April 24

"O great Deliverer, free our land from the great curse of intemperance. May we all have the wisdom and the courage to take the right and safe stand upon this question. May our homes be free from the curse of this blighting evil. Save the drunkard, we pray you, and save our boys and girls from ever becoming drunkards. For Christ's sake. Amen."

- Blogger's note - I have serious reservations about this prayer, particularly the bit about "the safe stand..." This was of course written during the Temperance movement, when well meaning do-gooders managed to make drinking alchohol federally illegal via the 18th ammendment.

This prayer is however, an interesting peek into Victorian mentality. Furthermore, it can be modified to suit today's needs. Certainly imbibing has been taken too far in our culture. "May our homes be free (of drunkenness)... and save our boys and girls from ever becoming drunkards." It can also be modifed for all forms of chemical intoxication, such as drug abuse.