Spalding and Magan Collection

Temperance Movement

To exalt these reforms as though they were in advance of us who, had we followed the light God has given, might have been marching steadily forward in reform for many years, is a sad mistake. If the others choose to take steps in reform hold out your hand to them; but do not step down from your own high standpoint of reform, among them, to work for theirs. It is a shame to those who have had great light and truth upon temperance, that they have not received and practiced it more thoroughly. Had they cherished and lived up to the light they have had, they would be far in advance of what they are now. Some are far behind worldlings upon the point of temperance in many things. SpM 85.1

Ease-loving men and women do not wish to be stirred up and obliged to change their habits and customs. They love their own way and opinions. They do not want their aspirations and ambitions broken in upon. They love self-indulgence in eating, drinking, and in display and lust for worldly gain. Time is not changing things for the better in this respect, but for the worse. Genuine reforms are always attended with loss, sacrifice and peril; opposition is provoked, calumny and hatred are called out, and the better rejected for the worse. SpM 85.2

We can not attach our names to a pledge presented by a society which indulges the use of the body-and-soul destroying narcotic, tobacco. How can we unite with this class, how work with them, how form a society with them? How is it possible to work successfully in their way and after their order? SpM 85.3

As far as the temperance cause advances, we would sanction it, but ever keep aloft the higher standard. No one who views reforms from a Christian standpoint should discourage any advance in this direction from unbelievers. SpM 85.4

The question for us to settle is whether we will be identified with certain movements and organizations which claim to be adopted to benefit society. If these parties are what they claim to be, they deserve the sympathy and support of all Christians. If, on the other hand, they have no foundation in principle, no actuating spirit of beneficence which characterizes reform, we need not mistake our duty. The Word of God is the infallible guide. SpM 85.5

The temperance question is to be respected by every true Christian, and especially should it receive the sanction of all who profess to be reformers. But there will be those in the church who will not show wisdom in their disrespect to any reforms arising from any other people besides those of their own faith; in this they err by being too exclusive. Others will eagerly grasp every new thing which makes a pretense of temperance, having every other interest swallowed up on this one point. The peculiar, holy character of our faith is ignored, the views of others upon temperance are embraced, and an alliance formed between God's commandment-keeping people and all classes of persons. SpM 85.6

Years ago light was given on health reform and temperance in all things. Temperance societies and clubs have been formed among those who make no profession of truth, while our people, although far ahead of every other denomination in the land of principle and practical temperance, have been slow to organize into temperance societies, and thus have failed to exert the influence they otherwise might have done. SpM 85.7