The officers' handbook; a guide for officers in young people's societies

Contents

Chapter. page

I. The King's Business 5

II. Christian Endeavor Fundamentals. 9

Chapter I. The King's Business

Christian Endeavor is a spiritual movement and its heart is the prayer meeting, and yet it is as impossible to have a good society without a good business meeting, as to have a good business meeting without a good society. The spiritual side of the work grows as the committee w^ork grows, and the society's activity increases as the spiritual fervor increases, each depending on the other. Uplifting prayer meetings are the result of good work on the part of the prayer-meeting committee, and that committee in turn is stimulated to better ^vork by uplifting prayer meetings. Souls are won to Christ by the zealous labors of the lookout committee, and evangelistic zeal, once implanted in a society, w^ill spur the lookout committee to unselfish endeavors. If the consecration meetings are genuine, tlie business meetings will be enthusiastic and practical.

But if neither of these things is true ? At which

6 THE officers' HA:^rDBOOK.

end shall we begin to work ? Shall we first make the body, and then pour into it the breath of life ? Or shall we seek first the motive and later supply the machinery ?

There is no need of deciding, for we are to work toward both ends at th^ same time. This book illustrates, therefore, only one side of a successful society, and what some might call the lower side, if there were any higher or lower in religious work. For the other side, I must refer the Endeavorer to the volume in this series that deals with "Prayer- Meeting Methods," and to the numbers of the '• Ways of Working Series" entitled "On the Lookout" and "Our Crowning Meeting." Throughout this book I must take it for granted that the reader understands that the society mechanism is only a means toward an end, and that all Endeavorers know what is the great object for which alone Christian Endeavor business is conducted, and what is the pervading spirit in which alone it will succeed.

Tlierefore I do not at all sympathize with those that would minimize the business in our society work. Do not be petty and fussy. Do not spend time in polishing the locomotive when you should be on the road. Do not exalt the way above the goal, the method above the object. But, on the other hand, magnify your office, enlarge it with the thoroughness of a Paul. Complete the business to the finger nails, as carefully as Angelo would finish a statue. Be ashamed of a short business meeting. If you have little business, it means little committee vvofk. And be ashamed of a dull business meeting. It means that your society is half asleep.

And our Christian Endeavor business should be done in the very best way. We are •' about our Father's business.'' How punctilious are all that do business for a king ! Letters presented to him must be handsomely engrossed. The most minute act regarding his w^ardrobe, his food, liis bed, must be performed with perfect care and according to the strictest rule. How attentive to details are lovers that execute commissions for their sweethearts ! No least slip is permitted in accuracy, in fiueness, in promptness, in grace. If we truly love God, and serve Him as our King, we shall count nothing too good for His service. His wash will be enough for us, as David's w^ish for the water by Bethleliem's gate was enough for his strong men. Whatever is worth doing is w^orth doing w^ell, and wliatever God wants done is w^orth doing. If in his public prayers, and even when he prays in secret, a Christian W'ill take pains to use only the choicest w^ords, wiiy should he not also be careful to use only the most fitting and up-to-date methods in all his religious labors ? Let us be workmen that need not to be ashamed. Let us permit no slovenly work about the King's business — not even in the King's kitchen.

Verily, we want God to toil for us ; and oh, how^ He labors ! Look at the business meeting of the spring. What motions are passed by the breezes ! How eagerly the fields resolve themselves into committees of the whole ! What a music committee are the birds, w^hat a flower committee is active through the woods ! What a vigilant lookout committee has its headquarters among the clouds ! What a summer business meeting ! And what a fall business meeting ! Yes, and what a winter business meeting, too, though all its work is done so quietly. And in the presence of this abounding energy of God, that spends itself upon us so lavishly and continually, shall we find it onerous to attend one committee meeting a fortnight ?

Ah, let us be '• diligent in business " ! That shall be the motto of this book. That can be our spirit, only as we enjoy our Christian activities. ' ' Diligent " comes from the Latin words meaning to choose out, to love ; and however we may lash ourselves with the whip of conscience and tlie thong of duty, we are not truly diligent, but only pretending to be, until we have come — possibly by dint at first of mere duty-doing — to love our work.

The King's business requireth haste. -Whj^? Because the night conieth, w^ien no man can work. The knowledge of the extreme brevity even of .the longest life, the thought of the vast reaches of eternit3^ the consciousness that upon our life here depend the eternal issues for us aaid for others — no one can entertain these great ideas without being spurred thereby to an activity so fierce that it would speedily burn his life out were it not for the peace and quietness our Master gives His followers. That peace enters our souls and takes away all f retfulness and fever from our toil, while, none the less, we seek the Kingdom first of all, and it is our meat and our drink to do the will of the Father.

THE OFFICERS' HA>^L>BOOK.

Chapter II. Christian Endeavor Fundamentals

The officers of our Christian Endeavor societies are the local leaders of the Christian Endeavor movement. The State and national leaders cannot go far with their voices, and only a little farther with their pens ; but the local leaders, in the aggregate, go everywhere. It is of supreme importance, therefore, if the movement is to flourish, that all our Christian Endeavor officers shall be able to defend it against criticism, and to show why tliey believe in it, what good it is doing, and what are its purposes and principal methods. A chapter on Christian Endeavor fundamentals, then, stands appropriately at the opening of this officers' Imndbook.

What are the Christian Endeavor essentials? What constitutes an Endeavor society ? How is it differentiated from the old type of young people's meetings that made so manifest a failure ?

From the beginning, in 1881, six features have characterized the Society. In spite of hundreds of improved methods that since liave been added, in spite of the adoption of many new interests and the completing of many noble achievements, these six characteristics are still the summary of tlie Society. They have proved their value by the test of time and experience. Societies that lacked them have quietly passed away ; societies that possessed them have grown and are yet growing. Formally emphasized in many written and spoken addresses, they have come to be recognized everywhere as Christian Endeavor principles, and no Christian Endeavor officer should be ignorant either of what they are, or of their profound and fundamental meaning.

First of these principles stands the pledge. Primarily not the particular form of words set forth by the United Society ; no stress has ever been laid upon that ; the United Society has itself revised them, and different countries have varied from them. The pledge idea, however, is essential to a society of Christian Endeavor — the willingness, upon recognizing that Christ wants us to do certain things, to promise to do them, and to enter into open covenant for that purpose. This idea all our Christian Endeavor officers should be prepared to defend and advocate. If any one objects that this takes away from the freedom of a Christian, they should be quick to reply that Christian freedom consists in doing the will of Christ, and that the only question to be settled is whether the pledge unfolds a part of Christ's will or not. If any one objects that it is impossible to keep the pledge, they should be prompt to direct attention to the provision for excuses ; nothing is promised without the proviso, ''unless prevented by some reason which I can conscientiously give to my Saviour." The pledge simply agrees to testify for Christ, attend to the society's committee work, pray and read the Bible daily, and

THE officers' HAis'DBOOK. 11

support the church and its services — unless we have some excuse we think Christ would accept. When our officers ask the critics, " Does not Clirist want us to do these things? " they must answer, " Yes, as a general thing. " ' ' Then why not promise Him that we will do them, when He wants us to do them?" The pledge makes firm, conscientious Christians. It educates young people in promise-keeping — a training much needed in our modern times. It has been the backbone of the Christian Endeavor movement, and any society that grows lax in regard to it, will grow lax in everything else.

Our second fundamental is the monthly roll-call meeting, first named the experience meeting, now usually named the consecration meeting. Why is it an essential? Because it serves as a test of fidelity to the pledge, a constant reminder of it, a spur to fulfilling it. To send a message, if one must be absent, and to testify in answer to one's name, if present — tliis, once a month, is obviously no unreasonable burden, and if one is unwilling to do this much, not even he himself would think that he ought to be kept in the society. Through the consecration meeting, therefore, the profitless members are weeded out, and the society is kept to its standard of efficiency. Our Christian Endeavor officers, having this understanding of the purpose of the meeting, will be ready to answer the criticism often leveled against the society because of a misunderstanding of our use of the term, '' consecration," and because of the testimony sometimes heard at this meeting, " I want to re-consecrate myself." Christian Endeavorers understand that consecration to God, made once, is made forever ; that it is not an act to be repeated month after month ; and by our ' ' consecration meeting " we mean only a meeting to bring out new elements in tlie consecration we have already made, to remind ourselves of it, to report our experiences concerning it, to emphasize the pledge of consecration we have taken upon ourselves. A meeting for this purpose once a month is none too often, and has infused into our society an element of strength to be obtained in no other way.

In the third place. Christian Endeavor believes in systematic, definite, regular committee work. Why ? Because the main purpose of the society is to train young Christians for the church, and there is no way to learn liow to do things without doing them. The advantages of our^' Christian Endeavor committee work, so varied, so extensive, so practical, so helpful, are sufficiently manifest, and our officers will not need to dilate upon them. They need only to remember tliat all of it is an outgrowth of Christian Endeavor, developed as the Society developed, and unknown before to the young people of the world.

Private devotion is the fourth plank of our society platfoiin — daily prayer and daily Bible-reading. Like all the rest of the pledge, this part is flexible. It is left for the individual conscience, kept in touch with its Lord, to dictate how long and when one is to pray, and how much of the Bible shall be read daily, and in what way it shall be studied. Here, too, as throughout the pledge, the provision regarding reasonable excuses is in force. Nevertheless, Christian Endeavor believes that it is impossible to maintain in power the outer exercises of religion unless we maintain with fervor this private communion with God, and by courses of Bible-study, and by the Quiet Hour pledge of at least fifteen minutes in the early morning for meditation and prayer, and in many other w^ays, the Society is constantly reminding its members that their only strength for any work comes from on high, and must be drawn from the reservoirs of prayer.

Denominational loyalty is tlie fifth Christian Endeavor principle — a principle to which all experience shows that the young people are true. The pledge indicates general church-support, and, in particular, attendance on the midweek prayer meeting and tlie Sunday evening service as ways in wliich this denominational loyalty may be exhibited. It has been shown frequently that the Endeavorers are faithful to their promises in these points. In larger numbers, proportionately, than the older church members, they are to be found at the Sunday evening service and the midweek prayer meeting. They are loyal to their denominational missions and church periodicals. Where their denomination has formed a separatist young people's society, they have even carried this principle so far as to commit suicide as an Endeavor society, and drop sadly out of the Christian Endeavor fellowship. The " forward movements" in Christian Endeavor, like the Tenth Legion and the Macedonian Plialanx, have all been for the sole benefit of the denominations. Many thousands of pastors are constantly testifying to the Endeavorers' loyalty.

Sixth and last in the list of Christian Endeavor principles is interdenominational fellowship. Christian Endeavor has developed a very complete and beautiful system of unions — city, county, State, national, and world-vride. In most communities these unions are the only rallying centers for the Christians of all faiths. Everywhere they are powerful agencies for co-operative action, and delightful promoters of a mutual understanding and brotherly helpfulness. Endeavorers know that from this source they gain vast enthusiasm, that their union work serves to popularize good methods, and that, best of all, in this coming together they are hastening the fulfilment of Christ's command and prayer, " that they all may be one." Our officers should understand the dangers that attend this union work, watching jealously that nothing is admitted prejudicial to denominational loyalty. They will see that their union is furnished with a Pastors' Advisory Committee, and in all their relations with other societies they will be guided by their pastors' wise control. Yet they will not forget how great and blessed is Christian Endeavor's responsibility for the perpetuation and enlarging of this fellowship. They will see the coming glories of the federation of the churches. They will believe in church union — just as close a union as is possible without violating consciences. And for this ideal they will be glad to work.

These, then, are the six objects of Christian

Endeavor. From these essentials all other purposes of the Society spring, and to them they are subordinate. Compare the church, as Christ compared it, to a vineyard. Then the pledge is the stake to which the tender, pliant vine is tied. The consecration meeting is the rain poured upon it from above. Private devotions are the foodful soil, strong with its beautiful hidden strength. The committee work is the tilling of the plant. Denominational loyalty is the trellis along which the vines run from stake to stake. Interdenominational fellowship is the entire vineyard, the wind and the rain and the snow that fall upon the whole, the wise plans for the vineyard, for plowing and fertilizing, for keeping off insects, for pruning, for gathering the fruit.. How foolish to shut each vine up in a separate coop !

The church has scarcely begun to realize what blessings will come to her from this access of ardent, well-trained young workers. The pledge has given them spiritual stamina, the consecration meeting has given them the virtue of continuance. Private devotions have given them depth. Committee work has made them practical. Labor for their denomitions has made them intense. Fellowship with other denominations has made them broad. As our Christian Endeavor officers come to understand better and better the purposes of our noble organization, the results it has already achieved and the still grander results it is sure to achieve in the openingfuture, they will believe in the Society with all their hearts, and they will work for it with all their might.

16 THE OFPICEES' HA]S^DBOOK,

Chapter III. The Constitution And By-laws

What is known as the " Model Constitution" for Christian Endeavor societies — that furnished by the United Society of Christian Endeavor and used in organizing new societies, though substantially the same as that formed for Dr. Clark's pioneer society in Williston Church, Portland, Maine, has received several revisions, and is now sent out in the following form. Alwaj^s when it is sent out, however, there goes with it the statement that it is put forth only as a recommendation, and that, though it is hoped that its main principles may everywhere be adopted, the societies are perfectly free to make whatever changes are needed to adapt it to local needs. Tlie constitution itself deals with general principles, and it is best for the society to take it without modification, while the by-laws represent the more variable factors, and it is they that may more wisely be changed. It is not to be forgotten, however, what constitutes a Christian Endeavor society, and no modification should be made that will annul any of the six principles stated in the preceding chapter — principles that have confirmed themselves now by the experience of so many years and of so many thousand societies all over the world.

In this chapter I shall present the Model Constitution, in company with such explanatory notes as my experience in answering innumerable questions, both at conventions and in the colranns of Tlie Christian Endeavor World, has shown to be helpful and needed.

- THE MODEL CO^^STITUTION.

Article I. — Name,

This society shall be called the

Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor.

[Some societies have a double name. The society to which Dr. Clark now belongs, for instance, is called ' ' The Golden Rule Society of Christian Endeavor," or, "The Congregational Society of Christian Endeavor, of Auburndale, Mass."]

Article 11.— Object,

Its object shall be to promote an earnest Christian life among its members, to increase their mutual acquaintance, and to make them more useful in the service of God.

[Three objects, it will be observed. Have you paid much attention to this section ? Why not print it in large letters and hang it before the society, with the purpose henceforth of developing the members along all three lines ?]

Article III. — Membership,

1. The members shall consist of three classes : Active, Associate, and Affiliated or Honorary.

2. Active Members. The active members of this 2 society shall consist of all young persons who believe themselves to be Christians, and who sincerely desire to accomplish the objects above specified"; Voting power shall be vested only in the active members.

[Of course the word, "young," may have some exceptions, and may include those that are young in the Christian life and need the training of the society. It is here used, however, to shut out mature and experienced Christians who should be working in the other portions of the church, and for whom, if they wish to show an interest in the young people's society, a place is made as honorary members.

It is often asked whether the active membership of the society should be confined to church-members. I myself came to be a cliurch-member through service as an active Endeavorer, and I know of many more that were thus brought into the church, so that my personal belief on this point may easily be guessed. On the other hand, there are many wise and experienced pastors who think that since all *' who believe themselves to be Christians" should join the church, it would be a great mistake to allow them to become active Endeavorers without first taking that step. On this point, therefore, since the opinions of pastors and the iDractice of the societies is so divided, no recommendation is made in the Model Constitution, but the pastor and church are left to adopt the course that seems best.]

3. Associate Members. All young i:>ersons of worthy character, who are not at present willing to be considered decided Christians, may become associate members of this society. They shall have the special prayers and sympathy of the active members, but shall be excused from taking part in the prayer meeting. It is expected that all associate members will habitually attend the prayer-meetings, and that they will in time become active members, and the society will work to this end.

[It will be noticed that the associate members are by this definition those that are not willing to be considered Christians. No church-member, therefore, should under any circumstances be permitted to join as an associate member. The associate members should not lead the meetings, nor serve as chairman of the committees, nor, indeed, should they be placed upon any of the committees that have charge of the distinctively spiritual interests of the society, such as the prayer-meeting and lookout committees. If their names are called at the consecration meetings, they should not be expected to make any response except " Present," though of course all would be glad to have them testify at that time ; and their names should be called in a list by themselves, before the roll of active members.]

4. Afflliated or Honorary Members. All j)ersons who, though no longer young, are still interested in the society, and wish to have some connection with it, though the}" cannot regularly attend the meetings, may become honorary members. Their names shall be kept upon the list under the appropriate heading, but shall not be called at the roll-call meeting. It is understood that the society may look to the lionoraiy members for financial and moral support in all worthy efforts. (For a special class of honorary members, see Article XI.)

[The term, '• honorary members," is in common use rather than " affiliated members." This class of members is made up of older Christians that enjoy the Christian Endeavor meetings, and wish to be in close touch with the society for the sake of helping it along. The class is also for those that have served for a term of years in the society, and, graduating from it to take up the full duty of the older portion of the church, desire to retain some connection with the work they have come to love. No young person whose circumstances do not forbid his becoming an active or an associate member should be allowed to become an honorary member.]

5. These different persons shall become members, upon being elected by the society, after carefully examining the Constitution and By-Laws, and upon signing their names to them, thereby pledging themselves to live up to their requirements.

[There is also a provision in regard to signing the pledge, which, indeed, is embodied in the constitution. See Article VIII.]

Article ly.—Ojflcei^s.

1. The officers of this society shall be a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer, who shall be chosen from among the active members of tlie society.

[Of course, other officers may be added. Some societies will wish to include the organist in this list. Some societies of small membership give the offices of recording secretary and treasurer to the same person.]

2. There shall also be a Lookout Committee, a Prayer-Meeting Committee, a Social Committee, and such other committees- as tlie local needs of each society may require, each consisting of five active members. .Tliere shall also be an Executive Committee, as provided in Article VI.

[The number of members to be placed upon a committee must vary with the size of the society, three being the minimum for an efficient committee. Some societies have the excellent custom of placing each member on a committee, assigning each new member also to a committee as soon as he is elected.]

Article Y.— Duties of Officers.

1. President. The President of the society shall perform the duties usually pertaining to that office. He shall have especial watch over the interests of the society, and it shall be his care to see that the different committees perform the duties devolving upon them. He shall be chairman of the Executive Committee.

2. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall assist the President, and perform his duties in his absence.

[A foot-note to the Model Constitution suggests that the Vice-President be secretary of the executive committee. The suggestion has never found favor with the societies, and it seems to the present writer that the recording secretar}' of the society, having charge of all the records, and being chosen because of fitness for such work, should keep these minutes also. In the chapter on the work of the vice-president, I have pointed out other, and, I tliink, better, ways of utilizing this little-used officer.]

3. Corresponding Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to keep the local society in communication with the State and local Christian Endeavor unions and with the United Society, and to present to his own societ}' such matters of interest as may come from tlie United Society, from other local societies, and from other authorized sources of Christian Endeavor information. This office shall be held permanently by the same person, as long as he is able to perform its duties satisfactorily, and his name should be forwarded to the United Society immediately after election.

[The somewhat common complaint in regard to the efficiency of this officer is doubtless warranted, but the cause lies back of the corresponding secretaries, in the members of the societies themselves, who do not realize the importance of the post, nor understand what qualifications are required, and therefore do not see to it that the position is appropriately filled. See the chapter on the corresponding secretary.]

4. Recording Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary to keep a record of the members, to correct it from time to time, as may be necessary, and to obtain the signature of each

THE officers' tiaxdbook. 23

newly-elected member to the Constitution ; also to correspond with absent members, and to inform them of their standing in the society; also to keep correct minutes of all business meetings of the society ; also to notify all persons elected to office or to committees.

[It might be thought that the corresponding with absent members should belong to the correspondingsecretary, and so it should, on any other subject ; but the recording secretary has the records, and is the more suitable person to spur the absent members to their duty, unless, indeed, the lookout committee undertake this delicate task. It should be noted that the secretary may not correct the list of members on his owm authority, but only after the vote of the lookout committee.]

5. Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to keep safely all moneys belonging to the society, and to pay out only such sums as shall be voted by the society.

[Of course the society or the executive committee may give permission to certain committees to draw on the treasurer for the needs of their work, and it is not customary for the society to vote upon slight and habitual payments, as for topic cards, postage, and little expenses attending the socials, but only on the disiDOsition of large sums, such as the gifts to missions, or of small sums when they are to go in unusual ways. Strictly, too, the treasurer should pay out money only on written order from the secretary, but in practice this formality is generally dispensed with.]

Article Yl.— Duties of Committees.

1. Lookout Committee. It shall be the duty of this committee to bring new members into the society, to introduce them to the work and to the other members, and affectionately to look after and reclaim any that seem indifferent to their duties. as outlined in the pledge. This committee shall also, by personal investigation, satisfy itself of the fitness of young persons to become members of this society, and shall propose their names at least one week before their election to membership, having first presented such names to the Pastor for approval.

[It is especially necessary that the new members understand what they promise in the pledge. The lookout committee should have each of them read the pledge, and should question him upon it, clause by clause, making sure that he comi^rehends each section, and means to abide by it. J

2. Prayer-Meeting Committee. It shall be the duty of this committee to have in charge the prayer meeting, and to see that a topic is assigned and a leader appointed for every meeting, and to do what it can to secure faithfulness to the prayer-meeting pledge.

[In the last clause the duties of the prayer-meeting committee are made of necessity to overlap the duties of the lookout committee. Broadly speaking, the prayer-meeting committee looks to the general fidelity of the entire society in the matter of prayer-

and the lookout committee speciaHzes more, having regard to the standing of each member.]

3. Social Committee. It shaH be the duty of this committee to promote the social interests of the society by welcoming strangers to the meetings, and by providing for tlie mutual acquaintance of the members by occasional sociables, for which any appropriate entertainment, of which the church approves, may be provided.