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62
Temperance
therefore we conclude that Satan is the one who claims the honor.—
Counsels on Health, 83
.
The Pipe Versus Heaven
—I have seen many an example of the
power of these habits. One woman I knew who was advised by her
physician to smoke as a remedy for the asthma. To all appearance
she had been a zealous Christian for many years, but she became so
addicted to smoking that when urged to give it up as an unhealthful
and defiling habit, she utterly refused to do so. She said, “When the
matter comes before my mind distinctly, that I must give up my pipe
or lose heaven, then I say, ‘Farewell heaven;’ I cannot surrender my
pipe.” This woman only put into words that which many express
by their actions. God, the maker of heaven and earth, He who
created man and claims the whole heart, the entire affections, is held
subordinate to the disgusting, defiling nuisance, tobacco.—
Letter 8,
1893
.
That Christ should be discarded for these soul-and-body-
destroying indulgences, is an amazement to the unfallen universe.—
Letter 8, 1893
.
Dulls Appreciation of Atonement and Eternal Things
—
When we pursue a course of eating and drinking that lessens physical
and mental vigor, or become the prey of habits that tend to the same
results, we dishonor God, for we rob Him of the service He claims
[64]
from us. Those who acquire and indulge the unnatural appetite
for tobacco, do this at the expense of health. They are destroying
nervous energy, lessening vital force, and sacrificing mental strength.
Those who profess to be the followers of Christ, yet have this
terrible sin at their door, cannot have a high appreciation of the
atonement and an elevated estimate of eternal things. Minds that are
clouded and partially paralyzed by narcotics, are easily overcome
by temptation, and cannot enjoy communion with God.—
The Signs
of the Times, January 6, 1876
.
If Christ and the Apostles Were Here
—James says that the
wisdom which is from above is “first pure.” If he had seen his
brethren using tobacco, would he not have denounced the practice
as “earthly, sensual, devilish”?—
The Sanctified Life, 24
.
Were Peter upon the earth now he would exhort the professed fol-
lowers of Christ to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the
soul. And Paul would call upon the churches in general to cleanse