Early American Benevolent Christian Societies

Benevolent societies were part of the network of Protestant societies that were focused on social reform through the means of Christianity. They were dedicated to various causes including the temperance movement, the prison system, insane asylums, educational reform and bankruptcy and labor laws.. These societies wanted to end corporal punishment in schools, and give teachers stronger training and better curriculum choices. They also wanted to stop gambling and prostitution and pushed for the establishment of Blue Laws to stop non-religious activities on Sundays including working and shopping. Societies built orphanages, established childcare programs, and started career placement services for the poor. The benevolent societies were voluntary; and mainly established and funded by Congregationalists, evangelical Episcopalians, and New School Presbyterians. According to James Hutson, author of the book Religion and the Founding of the American Republic the concept of Christian societies grew out of the relationship between Christianity and America’s political culture. The Early Republic encouraged the growth of churches and Christian Societies. This gave stability and moral fiber to the newly formed Republic. American Christianity was diverse, unorthodox, and fundamental and strengthened by the Republic. The Quaker based common ground of these reformers was reflected in the Christian approach to human behavior and advocated for across-the-board reform. Many of the societies were first established in New England. The first annual report of the South Massachusetts Education Society alluded to the belief that the Pilgrim Spirit was still alive and well in the hearts of their descendants, and that massive effort would be made to carry out the benevolent goals of this society. The society had a deep belief in the importance of a fully enlightened and educated ministry. Since the poor were often unable to obtain an education, requests were made to churches and the Benevolent Education Society was formed in 1811. Many financially secure families in New England established societies through their churches to improve the lives, health, and well-being of those less fortunate. The Barnes family of Southington, Connecticut supported many benevolent societies in the local area and across the country. The family’s homestead has since become The Barnes Museum, located in Southington’s Historic District. The most amazing fact about the museum is the impressive collection of diaries, journals, personal, and business papers left by all members of the family. These papers preserve the social and business events that the family took part in from the 1830’s until 1973. One of the most interesting letters involves missionary work and Benevolent Societies. This letter was an invitation to Bradley Barnes to a meeting at the family’s church, First Congregational, to help organize a new society for the improvement of others. This society eventually became known as the Women’s Association of the First Congregational Church. Missionaries from the church traveled to Hawaii and the Philippines.

The Barnes Museum Southington, CT In the 1830’s article entitled Another View of What Southington Needs Most, a benevolent spirit and attitude among Southington, CT citizens is described as the result of having a friendly attitude to each other and strangers. It was believed that this public spirit of interest should be combined with a healthy dosage of compassion and encouragement; and would help make the town of Southington a leader when it came to helping others. The Barnes family received many offers to help benevolent causes. Museum paperwork shows requests for donations, or for direction in helping the poor and others on hard times. One of these charities was the Lord’s Day League of New England, whose objective was to maintain the observance of Sunday, as a day of civil rest and religious observance, not one of business and pleasure. In the interest of Sabbath Reform, this organization promoted educational, legal, and legislative work to close theatres and sporting events in New England. Work on roads, buildings, stores, factories, and post offices also ended. The Citizens’ Relief Letter concerned flooding in Hamilton, Ohio. Requests were made to help rebuild the city, and to restore manufacturing plants and supply stores.

First Congregational Church Southington, CT One of the most interesting letters was from The Charity Organization Society and was about the well-being of Mrs. Agatha Hayes who was employed by Barnes family as a general housekeeper. After her husband died, she and her son were on hard times. The letter requested help in finding her relatives and inquired about her work ability by asking for a character reference. These societies had an enormous influence morally on the people that they helped by relieving many of the hardships they faced daily and giving them hope for the future. They provided food and clothes to the poor, helped widows find work, promoted the abolition of slavery, and helped people rebuild their lives after natural disasters. Benevolent society members helped to change the world one mission at a time, and thereby expand the Christian World View. Source List:

“Another View of What Southington Needs Most”. Southington Business Bulletin. (Southington, Connecticut: Circa 1830’s): 1 Barnes Museum: Southington Connecticut. (Southington, CT: Southington Library Board of Directors).

Mathew Carey, and Alexander Henry. Letters on the Condition of the Poor, Philadelphia: Printed by Haswell & Barrington, 1835. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926 (accessed January 29, 2022). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0110744201/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=6d015470&pg=7. James H. Huton. Religion and the Founding of the American Republic. Washington, D.C: Library of Congress, 1998.

Louise C. McKinney, Barnes Museum Internship Photos, October 2021, Southington, CT

Roger Schultz, “Christian America”, Liberty University, 2013, video https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/112711/pages/watch-christian-america?module_item_id=13032216

Samuel Stillman, Thaddeus Mason Harris, and Charles Pinckney Sumner. A discourse delivered before the members of the Boston Female Asylum, Friday, Sept. 25, 1801: being their first anniversary. Boston: Printed by Russell and Cutler, 1801. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926 (accessed January 29, 2022). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0102640840/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=c49f8e7e&pg=1.

Examples For Further Reading:

“The Barnes Museum,” Accessed November5, 2021, http://www.thebarnesmuseum.org

Ken Cleaver and Roger Schultz, “Evangelical Reformers”, Liberty University, 2013, video https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/112711/pages/watch-evangelical-reformers?module_item_id=13032905

Frederick Turell Gray. Report of the committee of delegates from the benevolent societies of Boston. Boston: Printed by Tuttle & Weeks, 1834. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926 (accessed January 29, 2022). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0109816004/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=985eef9c&pg=26.