Emancipation by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, January 29, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 5

Emancipation.

By R. F. Cottrell

BY ELD. R. F. COTTRELL.

What a joyful sound to the enslaved and oppressed is this word “emancipation!” With what joy did the bondmen of the South hail the proclamation which was to make them free, forever free! Strange indeed would it have been had they preferred perpetual bondage, hugging the galling chains that bound them. Such a course would have been an astonishment to every rational being.

But there is a proclamation of emancipation that is not accepted by all who are under the galling yoke of slavery. It is proposed to set men free from the bondage of sin, and to deliver them from pain and death; and yet many slight this proclamation, and refuse to be set free! How strange that so few accept the terms. It argues conclusively that they are not of a sound mind. If they were willing to receive the spirit of a sound mind, God would give it. This would bring them into harmony with the moral law of God.

The transgression of physical law also brings into bondage. God is the author of natural laws, as well as moral, and the transgressor of these is a bondman. Many are the servile slaves of alcohol, opium, tobacco, tea, and coffee. And now the proclamation of emancipation is sounding throughout the camp of Israel. Science teaches, and the Spirit speaks expressly, that all these things are not only useless, but also hurtful to the human system. Their effect is evil and only evil, and that continually. Many are aware of this, and would be glad to be free from their habitual use. They even counsel the young to avoid these things; but for themselves they are hopelessly bound; they cling to their chains, and dare not attempt to accept the emancipation proclamation. Their language may be,—

I know the way I'm going leads to woe; I know that woes attend on every side; But ah! I cannot do as I would do— This tempting stimulus can't be denied!

People take medicines which they expect will make them feel worse for a time, in hope of feeling better afterward. Why not leave off hurtful and poisonous stimulants, though suffering, for a time, may be the result? You may be free. Others have proved it so in their experience; and the first case of regretting the measure has not yet been recorded.

My brethren and sisters, God is the author, I humbly believe, of this health and temperance movement among our people. Apostles and prophets have left us their testimony in behalf of true temperance, which is a moderate use of that which is good and healthful, and total abstinence from stimulating and hurtful things. See Dan. 1. The testimony of the Spirit of God through his servants is still against injuring ourselves with these hurtful things. We have had light; but it has not been heeded as it ought to be. The organization of the Health and Temperance Association reveals this fact, and shows clearly that the movement was imperatively called for. It was much needed for our own people. And this proves to my mind that our Committee on Ways and Means have proposed the right plan, and have moved in harmony with the Spirit of God.

Convince me that God is not guiding in our work, and I have done with it. If he is, the health and temperance reform is as closely connected with our message as the right arm with the body. The reform is for our good. Let all accept with joy the proclamation of emancipation.