II. Subject Files,, 1933-1974

Summary:The Subject Files series details Abernethy's involvement at Rutgers. For example, during the university Bicentennial in 1966, Rutgers conducted a service that reproduced the type of service that might have been held by the Dutch Reformed Church at the time of Rutgers' founding, complete with costumes and wigs (see Bicentennial Celebration (Rutgers)—Correspondence and Programs—(Dutch) Reformed Church in America Service" folder). Eight folders pertain to the Campus Chest, an annual charitable drive whose proceeds went to a set of designated charities. The files are devoted to fundraising efforts at Rutgers, along with records of Rutgers contributions to charities including Unicef, the United Negro College Fund.

Perhaps one of the more significant files is that labeled "Harris Case" which contains information about Rutgers class of 1963 alumnus Donald Harris. In the summer of 1963 Harris went to Americus, Georgia to participate in a voter registration drive and support desegregation activities. Because of their activities, Harris and several others were arrested August 8 for inciting insurrection, a charge that, if leading to conviction, was eligible for the death penalty. After this occurrence, Rutgers and Abernethy mobilized to help Harris. Rutgers held rallies and events to benefit and show support for Harris. Abernethy, who had known him during his time at Rutgers, traveled to Americus to testify on his behalf. Although Abernethy was ultimately not called to the stand, he was able to visit with Harris in his cell and inform the Rutgers community about his condition. Harris and the others were released in November after the court ruled the insurrection statute unconstitutional. Abernethy's file consists of news clippings and correspondence.

Other files of interest include the "Crew Trip to Europe" files, which document an exchange of Rutgers crew members to the Netherlands in 1947. The Freshman Orientation folders document Abernethy's participation in the yearly freshman orientation and some discussion as to whether incoming freshman (or anyone else) should be requested to list a religious preference when entering Rutgers. The "Human Sexuality, Committee on," "Lectures on Marriage and the Family" and "Marriage Preparation Course" files document Abernethy's advocacy of sex education and participation in debates regarding it.

The largest number of files pertaining to one subject in this series are the seventeen "Protestant Foundation" files. These files contain information about the Protestant Foundation for Students at Rutgers University, an organization for providing a united Protestant Ministry (ie, one consisting of different Protestant denominations) for the New Brunswick Campus of Rutgers. The foundation had a minister at Rutgers and provided opportuities for students and faculty such as study groups and lecture series.