An important assemblage of three years of one of the primary publication of the Evangelical wing of the 19th-century Protestant Episcopal Church. The juvenile devotional journal served as a strategic "Low Church" response to the rising influence of the Oxford Movement and Tractarianism, which many Evangelicals feared was introducing Roman Catholic rituals into the denomination. By targeting the youth, the Society sought to anchor the next generation in Reformation principles, specifically emphasizing the supreme authority of Scripture and the doctrine of justification by faith alone over sacramentalism and apostolic succession.

Beyond its theological mission, The Standard-Bearer was a pioneer in the development of American Sunday School literature, utilizing sophisticated woodcut illustrations and narrative storytelling to make complex religious concepts accessible to children. This visual and pedagogical approach helped create a unified Evangelical identity across the United States, linking families through shared stories of temperance, moral reform, and global missionary efforts in regions like Africa and China. As an illustrated monthly, the periodical now serves as a vital archive of mid-Victorian visual culture, reflecting the domestic ideals and social anxieties of a church navigating the deep sectarian and political divisions of the antebellum and Civil War eras.

The Standard-Bearer: An Illustrated Monthly for the Young. 1856. New York. Protestant Episcopal Society for the Promotion of Evangelical Knowledge. 1856. 192pp.

Contents include: The Dying Boys Gift; A Word to Boys; The Newfoundland Dog's Vengeance [excellent whaling woodcut by E. D. Verse]; The Golden Rule [charming sledding woodcut]; The Missionary Tent; The Little Flower Gatherer; Founding of the Blue Coat School; A Visit to a Volcano [Hawaii; excellent woodcut]; A Lapland Story; The Little Jewish Girl; The Little Deaf and Dumb Boy; etc.

p.9.1; 53.1; 92.1; 

[Bound with]

The Standard-Bearer: An Illustrated Monthly for the Young. 1857. New York. Protestant Episcopal Society for the Promotion of Evangelical Knowledge. 1857. 192pp.

Contents include: A Missionary's House; Tyrolese Peasants; How to Value Books; Neddie and Me; Or, How Children Can Help on the Missionary Work; Blindness; Self-Torture of the Hindoos; Iona and Fingal's Cave; I Mean to be a Missionary; Arctic Scenes [with woodcut; etc. 

p.5.2; 58.2; 

[Bound with]

The Standard-Bearer: An Illustrated Monthly for the Young. 1858. New York. Protestant Episcopal Society for the Promotion of Evangelical Knowledge. 1858. 192pp.

Contents include: Three Little Graves; True Love; The Tabernacle; A Sailor's Adventure [Arctic; Seal Woodcut, &c.]; The Lame Chicken; The Missionary's Crown of Rejoicing in that Day; The Young Soldier; The Little Peacemaker; etc.

A good + example of three years, each scarce, of a very interesting juvenile publication. Half leather, darkened toward top as shown, somewhat handled, individual issues folded at some point. A few minor tears in margins, generally toned. Very solid.