"Do not let your inclinations control you. Discard from your diet flesh meat and every other unwholesome article. Sign a pledge that you will entirely discard the use of flesh meat."
On this page I share quotations I have found on signing pledge cards.
Let every God-fearing youth gird on the armor and press to the front. Put your names on every temperance pledge presented. Thus you lend your influence in favor of signing the pledge, and induce others to sign it. Let no weak excuse deter you from taking this step. Work for the good of your own souls and for good of others.—The Youth's Instructor, July 16, 1903. Te 198.2
Let not one drop of wine or liquor pass your lips, for in its use is madness and woe. Pledge yourself to entire abstinence, for it is your only safety.... Let not one son by his words and his example become Satan's agent to tempt one of the members of the family to lead to indulge and awaken the demon appetite which spoiled the life of the father and sent him prematurely to the grave.—Manuscript 25, 1893. Te 198.4
Ask them to sign the pledge. The commission of the great I AM is to be your authority. Have the pledges prepared, and present them at the close of the meeting. . Ev 530
The Lord has given clear light regarding the nature of the food that is to compose our diet; He has instructed us concerning the effect of unhealthful food upon the disposition and character. Shall we respond to the counsels and cautions given? Who among our brethren will sign a pledge to dispense with flesh meats, tea, and coffee, and all injurious foods, and become health reformers in the fullest sense of the term? 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 7
I appeal to young and old, and to middle-aged. Deny your appetite of those things that are doing you injury. Serve the Lord by sacrifice. Let the good work begin at Washington, and go forth from there to other places. I know whereof I am writing. If a temperance pledge, providing for the abstinence from flesh foods, tea and coffee, and some other foods that are known to be injurious, were circulated through or ranks, a great and good work would be accomplished. I ask you at this time, Will you not circulate such a pledge? The means saved by such sacrifice, if used for the furtherance of the cause of God, would be blessed to the salvation of many souls. 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 11
Again he presented the paper and in an authoritative manner said, “Sign this paper or resign your positions. Not only sign, but upon your honor carry out your decisions. Be true to your principles. As God's messenger I come to you and demand your names. Neither of you have seen the necessity of health reform, but when the plagues of God shall be all around you, you will then see the principles of health reform and strict temperance in all things,—that temperance alone is the foundation of all the graces that come from God, the foundation of all victories to be gained. Refuse to sign this and you will never have another solicitation. You both need your spirits humbled, softened, and let mercy, tender compassion, and dutiful tenderness take the place of coarseness, harshness, set and determined will to carry out your ideas at any cost”.... Te 201.4
In this experience of backsliding from the principles of reform, our people have been repeating the experience of the children of Israel in the wilderness during the forty years of travel. Those who continue to follow their own course in this respect, eating, drinking, as they please, will gradually grow careless of the instructions the Lord has given regarding other phases of the present truth; they surely reap as they have sown.
Put away every particle of low speeches and vulgarism. Put away everything like intoxicating beverages out of your house and out of your sight. Before you leave Battle Creek, sign the Temperance pledge. If your wife asks for one drop of spirituous liquor, tell her no. You have spent the last cent for the vile stuff you ever shall. In your case, it must be touch not, taste not, handle not. 2LtMs, Lt 39, 1875, par. 20
What cure would you advise for a person who thus indulges a habit that is rebuked even by the beasts of the field? The word of God has denounced it: no drunkard shall enter the kingdom of God. What would you recommend to cure such an appetite? You would not say, “You may use strong drink moderately. Continue within bounds, but never indulge to excess.” You would rather say, “There is no such thing as helping you unless you co-operate fully with my efforts, and sign the pledge of total abstinence. You have by indulgence made your habit second nature, and it cannot be controlled unless the moral power shall be aroused, and you look unto Jesus, trusting in the grace he shall give to overcome this unnatural craving.” You would say, “You have lost your self-control. Your self-indulgence is not only a moral sin, but it has become a physical disease.You are not your own; you are God's property. He has purchased you with an infinite price, and every faculty is to be employed in his service. Keep your body in a healthy condition to do his will; keep your intellect clear and active to think candidly and critically, and to control all your powers.”—Unpublished Testimonies, October 12, 1896. . HL 114.5
“The beer-drinkers will present their glasses of beer, and those who claim to be children of God may plead the same excuse for not signing the temperance pledge,—because they will be treated with beer, and it will not be agreeable to refuse. These excuses may be carried to any length, but they are not of any weight; and we were sorry that any who claimed to believe the truth should refuse to sign the pledge—refuse to put barriers about their souls and fortify themselves against temptation. They choose to leave the bars down, so that they can readily step over and accept temptation without making the effort to resist it.”—Ibid. EGWE 271.1 The servant of God brought the test of temperance home to the consciences of the people with fine distinction: EGWE 271.2 “Jesus endured the painful fast in our behalf, and conquered Satan in every temptation, thus making it possible for man to conquer in his own behalf, and on his own account, through the strength brought to him by this mighty victory gained as man's substitute and surety. We thank the Lord that a victory was gained upon these points, even here in Basel; and we hope to carry our brethren and sisters up to a still higher standard to sign the pledge to abstain from Java coffee and the herb that comes from China. We see that there are some who need to take this step in reform.”—Ibid. EGWE 271.3
I am sure that if you will Begin at Washington to do this work of reform, in school, in the Printing Office and among All the Working Forces, the Lord will help you to present a pledge that will help the people to return from their backslidings on the question of health reform. As you seek to carry out the will of the Lord in this particular, he will give you clear understanding of what the health reform will do for you. PH128 3.1
I hope, Edson, that until clearer light is given, you will not carry out the plans spoken of in your letter to me. I am bidden not to encourage you to take this step; for you would deeply regret it if you did. Were I in your place, I would positively refuse to link up with the persons you have named. Will you not counsel with Brother Haskell and Brother Butler. 19LtMs, Lt 121, 1904, par. 11 I have a word more to say to you. Will you not sign a pledge that you will no longer weaken or deface the Lord’s temple by working when you ought to rest. In order to have proper thoughts and in order to speak proper words, you must give your brain rest. You do not take sufficient time to rest. The weary brain and tired nerves would be invigorated if you would make a change in this respect. I wish that you and Emma could spend the summer with us here at St. Helena. 19LtMs, Lt 121, 1904, \
You are creating a condition of things in your system that will spoil your usefulness. Unless you change, you will fall a victim to your unsanctified imagination. 20LtMs, Lt 208, 1905, par. 5 Do not let your inclinations control you. Discard from your diet flesh meat and every other unwholesome article. Sign a pledge that you will entirely discard the use of flesh meat. 20LtMs, Lt 208, 1905, par. 6
A true reformation needs to take place among the believers in Washington in the matter of healthful living. If the believers there will give themselves unreservedly to God, He will accept them. If they will adopt in the matter of eating and drinking the principles of temperance that the light of health reform has brought to us, they will be richly blessed. Those who have received instruction regarding the evils of the use of flesh meats, tea and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food preparations, and who are determined to make a covenant with God by sacrifice will not continue to indulge their appetites for foods which they know to be unhealthful. God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good. This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people. 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 6 The Lord has given clear light regarding the nature of the food that is to compose our diet; He has instructed us concerning the effect of unhealthful food upon the disposition and character. Shall we respond to the counsels and cautions given? Who among our brethren will sign a pledge to dispense with flesh meats, tea, and coffee, and all injurious foods, and become health reformers in the fullest sense of the term? 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 7 If we could be benefited by indulging the desire for flesh meats, I would not make this appeal to you; but I know we cannot. They are injurious to the physical well-being, and we should learn to do without them. 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 8 In this experience of backsliding from the principles of reform, our people have been repeating the history of the children of Israel in the wilderness during their forty years of travel. Those who continue to follow their own course in this respect, eating and drinking as they please, will gradually grow careless of the instruction the Lord has given regarding other phases of the present truth; they will surely reap as they have sown. 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 9 I have been instructed that the students in our schools are not to be served with flesh foods or with food preparations that will cause disturbances of the stomach. Nothing that will serve to encourage a desire for stimulants should be placed on the tables. 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 10 I appeal to young and old, and to middle-aged. Deny your appetite of those things that are doing you injury. Serve the Lord by sacrifice. Let the good work begin at Washington, and go forth from there to other places. I know whereof I am writing. If a temperance pledge, providing for the abstinence from flesh foods, tea and coffee, and some other foods that are known to be injurious, were circulated through or ranks, a great and good work would be accomplished. I ask you at this time, Will you not circulate such a pledge? The means saved by such sacrifice, if used for the furtherance of the cause of God, would be blessed to the salvation of many souls. 23LtMs, Lt 162, 1908, par. 11
Temperance workers try to induce the drunkard to sign a pledge that henceforth he will not use intoxicating liquor. This is well.—Manuscript 102, 1904. Te 198.3
The Drunkard's Children to Sign. An Appeal—Let not one drop of wine or liquor pass your lips, for in its use is madness and woe. Pledge yourself to entire abstinence, for it is your only safety.... Let not one son by his words and his example become Satan's agent to tempt one of the members of the family to lead to indulge and awaken the demon appetite which spoiled the life of the father and sent him prematurely to the grave.—Manuscript 25, 1893. Te 198.4
To those in high positions we are to present the total abstinence pledge, asking them to give the money they would otherwise spend for the harmful indulgences of liquor and tobacco to the establishment of institutions where children and youth may be prepared to fill positions of usefulness in the world.—Testimonies for the Church 7:58. Te 198.5
Ask those who attend the meetings to help you in the work that you are trying to do. Show them how evil habits result in diseased bodies and diseased minds—in wretchedness that no pen can describe. The use of intoxicating liquor is robbing thousands of their reason. And yet the sale of this liquor is legalized. Tell them that they have a heaven to win and a hell to shun. Ask them to sign the pledge. The commission of the great I AM is to be your authority. Have the pledges prepared, and present them at the close of the meeting. . Ev 530
We should never be ashamed of temperance in all things, while we remember Christ's long and painful fast to break the power of Satan's temptations over the race upon the point of appetite. Christ fought the battle in painfulness, in weakness, and conquered Satan, making it possible for man to conquer in the name and strength of Jesus Christ. Then why should the followers of Jesus be ashamed to refuse the tempting wine cup. Daniel refused to drink of the king's wine, or to eat of the meat on the king's table, because the effect upon his physical and mental powers would not be of that character to give him the strength he needed. At all times and on all occasions it requires moral courage to resist temptation on the point of appetite. We may expect such practice will be a surprise to those who do not practice habits of total abstinence from all stimulants; but how are we to carry forward the work of reform if we are to conform to the habits and practices of those with whom we associate? Here is the very opportunity to manifest that we are a peculiar people, zealous of good works. The beer drinkers will present their glasses of beer, and those who claim to be children of God may plead the same excuse for not signing the temperance pledge,—because they will be treated with beer, and it will not be agreeable to refuse. These excuses may be carried to any length, but they are not of any weight; and we were sorry that any who claimed to believe the truth should refuse to sign the pledge—refuse to put barriers about their souls and fortify themselves against temptation. They choose to leave the bars down, so that they can readily step over and accept temptation without making the effort to resist it. . RH April 19, 1887, par. 6
[SEE THE FOLLOWING EXPLANATION]
Some of the Adventists would not sign the temperance pledge. The reasons given were not justified, however. Mrs. White explained: EGWE 270.3 “Their excuse was that their work called them into places where wine would be passed to them (as is customary in this country), and they could not refuse to take it for fear of offending those for whom they worked. I thought that here was a very good opportunity for them to lift the cross, and let their light shine forth as God's peculiar people whom He was purifying unto Himself. EGWE 270.4 “We should never be ashamed of temperance in all things, while we remember Christ's long and painful fast to break the power of Satan's temptations over the race upon the point of appetite. Christ fought the battle in painfulness, in weakness, and conquered Satan, making it possible for man to conquer in the name and strength of Jesus Christ. Then why should the followers of Jesus be ashamed to refuse the tempting wine cup?”—Ibid. EGWE 270.5
And what was to be done about the drinking of beer? Was this matter of no consequence for the Adventist? EGWE 270.6 “The beer-drinkers will present their glasses of beer, and those who claim to be children of God may plead the same excuse for not signing the temperance pledge,—because they will be treated with beer, and it will not be agreeable to refuse. These excuses may be carried to any length, but they are not of any weight; and we were sorry that any who claimed to believe the truth should refuse to sign the pledge—refuse to put barriers about their souls and fortify themselves against temptation. They choose to leave the bars down, so that they can readily step over and accept temptation without making the effort to resist it.”—Ibid. EGWE 271.1 The servant of God brought the test of temperance home to the consciences of the people with fine distinction: EGWE 271.2 “Jesus endured the painful fast in our behalf, and conquered Satan in every temptation, thus making it possible for man to conquer in his own behalf, and on his own account, through the strength brought to him by this mighty victory gained as man's substitute and surety. We thank the Lord that a victory was gained upon these points, even here in Basel; and we hope to carry our brethren and sisters up to a still higher standard to sign the pledge to abstain from Java coffee and the herb that comes from China. We see that there are some who need to take this step in reform.”—Ibid. EGWE 271.3
You have so long been instigated and controlled by Satan that nothing but a determined effort will do for you now. Be not ashamed to take your position decidedly without delay. Sign the pledge of total abstinence; leave off drinking beer, wine, or anything of the kind. Your thoughts are not pure; your heart is polluted. Your soul temple is defiled; God’s name is dishonored. The evidences of a Christian life are not found in you. Should you die now, you would be lost. Make no delay. It is not too late now to perfect a Christian character, but it rests with you whether you will be in the service of God or in the service of Satan. You are either in one army or the other; there is no middle ground. 4LtMs, Lt 83, 1886, par. 4 Will you now see your life as it is—miserable and corrupt? Will you take your stand on the Lord’s side boldly, heartily, promptly? Will you come under the Lord’s banner? He will accept no halfway work. Your life hitherto has been almost an entire failure. Sin has been chosen, righteousness and godliness discarded. But if you will now turn, change your course decidedly, and seek the grace which Christ freely imparts to those who really desire it, you may yet be a true child of God, and Jesus will write pardon over against your name. 4LtMs, Lt 83, 1886, pa
What cure would you advise for a person who thus indulges a habit that is rebuked even by the beasts of the field? The word of God has denounced it: no drunkard shall enter the kingdom of God. What would you recommend to cure such an appetite? You would not say, “You may use strong drink moderately. Continue within bounds, but never indulge to excess.” You would rather say, “There is no such thing as helping you unless you co-operate fully with my efforts, and sign the pledge of total abstinence. You have by indulgence made your habit second nature, and it cannot be controlled unless the moral power shall be aroused, and you look unto Jesus, trusting in the grace he shall give to overcome this unnatural craving.” You would say, “You have lost your self-control. Your self-indulgence is not only a moral sin, but it has become a physical disease.You are not your own; you are God's property. He has purchased you with an infinite price, and every faculty is to be employed in his service. Keep your body in a healthy condition to do his will; keep your intellect clear and active to think candidly and critically, and to control all your powers.”—Unpublished Testimonies, October 12, 1896. . HL 114.5
We thank the Lord that a victory has been gained, but we hope to carry our brethren and sisters up to a still higher standard, where they will sign the pledge to abstain from coffee and the herb that comes from China. . CH 441.3
We hope to carry our brethren and sisters up to a still higher standard to sign the pledge to abstain from Java coffee and the herb that comes from China. We see that there are some who need to take this step in reform.—The Review and Herald, April 19, 1887. . Te 82.1
If all our treasures which are hindrances to spirituality were removed, it would come close to every one of you. The greatest hindrance to some and that which is a positive idol is their habits of eating and drinking. Parents and children with their wrong habits are injuring their physical, mental, and moral capabilities. Tea and coffee drinking are marked as idols. These things are a positive injury to the physical, mental, and moral powers, and those who indulge them will never advance in spirituality until these evils are given up and they sign the teetotal pledge.Intemperance in these things excites the nerves, and when the immediate influence is gone there is a letting down and a feeling of exhaustion. The flagging energies must be stimulated by more tea, more coffee. The habit of frequent lunches is a positive injury to health. . 4LtMs, Ms 50, 1886, par. 5
The indulgence in smoking and chewing the narcotic, tobacco, becomes habit, and the appetite for these things is most difficult to overcome. But those who will come under rule to Christ, who will give their heart, soul, and strength to the Lord Jesus; who for the love of God, and for the sake of wife and children, will sign the pledge of total abstinence, and will pray in faith for the Lord to help them, will cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit. They will need that faith that depends on a higher will power than their own. 13LtMs, Ms 191, 1898, par. 2 We wish, if possible, to call the attention of professed Christians and ministers who present the gospel to a perishing world to break off the filthy, disgusting habit of smoking and chewing tobacco. Will you have the moral courage to do this? Will you form societies, not “smoking societies,” not smoking concerts, to educate others in this health and life-destroying, poisonous narcotic, but will you who have reasoning powers unite with us to give your influence against this sinful, wicked indulgence? Is it not time you should consider, as human beings dependent upon God for your daily sustenance, not to make idols? 13LtMs, Ms 191, 1898, par. 3 You start back and say, “You put it too strong.” It is not a whit too strong. I call upon every tobacco-devotee to discern in its use an idol. The money expended for the pernicious narcotic binds you with Satan’s cords of slavery. Yes, every one who uses this poisonous weed will have to give an account to God for his voluntarily using a substance which is educating his appetite and entire will and being into making him a slave to a practice that will weaken physical health, war against spiritual health, and becloud and cobweb the brain. Never will you be aware of the bonds of slavery you have subjected yourselves to, except through your determined effort to break the galling chains of habit in determined resistance to the narcotic. Every sound-thinking man, every man who thinks he stands under the bloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel, should consider, and be afraid of his influence upon his fellow men. He should be afraid of his influence upon his own family. He should, for the sake of his wife and his children, wake up and act decidedly. 13LtMs, Ms 191, 1898, par. 4