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Temperance
themselves against temptation. They choose to leave the bars down,
so that they can readily step over and accept temptation without
making the effort to resist it....
No Courage to Say, “I Have Signed the Pledge”
—Those who
claim to believe the truth have not all taken their position in relation
to temperance which it is their sacred duty to do. There have been
those who have stood aloof from decided committal on the side of
temperance, and for what reason? Some say that if wine or beer is
passed to them, they have not the moral courage to say, I have signed
the pledge not to taste of fermented wine or beer or strong drink.
Shall the names of those stand registered in the books of heaven
as defending the indulgence of appetite?—
The Review and Herald,
April 19, 1887
.
Importance of Prominent Men Signing the Pledge
—I
dreamed that there was a large company assembled together in the
open air, and a tall young man that I have often seen in my dreams,
when important matters are under consideration, was sitting near the
chairman of the meeting. This young man arose and passed to the
men that seemed to be at the head of the company and said, “Here
is a paper I wish you to attach your names to, every one of you.”
He presented it to Brother A first. He looked at it and read aloud,
“You here pledge yourselves to abstain from all fermented wines
and spirituous liquors of any kind, and use your influence to induce
all others that you can to follow your example.”
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I thought Brother A shook his head, saying it was not necessary
for him to attach his name to the paper. He understood his duty and
should advocate the cause of temperance all the same, but felt not
called upon to bind himself, for there were exceptions in all these
things.
He handed the same paper to Brother B, who took the paper,
looked it over carefully and said, “I am of the same mind of Brother
A. Sometimes I feel the need of something to stimulate me when I
am weak and nervous, and I don’t want to pledge myself that under
no circumstances will I use wine or liquors.”
There was a sad, grieved look expressed in the countenance. He
passed on to others. There were about twenty or thirty who followed
the example of Brethren A and B. He then returned to the first two
and handed them the paper and said in a firm, decided manner, yet