Missionary Work - Temperance Pledge Cards from the 1800s

Library of Congress: Signing the Pledge in 1846.

 

It is a common sight, in our culture, for alcohol consumption to seem normal.  We see it in the movies, on television, and in beautiful restaurants. We see all kinds of alcohol in attractive packaging for sale in our grocery stores. There are wine managers and experts presenting events that are popular in society. Many make a living in the production and sale of this form of beverage. Alcohol is frequently offered as gifts during the Christmas season. Many bring a bottle of wine as a gift to the hostess at a gathering. One would assume that it is a normal thing to drink. One would wonder why anyone would think it might cause a problem or possibly be the wrong thing to do.

In 1842 Abraham Lincoln gave a speech to a Washington Temperance Society, in a Presbyterian church. I was surprised that he described how normal it was, even then, to make, buy, sell, and consume alcohol. It was part of everyday life. He says, "Universal public opinion not only tolerated, but recognized and adopted its use." He goes on to say that it was well known that many were injured by it. He says, "But none seemed to think the injury arose from the use of a bad thing, but from the abuse of a very good thing. The victims to it were pitied, and compassioned, just as now are, the heirs of consumptions, and other hereditary diseases." He goes into great detail of how important was the work of the Temperance Society. He praised their methods. He explains how those who have suffered from a life of intemperance and have reformed, present a most powerful testimony to help others come out of this way of life. He says, "Whether or not the world would be vastly benefited by a total and final banishment from it of all intoxicating drinks, seems to me not now to be an open question. Three-fourths of mankind confess the affirmative with their tongues, and, I believe all the rest acknowledge it in their hearts."

Around this time period, temperance pledge cards were being used by the masses.  These papers, or cards, contained a promise, "with the help of God," to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages. In those days, when someone made a pledge, it meant they gave their word; and their word meant their reputation as a person of integrity. It meant honor. It meant something to trust.  A pledge was more than a resolution, it was an act of self-discipline and determination.  

These cards not only included a promise to abstain, it also stated a firm mission to help others to avoid alcohol as well. Below is a picture of one of these pledges from the Railway Mission in the 1800's.

 

Railway Mission pledge, 1800's.

 The fine print at the bottom of this paper says, "For Jesus' sake. . . For my brother's sake. . . For my own sake."  

Another pledge card calls intemperance, "the great disease of the age." It also included a resolve to abstain "from all profanity." It stated that one would not only avoid drinking, one would not furnish drink to anyone else. This was from 1850.  It is below.

 

Click on the image to make it larger. (1850 temperance certificate.)

Some of these cards show the difference in one's way of life.  One can be brought to poverty and ruin with intemperance. Some of the writings say that intemperance leads to a drunkard's grave while widows and orphans are brought to the poor house. In old literature, such as the 1894 book by Isabella Alden, "Only Ten Cents," we see in clear detail how poverty and misery often happens when one of the family is a slave to the drink. It is devastating to read about. 

In contrast, those who pledge to abstain from alcohol work to lead a steady, stable, and comfortable life of temperance. This is a blessing to society. This is peaceful living, which we all would benefit from.

Consider, for example, the vast sum of money which is spent, and has been spent all these years on alcohol. Imagine if that money were used for savings, to pay bills, give to charity, etc.  It would be an astounding amount, and make a great difference in society. 

I will show you some of these images from a pledge card in 1877.

Illustration from a pledge card in 1877, showing the value of temperance.

 

 

Illustration from a pledge card, in 1877 showing the sad results of intemperance.

There is a beautiful "Family Pledge" certificate found in the pages of a Bible in 1883. The illustration is lovely. It also included 18 compelling reasons why one should abstain. It is excellent!  (I would love to get a quality copy of this one and frame it for our home.)

Family temperance pledge from a Bible in 1883.

There were temperance pledge cards from the military:

And there were others with a place for the signature of a chaplain in military service:

Temperance pledge card from World War I

This trouble with drinking affected both men and women.  I found a beautiful Victorian styled card that would greatly appeal to women, and have included it below:

Temperance pledge card from the 1800's.

 

I also greatly appreciated seeing one from the Woman's Christian Temperance Union:

Temperance pledge card from 1910.

There are so many different vintage cards which can be found at historic places, as well as at auction sites. There was one in particular that made me want to cry because it clearly shows how very sad it is when intemperance in one's life seeks to destroy a family. (I don't think there is any single one of us who is not hurt by an extended family member or friend who struggles with this.) The pledge card is below:

Band of Hope, Moody Division, pledge card, 1858.

We see the illustration on the right, where the family looks destitute and homeless as a result of intemperance.  The illustration on the left shows a comfortable home and family as a result of temperance. 

These pledge cards really shocked me.  I did not realize there was a mission and a teaching of the dangers and sadness of alcohol consumption. I had certainly read about such things in old books from the 1800's, but I did not know that such an important work of setting up these temperance pledge cards, all over the place, had happened. 

What relief the families must have felt when the struggling father, mother, or other family member stood up to sign the pledge, and change their entire life! What an answer to prayer, and what a change that must have occurred in their homes!

 If someone would come up with a beautiful new set of these convicting cards, I would sign the pledge, frame it, and post it, for all to see, on the walls of my home.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

Old Time Humble Family Life - Standard of Living.

Encouragement and Advice - A New England Winter on a Small Income.

What many of us crave - An Ordinary Life at Home. 

 

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For old time encouragement in living simply on a limited income, order Mrs. White's book:

"An Old Fashioned Budget: Humble Financial Management for the Christian Housewife"

This is a slim, 77 page, paperback book.