One of those wonderful things you pick up at estate sales and then forget about, only to rediscover randomly and fall in love with a few years down the road. This is a framed certificate from the Church of England Temperance Society, juvenile declaration, dated December 19, 1893 and signed by a Nellie Richards hailing from the Condover section of the Lichfield Diocese. “I hereby promise, by God’s help, to Abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors except under Medical Orders.” A noble intention, though I wonder how well the young Ms. Richards managed to keep the oath. In historical terms, the Church of England Temperance Society was founded in 1862 by Anglican priest Charles Webster Leadbeater, with the juvenile branch following in the 1880s. Leadbeater’s interest in spiritualism caused him to resign his priesthood and join the Theosophical Society, where he wrote extensively on occultist subjects like clairvoyance, the human aura, astral planes, etc. Definitely an interesting character and not quite the typical image of a staid temperance advocate. This is a strange and fascinating document, perfect for contemplating the peculiar paths of history while sipping a decidedly intemperate (but no less delicious) beverage. With sincere apologies to Ms. Richards. #churchofengland #churchofenglandtemperancesociety #charleswebsterleadbeater #nellierichards #lichfielddiocese #condover #antique #antiques #vintage #vintagedocuments #antiquedocuments #liquor #temperance #history https://www.instagram.com/p/B4jdPNplyzW/?igshid=ub131zrd4u1o
