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Today on Celebrate the Bible, we’ll look at the History of Prohibition: Artifacts from the American Temperance Era.
The temperance movement was primarily active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It emphasized the negative health effects of alcohol. The movement also highlighted the destruction of the family unit, communities, and country.
The movement was successful in achieving the total removal of alcohol among several countries, which was termed prohibition. These countries were Canada from 1918 to 1920; Norway from 1919 to 1926; Finland from 1919 to 1932; and here in the United States from 1920 to 1933.
Frances Willard was the second president of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. Her leadership was key in growing that organization. It became the second largest women’s religious organization in the 19th century.
There’s quite a bit of historical information on the Internet about the temperance movements. I will place links below to help you get started learning more about it. Look for the reference links.
For now, though, I would like to show a few selected pieces from my Celebrate the Bible collection. If you are listening to this as a podcast, and would like to view the photos, please go to celebratethebible250.com and type “temperance” into the search box.
First, we’ll start with this stereo view card published by Underwood and Underwood. It is dated for the year 1898, and shows “The late Miss Frances E. Willard, President, Woman’s Christian Temperance Union”. I should point out that, although the flowers surrounding Miss Willard are viewed as 3D when placed into a stereoscope, her portrait does not appear 3D.
Next we have a commemorative United States postage stamp (above). It also shows Frances Willard. The stamp was issued on March 28, 1940, as part of the Famous Americans series. She was born on September 28, 1839, and passed away on February 17, 1898.
Billy Sunday was a strong supporter of temperance throughout his evangelistic meetings in cities throughout the United States. People say that all the bars and liquor joints closed. This was due to lack of business when Sunday came to town. Here is a pamphlet (above) given to the thousands upon thousands of attendees. Let me read the cover:
“Dear Friend: You have by this act of coming forward publicly acknowledging your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. No one could possibly be more rejoiced that you have done this or be more anxious for you to succeed and get the most joy and service out of the Christian life, than I. I therefore ask you to read carefully this little tract. Paste it in your Bible, and read it frequently.” — Billy Sunday
The topics that the tract covers are: 1. Study the Bible; 2. Pray Much; 3. Win someone for Christ; 4. Shun Evil Companions; 5. Join Some Church; 6. Give to the Support of the Lord’s Word; and 7. Do Not Become Discouraged.
He was known for one of his famous sayings. He would say: “Whiskey and beer are all right in their place … but their place is in hell.”
Next (above) was have a pledge card that someone would fill out to make their Declaration of Independence against King Alcohol. It noted a love for Christ and Country. The pledge stated: “I pledge myself never to use intoxication liquor as a drink. I promise to do all I can to end the drink habit and liquor traffic.” This particular card is still unsigned and undated.
This next, fanciful trade card (above) is for LePage’s Liquid Glue … over 47 million bottles sold. The connection to our topic today is that this gentleman is stuck in his seat. His drinking buddies are trying desperately to pull him loose to go drinking. It states, and I quote:
“Twas the day after New Years and all through the place,
The would-be reformers were falling from grace.
But the shoemaker could not be moved from his seat,
Though his friends employed force,
when they urged him to treat.
He stuck to his good resolutions ’tis true,
But only by aid of his Le Page’s Glue.”
I will close with this photo. I took it at City Hall in Ocean City, New Jersey. It shows The Woman’s Christian Temperance Fountain, located on the northeast corner of Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue. Donated in the year 1912, and finally put in place after construction of City Hall in 1915.
These fountains were among many temperance fountains across the United States. They encouraged local citizens to drink water as a healthy choice over alcohol consumption.
To this day, Ocean City, New Jersey remains a “dry town”.
Well, that’s about all I have for today’s episode. I hope you enjoyed seeing these Christian-based historical items dealing with the American temperance movement.
So, until we meet again, and for celebratethebible250, this is Francis Douglas.
If you would like me to give a presentation, at your church, school, gallery, or organization, let me know. I will also provide a tabletop display.
The topic I cover is the History of the Christian Holy Bible in America.
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