[1886–1907, Collection of 30 Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor (Y.P.S.C.E.) Brochures from the First Presbyterian Church, Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania].

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A collection of brochures announcing the upcoming schedules and weekly prayer meeting topics of the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor, held at the First Presbyterian Church in Pen Argyl.

The Y.P.S.C.E. was founded in 1881 as a non-denominational evangelical outreach to Christian youth, an early form of what is today called “youth ministry.” The society was modeled, in part, after the work of Presbyterian minister Theodore L. Cuyler (1822–1909).¹

In addition to listing the Y.P.S.C.E. officers and committee persons, the brochures record each week’s prayer meeting topic, and the name of the male or female presenter. The topics chosen were almost entirely based on specific verses in the Bible, providing insight into one congregation’s evangelizing and religious educational outreach to its youth over a span of 20 years.

Topics include “A Nameless Girl Heroine”; “How Temperance Would Help Transform the Earth”; “Youthful Consecration”; “Uniting With the Church”; “Christian patriotism—what does it require of us?”; “When is a Nation safe?...(A patriotic service.)”; “An Evening with Chinese Missions”; “An evening with Japanese missions”; and “Our national heritage…(Home missions. This may also be used as a temperance topic.)”

Price: $100.00