“Perry Anderson was near the brink of death when he first walked into Salvation Army hostel The Beacon. At 29, he had been battling alcohol addiction for more than a decade and had lost everything, including his marriage and home. “
This former carpenter had lost his job after a back injury. He drank and lost everything else. He nearly lost his life. Alcohol greatly aggravated his problems. Alcohol could not help him; only Jesus can give hope! Only Jesus gives meaning to life – even for people who never even started drinking.
But now at 20 months sober, Perry has become a Salvation Army soldier and is helping to rescue others from tampering with drink. Hallelujah!
Claire Tyrrell, 11 May 2018, The West Australian “Perry Anderson saved from alcohol addiction thanks to Salvation Army”
“Christians should set an example of personal responsibility in their daily lives. The Salvationist’s caring includes helping people for whom alcohol has been a problem. It would be inconsistent for any Salvationist to drink while at the same time seeking to help others to give it up. “
Salvation Army, Positional Statement on Social Drinking (1990)
“Mother” of the Salvation Army, Catherine Booth wisely warned against running into temptation to drink: “God has nowhere promised to keep the man who needlessly, and for the sake of his own indulgence, runs into temptation. How fearful, then, the responsibility of those Christians who tell the reclaimed inebriate, aye who tell any man, “You may safely tamper with the drink! You may play with this fire of hell, and trust in God to keep you from being burnt.” Alas, how do such counsellors unwittingly play the part of Satan in his cunning approaches to our Lord. “Cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee; and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” [Matt. 4:6] Oh, that all our brethren and sisters would ever bear in mind the memorable answer, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” [Matt. 4:7]
Catherine Booth, Strong Drink Versus Christianity, Total Abstinence is a Valuable Ally of the Gospel, as a Conserving Power
“envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God… Gal. 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Gal. 5:21; 6:1) (NKJV)