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History of young people's Christian Union
On January 8, 1888,
Rev. C. A. Skinner gave notice from his pulpit that on that evening a meeting of the young people (fifteen to eighty years of age) would be held for the purpose of forming a religious society.
In response to the call, about sixty persons gathered in the vestry, and after the plan had been explained by
H. E. Robinson and
H. R. Rose, students at
Tufts Divinity School, it was voted to form a society; and committees were appointed to draw up a constitution, decide upon a name for the society, and bring in a list of names for officers.
At the next meeting of the society, the name Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was adopted, and the following officers were elected:
President, F. M. Hawes;
vice-president,
Lillian F. Ayer; secretary and treasurer,
William Moore.
It was voted to hold weekly devotional meetings and monthly business meetings.
It was also voted that all funds be raised by voluntary contribution.
It may be interesting to note the first year's work of the society.
Forty-one devotional meetings were held, in charge of twenty-one persons, nine being members of the society, and twelve being ministers, divinity students, etc. These meetings averaged seventy-five in attendance.
The society sent money to both the state and general convention of Universalists, and did considerable missionary work.
In January, 1889,
Leslie Moore was elected president, and served six months. During his term of office, Sunday
