N OUR EARLIER LABORS IN THE MESSAGE, my husband and I always felt it our duty to demonstrate in every place where we held meetings, that we were fully in harmony with the workers in the temperance cause. . . . And when invitations would come to us to speak in different places on the temperance question, I always accepted if it was possible. This has been my practice throughout my public ministry, not only in this country, but in Europe and in Australasia.

Of all who claim to be numbered among the friends of temperance, Seventh-day Adventists should stand in the front ranks. A flood of light concerning the principles of true reform has been shining on our pathway for many years, and we are accountable before God if we fail to let this light shine to others. Years ago we regarded the spread of temperance principles as one of our most important duties. It should be so today. Our schools and sanitariums are to reveal the power of the grace of Christ to transform the whole being--body, soul, and spirit. Our sanitariums and other educational institutions should be centers of light and blessing in the cause of every Bible reform. . . .

"In our work more attention should be given to the temperance reform. Every duty that calls for reform, involves repentance, faith, and obedience. It means the uplifting of the soul to a new and nobler life. Thus every true reform has its place in the work of the third angel's message. Especially does the temperance reform demand our attention and support. At our camp meetings we should call attention to this work, and make it a living issue. We should present to the people the principles of true temperance, and call for signers to the temperance pledge. Careful attention should be given to those who are enslaved by evil habits. We must lead them to the cross of Christ. . . .

"If the work of temperance were carried forward by us as it was begun thirty years ago; if at our camp meetings we presented before the people the evils of intemperance in eating and drinking, and especially the evil of liquor drinking--if these things were presented in connection with the evidences of Christ's soon coming, there would be a shaking among the people. If we showed a zeal in proportion to the importance of the truths we are handling, we might be instrumental in rescuing hundreds, yea, thousands, from ruin.

"Only eternity will reveal what has been accomplished by this kind of ministry--how many souls, sick with doubt and tired of worldliness and unrest, have been brought to the Great Physician, who longs to save to the uttermost all who come unto Him.". . .

I am being aroused anew on this subject. We have a work to do along this line besides that of speaking in public. We must present our principles in pamphlets and in our papers. We must use every possible means of arousing our people to their duty to get into connection with those who know not the truth. The success we have had in missionary work has been fully proportionate to the self-denying, self-sacrificing efforts we have made. The Lord alone knows how much we might have accomplished if as a people we had humbled ourselves before Him and proclaimed the temperance truth in clear, straight lines.

A large work of seed sowing is yet to be done. The light of truth has flashed upon many minds who have not yet fully taken their stand, and these souls are waiting to see what next. The Lord's workers are to draw nigh to Him, and He will give them keener perceptions and broader views of His purpose and of their individual duty.

We need to put away our narrowness of vision. We need to search the Scriptures, studying the works of Christ in His efforts to reach every class of people. Again and again Christ was charged with receiving sinners and eating with them. But He said, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

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This article is excerpted from one that first appeared in the October 15, 1914, edition of the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald (now the Adventist Review). Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen G. White exercised the biblical gift of prophecy during more than 70 years of public ministry.