TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION.
By John Harvey Kellogg
Notwithstanding little has been said on the subject of late, the work of the health and temperance cause has been steadily advancing in nearly all parts of the field. New clubs are being formed in almost every State, and new names added to the ranks, so that the Association now numbers more than twelve thousand members. This has been done, too, with a comparatively small amount of labor. Several years of earnest effort were required to effect as much in any other department of our cause. This is undoubtedly to be attributed to the fact that the way was so well prepared by the interest in health and temperance reform which has for years characterized S. D. Adventists more than any other organization. We may well feel encouraged when we look upon the work which has already been done in a few short months. One year ago there were scarcely five hundred names enrolled as signers of the teetotal pledge. Now there are ten thousand. Where else in the wide world can there be found ten thousand men and women who are wholly free from the taint of alcohol and tobacco, and even abstain entirely from tea and coffee? If nothing more were accomplished than has already been done, we should feel profoundly grateful for the amount of good that has been done. Ten thousand persons have signed a solemn pledge from which they cannot withdraw. No matter if every temperance club, State society, and even the General Association, were disorganized, the pledge would still exist, with all its obligations, and thus the good work done would be perpetuated, at least during the lifetime of its members. But we do not look forward to such a result as this. The same love of truth and of the principles of true reform which made possible the accomplishment of so much in so short a time will insure the continued existence and energetic pushing forward of the same work. Really we have only made a beginning. A small foundation has been laid. We must enlarge our borders and build up a noble structure the proportions of which we may now hardly dare to estimate. Let every friend of truth and genuine reform enlist his energies and engage his most earnest efforts in this work. A wonderful work was accomplished last year at our camp-meetings, through the earnest labors of Bro. and Sr. White and others upon whom the chief burden of the meetings rested, and it is to be hoped that the temperance cause will not be forgotten this season. Little permanent good will be accomplished unless the work is followed up, not only this year, but in years to come. State presidents and secretaries should be on hand at each camp-meeting in their respective States, and should take care to secure at least one meeting entirely devoted to the interests of the H. and T. work. A supply of pledge papers should be secured, together with certificates for each meeting, and all arrangements made for a successful and interesting campaign. The few persons who hesitated about signing the pledge last year, will, it is to be hoped, have made up their minds to give their names and influence to the work, and they should be given a chance. There will be many interesting experiences to relate. These should be saved and reported, as far as possible, for the encouragement of others. The next six months ought to witness the addition of several thousand members; and this good work may be accomplished, if all take hold together. Ten thousand enthusiastic workers can accomplish an almost unlimited amount of good by united effort. HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE MEETINGS.
So much difficulty has been experienced in keeping up an interest in local societies for want of experienced leaders it has been decided to publish monthly or quarterly a Health and Temperance Budget, which will contain a programme for a meeting and interesting articles to be read, some good music, etc. A few copies only will be printed, and these will be sent to the officers of State societies for distribution to the several clubs. If a sufficient number are interested in the matter, the cost to each club can be reduced to a very small sum, perhaps five or ten cents a month. It will be nothing but the actual cost of printing, at any rate. Let all who desire to receive the Budget write immediately to their State secretaries, so that it can be known in time to have a sufficient number printed to supply all who may require them. After consultation with members of the General Conference Committee, Eld. Whitney, and others interested in the tract and missionary work, it has been decided to ask that arrangements shall be made to hold a health and temperance meeting in connection with the next T. and M. district quarterly meetings, wherever such meetings are held. Where there is no club existing in the district, let a club be formed at these meetings. Let arrangements be made for a successful meeting in every district. The temperance organization can be made a powerful auxiliary of the T. and M. work, and all who are interested in both are agreed that there ought to be the closest harmony between the two. State presidents should see that some proper person is appointed to look after the matter at each district meeting, and that copies of the Budget are ordered and furnished.