Young Men's Christian Association of Rutgers College Records

The Young Men's Christian Association began in London in 1844. This Christian lay movement quickly spread to Europe, Canada, and the United States, and by 1858, the state universities of Michigan and Virginia had organized Associations on their campuses. (1)

This religious movement struck Rutgers College on May 6, 1876 when The Young Men's Christian Association of Rutgers College was founded. According to their constitution, "The object of this Association shall be to further the cause of Christ in Rutgers College". (2) At the time, there were many organizations of a religious nature among the students including the Temperance Society and the Bible Society. The growth of extracurricular activities among the students during the 1870's was encourage by the leadership of Dr. W. H. Campbell and his faculty. (3) In fact, the presiding President of the Association was the President of the College unti11886 when the constitution was changed to allow an undergraduate to serve as president.

During this fifty year period, 1876-1926, the Association had many meeting locations. The first meeting was held in Dr. Campbell's room and then in various professor's offices. In 1899, Mrs. Ann Van Nest Bussing renovated and furnished the old hall of the Philoclean Society in Van Nest Hall for the Association.(4) This was not only their meeting room, but a library of sorts with a small collection of donated books and a few magazines. As the college expanded, the Association's room was finally moved to a building at 24 College Avenue in the fall of 1922. By this time the room served a more social purpose. The YMCA historian wrote the following about the school year of 19121913: "President Demarest has helped the Association in fitting out its room into a lounging room. Rugs, chairs, and tables have been bought, the piano has been moved to the center of the room where the men can gather about it to sing, a telephone has been installed, and reading material has been secured." (5)

The Association gradually made a transition from strictly religious activities to more secular programs. Early activities consisted of Noon-Day Prayer Meetings and the weekly "Devotional Meeting" or Regular Prayer Meetings. Hymns were sung. Scripture was read, and prayers were offered. Class Deacons or officers were elected to encourage class participation and to monitor attendance. Guest speakers, at these prayer meetings, originally focused on religious and moral topics, but later, political and social issues were also emphasized.

From these humble beginnings, the Association grew in membership size and contributions to the community. Bible study classes were organized and were eventually active in the dormitories and fraternities. Intercollegiate relationships were encouraged through participation in conventions and conferences. Social activities were begun like the freshman reception, the employment bureau, and missionary work. The YMCA actively campaigned for a student-administered honor system. (6) The Association also produced a handbook for incoming freshmen. The purpose of this book was described as follows: "In introducing this booklet into Rutgers life, we hope to achieve several important objects; to the man just entering we desire to present a brief outline of what the college year harbours [sic], to stir his ambitions if possible and to give him opportunity of making himself this all-around man that Rutgers' can be proud of." (7)

The establishment of a permanent salaried position in the General Secretary allowed these programs to be successfully administered and coordinated. These records concluded in 1926 with the Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding date. Charles B. Bulter, the General Secretary from 1924-1926, wrote his own account of the YMCA's history. [See Box 1/ Folder 12]. Excerpts of which were published in the May 5, 1926 addition of the Targum.

(1) The Encyclopedia Americana.(1988, Volume 29). International Ed. Danbury, CT: Grolier Incorporated, page 701. (2) YMCA Membership Ledger 1876-1919, page 1. (3) Bulter, C.B. (1926). An Historical Sketch of the Rutgers College YMCA. Essay, Box 1, Folder 12. (4) Demarest, W.H.S. (1924). A History of Rutgers College 1766-1924. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers College, page 515. (5) Scarlet Letter 1914. (1914). Class of 1913, page 161. (6) McCormick, R.A. (1966). Rutgers: A Bicentennial History. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, page 191. (7) Bulter, C.B. (1926). An Historical Sketch of the Rutgers College YMCA. Essay, Box 1, Folder 12.