Abominations of Modern Society

Abominations of Modern Society by Thomas De Witt Talmage confronts the moral pitfalls of post–Civil War America with pulpit urgency and vivid, memorable rhetoric. This collection of sermons and essays—first published in 1872—examines the social ills Talmage saw in a rapidly changing Victorian-era world: the power of clothes, late-night temptations, indiscriminate dancing, the influence of clubs and saloons, the corrupting reach of sensational newspapers, and other perceived threats to private and public virtue. Written for a broad audience, Talmage’s religion-focused commentary blends plainspoken admonition with dramatic metaphor, offering moral warnings aimed at both men and women. The book captures a moment of urbanization and industrial change, when new technologies, fashions, and social habits provoked anxious reflection from pulpit and pew alike. Readers will find not only heated critique but also pastoral concern and a hopeful appeal to reform. Ideal for listeners of historical sermons, students of 19th-century social history, and anyone curious about Victorian moral thought, this audiobook offers a brisk, illuminating window into how religion and culture clashed—and sought common ground—in an era of modern upheaval.