Temperance Hymnody – Dictionary of Hymnology

The Temperance movement produced abundant stores of verse, consisting of hymns, odes, ballads, and compositions that were descriptive, imaginative, humorous, pathetic, satirical, and elegiac. America furnished much of this material, but its principal sources were Scotch and English.

Rise and Progress of Temperance Hymnody

The Temperance Reform, which began in America early in 1826, took root in Ireland and Scotland in the autumn of 1829, and in England early in 1830. The first societies, founded on the basis of abstinence from distilled spirits only, do not appear to have made use of any special hymns bearing upon the Temperance question.

Within a few years, these societies transitioned to abstinence from all intoxicating liquors. In 1836, a collection of Temperance Hymns and Songs was issued from the office of the Temperance Advocate at Preston, a town which had served for some years as the primary centre for total abstinence advocacy.

Early Hymn Books and Compilations

Before the middle of 1837, Francis Beardsall of Manchester brought out the first general Temperance Hymn Book, containing nearly 200 hymns culled from American and British temperance periodicals. In a second edition, the count increased to 226, and later reached 255.

Subsequent publications expanded the repertoire across the country:

The Hymn Book of the New British and Foreign Temperance Society
Temperance Hymns and Songs, edited by J. W. Green (enlarged in 1853)
The Scottish Temperance League Hymn Book, edited by F. C. Wilson
Regional and personal collections issued by R. G. Mason, alongside local collections from Gwyther Kendal, Nottingham, Leicester, and Bristol

Youth Movements and Later Collections

The growth of the Juvenile Temperance movement, particularly through the Band of Hope, stimulated the publication of poetical pieces with music attached, though hymns in the strict sense did not multiply in the same proportion. Notable juvenile and general works included The Crystal Fount, The Crystal Spring, The British Band of Hope Melodist, The National Temperance Hymn Book (compiled by H. A. Hammond), Hymns and Melodies of the Band of Hope, The New Penny Temperance Hymn Book (by J. W. Kirton), The Book of Song of Bands of Hope, Odes for Good Templars, and W. Hoyle's Hymns and Songs.

The Committee of the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union published a volume containing 176 Hymns and Songs for Bands of Hope. In connection with the Church of England Temperance Society, a book of 254 Hymns and Songs was published, though only a small selection focused strictly on temperance topics.

In 1864, G. H. Graham of Maidstone published the National Band of Hope and Temperance Melodist, comprising 250 pieces from over 70 writers. John Compston later edited the National Temperance Harmonist (1870) for Graham, containing 550 hymns and songs with a musical edition of 311 tunes. Compston revised this work in 1878 as the National Temperance Hymnal, containing 490 hymns. The Standard Book of Song for Temperance Meetings and Home Use appeared in 1878 under the editorship of T. Bowick, followed in 1881 by a musical volume by A. J. Burch.

Across these compilations, which contained both songs and hymns, the total number of distinct hymns is estimated at roughly 300, produced by 60 to 70 hymn-writers. While early collections featured many hymns by single authors, later compilations restricted representation to a few select pieces per writer.

Popular and Widely Used Temperance Hymns

A glorious light has burst around us — Walker
Abstainers, wake, there is work to be done — J. Anderson
All gracious Lord, we look to Thee — W. J. Harvey
Almighty Father, while we own, Thy saving power, &c. — Vernon
Am I my brother's keeper? Yes — American
Christian, awake, for still the foe — H. Anderton
Come all dear children, sing a song — J. Tunnicliff
Come, gentle daughters of our land — Clara L. Balfour
Come, lovers of mankind — Vernon
Come, ye men of rank and station — Vernon
Father of the human race — R. G. Mason
Friends of Temperance, onward go — J. B.
Give me a draught from the crystal spring — T. Hastings
Great God, Thy presence we implore — Jabez Burns
Hail, Temperance, bright celestial ray — J. W. Green
Lo Zion droops; in vain, in vain — H. Anderton
Lord of heaven and earth, defend us — Anonymous
O Thou from Whom all gifts proceed — Vernon
Onwards the animating sound — American
Parent, who with speechless feeling — Sigourney
Pledged in a noble cause — H. A.
Rise, and shine through every nation — T. J.
Round the Temperance standard rally — Jabez Burns
Wake, for the time of slumber — Dawson Burns
We praise Thee, if one rescued soul — Sigourney
Who hath sorrow? who hath woe? — American
Who the sacred page pursuing — Vernon
Who will tell of strength and freedom? — Eliza Cook
Wine is a mocker; it beguiles — J. B.

Biographical Notices of Key Contributors

Henry Anderton was born at Walton-le-Dale, near Preston, Lancashire, on December 3, 1808. He stood among the early group of Preston abstainers, distinguishing himself as a popular speaker whose poems were widely recited and sung across meetings. A complete edition of his poetry was later published alongside a memoir written by E. Grubb.

Clara Liddell Balfour, born Lucas, was born on December 21, 1808. Throughout her career as an elegant writer and engaging public speaker, she edited several temperance journals and published The Garland of Water Flowers alongside numerous other works on both literary and temperance subjects. She died on July 3, 1878.

Francis Beardsall was born at Sheffield on September 6, 1799, and subsequently entered the Baptist ministry. While serving as a minister in Manchester, he became an active advocate for temperance, edited the Temperance Star, and published the first general Temperance Hymn Book in 1837. He passed away on June 23, 1842, during a voyage to America.

Jabez Burns was born at Oldham, Lancashire, on December 18, 1805, and became a well-known Baptist minister. He was among the earliest London ministers to vigorously advocate for total abstinence, employing a versatile pen to produce both prose and verse for various temperance publications. He died on January 31, 1876.

John William Green was born in 1783 and rendered long service to the movement as an editor, writer, and speaker. His compiled collection of temperance hymns and songs achieved widespread distribution throughout London and its surrounding districts. He died on February 1, 1860.

Robert Grey Mason was born on November 18, 1792. He spent many years promoting the temperance cause from both the pulpit and the platform, and he edited a widely used undated collection titled the Temperance Hymn Book. He died on August 31, 1867.

Jabez Tunnicliff was born on February 7, 1809, and served as pastor of a Baptist congregation in Leeds. Inspired by a local visit from Mrs. Carlile of Dublin, he founded the first Band of Hope in Leeds in 1847 and authored numerous songs and hymns for children. He died on June 15, 1865.

Literary Merit: Although restricted to a single overarching theme, temperance hymnody displays a remarkable variety of expression. While no single entry ranks with the highest standard productions of sacred song, the literary and devotional qualities of many entries remain notable, with several suitable for inclusion in modern worship collections under a dedicated Temperance section.