The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-07-02


ly poison, is destructive alike to health
and purity. It curses not only the users,
but the very ground out of which it
grows, so that no after fertilization can
restore 1t again to its virgin fertility
Why persons possessing a reasonable
share of brains can stoop so low as to
deile themselves with this noxious weed,
/ cannot understand. Especially, why
one should do it who processes to be
child of God. We do not expect any
thing better OF horse ,jockies, blacklegs
and debauchers than that they should
indulge in such filthy lusts of the flesh,
but the children Of God are expected to
put away every unclean thing and to ab-
stain even from the appearance Of evil.
When COMMUNICATING the Sasior's
death, how often have my feelings revolt
ed at the thought Of having to receive
the cup after passing the mouth Of fl-
thy tobacco chewer. Does God require
me to stoop so low God forbid. "For
we are not called unto uncleanness, but
unto holiness" That the use Of tobacco
is unclean, NO one will deny. The to,
bacco chewer's mouth is as filthy as .
cage of unclean birds. The smokers g
breath is defiling to Gods pure air, and
his abominable stencil is sickening and
offending to the undefiled Christian. -.
The dipper is none the less objections
Bile. All these habits are degrading and
sinful. Repent, my brother, of this gross
sin, and cleanse yourself from all filth.
ness OF the flesh and spirit, that you may
have q right to the sonship Of God. ]
think no tobacco user should be admit
ted to the fellowship Of the saints, or as
member of the church of Christ. He
is as much out of place in the church Of
God as that fptid animal called the pole.
cat would be in our families. "Jehoiada
set porters at the gates OF the house OF
the Lord, that none that were unclean in
anything nigh. enter" Our church
standards should not be lowered so as to
receive men stepped in their lusts and
sins, but exalted to high standard Of
holiness. A church session may not al.
ways discern "a mans secret sins, but
there is no excuse for receiving into
membership those whose sins are oper
and visible, such as fornicators, drunk
ards, opium eaters and filthy tobacco
soakers. asslsi aei i
|.qlThere can be no excuse for using thi'
filthy weed. Ifit'were means Of grace
lit might be endured, and we should in
struct our children in its use, but it is |
Ihindrance to an increase in holiness. Th'
money spent in tobacco is worse thai
Thrown away, for it does no good, but
positive. injury. If the millions spen
for tobacco by protessed Christians wer
given to spread the gospel through tn
world, the millennium would soon dawn
and the glory Of the Lord would cove
| the earth as the waters do the sea. W
have no right to waste the Lords mon
lev. If he has given us means we shoul'
use It to Gods glory, and not waste !
smoking or in otherwise defling ou
bodies, which God has given US for tenn
Piles, to be dwelling places of the Hol,
Spirit. As Christians, we have no righ
| to give our influence to so filthy habi,
The rising generation is looking to yo
| for guidance and instruction. Will yo
not, by, continuing in this flthy habi,
Head the youth Of our land to follow i
your footsteps : If our preachers, elder
and Sabbath School teachers use this I'll
thy weed, may we not expect our chill
dren to do the same2 What avail is
for q Sabbath School teacher to tell hi
scholar not to use tobacco, when he use
lit himself? Precept and example mus
correspond. ~ if.'l -.
.'Know ye not that ye are the tempt
| of God and that the Spirit Of God dwel
leth in your If any man defile theten
pie of God, him shall God destroy, 70
the temple Of God is holy, which tempt
ye are" n-' - 1'se "
How, then, dear brother, can you in
dulge in such filthy habits as chewing
smoking or snufingp All sin is defiling
God abhors sin, and cannot look upon
with the least allowance. Every indul
gence that impairs our health or useful
ness is sin, and we should cleanse oul
selves from It as the Apostle In my tex
commands. God commands us to b
holy, and why holy ?-because God j
holy. If we are Gods children, he ha
promised to walk with US and be in US
Therefore We are to cleanse ourselve
from all flthiness of the flesh, that Go
may dwell in US. Is it any wonder ths
God requires q pure temple to dwell in
Would we offer dear friend, who cam
to see us, filthy room to occupy2 nay
but we would provide for his receptio
with the greatest care. How much NOR
careful should we be to furnish pur
Iso,,alo o., tLo unlx, Ca,r;t ~ a u,olt 4,