Our Relation to Christian Temperance

Temperance is more than a political concern. It is a moral issue.

I.H.E. is editor of the Ministry

The question of national prohibition as represented in the Eighteenth Amend­ment, and its supporting legislation known as the Volstead Act, is now be­fore the people of the United States in a very serious way. The November elections chose for the White House a new President and for the Senate and House sufficient Democrats so that the incoming party will be in control, not only in the Chief Execu­tive's seat, but also in both houses of Congress.

The Chicago platform of the Democratic party contained a plain agreement that Con­gress would pass an act to repeal the Eight­eenth Amendment, submitting the same to be ratified by State conventions. They also pledged so to change the Volstead Act that beer will be legalized. At present it is difficult to foretell what a year may thrust upon us. The question is, To what extent are Christians re­sponsible for Congressional legislation? The Seventh, day Adventist de­nomination and its min­istry are not politicians. We stand aloof from party lines, nor do we as a church favor one party or discount another.

In temperance, how­ever, we have to deal, not with a political, but with a moral issue. That both Democrats and Re­publicans sought to make the cause of temperance an issue in the last elec­tion was not for the sake of temperance nor for the good of the people, but in order to gain votes at the November polls. Because both major political parties have promised to submit the Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead Act to the people for repeal or change, does not in the least eliminate the moral issue. Rather, it complicates the situation by making a moral issue a party program.

The Eighteenth Amendment was adopted be­cause the people demanded it. When it was submitted to the people, forty-six out of forty-eight States voted its adoption. This was fol­lowed by the national prohibition act, known as the Volstead Act. President Wilson vetoed the Volstead Act, but Congress overrode the veto. The legislation then went to the Supreme Court, which sustained the Volstead Act. When this legislation was enacted, it was not under­stood to be either Democratic or Republican, but national. Back of it stood forty-six States approving the amendment. Perhaps no amend­ment to our national Constitution was ever more generously supported by the people than the Eighteenth Amendment.

That the people of a republican form of gov­ernment are indirectly responsible for the laws made by their representatives, is obvious. In an absolute monarchy the people have no voice in lawmaking, but in a constitutional government the people control through the ballot, the people making the laws through the representa­tives whom they elect. When a legislative body makes an unjust law in a constitutional republic, the people have redress in electing representa­tives who will enact right laws. To fail to extend their influence and cast their vote in favor of right legislation, is culpable neglect of duty. In view of these ob­vious facts, let us observe these words:

"There is a cause for the moral paralysis upon society. Our laws sustain an evil which is sapping their very foundation. 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. 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? . . .

"The advocates of temperance fail to do their whole duty unless they exert their influ­ence by precept and example—by voice and pen and vote—in favor of prohibition and total ab­stinence."—"Gospel Workers." pp. 387, 388.

Many questions are both moral and civil. Civil law often has to deal with morals, not to make its citizens Christian, but to protect so­ciety. For example, murder is a sin and an immoral act. But it is also a civil question; and in order to protect life, the state must deal with the murderer. So with stealing and other relations to our fellow beings. As Christians we have to deal with morals; we could not be Christians and decline to deal with morality.

The word "moral" has this definition: "Of or pertaining to the practices, conduct, and spirit of men toward God, themselves, and their fellow men, with reference to right and wrong and to obligation to duty; pertaining to right­ness and oughtness in conduct; ethical."—Standard Dictionary. One great question that we as Christians must settle is our own individ­ual responsibility concerning prohibition. Is it not a moral question, whether a free repub­lican government shall legalize the sale of alcoholic beverages, receiving funds from such sales with which to pay the salaries of its officials and meet its other operating expenses, all to ease the people from heavier taxation? We must decide for ourselves if licensing the sale of alcoholic beverages and taking revenue from their sale to save ourselves from taxation, is right conduct toward our fellow men.

Alcohol is a poison. Its effects are such as to disqualify a man under its influence from sign­ing legal documents or transacting legal busi­ness, as making gifts, wills, bargaining, and such like. Moreover, alcohol makes a man a menace to society. It excites the lower pas­sions and paralyzes the will, till heinous crimes are committed under its influence. Has the government a right to legalize the sale of this poison that dethrones reason, and incites to crime, and that of every sort?

Alcohol has a tendency to create such a de­sire for more and more of it that many are unable to use it in moderation, but become its slaves, and will pauperize their families in order to secure intoxicating drink. Is it right for any Christian to be a party to such crimes?

Suppose I have a poison that I know has a tendency to inflame men's passions, to paralyze their reason, and to excite some to fight and kill. I sell two men this poison and see them swallow it, making 25 cents from the sale and putting it into my till. They leave my prem­ises, but on the way they fall out, and one man kills the other. What responsibility do I have in that murder?

The legalizing of liquor is a serious moral question. No drunkard has a reasonable hope of heaven. He must gain the victory over this soul and body destroying habit, or be lost. If I lend my influence to sell him drink, am I not responsible?

The ministers are shepherds of the flock. I said to a minister last week, "I do not know where you stand on prohibition, and I want to talk with you." He said, "I have a son, a drunkard, a boy I love, who is ruined by drink unless God helps him. I'm heart and soul with you in this fight against legalizing the sale of alcoholic beverages. It is the most terrible thing that has come to our home."

This periodical desires to contribute its in­fluence to oppose the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment and the legalizing of alcoholic beverages. It appeals to our ministry to exert themselves in every possible way they can, by lectures, by the public press, by organizing our church membership to scatter literature dealing with temperance, and in every way to enlighten the people concerning the evils of alcoholism.

I. H. E.


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

comments powered by Disqus

I.H.E. is editor of the Ministry

February 1933

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

Institutionalism Must Not Supplant Individualism*

It has been said that every religious movement has developed along the line of individualism or institutional­ism. When a movement gets large, its natural tendency is to lose the per­sonal intensity of its pioneers, to be­come formal.

Nonstop Evangelism for our Unfinished Task

How much of the time are our church doors open?

Marshaling the Laymen as Reserves

It is a solemn fact that we have never called upon nor utilized the vast man power resources of the church in discharging the great commission of teaching the everlasting gospel to all nations.

A New Advertising Approach

How to counter the charge that Adventists are "time setters."

The Book of Revelation in Public Efforts

An interesting experience has come to us in our English effort for the general public here in Colombo, through presenting a series of studies on the book of Revelation.

Three Great Objectives in Christ's Ministry

In His ministry for lost humanity and for His chosen apostles, Christ kept three great objectives uppermost.

Gibbon's July 27, 1299, Date Sustained

A few years ago a search was made at the Library of Congress for evidence support­ing Gibbon's date, July 27, 1299, for the first invasion of Othman into Nicomedia.

No Falling Stars in 1932

The astronomers have again been disap­pointed; for the predicted display of Leonid meteors again failed to appear, just as they failed to appear in 1899. And accordingly the great display of 1833 now stands out with all the more distinctness and all the more impor­tance.

Ellen G. White on Prohibition

Seventh-day Adventists have from the very beginning of the advent movement aligned themselves on the side of temperance, taking a strong stand against legalizing liquor.

Editorial Keynotes

Maintaining the Unity of the Faith

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up

Recent issues

See All
Advertisement - SermonView - WideSkyscraper (160x600)