I think that the greatest danger facing the Christian Endeavour Society today is that it tends to become a small, happy social group. Not that it should not, or is not that. It has been many things—including a matrimonial centre—and a good thing it has been too. But primarily it is not these things. It has other essential features which made it distinctive when it was started, and which must be maintained if it is to remain distinctive.
What are these features?
First, to make the young people of the Church more effective.
Second, to make the young people of the Church more useful.
How does it do this?
Found in this: all the active members will be present at every meeting, unless detained by some absolute necessity, and each active member will take some part, however slight, in every meeting.
Therefore, there is an obligation upon everyone—which he himself has willingly accepted—to perform a definite duty for Christ’s sake, and to perform it regularly. Absolute necessity means some reason that I can, with a clear conscience, present to God.
What is this definite duty?
No Endeavourer takes the pledge to make a speech, or to offer a long prayer. It is meant to be a simple, appropriate part:
A verse of Scripture.
A short prayer.
A sentence of advice or exhortation.
A word of experience.
What these things can do for us:
Reflection on our needs, when expressing opinion.
Knowledge of our Bibles.
Reflection on our progress.
And to others, they become a constant delight and refreshment.
How to maintain this service is the problem.
The answer is by committees.
The Look-out Committee is to find out why a person is absent, especially from the Consecration meeting, and in a kind and brotherly way to discover the reason for the absence and admonish to greater faithfulness.
If any do not habitually participate in the meetings, the Look-out Committee is expected to remind them of their duty, and in an affectionate way to urge them to perform it—from the Chair, and to the individual. There is a way to do it lovingly and tactfully, so that hard feeling is not engendered.
For participation will bring to you renewed earnestness and interest.
The Look-out Committee also brings new members into the Society, introduces them to the work and to other members, looks after them, and reclaims any that become indifferent.
Other Committees.
Experience Meetings.
How does one begin being a Christian?
How do you know that you are saved?
Have we advanced in our faith during the last months?
Can I rely on Christ to keep me from sin?
The Secret of Growing
John 4:31–42
“In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
“But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
“Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
“And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
“And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
“I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
“So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
“And many more believed because of his own word;
“And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”
There is strength in doing God’s work.
The work is there now to be done.
Every task will contribute, and will be honoured.
