Gospel Temperance Railroad Map
1908
This allegorical map was published in 1908 by G. E. Bula, President of the Pentecost Bands of the World and editor of the group's periodical, The Herald of Light. It shows the condemnation of alcohol consumption that was part of the Pentecost Bands' message. Bula seems to have meant for it to be used as a teaching tool by the traveling evangelists in his organization.
Detail
The Pentecost Bands were a late 19th century movement of young traveling male evangelists, affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, working in largely self-directed bands of four or five. Originally called simply Pentecost Bands, the movement began to develop its own peculiar theology, preaching that converts must travel a slow, difficult route to sanctification. After the Free Methodists General Conference attempted to put the movement under the control of local pastors, the movement severed its affiliation with the denomination.
The various evils resulting from alcohol consumption are presented as stops along a descending and crossing set of railroad routes that traverse the United States.
Another route, the straight and ascending line higher on the map, shows the path of righteousness.
Source: Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5, edited by George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport (Rowman and Littlefield, 2016), p. 681.
