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Meadville Theological School’s first president, Rufus Phineas Stebbins, established the Philanthropic Society in 1846 as a forum where students could practice their rhetorical skills. Normal meetings under Stebbins would begin with an elected student secretary presenting the minutes from the previous meeting. Next, a student would read a report on an issue of their choosing; topics included national and international current events as well as social, ethical, cultural, historical, scientific, and religious issues. Afterwards the assembled students would debate and attempt to come to a consensus on that issue by drafting and voting on a resolution.
After Stebbins’ term ended in 1856, the Philanthropic Society changed its name to the Society of Inquiry. The presidency of the Society passed to Meadville professors and eventually elected senior students. Years later, outside speakers instead of students were invited to give presentations, and attendees no longer voted on resolutions. The Society of Inquiry existed until at least 1903.