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Biblical Imagery In Lincoln's Temperance Address

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The “Temperance Address” employs strong biblical imagery and allusions to demonstrate the political religion, which enabled the affirmation of the principle of equality. The “Temperance Address” displayed the onward and upward movement of the Union as an imitation of Christ, and was a “noble ally” toward the cause of Lincoln’s political religion. Both the temperance movement and Lincoln’s political religion demonstrated man’s capacity for self-government through both a political and moral revolution. Herman Belz suggests that Lincoln’s Temperance Address is “one of the most important speeches expressing Lincoln’s political philosophy”. On the surface, Lincoln’s “Temperance Address” demonstrates a political and moral revolution, however, …show more content…

Lincoln said, “Human nature is God’s decree and can never be reversed”. All men—including the drunkard, slave, and slave owner—are created equal, and this principle of equality must extend to those outcasts. This references Jeremiah 30:17, when Jesus accepts Zion, an outcast, and restores her. Lincoln argued that men could only be reformed on the basis of equal standing, which applies and accepts the principle of equality. Lincoln calls for the people to adopt and utilize “unassuming persuasion” in order to influence the conduct of the drunkards. Lincoln argued the people must befriend the drunkards, convincing and persuading old friends and companions, ultimately leading to the best interest of the drunkards. Through this persuasion, the people are able to show the outcasts that they are on equal standing, which also provides judgment for their actions and beliefs, encouraging a better path for the individual and bringing about a moral and self-governing lifestyle. The Temperance Movement influences the people to imitate Christ as they befriend the drunkard and their influence aids in the healing transformation of the …show more content…

Rousseau wrote about a feeling that resembles pity—the conscience. Although similar to pity, conscience is derived from beliefs, specifically a set of beliefs that are derived from Lincoln’s political religion, or as Rousseau refers to it as a “universalized religion”. Many of Lincoln’s speeches, the “Temperance Address” included, draws a parallel to Rousseau’s religion of conscience. Political religion encompasses various components of American republicanism that helps remind the people of the dire need for the principle of equality to remain constant in the

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