Adelphian Society (Indiana University)

The Adelphian Society was established at Indiana University on November 13, 1858, under the name the Erolathian Society.

The goal of the literary society was to be a society of religious inquiry at the university, and in their first minutes the organization outlines plans of delivering original orations, essays, and debates on subjects related to Biblical literature. In 1859 the group changed its name to the Adelphian Society.

From the description of Indiana University Adelphian Society minutes and by-laws, 1858-1859. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 56526132

The Erolathian Society was organized on the Bloomington campus on November 13, 1858, with the goal of being a society of religious inquiry at the University. Indiana University President William M. Daily served as Chairman of that first meeting and was named an honorary member of the society the next month. In their minutes, the society outlines plans of delivering original orations, essays, and debates on subjects related to Biblical literature.

Meetings were held in Erolathian Hall, although the location of the Hall is never discussed in the records. During the meeting of January 15, 1859, the Society’s name was changed to Adelphian and the Society motto, “friendship and truth” was chosen. After the name change, meetings are cited as occurring in Adelphian Hall, but once again no mention is made as to the Hall’s location.

No mention is made in the minutes or University records as to when the Society disbanded, and the last records the Archives holds of the organization date to 1859.

From the guide to the Indiana University Adelphian Society minutes and by-laws, 1858-1859, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)