The Junior text-book; a manual of questions and answers on Junior Christian endeavor work

Front matter

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Manual

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I. The Prayer Meeting 9

11. The Pledge 13

Chapter I The Prayer Meeting What is the purpose of a prayer meeting?

To talk together about the highest and most important things, to show others that we love Christ, to pray to Christ and sing His praises and learn about Him, and to receive the help that He always gives those who meet together in His name.

Why should we take part in the prayer meeting?

Because we have promised to do so, and we have promised because taking part in prayer meeting will strengthen us, help us, and please Christ.

How will our taking part in prayer meeting strengthen us?

It will give us confidence in ourselves. It will develop our powers of speaking in public and quicken our minds. It will train us for work in the older part of the church. It will make us more successful when we go out to do a man's or a woman's work in the world. Best of all, it will strengthen our good purposes and make us better and wiser.

How will our taking part in prayer meeting help others?

It will show them that we are trying to follow Christ, and so will give them courage to lead the Christian life. It will show them how to do work in the Junior society, and so help them to grow.

How will our taking part in the prayer meeting please Christ?

He wants us to be strong, manly Christians. He is glad to have us show that we love Him and are trying to do His will. He can come nearer to us when thus we try to get close to Him.

How can we overcome timidity in the meetings?

By remembering that Christ is ready to help us, and by forgetting about every one but His kind, loving presence. Also by remembering that we are not afraid of this Junior and that Junior — not afraid of any one of them sepa-

THE PRAYER MEETING

rately. Why, then, should we be afraid of them all together ?

How can we prepare to take part in the meeting?

We should begin our preparation for the next meeting as soon as the last one is over. We should read the subject of the meeting, and then the Bible verses given, and carry them in our minds, thinking them over and asking Jesus to give us some helpful thought on the subject. If we keep our minds upon the subject we are quite sure to read something or see something or hear something or think of something that will give a helpful thought to express in the meeting.

What is the first step in taking part in the meeting?

We may read a Bible verse or some other quotation. We should read it over often beforehand and become quite familiar with it. In the meeting we should read it loudly, so that all may hear.

What is the next step?

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To commit a Bible verse or a quotation to memory, and repeat it, rather than read it.

What is the next step?

To add something of our own to the quotation, though it is only a sentence telling how it has helped us and what use we have made of it.

What is the next step?

To give a sentence prayer. At first we may commit to memory some of the Bible prayers — the Psalms are full of them ; then we shall go on to offer little prayers of our own.

What is the purpose of our prayer-meeting work?

To please Jesus and do His will.

Chapter II The Junior Pledge Why do we have a pledge in the Junior society?

Because having our duty written out and placed definitely before us helps us. Also because we are helped by promising to do our duty; we are far more likely to do it than if we had not promised.

But is it not better not to promise than to promise and fail to keep the pledge?

Yes, but better than either is it to promise and to keep the promise ! To be afraid of making promises is cowardly; it is a confession that we are weak.

How will keeping the Junior pledge help us all through our lives?

It will strengthen our wills, which are so powerful in making us successful in life. Besides, we are required to make many pledges in life, and being true to the Junior pledge will help us to be true to all these other pledges.

What is the first promise of the pledge?

That we will try to do whatever Christ would like to have us do. It is the broadest promise of the pledge.

How can we know what Christ would like to have us do?

By reading the Bible, which tells His will for us, and by praying and asking Him to make His will very plain to us. Also by getting the advice of older and wiser Christians, such as our parents and teachers and the Junior superintendent and the pastor.

Why do we promise to pray every day?

Because we need every day the strength and wisdom and comfort that prayer will give us. We talk every day with our earthly fathers; still more should we talk every day with our heavenly Father.

Why do we promise to read the Bible every day?

THE JUNIOR PLEDGE

Because the Bible is our guide in life, and we need daily guidance for the tasks and perplexities of every day. The Bible is the food of our spirits, and we need to feed our spirits every day as well as our bodies.

What is meant by trying to lead a Christian life?

Just what is said in the first part of the pledge : that we will try to do what Christ wants us to do. We will let His will guide us in our work and play and talking and thinking and in every part of our lives, just so far as we know how.

What do we promise that refers to the Junior society?

To be present at every meeting when we can, and to take some part in every meeting.

What kind of taking part in the meeting will keep the pledge?

The kind that we think would be pleasing to Christ. He does not want our talking for Him and about Him to be a burden to us, and yet He does want us to grow in this power of Christian speech, as in all other powers. He wants us to learn as soon as possible to talk to others freely and easily and helpfully about religious matters. Therefore we are to begin by reading a verse, and then go on to repeat it from memory, and then add something of our own to it, and then offer a sentence prayer, and so on. We are to press on in prayer-meeting work in order to become more useful Christians.

How can we be able to do all this?

As the first sentence of the pledge says, * Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for strength.'' If any part of the pledge seems hard, we have only to remember that Christ with His infinite wisdom and power is ready to help us keep it.

Chapter III Christian Endeavor History and Principles

Who founded the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor?

Rev. Francis E. Clark, at that time the pastor of the WilHston Congregational Church in Portland, Maine.

When and where was it founded?

On the evening of February 2, 1881, in the parsonage of Williston Church.

Where and when was the second society formed?

In Newburyport, Massachusetts, in October of the same year.

Where and when was the first Christian Endeavor convention held?

It was held in Williston Church, in June, 1882, when only six societies were recorded.

What was the first Christian Endeavor book?

Dr. Clark's book, ''Children and the Church/* published in 1883.

When and where was the first Junior society formed?

On March 29, 1883, in the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Cal., whose pastor was Rev. Charles A. Savage. Perhaps the second society was that formed in the Congregational Church of Tabor, lo., exactly a year later, the pastor being Rev. J. W. Cowan.

When and where was the national organization, the United Society of Christian Endeavor, formed?

At the national Convention held in Old Orchard, Maine, July, 1885.

When and where was the first Christian Endeavor local union formed?

In January, 1886, in New Haven, Connecticut.

When was the Christian Endeavor paper, "The Golden Rule," now "The Christian Endeavor World," established?

In October, 1886.

HISTORY AND PRINCIPLES

When did Dr. Clark become president of the United Society of Christian Endeavor, giving up from that time his entire life to the work?

When was Christian Endeavor Day, the birthday of our society, first observed?

When was the Junior paper, "The Junior Christian Endeavor World," established?

In January, 1893.

Who is the general secretary of the United Society?

Mr. William Shaw, who was one of the earliest members of the Christian Endeavor society.

At what national Christian Endeavor Convention was the first Junior rally held?

At that of New York City in 1892, when 35,000 Endeavorers came together.

In what cities have World's Christian En* deavor Conventions been held?

Switzerland; and Agra, India. The next is in Sydney, Australia.

Where are Christian Endeavor societies to be found?

In every countr}^ of the globe, but especially in the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, India, China, and Japan.

What are the leading principles of Christian Endeavor?

Pledged service of Christ. Regular witnessbearing for Christ. Daily prayer and Bible-reading. Loyalty to the church. Training in committee work. Fellowship with those of other churches.

Chapter IV The President What is the work of the Junior president?

To preside at the Jtinior business meetings and the meetings of the Junior executive committee, and to help the superintendent in the general management of the Junior society.

What is the first thing to do in the business meeting?

The president says, 'The society will please come to order."

What comes next?

The president says, 'The secretary will read the minutes of the last business meeting." Then, when the minutes have been read, the president asks: ''Are there any corrections of the minutes?" If there are, the president instructs the secretary to make the corrections; and finally, in any case, the president says, "The minutes stand approved."

What comes next in order?

The reports of the secretary, and treasurer, and of the regular committees. The last will be made by the chairman of each committee. After each report the president says, ''If there is no objection, the report will be placed on file"; when it will be handed to the secretary for preservation.

What follows next in order?

Unfinished business, for which the president will call. Under this head will come all matters left unfinished at the last meeting, including the reports of special committees, and whatever has been **laid on the table" for further consideration.

What is the final item of the business meetings?

New business, for which the president will call: "Is there any new business?" It will then be in order for any Junior to introduce any new proposal. The proper way is for the Junior to put his proposal in the form of a resolution: '*Mr. President, I move that ." The president will then say, "Is the motion seconded?" When it is seconded, the president will ask,

THE PRESIDENT

'*Are there any remarks?" After all have spoken that wish to, the president will ask, **Are you ready for the motion ? All in favor of the motion will say *Aye'; contrary-minded, *No,*'' or, *'A11 in favor will raise the hand. Contrary-minded, the same sign." The president will announce the result: 'The motion is carried," (or, **The motion is lost").

What if a motion is made to amend the motion?

Then the motion to amend must be put first, and after it is carried the original motion must be put as it has been amended; if it is not carried, then the original motion must be put as it was made at first.

How is the business meeting closed?

The president asks, **Is there any more new business? If not, a motion to adjourn is in order." Some one moves that the society adjourn, and the motion is put in the usual way. If it is carried, the president says, 'The society stands adjourned."

How are meetings of the executive committee conducted?

In the same way. The chairmen and officers present will report as they report to the society, but not in writing or so formally.

How will the president help the superintendent in managing the society?

The two will consult together all the time. The president will see that the other officers and the committees do their duty, and will aid the superintendent in all the ways suggested. But he will not do anything of importance without getting her advice and following it.

Chapter V The Vice-President What is the work of the vice-president?

To attend to the president's duties in his absence, and when he is present to help him in

every way.

How can the vice-president learn what the

president's duties are?

By watching the president. Also he will be asked by the president to act as president now and then, even when the president is in the meeting, so as to accustom him to the president's duties.

What if the president does not do this?

Then this chapter may be shown him, with the suggestion that he should do so occasionally.

How can the vice-president help the president in his work?

Part of the president's work is to see to the other officers and the committees and spur them on to do their full duty. The vice-president may arrange to do this for certain committees, and so relieve the president to that extent. For instance, he may arrange to be present at the meetings of the scrap-book committee and flower committee and music committee and birthday committee.

What will the vice-president do when he attends these committee meetings?

He will make suggestions for work that may be done, and will help the committee plan the work. To be able to do this the vice-president, like the president, should study the Junior work in many branches. Reading the different chapters of this book is the best way of doing this.

How can the vice-president help the president in the meetings of the Junior society?

He may sit on one side of the room and the president on the other side, and each will be ready to act as president on his side of the room. For instance, if a hymn is called for but in a voice that cannot be heard, the president or the vice-president may announce the number in

THE VICE-PRESIDENT

a clear voice. If there is any disorder, the president and the vice-president may quietly stop it.

How can the vice-president help in the business meetings?

If a motion ought to be made and the Juniors hesitate about making it, the vice-president may make it. Whenever the meeting hitches in any way the vice-president may help it along.

How can the vice-president help in the meetings of the executive committee?

Once in a while, when the president invites him, he may preside over the committee meeting. At all times he may be ready with suggestions for plans of work and with praise of what has been done, to encourage the other Juniors.

How can the president and the vice-president be sure to work well together?

They should often talk over the work of the society together, and each should know what the other is trying to bring about. They should be real Christian Endeavor partners. Every true partnership greatly strengthens the partners,

H I I ■ i i T iiiin m i I - 1 H I n i Mni i II -nm I II ~T~~i ii i p^i ii iii i n i . i — . ■.■». i i^ m i i

and it will be this way with the president and the vice-president.

Will the vice-president be made president in his turn?

He may and he may not; that depends upon many things. But, at any rate, he will be in training to become president if the society and the superintendent think best, and he will have developed himself splendidly by his service as vice-president.

Chapter VI The Secretary

What are the duties of the Junior secretary?

To keep the minutes of the society business meetings and of the meetings of the executive committee. Also to keep the Hst of the members and a record of their attendance. Also to notify officers and committees of their election, and sometimes to carry on correspondence for the society.

What should the secretary put down in the minutes of the business meetings?

First, the statement that the society met on such a day in such a month and year and at such a time of day. Then, that the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved, with or without corrections, as the case may be. Then will follow an account of the reports of officers and committees, giving the most important points made by each. Then an account of whatever V^usiness is brought up, old or new. The minutes will tell about all motions that were made and carried, and it is also well to record, for the information of the society, the motions that were made and not carried. If officers or new members are elected, their names will be given.

When will the secretary write out the notes taken during the business meeting?

Just as soon as possible, so that their meaning will not be forgotten. They will not be written out in the record-book of the society, however, till the}^ have been approved by the society. Then they should be copied as soon as possible, so as to be ready for reference. The secretary will always take her record-book to the business meetings, so as to tell the society, if asked, what was done at any meeting.

What will the secretary do when members are voted in or officers or committees elected?

The secretary will write a nice note to each new member telling him that he has been elected to membership in the society, and that you are all glad and hope that he will get much good from the society and give much that is good to

THE SECRETARY the society. To the chosen officers and committees the secretary will always write, telling each that at the last business meeting he was elected to such a place.

How will the secretary keep the list of names of the members?

The active members will be kept separate from the preparatory members.

Each will sign the constitution book and will place after his name the date of signing and the address — street and ntmiber. The birthday should also be written down, for the sake of the birthday committee.

How will the secretary call the roll at the consecration meetings?

For this purpose the secretary will have a separate book in which she will keep a record of attendance. Arrange the names in alphabetical order, but do not always call them in that order. Sometimes call them in irregular order, so that the Juniors will need to watch carefully to know when they should take part.

What is especially necessary for a secretary to do in calling the roll?

Speak very distinctly and promptly. Do not let it drag. Much of the success of the consecration meeting depends on the way the secretary calls the roll.

Chapter VII The Treasurer What is the duty of the Junior treasurer?

To take care of the money of the society and pay it out when called upon to do so by the proper persons.

How will the treasurer take care of the society's money?

It must be kept in a safe place and always kept separate from the treasurer's own money. The treasurer will never borrow from it, but will always be ready to hand it over — all of it — if the society wants it.

How will the treasurer keep account of the society's money?

He will have a society account-book and will enter on the left-hand page all the money he receives, and on the right-hand page all the money he pays out. The first page will be headed, ^'Receipts/' and the second page, ** Expenditures/'

How will the receipts be entered?

Each receipt will be dated and will say from whom, or on what occasion, the money is received, and then will follow the amount, as:

Jan. 27. Monthly collection ... $ .37 Apr. 6. Proceeds of the Junior entertainment 10.25

How will the expenditures be entered?

The date and person to whom, or the object to

which, the money is given, and the amount; as:

Sept. 12. To Sarah Grant for expenses

of the social Sept. 3 . . $1.50

Who will give orders for the treasurer to pay money from the treasury?

Your society constitution will tell. Usually it is best for the superintendent alone to give these orders.

How will the society money be obtained?

The best way is for each Junior to agree to give so much every month. Then give each Jimior twelve little envelopes bearing the same number — a nimiber placed opposite the Junior's name on the treasurer's record-book. At each

THE TREASURER

consecration meeting the Jtinior will put into the contribution-box one of his envelopes with the sum in it which he promised. The treasurer will enter the sum opposite his name.

How much should be given by each Junior?

Only what he and his parents can well afford ; but urge that each Junior give something, if only a cent a month. The treasurer will tell the total amount received, but will not tell how much each Junior gives.

What if a Junior does not pay what he promises?

The treasurer will remind him of his failure at once, without waiting for the sums due to accumulate. He will say, **You have forgotten to bring your society dues, and I will call for the money, so that I can keep the treasury full."

What is the society "budget"?

It is a list made out at the beginning of the year of the different objects to which the society would like to give and the amount of money it expects to raise for each during the year. Inelude the society expenses in the budget. Make a reasonable budget, and then work hard to raise the full amount you set out to raise.

Who will lead the society in raising and earning the money?

The treasurer, with the help of the appropriate committees, such as the missionary and the social.

Chapter VIII The Lookout Committee

Why is the lookout committee so called?

Because it looks out for all opportunities of improving the society.

What are the two directions in which the lookout committee is to look out?

It is to look out for new members, and it is to look out for the old members that they may be kept faithful.

How may the lookout committee look out for new members?

It may meet with the superintendent and make out a list of all the boys and girls that ought to join the Junior society. These names will be divided up among the members of the committee for each to invite to join the society.

What are the best ways of getting new members to join the society?

Tell them about the society, asking them if they would not like to go to one of the meetings and see how they enjoy it. Tell them that you want them to join the society, if they will, after they have seen what it is like. Then go after them and bring them to the meeting, introducing them to the others and making them have a good time.

How can the committee make sure that the new members are in earnest when they join?

Be sure to show them the Junior pledge and go over it sentence by sentence, explaining all parts of it. The superintendent will help the committee do this. It is best for the new members to come in first as preparatory members, unless you are sure of their earnestness.

What if one member of the committee fails to win the boy or the girl whom you want to win?

Then other members of the committee will make the attempt, or other members of the society, till some one succeeds.

How may the committee set the new members to work?

THE LOOKOUT COMMITTEE

Get the prayer-meeting committee to give them some definite work to do in the prayer meeting. See that they are placed upon some committee. Give them some part in preparing for the next social. See that the other members of the society take them in and make them feel at home.

How can the lookout committee keep the members of the society faithful?

Divide up the members of the society among the members of the committee, each to keep a record of the attendance of those assigned to him, and of their participation in each meeting. Send a copy of this record to each member once a month.

How can the committee remind the members of their pledge?

By having a copy of the pledge hung before the society. By having the pledge repeated in every consecration meeting. By seeing that each member of the society has a private copy of the pledge hung in his or her sleeping-room. By having different Juniors write and read two-minute essays on the different sections of the pledge, one section at each consecration meeting.

What can the lookout committee do for the preparatory members?

It can divide them among the members of the committee, like the active members, and watch that they are regular in attendance. It can urge them to take some simple part in the meetings and go on to harder parts.

Chapter IX The Prayer-Meeting Committee What is the work of the prayer-meeting committee?

To arrange for the prayer meetings, and to do all it can to make the prayer meetings successful.

Who should lead the meetings?

All of the active members, in time, and as fast as they can be trained to do it.

What are some ways of training the leaders?

Those that are at first too timid to lead a meeting by themselves may be willing to lead with an older member, the two sitting together before the society and the timid member doing the easier parts of the leading. After a while the timid member will become willing to lead by himself or herself.

How can the prayer-meeting committee help the members to take part in the meetings?

By copying the questions given in The

Junior Christian Endeavor World and giving them out for the Juniors to answer. In The Junior Christian Endeavor World topics are also given for them to speak upon, and these should be given to the older Juniors. Thoughts are also given for the Juniors to tell in their own words, adding what they can of their own thoughts, and these will be copied and given out by the committee.

What use will the committee make of Bible verses?

It will sometimes give out Bible verses a week in advance, asking the Jimiors to commit them to memory and repeat them in the meeting. The committee will ask the more experienced Juniors to add some thought of their own to the verses.

How will the committee help the Juniors to put more prayers into the meetings?

The committee may call for sentence prayers and start them themselves. A member of the committee will simply say, "Will not many follow me in sentence prayers?" Then a member of the committee will offer a sentence prayer,

PRAYER- MEETING COMMITTEE

and the other members of the committee will follow promptly.

What are prayer trios?

Two members of the committee will arrange with some beginner that one of the committee will offer a brief prayer, then the beginner will pray, and then the other member of the committee will pray. Thus the beginner will be sandwiched in between two others.

What else will the committee do for the prayer meeting?

It may give out a recitation appropriate to the subject and have it repeated in the meeting. Every week The Christian Endeavor World gives such a recitation. One of the committee may give a chalk-talk. The pictures are given every week in The Christian Endeavor World, and many Juniors actually copy them and give a little talk about them before the society. An outline object- talk is also given in The Christian Endeavor World each week, and a little anecdote to be told, and these also will be used.

How may the committee introduce older speakers?

Of course the committee in all its plans will leave room for the superintendent's talk, and indeed the entire plan will be made out in consultation with the superintendent. When the superintendent thinks it best, the committee may invite some older person to come and give a brief talk to the Juniors — the pastor or the Sunday-school superintendent or some parent or a member of the older Christian Endeavor society.

Chapter X The Missionary Committee What, in brief, is the work of the Junior missionary committee?

To conduct the Junior missionary meetings, or at least help in every way to make them successful; and to further an interest in missions among the Juniors.

What is a good way to plan for the Junior missionary meetings?

Divide the society into Junior missionary bands, one for each missionary meeting of the year, and let each band study to make its meeting the best of the year. The missionary committee members may divide themselves among these bands, each to superintend one of them and lead its meeting.

What are some features that should be in most, if not all, missionary meetings?

The map should be used freely, all places mentioned being pointed out. A free use should be made of pictures, and all that can be found that bear on the subject of the meeting should be placed on the wall or passed around for the inspection of the Juniors. Always the work done by your own denomination in the land under discussion should be described.