Understanding Ellen G White's Teaching on Temperance in the Light of the Nineteenth Century Context

Petronio M. Genebago, MPH, MAR

Abstract

Temperance has been a household term among the Seventh-day Adventists in the nineteenth century. This term carries with it a significant history and impact to the society. Our church, later on, adopted this term to one of its departments, which was Health and Temperance. Nevertheless, the term was dropped to pave the way to Health Ministries. Ellen G White loves to discuss temperance. In fact, temperance was her favorite subject. This paper argues that the rich nineteenth-century temperance context helps to understand and appreciate the message and teaching of Ellen White on temperance. Moreover, the church needs to keep this legacy from this period alive and to pass on to our generation today. This paper will surely contribute to advance the health and
wholeness of the people in Africa.