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Power of the Vote
251
Brother Kellogg begins to feel that it is right. Pleasant feelings exist
among all the brethren. O that they may all act in the fear of God.
Note: In the early summer of 1881 at the Des Moines, Iowa,
camp meeting, a resolution was placed before the delegates which
read:
“Resolved
, That we express our deep interest in the temperance
movement now going forward in this state; and that we instruct all
our ministers to use their influence among our churches and with the
people at large to induce them to put forth every consistent effort,
by personal labor, and at the ballot box, in favor of the prohibitory
amendment of the Constitution, which the friends of temperance are
seeking to secure.”—
The Review and Herald, July 5, 1881
.
But some objected to the clause which called for action at “the
ballot box,” and urged its deletion. Mrs. White, who was attending
this camp meeting, had retired, but she was summoned to give her
counsel.
Writing of it at the time she says: “I dressed and found I was to
speak to the point of whether our people should vote for prohibition.
I told them ‘yes,’ and spoke twenty minutes.”—
Letter 6, 1881
.
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“Men of intemperance have been in the office today in a flattering
manner expressing their approbation of the course of the sabbath-
keepers not voting and expressed hopes that they will stick to their
course and like the quakers, not cast their vote. Satan and his evil
angels are busy at this time, and he has workers upon the earth. May
Satan be disappointed, is my prayer.”—E.G. White diary, sunday,
March 6, 1859.
The Lesson of Ancient Kingdoms
—The prosperity of a nation
is dependent upon the virtue and intelligence of its citizens. To
secure these blessings, habits of strict temperance are indispensable.
The history of ancient kingdoms is replete with lessons of warning
for us. Luxury, self-indulgence, and dissipation prepare the way
for their downfall. It remains to be seen whether our own republic
will be admonished by their example, and avoid their fate.—
Gospel
Workers, 388
.