THE RELIGIOUS WORK OF NORTH AMERICAN

ASSOCIATIONS

The entire work of the associations of North America from the beginning has been pervaded by the religious spirit and indeed in the earlier years the distinctly religious work comprised most if not all of the association's activity. The history of this religious activity is quite fully set forth in the paper which Mr. W. K. Jennings of Pittsburg read at the Jubilee Convention. This paper is to be found on page 199 of this volume. The movement towards specialization which began. during the decade from 1890 to 1900 illustrates in a striking manner a principle discovered in the history of other departments of association effort. There was first a long period of general experimentation in religious meetings and Bible classes. The contact of leaders with each other in conventions, correspondence and the interchange of printed matter, the visits of traveling secretaries, and the publication of a few pamphlets by the International Committee resulted in some degree of uniformity. In 1896 the suggestion was made that there should be a secretary of the International Committee for Bible study who might bring to pass a desirable measure of uniformity in methods and Bible courses. The discussion culminated in a resolution at the Mobile convention in 1897, recommending the employment of a secretary who should "devote his time exclusively to developing Bible study and personal Christian effort among the associations." The committee endeavored for two years to carry out these instructions, but were unable to secure a suitable man. In July, 1897, there was held an informal conference composed of twenty-one association leaders, local, state and international; at which for several days with earnestness and thoroughness the religious work of the American associations was studied. The conclusions reached by this conference were influential in the development of subsequent plans. They seemed to embody the best thought of the association movement. Largely influenced by these conclusions, the New York state committee called a conference in the spring of 1898 at which there was prepared the material for "The First Prospectus of the Bible Study Department." This material was subsequently adopted and issued by the International Committee. Its purpose was declared to be "an attempt to crystallize the growing sentiment among the Young Men's Christian Associations in favor of progressive and uniform Bible study on a broad and intelligent basis."

The publication of this pamphlet marked the beginning of a new era. In it were gathered the best of existing methods and Bible courses. In 1899 the general plan was modified and the number of courses increased. In 1900 its scope was

enlarged to include the entire religious work of the association, although Bible study continued to have the most prominent place. Much of the material previously gathered seemed to be of permanent value, and a pamphlet of seventy-five pages was issued entitled, "Principles and Methods of Religious Work." This pamphlet presents what is practically a composite picture of the best methods in vogue among the associations of North America. It has secured the approval of association leaders in all parts of the country. In it there is suggested for the first time a plan of organization for the entire religious work, broad, comprehensive, practical and elastic enough to suit the needs of the smallest as well as of the largest association. In addition to the publication of this significant pamphlet, and the Prospectus of over one hundred and sixty pages, upwards of thirty graded Bible courses for men and boys had been adapted or prepared. Provision had been made for international examinations in Bible study, and the foundations laid for gathering, compiling, tabulating and interpreting the statistics touching the religious conditions in the American associations. What had been accomplished so far had been made possible by the voluntary services of a group of local, state and international secretaries.

In 1899 a secretary with pronounced evangelistic gifts was employed by the International Committee for special work among soldiers and subsequently among young men in city associations. Late in that year he began a campaign of education among the associations in the direction of the plan of religious work outlined in "Principles and Methods." In the summer of 1900 another secretary was added to the force of the committee to stimulate Bible study. The work of these secretaries began to produce the results desired. At first they worked under the general direction of the Field Department, but the rapid increase of office details, correspondence with leaders, preparation and publication of Bible courses, and the gathering of statistics, work which had been hitherto done by other secretaries, combined to make necessary the formal organization of the department of Special Religious Work. This was accomplished early in 1901, and an experienced secretary who had been in touch with the new movement from its inception, was called to become executive secretary of the department.

With the beginning of the work of this department in its organized capacity, it may be well to ask what has been the results of the three years of effort towards uniformity and cooperation in religious work. In 1897, there was no generally accepted basis of comparison, no clearly indicated point of departure for future growth. Now there is a fairly well-defined standard touching fundamental details of organization and methods and results. Then there was no uniform system of

records and reports, essential to a careful study of conditions. Now such a study is possible by the use of the carefully gathered and graphically presented statistics of religious work in the city and railroad associations. Then there was no general plan of campaign. Now such a plan is available to all the associations, and it provides a rallying standard for the American movement. Then there were but seven Bible courses in general use among the city and railroad associations. Now there are thirty-four graded courses besides those of the Student Department. These courses were used last year by upwards of 13,000 young men. Then there were no special courses or methods for railroad men. Now there are several courses in successful use adapted to this important group of associations. Then no provision had been made for members of boys' branches. Now there are several valuable courses and other in preparation. Then there was but one experienced specialist devoting his entire time to the study of the conditions of religious work and its improvement. Now there are not only the three men on the international staff, but in at least nine leading cities, religious work secretaries are employed by local associations. The new movement has already effected marked changes in the conditions in many associations. It has come into being at a time when the associations are facing a unique opportunity for religious usefulness to

men.

What are some of the fundamental principles of religious work of the American associations? First, the supreme mission of the association is to help men to know and serve Jesus Christ. In the pamphlet already referred to, the pervading religious spirit is described in the following language:

"The Young Men's Christian Association is differentiated from merely recreative, educational, or ethical movements, by its pervading spiritual intent, and its aggressive religious activity. The establishment of righteousness through complete self-surrender to faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Master is its fundamental and controlling purpose. In pursuance of this supreme aim through an evolutionary process covering half a century, the association has been led to consider the complete nature of young men-body, mind, and spirit, and to seek their harmonious development toward the ideal manhood as revealed in Jesus Christ, who 'advanced in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and man.' The association thus seeks the adjustment of the individual's personal relation to God through all his faculties-the promotion of love to God with all the heart, with all the soul, with all the mind, and with all the strength, and thus the redeemed and purified man, created anew in the image of his Maker, is led to keep the second great commandment by loving his neighbor as himself."

Second, this purpose cannot be thoroughly carried out without a well laid and earnestly prosecuted plan. This involves both methods and organization. The religious work of the association is now generally understood to be fourfold: (1) Bible study for saving men and for developing Christian

character; (2) aggressive religious meetings of an evangelistic type; (3) organized personal Christian effort wisely and continuously prosecuted "in the sphere of the daily calling"; (4) a definitely organized and helpful relation to the young men in non-Christian lands. With the many thousands of young men at present active members of the associations who are available for service, an organization carefully developed means a large increase in the volume of service. Some associations have upwards of one hundred and fifty men serving on committees but in the majority of associations the number could easily be increased several fold.

With such a field, the material resources, the band of 1,500 trained leaders, with a glorious history and its accompanying volume of wide and varied experience, with a plan of campaign as broad as the world based upon the word of God, prosecuted with generosity, enterprise and zeal, and blessed by the Spirit of God, what may the church not expect from this her loyal servant in the mighty work of helping to redeem the young manhood of the world during the next half century.

THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT

The addresses on the foreign work of the International Committee, delivered at the Jubilee Convention (see pages 233-247), together with contributed articles on Brazil, India, Ceylon, China and Japan in this World Survey, adequately set forth this phase of work of the North American associations.

THE COUNTY WORK

At least eight million of the fifteen million young men of the United States and Canada (and a like number of boys), are in communities of three thousand and under, or one million young men more than that are in all the cities and towns of over three thousand inhabitants of these two countries. The young men and boys in the smaller communities are at a great disadvantage as far as Christian development and training is concerned; they are, however, unquestionably more easily reached and benefited than those in the larger places.

Association work has been tried over and over again in many small places, only to fail for want of proper supervision and direction; for there has never been a satisfactory association work in the nation, state, city, town, or among special classes of young men, without the employed secretary. The best association work without the employed secretary has been in the colleges and in small places. While the volunteer charac