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196
Temperance
are disease producers because of their ignorance upon the subject of
proper eating, drinking, and dressing.—
Manuscript 155, 1899
.
The Secret of a Permanent Work
—We have seen that the vic-
tories gained by the “Temperance Crusade” are not often permanent.
In those places where the excitement ran highest and apparently the
most was accomplished in closing liquor saloons and reclaiming
inebriates, after the lapse of a few months, intemperance prevailed
to a greater extent than before the effort to suppress it was made.
The reason of this is evident. The work is not deep and thorough.
The ax is not laid at the root of the tree. The roots of intemperance lie
deeper than mere liquor drinking. In order to make the temperance
movement a success, the work of reform must begin at our tables.—
The Signs of the Times, January 6, 1876
.
[197]
Presented in Strength and Clarity
—Let the people be shown
what a blessing the practice of health principles will be to them. Let
them see what God designed men and women to become. Point to
the great sacrifice made for the uplifting and ennobling of the human
race. With the Bible in hand, present the requirements of God. Tell
the hearers that He expects them to use the powers of mind and body
in a way that will honor Him. Show them how the enemy is trying
to drag human beings down by leading them to indulge perverted
appetite.
Clearly, plainly, earnestly, tell them how thousands of men and
women are using God’s money to corrupt themselves and to make
this world a hell. Millions of dollars are spent for that which makes
men mad. Present this matter so clearly that its force cannot but be
seen. Then tell your hearers of the Saviour, who came to this world
to save men and women from all sinful practices. “God so loved the
world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Ask those who attend the meetings to help you in the work
that you are trying to do. Show them how evil habits result in
diseased bodies and diseased minds—in wretchedness that no pen
can describe. The use of intoxicating liquor is robbing thousands
of their reason. And yet the sale of this liquor is legalized. Tell
them that they have a heaven to win and a hell to shun. Ask them
to sign the pledge. The commission of the great I AM is to be your