Ellen White tells Adventists to unite with temperance movement promoting Sunday legislation9/3/2022 Mrs. Ellen White speaks at the 9th Annual Session of the American Health and Temperance Association. November 15, 1887 in Oakland, California. A report of this event and her words (reprinted below) are found on pages 107-108 of the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, February 14, 1888 here https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/RH/RH18880214-V65-07.pdf QUOTE:
Mrs. E. G. White then spoke for a few moments. She said: "I know that this is the very work that must go with the Third Angel's Message. As our first parents lost Eden through the gratification of appetite, a way has been opened for us, by the sacrifice of the Son of God, whereby we may regain Eden by the denial of appetite. Our ministers certainly are the ones to interest themselves in this question, and to speak of it from the best stand-point possible, in order to reach the hearts of the people. I have heard some, when speaking in reference to temperance, say, I have not time. I have so much to do in preaching here and there upon the Third Angel's Message and the reasons of our faith, that I cannot take time to engage in the health and temperance work. If these men would cut their sermons short about one third, the people would receive more benefit from them, and they would then have time to speak upon this question. "The introduction of health and temperance literature in connection with denominational works, may be the means of your reaching a class of people who would be much opposed to you, if it were not for your temperance principles. Whenever you can get an opportunity to unite with the temperance people, do so. But, you say, 'we are not of their faith.' Did Jesus say so when he was invited to great festivals? Did he say, They do not believe on me, and it is of no use for me to go there'-No, he went just for the purpose of bringing himself to their notice, and to lead them to believe from his conversation and deportment that he was of God. These things should have a telling influence upon us. People believe everything they ought not to of us. How are we going to undeceive them unless by associating with them? You say they are going to carry this question right along with the Sunday movement. How are you going to help them on that point? You have an opportunity to show them that you are the most earnest temperance people in the world; and yet you are not improving the opportunity offered you in regard to the temperance question. How are you going to let your light shine to the world without uniting with them in this temperance question? You can do it. You have ideas they never thought of, and this places you on vantage ground. If you engage with them in this work, you will find there will be an opportunity to speak of the truth. We can do no better work than to interest ourselves in helping others to a knowledge of the principles of temperance reform. When you do that, you are blessing them, and their hearts will be open to receive the truth. "Our brethren ought to keep temperance pledges on hand, for use on every proper occasion. Brethren and sisters, we want you to see the importance of this temperance question, and we want our workers to interest themselves in it, and to know that it is just as much connected with the Third Angel's Message as the right arm is with the body. We ought to make advancement in this work."
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