thank you,” is the one who is worthy of honor. Let
young men take their stand as total abstainers, even though the men
standing high in the world have not the moral courage to take their
stand boldly against a habit that is ruinous to health and life.—
Letter
166, 1903
.
The Influence of One Consecrated Youth
—One youth who
has been instructed by right home training, will bring solid timbers
into his character building, and by his example and life, if his powers