The Bulwark of the 18th Amendment - A Speech on Temperance

Sep 21, 2026

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A speech by Alvah S. Hobart defending temperance by arguing that intemperance is condemned throughout the Bible—from Noah and Lot to the warnings in the New Testament. The speaker criticizes those in churches who avoid “mundane” topics and urges both serious Bible reading and moral responsiveness. The talk also connects intemperance to broad historical experience, noting that many cultures fought similar evils through law, penalties, and public policy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Church objections and the chosen topic

Biblical condemnation of intemperance

New Testament support and seriousness

Church responsibilities and exhortations

Historical parallels across countries

97-84145-28Hobart,Alvah Sabin The bulwark of the 18thamendment [S.1.] [192-] # COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIESPRESERVATION DIVISIONBIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED-EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD RESTRICTIONS ON USE: Reproductions may not be made without permission from Columbia University Lbraries. # TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE:35mmREDUCTION RATIO: 9:1 MAGE PLACEMENT:IA DATE FILMED: s12/a INITIALS: TLM TRACKING\#: 26255 ① FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES,BETHLEHEM,PA. Thcugh the President s Otfive 308The Bulwark of the2B的22718th AmendmentALVAH S.HoBART Some years ago I spoke in a churchin New York City one Sunday eve-ning on the preannounced topic“Woman-suffrage.”After giving aswell as I could the argument on bothsides that were then in the publicmind I said that whether we like itor not within five years we shall haveit.Therefore it behooves the womento get ready to take the responsibili-ties that will thus be laid upon them. One of"supposed-to-be-someones"in the church complained thatI had chosen that subject.He toldme afterwards that he did not cometo hear me for he thought the pulpitshould be reserved for "sacredthemes.” I suppose he would have me speakabout the "Secret decrees of God,"or the"Mysteries of the incarna- 1 PAeai 。Buti94t9·/3·3P tion,"or the Doctrine of inspira-tion,"or several others,but especiallyabout "Divine election,"or Fore-or-dination”;he being sure of coursethat he was himself among the elect.Such is human nature.There arestill a few "holdovers"in the church-es.They are like coffee grounds ortea leaves after the flavor has beentaken out.They are hopeless so faras any change is concerned.I sup-pose such would object to my speak-ing here about so mundane a subjectas the one I have chosen. I should like to have such peoplewith me for a half hour in what wecall a Bible-reading on the subject oftemperance or intemperance.AndI would ask them to look with botheyes and listen with both ears.Forsuch people are dull in one ear andblind in one eye.They hear wellone part of the Christian teachings,and see with one eye the visions ofduty.But the other ear is dull andthe other eye is clouded. If I had them with me I would askthem to note that intemperance isspoken of all through the Bible as agreat sin.Neither prophets norApostles were hesitant about con-demning it.It was written thatNoah disgraced himself because hewas drunk(Gen.9:20.)Lot didthe same thing.(Gen.19:32)Thepriests were forbidden to minister atthe temple after drinking wine.(Lev.10:9)The Nazarites werespecially honored because they weretetotallers.(Num.10:9)A stub-born and drunken was to be stoned.(Deut.21:20)Hannah was censuredfor being drunk,but she was foundguiltless and the censure removed.(I Sam.I;4)Nabal for his drunk-en insolence was condemned andnearly lost his life.(I Sam.15),Ammon was killed when he wasdrunk.(II Sam.13:28)The excite-ment of wine led the king to make afoolish vow which only the interfer-ence of Esther prevented him from performing.(Esther I:10)Wine isa mocker.(Prov.20:1)It is notfor kings to drink wine.(Prov.31: 4)Happy is the people whose kingdoes not drink wine.(Ecl.10:17)Ephraim reels through wine andstaggers through strong drink.Is. 26:7)Woe to him that giveth hisneighbor drink and maketh himdrunken also.(Hab.2:15)Amoscondemns drinking from bowls. (6:3)He that preaches to you ofwine talks wind and lies.(Micah 2:10) These would show them that thesin of intemperance was a hanger onof the people from Noah to Jesus— 4,000 years and still lives in thechurch hidden like Rachael's idols inthe baggage of tradition and self in-dulgence.In spite of all the earnestteaching and the severest condemna-tions every generation has had tocontend with it,and has done sovaliantly,and must continue theeffort to subdue it.But so

FAQs

Why does the speaker address “Woman-suffrage” and then pivot to temperance?

He argues that within a few years women will be tasked with new responsibilities, so they must get ready. He then responds to church objections by discussing temperance as a matter the church cannot ignore.

How does the speech use the Bible to support temperance?

It cites examples and warnings across both the Old and New Testaments, treating intemperance as a major sin that carries serious consequences.

Does the speech claim intemperance affects only low people?

No. It emphasizes that the evil is not confined to the vicious; it reaches people of all positions, including kings and learned individuals, through its “deadly and seductive” influence.

Sep 21, 2026

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