God’s Judgments in Our Day—Because of the wickedness that follows largely as the result of the use of liquor, the judgments of God are falling upon our earth today.—Counsels on Health, 432. (Te 26.1) MC VC

San Francisco’s Object Lesson—For a time after the great earthquake along the coast of California, the authorities in San Francisco and in some of the smaller cities and towns ordered the closing of all liquor saloons. So marked were the effects of this strictly enforced ordinance, that the attention of thinking men throughout America, and notably on the Pacific Coast, was directed to the advantages that would result from a permanent closing of all saloons. During many weeks following the earthquake in San Francisco, very little drunkenness was seen. No intoxicating drinks were sold. The disorganized and unsettled state of affairs gave the city officials reason to expect an abnormal increase of disorder and crime, and they were greatly surprised to find the opposite true. Those from whom was expected much trouble, gave but little. This remarkable freedom from violence and crime was traceable largely to the disuse of intoxicants. (Te 26.2) MC VC

The editors of some of the leading dailies took the position that it would be for the permanent betterment of society and for the upbuilding of the best interests of the city, were the saloons to remain closed forever. But wise counsel was swept aside, and within a few short weeks permission was given the liquor dealers to reopen their places of business, upon the payment of a considerably higher license than had formerly been paid into the city treasury. (Te 26.3) MC VC

In the calamity that befell San Francisco, the Lord designed to wipe out the liquor saloons that have been the cause of so much evil, so much misery and crime; and yet the guardians of the public welfare have proved unfaithful to their trust, by legalizing the sale of liquor.... They know that in doing this, they are virtually licensing the commission of crime; and yet their knowledge of this sure result deters them not.... The people of San Francisco must answer at the judgment bar of God for the reopening of the liquor saloons in that city.—The Review and Herald, October 25, 1906. (Te 26.4) MC VC