Chinese Students' Christian Association in North America Records
Scope and Contents
Though these records are quite fragmentary they probably represent the most complete documentation available for the history of the Chinese Students' Christian Association. Minutes and reports, correspondence of the Association's General Secretary, conference handbooks and publicity, periodical publications, and miscellaneous pamphlets provide a skeletal outline of the Association's activities, policies and personnel. Additional periodical publications of the Association are in the Library's cataloged collection. Additional records of the Chinese Students' Christian Association can be found in Record Group No. 46, Archives of the World Student Christian Federation.
This collection is a noteworthy supplement to other record groups at the Divinity Library that document religions work among college and university students.
Dates
- 1909-1952
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Arrangement
- I. Administrative, 1909-1950, n.d.
- II. Correspondence, 1918-1950
- III. Conferences and Activities, 1915-1950
- IV. Publications, 1910-1950
- V. Photographs, 1944, n.d.
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
The papers, though quite fragmentary, represent the most complete documentation available for the history of the Chinese Students' Christian Association, and provide a skeletal outline of its activities, policies and personnel. This collection is a noteworthy supplement to other record groups at the Divinity Library that document religious work among college and university students. The Chinese Students' Christian Association was organized in 1909 by four students from the universities of Yale, Columbia, Harvard and Michigan. The purpose of the Association was to foster Christian morals and friendships, and to unite Chinese Christian students living in American society. The Association provided practical services to Chinese students who were arriving from China, going to China or Europe, looking for homes or employment, needing to make purchases, or in need of other assistance.
Biographical / Historical
The Chinese Students' Christian Association was organized in 1909 under the leadership of Dr. C. T. Wang, Dr. P. W. Kuo, Dr. David Z. T. Yui, and Dr. W. C. Chen, then students at Yale, Columbia, Harvard, and Michigan respectively. The national Association had its central office in New York City. Its affairs were directed by a Central Executive Board composed of officers of its regional departments. Local units were formed where there were five or more students in harmony with the purpose of the Association. In 1949 the Association had 1,200 members in twenty-five local chapters. The Association was affiliated with the Committee on Friendly Relations Among Foreign Students of the International Committee of the Y.M.C.A.s of North America, the National Committee of the Y.M.C.A. in China, the Chinese Students' Christian Union of Great Britain and the Chinese Y.M.C.A. in France. The purpose of the Association was defined as follows in a 1931 publication:
- To cultivate among the members and friends the Christ-like spirit and to apply His teachings in their daily lives and activities.
- To build strong moral character and to foster the spirit of self-sacrifice and self-development by rendering service to members.
- To unite those students in cooperative efforts for promoting programs and activities of the Association on various campuses.
- To study and understand American life and society; and to interpret Chinese culture and civilization to America through writing, speaking, dramatics and friendly contacts.
The Association provided practical services to Chinese students who were arriving from China, going to China or Europe, looking for homes or employment, needing to make purchases, or in need of other assistance.
- Title
- Guide to the Chinese Students' Christian Association in North America Records
- Author
- Compiled by Martha Lund Smalley
- Date
- 1983
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Prepared According To Local Divinity Library Descriptive Practices
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Yale Divinity Library Repository