Guide to the National Temperance Society and Publication House Records

The National Temperance Society and Publication House was founded in 1865 in Saratoga Springs, NY. Temperance advocates from all over the country, representing all the religious denominations, gathered in NY, conferred for two days, and at the end of that time established both a National Temperance Society and a National Temperance Publication House. The group appointed two committees which were to work separately but cooperatively toward the two objectives of organizing temperance forces throughout the country to united efforts and of publishing and circulating temperance literature. The two committees decided it would be best to combine their efforts, and thus the National Temperance Society and Publication House was incorporated as one organization, the guiding objectives of which were total abstinence for the individual and total prohibition for the country.

The Publications Committee oversaw publication of tracts, pamphlets, lesson cards, textbooks and books aimed at a broad audience of children, adults, sinners and scholars. It also published monthly papers for both children and adults. The Missionary Committee's work included lobbying Congress for temperance concerns, ministering to freedmen in the South, and attempting to introduce temperance textbooks into public schools.