The Voice of Temperance Scrapbook – 9 Winters of Prayers & Poems from Prohibition is a weekly journey through one of history’s most unique relics of faith and reform. This scrapbook, preserved across nine winters, blends heartfelt poetry with fervent prayers from the Prohibition era—a time when voices of temperance sought to guide communities toward sobriety, strength, and moral conviction. Each entry offers not only a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural mindset of the early 20th century, but also a window into how ordinary people used words to grapple with change, hope, and resilience.
Every week, we will highlight one poem and one prayer from the collection, pairing them with a touch of historical context and reflection. Whether you come for the rhythm of the verse, the quiet power of the prayers, or the curiosity of uncovering forgotten pages of the past, this series will celebrate the endurance of the written word and the human spirit through nine long winters of conviction and devotion.
In 1936 for nine winters “The Voice of Temperance” was broadcast over radio stations. Thousands of poems, newspaper clippings, excerpts of temperance addresses, and personal experiences were mailed to the author Sam Morris. Radio listeners copied or clipped most of them from books, magazines, or newspapers without giving their source or author. We had no thought of putting them into a book and so merely pasted them into a handy reference book. But so many requests had come for copies that we have collected those most often requested into this Scrap Book for wider distribution.
Naturally under the circumstances indicated above, it has been impossible to check up and secure the individual permission to publish each one; we have no desire to infringe upon copyright privileges or personal ownerships. We have indicated authorship where it was known and should there be any infringement upon copyright or personal ownership we shall be only too glad to correct the infringement in future editions.
With this brief explanation we send forth this unique Scrap Book with the prayer that its contents may contribute to the moral and spiritual betterment of human society.
Sincerely,
SAM MORRIS
“The Voice of Temperance”
Life’s Question
Robert Hare
When all is said that may be said
And done that can be done.
The side you take — will it stand right?
The crown be lost or won?
This is the question you must face —
Lost oft to human sight –
Not one of conquest — never! No!
Just “Am l in the right?
Man’s false ideas hedge you round,
Deception seeks to please,
And human hearts are satisfied
We trifles such as these.
But higher than the dreams of time
And all that brings delight,
The mighty quation rings anew:
Say, “Am I in the right?”
Truth on her scaffold, wrong at ease.
Вoth now appeal to thee.
Ask not for fame or idle dreams,
Reach for eternity:
It is not conquest that you need,
Or charms that touch the sight,
The question you must answer now
Is, “Am I in the right?”
