Temperance

By Ellen G. White
Temperance was a favorite theme of M.rs Ellen G. White, both in her writings and in public discourse. In many
of her articles which appeared in denominational journals through the years, and in manuscripts and letters of
counsel addressed to both workers and laity, she urged Seventh-day Adventist to practice temperance and to
promote vigorously the temperance cause. In response to earnest requests that this wealth of material and
instruction should be made available in a single volume, this handbook has been prepared by authorization of
the Ellen G. white publications to whom Mrs. White committed the custody of her books and manuscripts. Both
in the outline and in the content of subject matter, the compilers have earnestly sought to reflect the emphasis
which the author placed on the various phases of temperance.
•Section 1- The Philosophy of Intemperance Man came from the hand of his Creator perfect in original and
beautiful in form. Man was the crowning act of the creation of God, made in the image of God, and designed to
be a counterpart of God. But Satan gathered the fallen angel together to devise some way of doing the most
possible evil to the human family. One proposition after another was made, till finally Satan himself thought of
a plan that he would have full control. Under the influence of liquor men would be led to commit crimes in all
kinds. Through perverted appetite the world would be made corrupt. By leading man to drink alcohol, Satan
would cause them to descend lower and lower in the scale.
•Section 2- Alcohol and Society Indulgence in intoxicating liquor places a man wholly under the control of the
demon who devised this stimulant in order to deface and destroy the moral image of God. In these days when
vice and crime of every form are rapidly increasing, there is a tendency to become so familiar with existing
conditions that we lose sight of their cause and of their significance. In the horrible details of revolting
drunkenness and terrible crime, the newspapers give but a partial report of the story of the resultant lawliness.
The man who has formed the habit of using intoxicants is in a desperate situation. His brain was diseased, as a
result of his will power his weakened so far as any power in himself is concerned, his appetite is uncontrollable.
He cannot be reasoned with or persuaded to deny himself.
•Section 3- Tobacco using is a habit which frequently affects the nervous system in a more powerful manner
than does the use of alcohol. It binds the victim in stronger bands of slavery than does the intoxicating cup.
Those who used tobacco can make but a poor plea to the liquor inebriate. The teaching of Christ, pointing to
purity, self-denial, and temperance, all rebuke this defiling practice. God desires all who believe in him to feel
the necessity of improvement. He will not place tobacco in his mouth, knowing that it defiles God's temple.
•Section 4- Other Stimulants and Narcotics Never be betrayed into indulging in the use of stimulants: for this
will result not only in reaction and loss of physical strength, but in a benumbed intellect. The stimulating diet
and drink this day are not conductive to the best state of health. Tea, coffee and tobacco are all stimulating and
contain poisons.
•Section 5- Milder Intoxicants God has made man in his own image, and He expects man to preserve
unimpaired the powers that have been imparted to him for the Creator's service. The very best we can give to
God is feeble enough. Thousand who might have lived, have passed into the grave, physical, mental and moral
wrecks, because they sacrificed all their powers to the indulgence of appetite. A single glass of wine may open
the door of temptation which will lead to habits of drunkenness. They are transgressors of the law of God, and
they will be punished for the sins which they commit.
•Section 6- Activating Principles of a Change Life Our work for the tempted and fallen will achieve real
success only as the grace of Christ reshapes the character and the man is brought into living connection with the
infinite of God. This is the purpose of all true temperance effort. Men will never be truly temperate until the
grace of Christ is an abiding principle in the heart. The most important thing is to melt and subdue the soul by
presenting our Lord Jesus as the sin bearer, the sin-pardoning saviour, making the gospel as clear as possible.
God cannot save man, against his will. Man must work with his human power aided by the divine power of
Christ.
•Section 7- Rehabilitating the Intemperance Those who control themselves are fitted to labor for the weak and
erring. They will deal with them tenderly and patiently. Let us seek to understand how to reach the people.
There is no better way to do this than to be compassionate and sympathetic. If you know of those who are sick
and in need of assistance, help them, try to relieve them in their distress. As you do this work, the power of the
Lord will speak through it to the soul.
•Section 8- Our Broad Temperance Platform Our first duty toward God and our fellow beings is that of self-
development. Every faculty with which the creator has endowed us should be cultivated to the highest degree of
perfection, that we may be able to do the greatest amount of good which we are capable. As God's husbandry
and building, Man is under His supervision in every sense of the word; and the better he becomes acquainted
with his maker the more sacred will his life become in his estimation. The character of Daniel is presented to
the world as a striking example of what God's grace can make of men fallen by the nature and corrupted by sin.
The record of the noble, self-denying life is an encouragement to our common humanity.
•Section 9- Laying the Foundation of Intemperance Habits once formed are hard to overcome. The reform
should begin with a mother before the birth of her children, and if God's instructions were faithfully obeyed,
intemperance would not exist. Wherever the habits of the parents are contrary to the physical law, the injury
done to themselves will be repeated in the future generations. The necessity of men call to their aid of power of
will, strengthened by the grace of God. Educate the appetite; teach the children to abhor stimulants. Teach them
that they are not to be swayed by others, that they are not to yield the strong influences, but to influence others
for good.
•Section 10- Preventive Measures Men of different vocations and different stations in life have been overcome
by the pollutions of the world, by the use of strong drink, by indulgence in the lusts of the flesh and have fallen
under temptation. In order to reach the root of intemperance we must go deeper than the use of alcohol, or
tobacco idleness, lack of aim or evil associations may be the predisposing cause. Let home be a place where
cheerfulness, courtesy and love exist. We are to act from a moral and religious standpoint. We are to be
temperate in all things, because an incorruptible crown a heavenly treasure, is before us.
•Section 11- Our Relationship to Other Temperance Groups In other churches there are Christians who are
standing in defense of the principles of temperance. We should seek to come near to those workers and make a
way for them to stand shoulder to shoulder with us. We must have people make a distinction between those
who are loyal to the law of God, and those who are disloyal.
•Section 12- The Challenge of the Hour God wants us to stand where we can warn the people. He desires us to
take up the temperance question. By wrong habits of eating and drinking men are destroying what power they
have for thought and intelligence. We do not need to take an ax and break into their saloons. We have a
stronger weapon than this- The Word of the Living God. God is mighty and powerful. He will speak to their
hearts. In every possible way, we must seek to bring souls under the convicting and converting power of God.