Summary

This is a general purpose medal of the Australian Abstinence movement. It was minted by Stokes & Martin, circa 1885.

Several organisations in nineteenth century Victoria were established to promote temperance, oppose the extension of hotel licences, and educate children and adults about the dangers of alcohol. They included the Order of the Sons of Temperance, the International Order of Good Templars and the Band of Hope.

The medal is inscribed with the statement "I am a Total Abstainer" on the obverse, with the Lord's prayer on the reverse.

Obverse Description

I AM / A / TOTAL / + / ABSTAINER

Reverse Description

OUR / FATHER / WHO ART IN HEAVEN / HALLOWED BE THY NAME / THY KINGDOM COME / THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH / AS IT IS IN HEAVEN / GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD / FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES / AS WE FORGIVE THEM / THAT TRESPASS AGAINST US / LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION / BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL / FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM / THE POWER / & THE GLORY FOR / EVER & EVER / AMEN

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

A circa 1880 'Total Abstainer' medal with the Lord's Prayer on the reverse documents this important movement that developed in the later 19th century in response to substantial public drunkenness (the Victorian consumption of beer and spirits was much higher than it is today). Respectable men and women joined temperance associations and encouraged clubs for children where the messages of temperance and self-control were promoted. Often with a religious context (although some churchmen and women were uneasy with the emphasis on temperance), they promoted 'total abstinence', opposed the extension of hotel licences, and educated children and adults about the dangers of alcohol. Temperance rallies with men and women speakers attracted huge crowds to the Melbourne Town Hall and St Patrick's Cathedral.

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