MH page 329

Boys begin the use of tobacco at a very early age. The habit thus formed when body and mind are especially susceptible to its effects, undermines the physical strength, dwarfs the body, stupefies the mind, and corrupts the morals.

Early tobacco use harms physical and mental development and morals. The paragraph asserts direct developmental and cognitive harms of tobacco use initiated at a young age.

But what can be done to teach children and youth the evils of a practice of which parents, teachers, and ministers set them the example? Little boys, hardly emerged from babyhood, may be seen smoking their cigarettes. If one speaks to them about it, they say, “My father uses tobacco.” They point to the minister or the Sunday-school superintendent and say, “Such a man smokes; what harm for me to do as he does?” Many workers in the temperance cause are addicted to the use of tobacco. What power can such persons have to stay the progress of intemperance?

Adult role models, including parents and leaders, undermine temperance efforts when they use tobacco. This is primarily a ministry and social observation about hypocrisy and role modeling regarding tobacco use.

I appeal to those who profess to believe and obey the word of God: Can you as Christians indulge a habit that is paralyzing your intellect and robbing you of power rightly to estimate eternal realities? Can you consent daily to rob God of service which is His due, and to rob your fellow men, both of service you might render and of the power of example?

Christians should avoid habits that impair intellectual capacity and spiritual duty. Contains an ethical and spiritual appeal regarding intellectual impairment from habits.

Have you considered your responsibility as God's stewards, for the means in your hands? How much of the Lord's money do you spend for tobacco? Reckon up what you have thus spent during your lifetime. How does the amount consumed by this defiling lust compare with what you have given for the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel?

Financial resources spent on tobacco should be compared with charitable giving. Focuses on stewardship, personal finance, and charitable comparison rather than empirical health claims.