The blue ribbon badge was created by Francis Murphy, 1836-1907, who was a chief advocate of the temperance movement in America and abroad in his generation. The badge was inspired by a verse in The Bible, Numbers 15:38-39, which says: "Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments, throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue : and it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them."
The ribbon was worn by those who agreed with a pledge of abstinence from alcohol consumption as a beverage, as advocated by Francis Murphy.
Mention of blue ribbon badge made in the book ABSOLUTE SURRENDER by Andrew Murray, published by The Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897, p. 24.
Famous quotes containing the words blue, ribbon and/or badge:
“Tom-tom, c’est moi. The blue guitar
And I are one.”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)
“For this your mother sweated in the cold,
For this you bled upon the bitter tree:
A yard of tinsel ribbon bought and sold;
A paper wreath; a day at home for me.”
—Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892–1950)
“It would much conduce to the public benefit, if, instead of discouraging free-thinking, there was erected in the midst of this free country a dianoetic academy, or seminary for free-thinkers, provided with retired chambers, and galleries, and shady walks and groves, where, after seven years spent in silence and meditation, a man might commence a genuine free-thinker, and from that time forward, have license to think what he pleased, and a badge to distinguish him from counterfeits.”
—George Berkeley (1685–1753)