p. 84 | EXPERIENCE, TOBACCO by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, February 5, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 6

EXPERIENCE, TOBACCO.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

BY ELD. R. F. COTTRELL.

Yesterday, Jan. 13, I visited a brother who is in the eighty-ninth year of his age. He embraced the Sabbath between fifteen and twenty years ago; but has been isolated from Sabbath-keepers most of the time, seldom having the opportunity of meeting with our people, and never uniting with any church.

He told me that from early life he had used tobacco; that his father used to tell him it was a sin, but he did not heed it. Recently he was reflecting on his spiritual state. He felt convicted that he was in a backslidden state, or that he was at the best lukewarm, and remembered that the Lord said that he would spew such out of his mouth. He began to examine himself, and to pray earnestly that the Lord would show him his faults, that he might put them away, and again feel that he enjoyed his favor. And it seemed to him that the Lord was present, entering into conversation with him. The text was presented to him that bids us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. That, he told the Lord, he wanted to do. The Lord reminded him of what had been done for him, and asked him what he was willing to do in return. He replied, “I will give up all, and make any sacrifice, that I may please thee.” He had not yet even thought of his tobacco. But the question then came to him, “Will you give up your tobacco?” He replied, “I will, by thy assisting grace;” and he spit it out of his mouth, determined to use no more.

He had tried a number of times before to quit its use; but it always made him sick. Now that he had promised before God, he felt he must keep his vow; and he pleaded earnestly with God for help. His prayer was heard. This was over a month ago; and he has not tasted tobacco since, nor felt the least desire for it. He is happy in the love of God, and joyful in hope; and feels that he is ready now to depart in peace.

This is the substance of his experience, as nearly as I can relate it in brief, as he related it to me. It may help some soul to see the evil of the filthy habit as it is in the sight of a holy God; and at the same time to learn that there is help in God for those who will, by his grace, abandon it forever.