Records of the American Society for Educating Pious Youth for Gospel Ministry
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Abstract
The American Society for Educating Pious Youth for the Gospel Ministry was established in 1815 with the goal of providing financial support to men seeking a theological education. The Records of the American Society for Educating Pious Youth for Gospel Ministry is a collection of annual reports of the society from 1815-1834. Adopted in 1815, the organization's constitution was printed in every subsequent report. Each report also contains a yearly summary of organizational activities, and lists of beneficiaries, donors, lifetime members, and annual subscribers.
Historical Note
The American Society for Educating Pious Youth for the Gospel Ministry was founded in 1815, with the intention of increasing the number of ministers within the United States. The organizers felt that there were not enough men being educated as ministers, and that a vast percentage of the population were without religious guidance and instruction. Therefore, the mission of the society was to provide financially for young men who wished to join the ministry, but could not afford such an education. The society was renamed the American Education Society in 1820, and continued to function as a scholarship organization that provided financial support for students in theology programs.
The Reverend Dr. Woods, Reverend Joshua Bates and Mr. John Adams are listed in the first journal as the first leaders of the organizations. A few notable figures from NYU and American history include; Gardiner Spring, William Patton, James Milnor, Frances Scott Key, James M. Matthews, the 1st chancellor of NYU, and Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, the 2nd Chancellor of NYU, and later President of Rutgers University.
Arrangement
The original order of the collection was retained; this collection is in chronological order.
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of annual reports from the American Society for Educating Pious Youth for Gospel Ministry. The first document in this collection is dated 1815, the year of the inaugural annual meeting of directors. The collection document meetings up to 1834, although the society continued to function under various names well into the 20th century.
The American Society for Educating Pious Youth for Gospel Ministry adopted a constitution on August 29th, 1815, which outlined the terms of admission and subsistence within the organization. The constitution was printed in every subsequent report. Each report also contains a yearly summary of organizational activities, and lists of beneficiaries, donors, lifetime members (people who donated $100 at any given time were considered automatic lifetime members), and annual subscribers.
Subjects
People
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open with restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Materials in this collection, which were created 1815-1834, are in the public domain. Permission to publish or reproduce is not required.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Records of the American Society for Educating Pious Youth for Gospel Ministry; MC 108; box number; folder number; New York University Archives, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was transferred from NYU's Washington Square Library to the University Archives sometime prior to August 1990.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Decisions regarding arrangement, description, and physical interventions for this collection prior to its transfer to the University Archives are unknown.
In 2019, folders were stamped and numbered.