The Story of our Health Message

Against the Use of Liquor at Funerals

In 1814 one of the first effective steps was taken in the United States in a protest against the use of intoxicating liquors at funerals. It was plausibly argued that the tendency of this practice was “to prevent the benefit that might otherwise be derived from providences, and the religious exercises of funeral occasions.” Soon after this a further protest was made against “the evils of furnishing ardent spirits as an article of entertainment, especially to ministers of the gospel, a practice which was also common, and was thought by many to be a suitable expression of respect and kindness toward the ministerial office.”—Permanent Documents of the American Temperance Society, 1:6, 7. New York: 1852. SHM 39.2

In 1822 the tragic deaths of two victims of drunkenness furnished the text for two sermons, which were printed and circulated: the first, “On the Wretchedness of Intemperate Men”; the second, “On the Duty of Preventing Sober Men From Becoming Intemperate.” It was argued that if, first, sober men could be prevented from becoming intemperate, then “when the present race of drunkards should be removed, the whole land might be free.”—Ibid., 7. SHM 39.3

Three years later a more effective argument, based upon a social-economic experiment, was made. A farmer in Massachusetts, owning about 600 acres of land and employing about ten men, became aware of the evils of drink and felt that he could no longer conscientiously continue to give the customary ration of ardent spirits to his employees. Calling them together, he kindly but firmly told them of his decision. Only one chose to leave. Some of those, however, who chose to remain through the season got liquor elsewhere, so it was not at once a matter of total abstinence. SHM 40.1

The next season he determined to hire only those who would agree to drink no ardent spirits at all. His neighbors predicted that it would be impossible to hire such a group of workers, but in this they were mistaken. Then the neighbors were equally certain that the workmen would not render satisfactory service, and that his farm would run down for want of proper care. Again the results were entirely contrary to their expectations. SHM 40.2

This story, briefly told, was published by the American Tract Society. The benefits both to the men themselves and to the farmer were set forth, with the conclusion that great good would ensue to the country should all the people of the United States adopt the plan of abstinence from the use of ardent spirits. (“A Well-Conducted Farm,” American Tract Society, No. 176, 1825, 12 pp.) SHM 40.3