The Christian Volunteers of Battle Creek.
By Carrie Hathaway
In the Review of July 10, under the heading, “Young Peoples’ Societies,” there was presented the matter from the Testimonies calling for an organization to be undertaken by Seventh-day Adventist young people. Although these Testimonies have been in our hands from six to seven years, we have no knowledge of any definite action having been taken by our denomination previously to a year and a half ago, when Ohio moved out. Recently, upon the recommendation of the Michigan Conference and the Battle Creek church board, steps have been taken to effect an organization in this church. Several weeks ago Elder S. M. Butler, president of the Michigan Sabbath-school Association, who is especially interested in this movement, was in the city, and rendered valuable assistance in beginning this work. We are glad to be able now to report that the society is in good working order. While it began quietly and unostentatiously, its influence is widening, and its membership is increasing with every weekly meeting. Among the special features we wish briefly to speak of the following:— Owing to the large number of young persons in the several institutions in this city, it has been found necessary to have a larger corps of officers than might be needed in smaller churches. Hence our constitution provides for a president, four vice-presidents (one representative from each of the institutions and one from the church at large), a secretary, a corresponding secretary, and a treasurer. These officers, together with one of the pastors of the church, constitute the board of managers, reference to which is made later on. A vigilance committee was also chosen, whose duty it is to look after absent, delinquent, and discouraged members, and to seek for new members. We have chosen the name, “Young People’s Society of Christian Volunteers,” since the Testimony calls upon us to “form companies, and as soldiers of Christ enlist.” This is the name under which the Ohio society is working, and also about thirty local societies in Michigan. It is the prime object of the society to work for the salvation of young persons in the families of Sabbath-keepers, and to seek, by means of literature, etc., to spread the truths of the Third Angel’s Message to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” The membership consists of active, associate, and honorary members. Only active members have any vote in the business of the society, and they are also expected to participate in all the prayer-meetings. The age limit of active members is fixed at from fifteen to thirty-five years. “All worthy young persons who have not openly professed Christ, but who believe the Bible, and are in harmony with the principles of the society, may become associate members. Active members shall interest themselves in their welfare, and by prayer and judicious labor seek to bring them into the fullness of Christian life and active membership.” “All other persons of good, Christian character who are interested in the work of the society may become honorary members. It is understood that the society may look to them for moral and financial support.” “Applicants for membership shall satisfy themselves that they are in harmony with the principles of the society by making a careful study of its constitution. They shall then be approved by the board of managers; and, having signed the constitution as a pledge that they intend to comply with its requirements, shall, when elected by a two-thirds vote of the active members present at any regular meeting of the society, be members in good standing.” As a part of the constitution, all active members sign the following pledge: “Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for strength, I promise him that I will always endeavor to do what I believe he would do if he were in my place; that I will read the word of God and pray to him every day; and that I will do what I can by personal effort and with my means, to carry quickly the Third Angel’s Message ‘to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.’ As an active member of the Christian Volunteers, I promise to be true to all my obligations: to be present at, and take some part, other than singing, in, every meeting of the society, unless hindered by some cause which I conscientiously believe would detain my Lord and Master under like circumstances.” In this effort we have sought to follow the direction of the Spirit of the Lord: to form a company “somewhat after the plan of the Christian Endeavor order,” to “see what can be done by accountable human agents in watching for and improving opportunities to do work for the Master.” Yet it will be evident to every careful reader that the work is to bear the characteristics of the Third Angel’s Message. We believe that this work will be exhaustive,—that in the part young persons take as leaders, they will be obliged to study the word of God as bearing upon history, prophecy, and practical Christianity. And now, young people of the Seventh-day Adventist Church everywhere, what will you do in this matter? The Lord has spoken, and may his Spirit, which indited the Testimonies, move upon your hearts to earnest and immediate action. We trust the time is not far distant when we can have a national organization, and thus bring into the work all isolated young persons. Anyone desiring information in regard to the beginning of the work in his own church can receive such by writing to our corresponding secretary, Mrs. Grace Durland Mace, 271 W. Main St., inclosing stamp.