In the late 1880s there was a growing concern that the church was becoming too female and that this was causing men to turn away from church participation. The increased visibility of women’s work and organizations inspired new thinking about male faith formation and participation. At the suggestion of the Rev. Percy Robottom, the Church Brotherhood, a young men’s society, was established with two purposes: to improve personal conduct and to spread Christ’s Kingdom. One action the Brotherhood undertook was to ask the Hamilton Club to donate old magazines and papers to local hospitals and the almshouse.