This series involves multiple organizations with there own distinct history. First, the Mount Vernon Association of Young Men was one of the earliest societies, founded in 1850 when the earliest YMCAs were being founded in this country. It sponsored debates on the burning issues of the day, and encouraged members to submit articles to be bound into a handwritten magazine, known for most of its existence as "The Illuminator." In 1873 the young women, tired of being left out, joined and the Association name was changed to "Young People". The magazine, still handwritten, became the "Literary Album" and persisted until 1881. This organization became the Young People's Society, and in the 1930s, the Youth Fellowship. The debates and literary magazines date only from 1850 to the 1880s.

There were numerous women's organizations. The first of them was the Maternal Association, founded in 1842 and lasting until at least 1879. The Civil War effort to supply the Union Army produced the Soldier's Aid Society, which spawned the Sewing Circle, which in World War I produced another vigorous sewing effort. Olla Podrida was founded as a self - help and entertainment group for women working in offices in the 1920's. The Guild, which became the Evening Guild, was more interested in simple entertainment than the others. The Women of Mount Vernon, founded in 1956, was the last effort to have a female society. It took in the remnants of previous societies.

The first of the Missionary Societies was also founded in the 1840s under Mr. Kirk. The Young Ladies' Colporteur Association was interested in spreading the (Evangelical Protestant) Gospel in France. Its interests were carried on by the American McAll Association. However, most of the foreign missionary attention was directed farther afield. The men had fewer social organizations than the women, probably because they had the offices of real power in the church. The Dwight L. Moody Bible Class was one of a series of efforts to attract young male college students to the church, after it had lost its families to suburban churches. The Westminster Foundation was an M.I.T. Protestant chaplaincy. The children were trained in Sunday School to be concerned with foreign missions. They also had their own junior missionary societies, depending on their ages.