Ways and means for the Young People's Society of Christian endeavor

Front matter

I

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Part II. Young People's Society Of Christian Endeavor

WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS.

BY REV. F. E. CLARK, D. D.

ORGANIZED EFFORT.

The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor is simply an organized effort to lead the young people to Christ and into His church, to establish them firmly in the faith, and to set them at work in the Lord's Vineyard. The main point upon which the Constitution insists, is the weekly prayer-meeting, which each active member pledges himself or herself to attend (unless detained by some absolute necessity) and to participate in, in some way, if only by the repetition of a verse of Scripture.

Once each month a special meeting of reconsecration to Christ is held, at which special pains are taken to see whether every active member is faithful to his pledge and true to Christ. The society may, and as an actual fact often does, branch off into many other departments of Christian effort, adapting itself to the local needs of each Church, but these rules concerning the prayer-meeting are imperative ; without them there cannot be a true Society of Christian Endeavor.

It cannot be insisted on too strongly that the society of Christian Endeavor is first and last and always a Religious Society. It has social and literary and other features, but it is neither a social nor literary society.

In the Platform of Principles set forth by the President of the United Society when he accepted the position, and since very generally endorsed by the societies and adopted by their Conventions, is the following :

" The purely religious features of the organization shall always be paramount. The Society of Christian Endeavor centers about the prayer-meeting. The strict prayer-meeting pledge, honestly interpreted, is essential to the continued success of a society of Christian Endeavor."

A society thus organized among the young people has proved itself to be in many cases

A TRAINING SCHOOL IN THE CHURCH.

It gives the young Christian something to do at once.

It accustoms him to the sound of his own voice in the prayer-meeting.

It causes him to understand that he has a part to perform in the activities of the church as well as the oldest Christian. It sends him upon a hundred errands for Christ. Very soon he learns that he has a duty in the general church prayer-meetings, and he becomes naturally and easily one of the pastor's trusted helpers. We are speaking from actual experience in this matter and are not theorizing.

A generation of Christians trained from early boyhood and girlhood in this way, patiently, persistently, kindly, would be a generation of working Christians.

This society is also a

WATCH-TOWER FOR THE CHURCH.

The pastor ought always if possible to attend the prayer-meetings and the social gatherings, and, unseen, keep his hands on the reins of the organization. If he does so, wisely and constantly, he cannot help knowing how the young converts are progressing in the Christian life. If they are faithful to their voluntary vows he knows it, and can mark with joy their growth in grace. If they are negligent he knows that, and can at once look after and reclaim the unfaithful ones.

No month need ever go by without the pastor knowing the religious status of each of his young people.

THE COMMITTEES.

The various committees are very important features of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. With faithful, earnest, intelligent committees, the work can scarcely fail to succeed. Perhaps the most important committee is the "Lookout Committee." This committee has for part of its work to introduce new members to the society, and it should take great pains that only those who have begun the Christian life are thus introduced as active members. But its most delicate, and at the same time important duty, is the reclaiming of those who have grown lax and indifferent to their vows. If any Active Member is away from the monthly Consecration Meeting, the Lookout Committee should know the fact, and should find out the reason for the absence. The very fact that this committee is on the "Lookout" will prove a salutary restraint upon many. There are but few young people who stay away who cannot be reclaimed and brought back to their allegiance by a wise and faithful Lookout Committee.

The other committees, especially the Prayer-Meeting and Social Committees, are scarcely less important, but their duties are easily understood as defined in the Consitution,^ and their work will be defined and explained on other pages.

All these committees, according to their zeal and devotion, can make much or little of their office. Each one of them affords a grand opportunity for efficient service if it is rightly used.

WHO MAY BECOME MEMBERS t

Should there be an age limit.? These are questions

which are often asked. We are not in favor of a strict age

limit, since youth and age are such variable terms. Many

a man is old at twenty-five. Many a man at fifty is still

* See Model Constitution, Ari VI., and By-Laws, Art, XII.

young. This matter can usually be left to the sanctified common sense of Christian men and women. As a general rule the older church members will feel that they can do more good by praying for the young people's meeting at home. Their presence in large numbers would embarrass, and perhaps silence, many timid young Christians. Still there are exceptions to this rule. It is very essential that there should be in the society a number of older young people, say those between twenty and forty, to give stability to the work and to take the lead in the committees. While the children should always be welcomed and encouraged to come, yet a society composed wholly of chilren will hardly succeed. On the younger side the age limit easily takes care of itself. Children whom their parents allow to be out in the evening are not too young to become members. The Junior Societies are being formed in large numbers and with excellent results for the training of the boys and girls under thirteen and fourteen years of age.

THE CONSECRATION MEETING.

This meeting is one of great importance. It may be called by various names: "Consecration," "Experience," " Progress," or simply the " Monthly Meeting," but by whatever name it is called it should and may be made a real power. At this meeting, in some way, some expression of renewed loyalty to Christ should be obtained from every active member. When the roll is called it should be made a very serious matter, and the mere response to the name should be considered a reconsecration. Most societies have found it best to call the roll, not at the close, but during the progress of the meeting, so that each may respond to his name with a prayer, or a word of testimony, or a passage of Scripture. This plan for many reasons is the best.

THE ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.

The duties of the active members are plain enough — humble Christian living, constant attendance upon the meetings, and constant participation. The duties of the

Associate Members are less easily defined. They are the young people who, while they are not willing to avow themselves active Christians, are willing to put themselves under Christian influences, and are willing to receive the prayers of the Active Members. That they owe something to the society is plain. Habitual attendance upon the meetings should be required from the Associate Members, but not participation in the meeting. At the Consecration Meeting in some societies their names are called, for the purpose of finding out if they are present, not for the purpose of obtaining a renewed consecration. Every good influence should be kept around such members, and every effort made to bring them to Christ. The invitation to the prayer meetings should be of the broadest and most cordial character to embrace not only the members, but all the young people of the community.

THE RELATION OF THE PASTOR AND THE CHURCH.

The society is a part of the church. One of its principal objects is to bring all the young people into the work of the church. In this respect it differs from all other organizations. Its motto is : " For Christ and the Church." Each society is connected with some one individual church, and its efforts are directed to her upbuilding. The Platform of Principles before alluded to says: "The society of Christian Endeavor is not and is not to be an organization independent of the church. It is the church at work for and with the young, and the young people at work for and with the church." Testimonies from hundreds of prominent pastors relate how this society has brought back their young people from desultory and unproductive work outside of the church, and has concentrated their efforts in church channels. In the Church Prayer-meeting, the Sunday School, the Musical Services, the social life and missionary efforts of the church, the young people thus organized can be of untold usefulness.

The Pastor should, if possible, attend all their meetings.

aid their efforts and show himself in fullest and most heartysympathy with the young life of his church, otherwise he cannot hope for large success. See Article IX., Model Constitution.

THE SOCIETY INTERDENOMINATIONAL, NOT UNDENOM- INATIONAL.

The best proof of this is found in the fact that it exists in all evangelical denominations, and is found equally useful in all denominations. In some sections it prevails more largely in one denomination, in other sections in another.

The Platform of Principles says on this point: "The basis of the union of the societies is one of common loyalty to Christ, common methods of service for Him, and mutual Christian affection rather than a doctrinal and ecclesiastical basis. In such a union all evangelical Christians can unite without repudiating or being disloyal to any denominational custom or tenet."

BUSINESS FEATURES.

The business features of the society should not be accorded very much prominence. Sharp parliamentary practice and long or heated discussion should be discouraged. The society of Christian Endeavor is not a debating society. If questions requiring debate are brought only before the Executive Committee (as provided in Article VI., 4), and reported favorably or otherwise by this committee to the society for adoption, much trouble may be avoided. But little money is required for the society, and this can be raised by a monthly pledge of five cents, by an unobjectionable entertainment of which the church shall approve, or in any other simple way.

HOW TO FORM A SOCIETY.

Begin with as many earnest active young Christians as are available for this work. Do not be anxious for numbers. Think more of quality than quantity. Half a score of those who are earnest and consecrated are worth in this work ten score of half-hearted ones. A very few young people of the right sort can make a strong society of Christian Endeavor. If the society begins right it is sure to grow. Do not lower the standard or cater to the worldly laxness of the average Christian by making the way in easy. The great danger is just in this line — that many will rush in at first who have no proper conception of their obligations, and who will prove a positive source of weakness to the society. Make sure that every one who joins fully understands his duties and obligations, and is willing in Christ's strength to undertake them. Call together the earnest young Christians who are thus willing to pledge themselves to this work ; let them adopt and sign the Constitution, which act solemnly pledges them to a performance of these duties ; let them choose their officers and committees, and the society is formed ready to go forward with its work.

SUMMARY.

The essential features, then, of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor are : pledged and constant attendance upon the weekly prayer-meetings ; Pledged and constant participation therein by every Active Member; pledged and constant work for others through the Committees, and in any way which may be suggested. A few living up to these pledges faithfully will, with the blessing of God, soon become a powerful host in any church. There is no danger that the rules will be too strictly enforced. There is great danger that they will be regarded too loosely. The society that looks to God for all blessings and strictly observes its vows, voluntarily assumed by each young person, cannot fail. More can be learned concerning the society from a careful study of the Constitution printed herein, than in any other way.

THE MODEL CONSTITUTION.

This Constitution, which, in its important features is substantially the same as that adopted by the first society in Portland, Feb. 2, 1881, has been prepared with- great care, and met with the very hearty indorsement of the Fourth National Conference, to which it was presented. It has been revised and approved by the Trustees of the United Society at a meeting held October, 1887.

It is not necessarily binding upon any local society, but is to be regarded in the light of a recommendation, especially for the guidance of new organizations and those unacquainted with the work of the society of Christian Endeavor. It is hoped, however, for the sake of uniformity, that the Constitution, which deals only with main principles, may be generally adopted, and that such changes as may be needed to adapt the society to local needs will be made in the By-laws. Even if the language of the Constitution of some local societies should vary from this Model Constitution, it should be borne in mind that only those societies that adhere to the prayer-meeting idea, as embodied in Article VII, and the main features of committee work, can properly claim the name of Christian Endeavor Societies. The specimen By-Laws v/hich are here appended, embrace suggestions for the government of the society, which have been found successful in many places. Each one is approved by experience.

MODEL CONSTITUTION.

Article I. — Name.

This society shall be called the Young

People's Society of Christian Endeavor. Article II. — 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.

IVavs and Mea7is, 23

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 society shall consist of all young persons who believe themselves to be Christians, and who sincerely desire to accomplish the objects above specified. Voting powers shall be vested only in the active members.

3. Associate Members. All young persons 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 thaf 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.

4. Affiliated or Honorary Members."* All persons who, though no longer young, are still interested in the society and wish to have some connection with it, though they cannot regularly attend the meetings, may become affiliated members. Their names shall be kept on 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 affiliated members for financial and moral support in all worthy efforts. (For special class of honorary members see Article IX.)

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

*This class of membership is provided for Christians of mature years, especially for those who have been active members, and who desire to remain throughout their lives connected with the society. Young persons who can be either active or associate members should in no case be affiliated members.

Article IV. — Officers.

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 the society.

2. There shall also be a Lookout Committee, a Prayer- Meeting Committee, a Social Committee, and such other committees as the local needs of each society may require, each consisting of five activ6 members. There shall also be an Executive Committee as provided in Article VI.

Article V. — 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.

2. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence.

3. Corresponding Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to keep the local society in communication with the United Society and with other local societies, and to present to his own society such matters of interest as may come from the United Society, from other local societies, and from other authorized sources of Christian Endeavor. This office shall be permanent, and the name shall be forwarded to the United Society.

4. Recording Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary to keep a record of the members, and to correct it from time to time, as may be necessary, and to obtain the signature of each newly-elected member to the Constitution ; also, to correspond with absent members, and 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, and to do so in writing, if necessary.

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

Article VI. — Duties of Committees.

I. 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 to affectionately 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.

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.

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

4. Executive Committee.* This committee shall consist of the pastor of the church, the officers of the society, and the chairmen of the various committees. All matters of business requiring debate shall be brought first before this committee, and by it reported either favorably or adversely to the society. All discussion of proposed measures shall take place before this committee and not before the society.

* The object of this committee is to prevent waste of time in the regular meetings of the society, by useless debate and unnecessary parliamentary practice, which are always harmful to the spirit of a prayer-meeting.

Recommendations concerning the finances of the society shall also originate with this committee.

Each committee, except the Executive, shall make a report in writing to the society, at the monthly business meetings, concerning the work of the past month.

Article VII. — The Prayer-Meeting.

1. All the active members shall be present at every meeting, unless detained by some absolute necessity, and each active member shall take some part, however slight, in every meeting. To the above all the active members shall pledge* themselves, understanding by " absolute necessity" some reason for absence which can conscientiously be given to their Master, Jesus Christ. The meetings shall be held one hour, and at the close some time may be taken for introduction and social intercourse, if desired.

2. Once each month a consecration or experience meeting shall be held, at which each active member shall speak concerning his progress in the Christian life, or renew his vows of consecration. If any one chooses, he can express his feelings by an appropriate verse of Scripture or other quotation.

3. At each consecration or experience meeting the roll shall be called, and the responses of the active members who are present shall be considered as a renewed expression of allegiance to Christ. It is expected that, if any one is obliged to be absent from this meeting, he will send a request to be excused by some one who attends.

4. If any active member of this society is absent from this monthly meeting, and fails to send an excuse, the Lookout Committee is expected to take the name of such a one, and in a kind and brotherly spirit ascertain the reason for the absence. If any active member of the society is absent and unexcused from three consecutive monthly

* For form of pledge see By-Laws, Art. V.

meetings, such a one ceases to be a member of the society, and his name shall be stricken from the list of members. Article YIII. — Business Meetings and Elections.

1. Business meetings may be held at the close of the evening prayer-meeting, or at any other time in accordance with the call of the President.

2. An election of the officers and committees shall be held once in six months. Names may be proposed by a Nominating Committee appointed by the President.

Article IX. — Relation to the Church. This society being a part of the church, the pastor, deacons, elders or stewards, and Sunday-school superintendent shall be ex officio honorary member*. Any difficult question may be laid before them for advice.

Article X. — Withdrawals.

Any member who may wish to withdraw from the society shall state the reasons in writing to the Lookout Committee and pastor, and if these reasons seem sufficient, they may be allowed to withdraw.

Article XI. — Miscellaneous.

Any other committees may be added and duties assumed by this society which in the future may seem best.

Amendment. (The following amendment was proposed by Rev. F. E. Clark, and recommended to the societies by vote of the National Conference held in Chicago, July 5-8, 1888.)

Since it would in the end defeat the very object of our organization if the older active members, who have been trained in the society for usefulness in the church, should remain content with fulfilling their pledge to the society only, therefore it s expected that the older members, when it shall become impossible for them to attend two weekly prayer-meetings, shall be transferred to the honorary membership of the society, if previously faithful to their vows as active members. This transfer, however, shall be made with the understanding that the obligations for faithful ser-

28 Waj/s and Meafts.

vice shall still be binding upon them in the regular church prayer-meeting. It shall be left to the Lookout Committee, in conjunction with the pastor, to see that this transfer of membership is made as occasion requires. Special pains shall also be taken to see that a share of the duties and responsibilities, both of the prayer-meeting and of the general work of the society, shall be borne by the younger members.

SPECIMEN BY-LAWS GIVEN AS HINTS FOR THE REG- ULATION OF LOCAL SOCIETIES.

If it is thought that these rules and regulations are unnecessarily long, it should be borne distinctly in mind that these specimen By- Laws are simply suggestions. It is not recommended that they be adopted entire, as in the case of the Model Constitutic n, for all of them would not be adapted, perhaps, to the need of any one society, but from them all valuable hints may be derived for the' government of local organizations. The fundamental principles of the society are exceedingly simple, and only so many of these By-Laws need be adopted as seem necessary to the easy working of this plan for Christian nurture. Undue attention to rules and parliamentary law is to be deprecated, and the fundamental fact that the object of this society is solely for Christian work and growth should never be lost sight of.

BY-LAWS.

Article I.

This society shall hold a prayer-meeting on

evening of each week. The last regular prayer-meeting of the month shall be a consecration or experience meeting, at which the roll shall be called.

Article II.

METHOD OF CONDUCTING THE EXPERIENCE OR CONSECRATION MEETING.

At this meeting the roll may be called by the leader during the meeting, instead of at its close. After the opening exercises, the names of five or more may be called, and then a hymn sung or prayer offered. Thus varied, with singing and prayer interspersed, the entire roll may

be called.

Article III.

This society shall hold its regular business meeting in

connection with the first regular prayer-meeting in the

month. Special business meetings at the call of the

President.

Article IV.

The election of officers and committees shall be held at the first business meeting in

A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President, of which the pastor may be a member ex officio. The following clause of the By-Laws may be read to the society before each semi-annual election of officers :

While membership on the board of officers or committees of this society should be distributed as evenly as the best good of the society will warrant, among the different members, the offices should not be considered places of honor to be striven for, but simply opportunities for increased usefulness, and any ill-feeling or jealousy springing from this cause shall be deemed unworthy a member of the society of Christian Endeavor. When, however, a member has been fairly elected, it is expected that he will consider his office a sacred trust, to be conscientiously accepted, and never to be declined, except for most urgent and vali^ reasons.

Article V.

Applications for membership may be made on printed forms, which shall be supplied by the Lookout Committee, and returned to them for consideration.

Names may be proposed for membership at the close of the consecration meetings, and shall be voted on by the society at the following business meeting. The Lookout Committee may also, in order to satisfy itself of the Chrisitan character of the candidate, present to all candidates for active membership* the following card to be signed:

Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for strength, I promise Him that I will strive to do whatever He would like to have me do ; that I will make it the rule of my life to pray and to read the Bible every day, and to support my own church in every way, especially by attending all her regular Sunday and mid-week services, unless prevented by some reason which I can conscientiously give to my Saviour, and that, just so far as I know how, throughout my whole life, I will endeavor to lead a Christian life.

As an active member, I promise to be true to all my duties, to be present at, and take some part, aside from singing, in every Christian Endeavor prayer-meeting, unless hindered by some reason which I can conscientiously give to my Lord and Master. If obliged to be absent from the monthly consecration meeting of the society I will, if possible, send at least a verse of Scripture to be read in response to my name at the roll-call. Signed,

Article VL

Persons who have forfeited their membership may be readmitted on recommendation of the Lookout Committee and pastor, and a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular business-meeting.

Article VII.

New members shall sign the Constitution and By-Laws within four weeks from their election, to confirm the vote of the society.

Article VIII.

Any who cannot accept the office to which they»may be elected shall notify the President in writing before the next business-meeting, at which the vacancy shall be filed. Article IX.

Membership tickets may be furnished to all members of the society, admitting them to all the socials. The Social Committee may furnish tickets to members for their friends, providing they are suitable persons, admitting them to the socials dated on the ticket. Article X.

The Lookout Committee shall read the names of any who may cease to be members, and give the reason why their names should be taken off the list. *

Article XL

Letters of Introduction to other Christian Endeavor societies shall be given to members in good standing who apply to be released from their obligations to the society; this release to take effect when they shall become members of another society; until then their names shall be kept on the absent list. Members removing to other places or desiring to join other Christian Endeavor societies in the same city or town, are requested to obtain letters of Introduction within six months from the time of their leaving, unless they shall give satisfactory reasons to the society for their further delay.

Article XII.

Other committees may be added according to the needs of local societies, whose duties may be defined as follows :