3-078-286 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Father Mathew Centenary: Father Mathew Temperance Medal, 1890. '...rejoicing in self-sacrifice, Mr. Mathew [the famous "Apostle of Temperance] took upon himself not only the gigantic work of addressing hundreds of meetings in all parts of the country, but the ever-increasing expenses of the mission, of which there were not only all the usual costs of travelling, printing, and hiring rooms, but the peculiar additions of medals and musical hands. Some people paid for their medals, but, as Father Mathew gave them away freely to those he thought could not afford to pay, this item became an enormous one, considering that not thousands but millions took the pledge. Moreover, he could not resist the appeals constantly made to him to provide funds for the temperance bands. Thus by 1844 his liabilities had reached £7000, and he was arrested for an account due to a medal-manufacturer while administering the pledge at Dublin'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.