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Chapter 6—The Power of the Vote
Our Responsibility as Citizens
—While we are in no wise to
become involved in political questions, yet it is our privilege to take
our stand decidedly on all questions relating to temperance reform.
Concerning this I have often borne a plain testimony. In an article
published in the
Review of November 8, 1881
, I wrote:....
“There is a cause for the moral paralysis upon society. Our
laws sustain an evil which is sapping their very foundations. Many
deplore the wrongs which they know exist, but consider themselves
free from all responsibility in the matter. This cannot be. Every
individual exerts an influence in society.
Every Voter Has a Voice
—“In our favored land, every voter has
some voice in determining what laws shall control the nation. Should
not that influence and that vote be cast on the side of temperance
and virtue? ...
“We may call upon the friends of the temperance cause to rally to
the conflict and seek to press back the tide of evil that is demoralizing
the world; but of what avail are all our efforts while liquor selling is
sustained by law? Must the curse of intemperance forever rest like a
blight upon our land? Must it every year sweep like a devouring fire
over thousands of happy homes?
By Voice, Pen, and Vote
—“We talk of the results, tremble at the
results, and wonder what we can do with the terrible results, while
too often we tolerate and even sanction the cause. The advocates
of temperance fail to do their whole duty unless they exert their
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influence by precept and example—by voice and pen and vote—in
favor of prohibition and total abstinence. We need not expect that
God will work a miracle to bring about this reform, and thus remove
the necessity for our exertion. We ourselves must grapple with this
giant foe, our motto, No compromise and no cessation of our efforts
till the victory is gained,”—
The Review and Herald, October 15,
1914
. (Quoted in
Gospel Workers, 387, 388.
)
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