Our Physicians and the Temperance Cause

Our Physicians and the Temperance Cause

Recently I attended a convention and rally held by the Minnesota United Temperance Organization in Rochester, Minnesota. Meetings were held in the various churches of the city.

By THEODORE R. FLAIZ, M. D., Medical Secretary, Southern Asia Division

Recently I attended a convention and rally held by the Minnesota United Temperance Organization in Rochester, Minnesota. Meetings were held in the various churches of the city. On Sabbath two of the temperance lecturers were in charge of our Adventist services, giving a very appropriate and constructive study on the responsibility of the church in the cause of tem­perance.

Their final meeting was held in the large Pres­byterian church, and to this gathering all the churches were invited to come as the main event of the week. Since Rochester is very much of a church town, with all the leading Protestant churches represented, I expected to see a very im­pressive gathering. Unfortunately the pews were scarcely half filled. The lecture was a very sound appeal to Christian organizations everywhere to rise against the almost universal curse of liquor. The great emphasis was on the fact that true tem­perance is a Christian concept and principle. The conclusion was that the teaching of temperance is therefore an essential part of the proclaiming of the gospel, the good news of salvation from sin.

This impelling sermon deserved a much larger hearing than it received from the Christian people of the city. The reason for the apathy may lie in part, as the speaker pointed out, in the fact that many a Christian minister's lips are sealed on the question of temperance by the presence of men on his church board, or among his elders, or even among his most loyal supporters, who countenance no interference with their social drinking habits.

After the service the executive secretary spoke to me very enthusiastically of the work of Ad­ventists in temperance. Said he, "You people are 'away out in front in the matter of temperance."

I appreciated the estimate he made of our work, but secretly wished it were more deserved. He went on, "Your man, Mr. Carrier, is doing an ex­cellent work and we wish there were many more like him."

Mentioning our work in the giving of temper­ance lectures in the high schools and colleges of Washington, D. C., he emphasized his belief that in such a plan of promotion lay the most effective and fruitful form of temperance education. It is true that some of the best literature in this field has come from our presses. In some localities we have been definitely identified with the temperance cause, both through our lay membership and our ministry.

Almost as a challenge the executive secretary pointed out that we have many Christian physi­cians throughout the country, who by profession, practice, and training, are admirably prepared for the scientific presentation of temperance. Much more might have been done in many sections to place Adventists on record as ardent advocates of the temperance cause. This applies to all, but it is a very special challenge to our medical men. Doctors are in a strategic position to lend their influence in this matter in every community. Projects in which our doctors, working with our laymen in co-operation with ministers, may join to advantage, would be some of the following:

1. Systematic and extensive distribution of tem­perance literature. (So much the better if done in connection with recognized local temperance groups.)

2. Speaking before churches, clubs, schools, and civic groups, preferably in co-operation with, or as a representative of, the local temperance or­ganization.

3. Taking advantage of every opportunity to in­struct patients in the principles of temperance.

The initiation of such a program by our Ad­ventist physicians would result in much good in this worthy, though neglected, cause, and would incidentally more fully justify the remark of the executive secretary that we as a people are well out in front in the temperance movement.


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

By THEODORE R. FLAIZ, M. D., Medical Secretary, Southern Asia Division

November 1944

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

The Power of an Informed Ministry

What we read is important, but how we read is more important.

A Daily and Weekly Program

If we are to discuss the value of our program we may with profit reflect first whether we have a program at all, or what kind of program we should have.

Meeting Changed Conditions—No. 2

The more difficult it becomes to draw a large audience to the evangelistic meetings, the more important it is to have in hand a large list of inter­ested people prior to the first meeting, as a result of adequate preparation of the field.

Prophetic Illustration (Concluded)

Every man on an evangelistic team has an essen­tial part in making the program successful.

The Pastor and His Youth

There are three avenues through which the child may be guided from babyhood on to man­hood; namely, the home, the school, and the church.

Training Local Singing Evangelists

Since it is often inadvisable or impossible for the conference to furnish a song leader to each worker who is holding evangelistic services, the training of such assistants in the local churches becomes of extreme importance.

Barnabas on Sunday Observance

Biblical Exposition and Homiletic Helps.

Cooperative Fishing for Souls

The monthly bible instructor column.

Apostolic Succession Question

Principles, Perils, and Developments.

Contacting Non-S. D. A. Ministers

I want to share with you some experiences that will illustrate the value and primary importance of our health literature as an entering wedge.

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