Tuesday, January 15, 1924

Beautiful bright and cool. Arose 7:35 A.M. Devotions. Breakfast. Classes and chapel 8:30-11:35 A.M. Dinner. Worked 12 M-2 P.M. Studied. Supper. Read. To Prayer meeting. Report of delegates who attended National Student Volunteer Conference. Very interesting. Indianapolis [conference site]. Studied. For walk with H.H. Read a bit. To bed 11:30 P.M. Thankful for life.

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The National Student Volunteer Conference was an event of the Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions. Below is some information about the movement and their conferences. These excerpts are taken from a book owned by Yale University Divinity School Library.

The quadrennial conventions of the Student Volunteer Movement were the high points of its corporate existence. It was during these gatherings that the meaning and value of the Movement seemed most clear. The stated objectives of the first convention held in Cleveland in 1891 were 1) to allow for discussion of any problems facing the Movement; 2) to provide opportunities for student volunteers to meet with missions board secretaries and returned missionaries; 3) to enlighten missions board secretaries and others regarding the work of the Movement, and 4) to give new impetus to the missionary cause.(SVM Archives, Series VIII, Cleveland 1891, Convention report, p. 3.) The sixteen quadrennial conventions which followed Cleveland varied in their points of emphasis but essentially held to these four objectives. 

The Indianapolis convention of 1923/1924 is the first for which extensive files are available in the Student Volunteer Movement archives. Three major issues were addressed by the convention: industrial conditions overseas, race relations, and hopes for lasting international peace. After the presentation of these issues on the first day of the convention, forty-nine discussion groups under student leadership were formed.