Brain-Fag, A New Rectory and Weeds

This month in Cusop History.

This advert from the Cusop Parish Magazine August 1904 sounds just the thing!

Grape-Nuts were a breakfast cereal developed in 1897 by C.W. Post in the US, a former patient and later competitor of the 19th-century breakfast food innovator Dr. John H. Kellogg. The cereal originally prepared by C. W. Post when developing the product was a batter that came from the oven as a rigid sheet. He then broke the sheet into pieces and ran them through a coffee grinder to produce the "nut"-sized kernels.

FEED

Your thinker

Brain (and other nerve matter) wastes away exactly as other portions of the human body give out – a little every hour. Unless this waste is repaired the brain gets weak and brain-fag and nervous prostration set in.

This waste is restored naturally by Albumen and Phosphate of Potash found in

GRAPE-NUTS

All worn-out, broken-down brains can surely be rebuilt by the use of GRAPE-NUTS, the most scientific food in the world. If you are a thinker your brain wastes away in proportion as you use it. It can be kept KEEN on GRAPE-NUTS.

Look for the little book “The Road to Wellville” in each packet.

"There’s a Reason"

'Brain-fag and nervous prostration' were made-up complaints by Post to sell his product. Later adverts after 1906 like the one in the picture from 1911 weren't able to make such unsubstantiated claims.

From the Cusop Parish Magazine August 1913 by Rev E W Stredder

“We are very pleased to be able to announce that a most generous offer of a new rectory has been made by J.C. Clay, Esq. one of our Patrons of the living, who is prepared to give a free gift to the Parish of Cusop Lodge grounds.

For many years past the question of a residence for the rector has been very prominently before the parishioners, and various schemes have been discussed only to be abandoned through lack of funds. The present kind offer has now brought the matter within the bounds of possibility: the great point being the sale of the present rectory to obtain funds for making the necessary structural alterations at Cusop Lodge.

My warden, Mr Armstrong, is moving energetically in the matter; and with a view of obtaining some outside assistance approached the Bishop and Ecclesiastical Commissioners. We hope that from the various sources sufficient means will be obtained to get a rectory worthy of the parish.

The parishioners will appreciate the generosity of Mr Clay and this further evidence of his deep interest in the welfare of the parish”.

From the Rectory in August 1948 by Rev. George A. M. Griffiths

“My Dear Friends,

Like a great many other people, I have been trying to get rid of the weeds, or rather some of them, in the Rectory garden. It seems to be an unending task but must be done if the garden is not to be spoilt. Weeds are rather mysterious things. Nobody plants them or tends them yet they always seem to thrive. Neglect seems to be the greatest cause of their increase. It is very much the same with the human character. It should be a thing of beauty but so often is marred by weeds… the ugly things of life which grow apace if not checked.”