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Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

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Liquor Makes Man a Slave<br />

When <strong>the</strong> appetite <strong>for</strong> spirituous liquor is indulged, <strong>the</strong> man voluntarily<br />

places to his lips <strong>the</strong> draft which debases below <strong>the</strong> level of <strong>the</strong> brute him<br />

who was made in <strong>the</strong> image of God. Reason is paralyzed, <strong>the</strong> intellect is<br />

benumbed, <strong>the</strong> animal passions are excited, and <strong>the</strong>n follow crimes of <strong>the</strong><br />

most debasing character.<br />

Under <strong>the</strong> influence of <strong>the</strong> drink <strong>the</strong>y take, <strong>the</strong>y [men] are led to do<br />

things from which, if <strong>the</strong>y had not tasted <strong>the</strong> maddening drug, <strong>the</strong>y would<br />

have shrunk in horror. When <strong>the</strong>y are under <strong>the</strong> influence of <strong>the</strong> liquid<br />

poison, <strong>the</strong>y are in Satan's control. He rules <strong>the</strong>m, and <strong>the</strong>y co-operate with<br />

him.<br />

Thus he [Satan] works when he entices men to sell <strong>the</strong> soul <strong>for</strong> liquor.<br />

He takes possession of body, mind, and soul, and it is no longer <strong>the</strong> man, but<br />

Satan, who acts. And <strong>the</strong> cruelty of Satan is expressed as <strong>the</strong> drunkard lifts<br />

his hand to strike down <strong>the</strong> wife he has promised to love and cherish as long<br />

as life shall last. The deeds of <strong>the</strong> drunkard are an expression of Satan's<br />

violence.<br />

Men who use liquor make <strong>the</strong>mselves <strong>the</strong> slaves of Satan. Satan tempts<br />

those who occupy positions of trust on railways, on steamships, those who<br />

have charge of <strong>the</strong> boats or cars laden with people flocking to idolatrous<br />

amusement, to indulge perverted appetite, and thus <strong>for</strong>get God and His laws.<br />

They cannot see what <strong>the</strong>y are about. Signals are made incorrectly, and<br />

cars collide with each o<strong>the</strong>r. Then comes horror, mutilation, and death. This<br />

condition of things will become more and more marked.<br />

The drunkard's corrupt tendencies are transmitted to his posterity, and<br />

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