Union College Young People's Society
By J. I. Beardsley
OWING to hindering circumstances, our Young People's Society did not obtain a very early start this year. In a school of this kind a large per cent of the membership changes so often that it is almost necessary to reorganize at the beginning of every year. This always takes time, and this year especially it was retarded by circumstances beyond our control. However, we are now quite well organized. Our officers consist of a president, with first and second vice-presidents,—these form a committee on plans,—a secretary, a treasurer, and an assistant secretary and treasurer. These, with the heads of the various committees, form the advisory committee. Our regular committees consist of a Sabbath program committee, a missionary committee, and an invitation committee, besides various committees to which special lines of work are delegated. Our plan is to hold two meetings each week. The one on Sabbath afternoon consists of a program of historical, field, and biographical studies, and occasionally of a consecration service. At the opening of each Sabbath meeting a few minutes are spent in reviewing texts assigned the Sabbath previous upon some one of our peculiar points of doctrine. We believe that the man of God should be thoroughly furnished unto all good works, and able always to give an answer to every man who asks a reason for the hope that is within him. Members as well as officers appreciate the value of these drills. Our aim has been to distribute the work as much as possible, both as regards programs and practical missionary work. On Wednesday forenoon we hold a missionary meeting, at which missionary projects are discussed, work assigned, and reports given. Music forms a part of this program, as well as of the Sabbath program. Some of these hymns are arranged especially for the occasion. This adds much to the interest, and is one way in which we may offer praise to our Creator. Being located in an educational center having several institutions of learning, with large enrollments, besides several church societies, our first practical missionary work was to become acquainted with these young people, and for this purpose a committee was appointed to visit them, attending their young people's meetings, and taking part when opportunity was given. We have been gratified with the reports from this committee thus far. In nearly every instance our members have been invited to participate, and in some instances have led their meetings. In no better way can we work for these young people than by attending their meetings, and helping them in a kindly, Christian way. It is not so much what we say, as our personal demeanor and conduct. At the same time we must ever be ready to study with them any question that may arise, and always show them that we have a living connection with the Source of all power and wisdom. Those who have composed this visiting committee have testified to the good done their own souls by coming in contact with these young people, many of whom are longing for more light, and all were gratified with the genial, friendly spirit with which they were received in every instance. We have done some periodical work. A large number of the special Signs was taken by the society, and sold in the surrounding territory, or mailed to interested persons, and followed by letters showing our interest in them. We are mailing a club of Signs each week to persons with whom different members of the society are to correspond. If sufficient interest is shown, the papers will be continued; if not, they will be sent to other persons. A young man of our number is using a club of fifty copies of the Life Boat, ten of the Signs, besides other of our periodicals, furnished him by the College View missionary society, in his work at the penitentiary and the jails of Lincoln. In our periodical work we have found it the most satisfactory plan to secure from the conference presidents the names of individuals in some locality where the conference intends to send laborers; thus we may prepare the minds of the people by paving the way with the printed page. A few weeks ago a plan was set on foot to organize a foreign mission band. At one of our midweek meetings the plan was unfolded, and an opportunity given for those interested in the study of foreign fields with a view to becoming foreign missionaries at some future time, to hand in their names. As the result thirty persons responded, and were organized into two bands. In these meetings, held weekly, the fields in which different members are interested are studied, all joining enthusiastically in the study. Whenever a foreign missionary visits the school, he is invited to speak to the two bands. The different members also correspond with foreign missionaries already in the field. It is intended to read the replies to these letters to the bands. A movement has already been set on foot to improve the condition of a former fellow student who is now a missionary in an undesirable and uncongenial locality. Our society has also been able to raise some funds for needy fields. An offering of one hundred and forty dollars was raised during the week of prayer. A weekly freewill offering is taken in the chapel to defray our society's expenses, and the surplus donated to some needy enterprise. Recently twenty-five dollars surplus was donated toward the purchase of a much-needed printing-press for our mission in Porto Rico. We have also sent a collection of reference books to Colegios de Cameras, Argentina. The foreign departments also do much among those of their own languages. The Scandinavians have a regular club of fifty copies of the Sendebud, correspondence being conducted with those who receive these papers. They also sold many of their special number of the Sendebud. The Germans hold their regular weekly meetings each Friday evening. They have a club of seventy-five copies of the Hausfreund, which they send out every week, and conduct correspondence with those to whom they are sent. They have also sold many of their special number of the Hausfreund in and near the city of Lincoln. These are some of the visible results of our college missionary society. As to those which our finite minds can not fathom, only time and eternity will reveal. We, as young people, are thankful for the opportunity of preparing ourselves for a place in our Saviour's vineyard, and of doing some work for him at the same time. Practise is and should be a part of the thorough workman's course, and it is only thus that we may become efficient laborers. J. I. BEARDSLEY, President.