The New International Encyclopædia/Gustavus Adolphus Society

GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS SOCIETY (Ger. Gustav-Adolf-Verein). A Protestant society, originating in Germany in 1832, for the purpose of aiding and supporting Protestant congregations. It was formed in Leipzig on the second centennial anniversary of the battle of Lützen, and of the death of Gustavus Adolphus, as a memorial to that champion of Protestantism. Congregations are aided both in and out of Germany, and contributions are received from many countries, but more especially from Saxony and Sweden. Various women's aid societies are associated with it. Its yearly income is at present some 2,000,000 marks, and it has distributed since its foundation over 30,000,000 marks.