In 1881 Counselled To Vote

A question on voting in favor of prohibition, or the restraint of the liquor traffic, was raised at a camp meeting held at Des Moines, Iowa, early in the summer of 1881. A proposed action was placed before the delegates which read:SPCCSR 115.1

“Resolved, That we express our deep interest in the temperance movement now going forward in this state; and that we instruct all our ministers to use their influence among our churches and with the people at large to induce them to put forth every consistent effort, by personal labor, and at the ballot box, in favor of the prohibitory amendment of the Constitution, which the friends of temperance are seeking to secure,”—The Review and Herald, July 5, 1881. (Emphasis supplied.)

But some objected to the clause which called for action at “the ballot box,” and urged its deletion. Mrs. White, who was attending this camp meeting, had retired, but she was summoned to give her counsel.SPCCSR 115.2

Writing of it at the time she says: “I dressed and found I was to speak to the point of whether our people should vote for prohibition. I told them ‘Yes,’ and spoke twenty minutes.”—Letter 6, 1881. Quoted in Temperance, 255.SPCCSR 115.3