The Signs of the Times
January 30, 1901
Hope for the Intemperate
I would point the intemperate to a power out of and beyond themselves,—the power of Jesus. Flee to your Saviour. He has overcome in behalf of just such helpless, sinful ones as you. In His strength you may be honest, faithful men, true to your Maker. But no half-way work will suffice. You must be thorough. And do not think that you can do the work of abstaining gradually. Leave the accursed thing once and forever. “Touch not, taste not, handle not.” Drink not a drop of the liquor which sets depraved appetite on fire. ST January 30, 1901, par. 1
Do not rob God of the powers He has given you for high and holy purposes. Remember that you speak and act in the presence of God and the holy angels. Think, O, think of the superiority of a Christian man over a poor votary of sin! See the difference between a man sunken in vice, the victim of his own passions, and a man reclaimed by the truth of God's Word, ennobled by beholding Jesus. Look at the condition of those who give themselves up to intemperance. Degraded and belittled, they are without God and without hope in the world. This is the result of their own course. The Word of God declares, “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” God does not will that man shall be lost. He has made every provision for his salvation. He gave His beloved Son to save men from misery. But too often they refuse to accept the gift. There are men who, had they accepted the Gospel of Jesus, might be standing among their fellows, their countenances not as they now appear, bloated, depraved, and coarse, but radiant with intelligence, their hopes bright, and their whole demeanor indicating the dignity and self-possession derived from intercourse with good men and the study of God's Word. ST January 30, 1901, par. 2
Drunkards choose the way of sin, a path strewn with thorns and ending in death. They have no acquaintance with God or His Word. They remember not their high origin, but debase their God-given powers to the level of the brute. Shall these degraded, besotted beings charm you? Shall they induce you to degrade your powers? Would you become besotted like them? Will you allow yourself to sink into debauchery? Shall those who bear scarcely a trace of the moral image of God be your pattern? Will you follow their example in evil-doing? Is not the picture of their condition enough to make you shun the first step in intemperance? ST January 30, 1901, par. 3
Gladly would I write something to lead the intemperate to fasten their grasp by faith upon the mighty Helper. Heaven may invite them, presenting its choicest blessings, but all will be useless unless they are willing to help themselves. They must put forth their powers to overcome, or they will sink lower and lower. ST January 30, 1901, par. 4
We can hardly conceive what man may become, what God can do thru him. Tho fallen and degraded, he may, thru the merits of Christ, be an heir of immortality, his thoughts elevated and ennobled, his heart purified, his conversation in heaven. ST January 30, 1901, par. 5
Let me say to him who is struggling to overcome, God presents before you a strong hope that you may lay hold on eternal life. Lose not your opportunity for becoming a man. When you look at yourself, and think of the strength of temptation, you say, “I can not resist.” I tell you that you can resist. Tho you are weak and degraded, you may be a child of God. Tho self-indulgence has marked your path, it need not always be thus. You can resist temptation. Jesus is your Helper. In His strength you can overcome the power of appetite. Summon will-power to your aid; for unless your will is placed on the Lord's side, you can never be successful in overcoming, in trying to elevate yourself. Do not think that you can not say, I can and I will. God has pledged Himself to help you in every determined effort you make to regain your manhood. If you accept His help, you will become a bright and shining light in the world, and will at last hear the benediction, “Well done.” ST January 30, 1901, par. 6
God created Adam pure and noble, but thru the indulgence of appetite he fell. Yet notwithstanding the great gulf thus opened between God and man, Christ loved the hopeless sinner. He left His royal throne, clothed His divinity with humanity, and came to our world to bridge the gulf which sin had made, and to unite divine power with human weakness, that in His strength and grace man might wrestle against Satan's temptations, overcome, and stand in his God-given manhood, a victor over perverted appetite and degrading passions. The last words of David to Solomon, his son, who was soon to be seated on the throne of Israel, were, “Be strong, and show thyself a man.” To the weak and tempted one I address the same words, “Show thyself a man.” I point him to the cross of Calvary. In the name of Jesus I bid him look and live. Destroy not yourself. It is possible for you to gain the ascendency over appetite and passion. Jesus is reaching over the battlements of heaven to lift you in His strong arms and set you upon your feet. ST January 30, 1901, par. 7
Life is in all cases burdened with weighty responsibilities, and happy will it be for those who brace themselves to meet it manfully, with Christ-like steadfastness resisting every temptation, with Christ-like fortitude bearing every trial, and overcoming in the name of the Redeemer. God has made man capable of constant progress in mental and moral worth. No other creature of His hand is capable of such advancement. Man can reach an eminence in self-control that will place him above the slavery of appetite and passions, where he can stand before God with thankfulness and rejoicing. ST January 30, 1901, par. 8
To those who are contending with the power of habit, God says: “Would you walk by and by the streets of the holy city? Then obey the command, Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing. I, the infinite God, the Creator of the universe, will receive you. I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters.” “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Connect with Heaven. Thus you may become children of the heavenly King. Do you want higher honor, greater exaltation? Riches God has in abundance for those who overcome; for the streets of the holy city are paved with gold. It is your privilege to enter this city, to partake of the tree of life, to listen to the voice that is sweeter and richer than any music that ever fell on mortal ears. There is strength in the arm of the Lord. Take hold upon it, and you will one day stand victors in the city of God, each wearing on his brow a crown of immortal glory. ST January 30, 1901, par. 9
Mrs. E. G. White