The Erolathian Society was organized on the Bloomington campus on November 13, 1858, with the goal of being a society of religious inquiry at the University. Indiana University President William M. Daily served as Chairman of that first meeting and was named an honorary member of the society the next month. In their minutes, the society outlines plans of delivering original orations, essays, and debates on subjects related to Biblical literature.

Meetings were held in Erolathian Hall, although the location of the Hall is never discussed in the records. During the meeting of January 15, 1859, the Society's name was changed to Adelphian and the Society motto, "friendship and truth" was chosen. After the name change, meetings are cited as occurring in Adelphian Hall, but once again no mention is made as to the Hall's location.

No mention is made in the minutes or University records as to when the Society disbanded, and the last records the Archives holds of the organization date to 1859.