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				Smoking The Christadelphian, Letter to the Editor, 1954, page 90

The following letter was sent from one brother to another, and is self- explanatory:

My dear Brother,

On more than one occasion you have explained to me how you have defended smoking with some brethren, and whilst I have said nothing, I have later asked myself, "Why do you harp on the subject and try to justify it?" If it is done for my benefit, then I must say I have never defended it, and when staying with non-smokers, or they with me, never touched it, as to be a slave to a habit is its own condemnation; and thinking over these things it occurs to me I must be an encouragement to others by my bad example. So I am glad to say I have given it up from the day you called at my house nearly a month ago. This has not been easy, but I am glad I have done it as I've always felt it had nothing to commend it, and my example must be a stumbling block to some. As you rightly said, those who have never indulged are the loudest in its condemnation, despite the fact it is not a temptation--let alone a sacrifice--to them; but even then we ought honestly to ask ourselves why we really resent such remarks, and try to act from the spiritual angle. I have always felt deep down that a real man of God would forego this thing, and if you are perfectly honest with yourself you will also. Not that I condemn you; I condemn myself, but I certainly would not parade it. The object of this letter is not to boast, but to ensure that I may never again be quoted as one who indulges this habit, but on the contrary as one who felt constrained, and so was helped, to give it up. We elderly brethren are, consciously or unconsciously, wielding a great influence one upon the other by our example--especially upon the young--and far more by what we do than by what we say, so I am glad of this development. This looks as though I am "preaching" to you. I am not; I am just explaining my reactions, and you have unwittingly done me a good turn by "defending" it. Unknowingly you made me feel right down ashamed.

Sincerely your brother.