========================================================================
  SMOKING SPIRITUALIZED
  by Ralph Erskine
========================================================================

Summary: This sermon emphasizes the transience of life and the
importance of spiritual redemption, using tobacco as a metaphor to
illustrate the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of decay
and death.

Topics: "Mortality And Sin", "Spiritual Renewal"
Scripture References: Psalm 103:15, Psalm 141:2, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Isaiah 64:1, James 4:14

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ralph Erskine delivers a powerful sermon using the metaphor of smoking
tobacco to reflect on the transient nature of life, the vanity of
worldly pursuits, the reminder of sin and mortality, and the ultimate
return to dust. He encourages the congregation to contemplate on their
spiritual state and the need for divine inspiration to ignite their
hearts. Through tobacco smoking, Erskine draws parallels to the deeper
spiritual truths of life, faith, and the promises of God.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Indian weed now wither'd quite,

'Tho' green at noon, cut down at night,

Shows thy decay;

All flesh is hay.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

The pipe so lily-like and weak,

Does thus thy mortal state bespeak.

Thou art ev'n such,

Gone with a touch.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

And when the smoke ascends on high,

Then thou behold'st the vanity

Of worldly stuff,

Gone with a puff.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

And when the pipe grows foul within,

Think on thy soul defil'd with sin;

For then the fire,

It does require.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

And seest the ashes cast away;

Then to thyself thou mayest say

That to the dust

Return thou must.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

PART II.

Was this small plant for thee cut down?

So was the plant of great renown;

Which mercy sends

For nobler ends.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

Doth juice medicinal proceed

From such a naughty foreign weed?

Then what's the pow'r

Of Jesse's flow'r?

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

The promise, like the pipe, inlays,

And by the mouth of faith conveys

What virtue flows

From Sharon's rose.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

In vain th' unlighted pipe you blow;

Your pains in inward means are so,

'Till heav'nly fire

Thy heart inspire.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

The smoke, like burning incense tow'rs

So should a praying heart of yours,

With ardent cries,

Surmount the skies.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ralph-erskine/smoking-spiritualized/
========================================================================