Upon no other question has the Lord been more emphatic or revealed His will more clearly than upon the subject of temperance and prohibition. The severest and most direct pronouncements in all the writings of the Spirit of prophecy are directed against the liquor traffic. As one reads the chapter, "The Liquor Traffic and Prohibition," beginning on page 337, in "Ministry of Healing," he feels that he is reading an up-to-date description of what is occurring before our very eyes today. No one can misunderstand the meaning of those flaming words that call the church into action to destroy the liquor traffic, and thus to stop the destruction of human life for which it is responsible—a toll which far exceeds the loss of life in any war in which this nation has ever engaged.
As we face these facts, it is hard to understand our apathy. Why have we been so slow in taking seriously and following the admonitions of our great Leader ? Why have we failed to capitalize God's great temperance program for His church following the smashing victory of the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment ?
The Lord has intended that we should be the head and not the tail in the efforts that are made against the liquor traffic, which is poisoning, in unprecedented measure, the younger generation of this so-called Christian nation. In this late hour we must take our position appointed of God in the battle against drunkenness and its resultant crime and death, and never cease our aggressive advance upon this enemy until it is destroyed.
It is not sufficient that through a resolution passed now and then by our church organizations we renew our protest against this evil. The Lord I,tas called us to arms in a very real battle to deliver mankind from the throes of drink. Local option, which means prohibition, should be secured wherever possible until the nation is blanketed with measures looking toward national action. Let us join in with any legitimate effort to secure the desired end, which is complete destruction of this soul-destroying, body-wrecking traffic.
Because the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in America, gathered at the recent Autumn Council in Battle Creek, felt that the hour had come when our people should be rallied to give heed to God's call in this matter, the action printed hereafter was passed. As a people we hold in our hands, under God, the possibility of spreading the flames of temperance education and propaganda, leading the present divided forces of temperance in this country into the greatest campaign against liquor the nation has ever seen. This is the hour of our greatest opportunity. Heaven is watching our every move. Let us not fail.
Autumn Council Temperance Action
Whereas, The liquor traffic, through every means at its command, is destroying both the bodies and the souls of men, women, and youth all about us in ever-increasing numbers, beyond anything this country has ever known; and,
Whereas, The following instruction given to the church years ago is even more pertinent today:
"The honor of God, the stability of the nation, the well-being of the community, of the home, and of the individual, demand that every possible effort be made in arousing the people to the evil of intemperance. Soon we shall see the result of this terrible evil as we do not see it now. Who will put forth a determined effort to stay the work of destruction ? As yet the contest has hardly begun. Let an army be formed to stop the sale of the drugged liquors that are making men mad. Let the danger from the liquor traffic be made plain, and a public sentiment be created that shall demand its prohibition. Let the drink-maddened men be given an opportunity to escape from their thralldom. Let the voice of the nation demand of its lawmakers that a stop be put to this infamous traffic." ("Ministry of Healing," P. 346) ;
Resolved, 1. That we declare war anew on the liquor traffic, and sound a rallying call to arms in every church and conference, and that through the American Temperance Society, and our union and local conference committees, plans be laid immediately to carry on throughout North America a relentless struggle against the inroads of this nefarious business.
We recommend, 2. That our union and local conferences which have not already done so appoint temperance secretaries, and that wherever possible our churches be encouraged to organize temperance societies to promote the temperance work and to serve as avenues through which the American Temperance Society, and union and local secretaries, can function.
3. That our people be urged to co-operate in temperance campaigns with other temperance organizations in their local territories when opportunity offers, and that our youth, under experienced leadership, be encouraged to put on temperance programs in the public schools and in the young people's societies of other religious organizations, and that we encourage the use of temperance films on alcohol in connection with this educational program in our public work.
4. That in our church activities and in our evangelistic efforts this interest be given more prominence by—
- Temperance-rally nights in evangelistic efforts.
- Temperance films, printed broadsides, posters, inexpensive literature, and articles in our evangelistic periodicals and magazines.
- One quarter of the Sabbath school lessons in 1942 on temperance.
- Extensive circulation of the temperance pledge.
- Initiation, wherever possible, of local-option or prohibition measures, placing the same upon the ballot.
5. That our workers be encouraged to write articles for the local newspapers, presenting in appropriate newspaper style the facts and statistics published in the Temperance Bulletins, together with matters of local interest in connection with the liquor traffic and liquor law violations.
6. That the American Temperance Society of Seventh-day Adventists do all in its power to enlighten the American people and to arouse the public conscience regarding the imminent dangers which will sap the vitality and strength of the United States Army if the liquor traffic is permitted to carry forward its iniquitous trade adjacent to Army camps.
Whereas, Tobacco is an insidious narcotic poison, and a twin evil with liquor in dulling the brain, and should be banished from every home and from the hands of every youth and adult, and other forms of dope, particularly the marijuana cigarette, by which mind and body are ruined ;
We recommend, 7. That a consistent and continuous educational endeavor be launched by which to persuade all to "touch not, taste not, handle not" tobacco and narcotics in any form whatsoever.
