George Williams letter to students of the School for Christian Workers, 1888
Description:
Letter written by Sir George Williams to the students of the School for Christian Workers, now Springfield College, in the spring of 1888. In the letter, he congratulates the class of 1888 for their devotion to the church and urges them to maintain their enthusiasm for Christ's work. Williams warns the class that during the course of their life they will be met with temptation and discourages the class from succumbing to these temptations that would distract them from doing God's work. Williams encourages the class to find their strength and power in God and to always let Him guide them.
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Williams founded the YMCA in England in 1844. The movement quickly spread and in 1894 Williams was knighted by Queen Victoria. He died in 1905 and was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral. Williams is commemorated with a memorial crypt in St. Paul's Church and a stained glass window in Westminster Abbey.
It is unclear as to whether or not this document was written by George Williams or perhaps his secretary. Based on handwriting comparisons by an untrained eye this document appears to be handwritten by George Williams.
