Young Men's Missionary Society

Young Men's Missionary Society

2012

The collection includes minute books, financial records, museum and library catalogues, publications, invitations, various committee reports, and extensive correspondence. Also included are the contents of the YMMSCA Cornerstone, publications collected from the Widows' Society, the WAMS, the BHMS, the King's Daughters and Sons, and the Laymen's Missionary Movement. The majority of the collection is in English, but there is a significant amount of German correspondence. Other items related to the collection include the Society's seal, a key to its rooms, stamps (maps of "Modern China," "East Central Africa," and the "Chinese Tibet Empire"), coins and notes, and a photograph of Reverend David Z. Smith.

The Young Men's Missionary Society was organized in September 1840. During its history, it was also known as the Young Men's Missionary Society and Christian Association; in 1867, the YMMSCA's cornerstone was laid. The Society organized a museum of curiosities, which were found at missions abroad, as well as items relevant to North American Moravian history. In addition to the museum, a library and reading room were maintained by the YMMS. While dissolution papers were prepared and filed by Robert A. Buchhaupt in 1969, the secretary of the YMMS, the Society was not dissolved. He later donated the relevant materials, as well as other records still in the Society's possession, to the Moravian Archives.

Restrictions

permission needed for records younger than 75 years