Story: Presbyterian Church

The Band of Hope

The Band of Hope

Despite the Scottish heritage of whisky drinking, Presbyterians were strong supporters of temperance and prohibition. They believed (with some justification) that 'the demon drink' was destructive of family life. The church was a stronghold of the temperance organisation the Band of Hope, founded in the 1840s, which encouraged young people like Lottie Maria Brewer of Blenheim to sign a pledge to abstain from alcohol. Teetotallers also persuaded the church to use grape juice rather than fortified wine in the sacrament of communion.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: Eph-D-ALCOHOL-Temperance-1886-01

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How to cite this page:

Ben Schrader, 'Presbyterian Church - Church and society', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/ephemera/31089/the-band-of-hope (accessed 21 April 2024)

Story by Ben Schrader, published 5 May 2011, updated 1 Mar 2017