YYf- A Year’s Outline for Religious Meetings in Student Young Women’s Christian Associations Prepared by MISS OOLOOAH BURNER, National Secretary for Church Schools, with the needs of such schools especially in mind, this leaflet will nevertheless be helpful to many other student Associations looking for suggestions for individual meetings. Order for 1 0 cents, or $ 1 .00 per dozen copies from the Publication Department, National Board, Young Women’s Christian Associations, 600 Lexington Avenue, New York City. A YEAR’S OUTLINE FOR RELIGIOUS MEETINGS In response to many and urgent appeals for “more detailed suggestions” for meetings in student Associations, the following year’s program is offered with the hope that it may prove sug- gestive in some ways, if not in all. (For general principles involved in the preparation of any program, study the technical pamphlet on religious meetings.) The program is made up of suggestions only, as you see, and not at all to be rigidly followed unless it seems wise in any local situation. All books, pamphlets, aud reports referred to may be ordered, if not already in the college or Association library, or the library of your local pastors, from the Publica- tion Department of the Young Women’s Christian Association, 600 Lexington Avenue, New York City. It would be very much worth while to provide for a number of such books in your budget each year. The suggestions are made with the thought in mind of student leaders for the meetings, and no list of questions is complete ; they are merely to start the committee or leader to thinking in preparation. Frequently the questions touch only 3 one phase of a subject when there are many other phases that might be taken up as well. Of course, for a number of meet- ings you will probably have faculty or outside speakers; in that case, it is well to show them whatever program you have for the year in order that they may not duplicate. If the meetings have grown monotonous from being confined to student lead- ers, make especial effort to have a fresh viewpoint now and then from outside. The eight missionary meetings are listed sep- arately, not because they are a subject set apart, but because they are to be inserted where the}' belong according to your dates. 4 WE Subject: — Presentation of the Association to new students. Bible Reading: — John 10:10. Explanation of your Association’s organization and work from standpoint of the purpose. It might be well to take up the purpose in the Suggested Constitution, clause by clause, having each committee’s work explained in connection with the clause of the purpose under which that committee finds its reason for existence. For instance : — “To unite” Literary societies, sororities, athletic clubs, classes, etc., unite a few in each case to the exclusion of others ; spirit of rivalry ; basis of union on one phase of life only. Contrast Association — unites all, regardless of age or class, on fund- amental basis of living at one’s best : ( a ) Membership Committee — Explain meaning of member- ship. Make clear that if it counts for anything at all in a girl’s life, it will mean work, self-sacrifice for the good of others, steady growth, activity. Take up excuses commonly given for not joining, — for instance, “no time”, “no money”, “not in- terested”, “I will come in if I don't have to do anything”, etc.; and take the props out from under each excuse in such a way that it can never stand again. (b) Meetings Committee — Explain how its work is to prov- ide for thinking together as girls; for discussions; for wor- shipping together, etc. Meetings voluntary of, by, and for students. Explain plan of working — that is, blocking out work 5 for the year in order to meet local needs, choosing the best leaders regardless of whether they have led before or not, etc., and ask for criticisms, suggestions, and support during the year. (c) Social Committee — To unite the women students in spreading the spirit of the living of Jesus himself in the every day life of the campus, — emphasis not on parlies. “To lead ... to accept ... as their personal Saviour” A desire which comes through growing knowledge gained from meetings, study, Association classes, personal friends, and work. “To build ... up in knowledge of Christ” Here some students should speak for the Voluntary Study classes of the year, including the idea that the knowledge of Christ comes first through Bible reading, and prayer (Morning Watch) and through study, sometimes Bible, sometimes mission or social study, wherever possible in connection with the church. . . . “That their character and conduct may be consonant with their belief” — Reference might be made here to the Social Committee also, but the Social Service Committee or committees would probably have the time under this topic. “It shall thus associate them with the students of the world for the advancement of the Kingdom of God” A sentence or two concerning the more than hundred and fifty thousand students in over forty nations that are in the same Federation, connection with whom comes through work of Association News Committee and Missionary Committee. “Enlist devotion to Christian Church, etc.” 6 The Social Service Committee can speak here of any work done in the community in connection with local churches If there is a special committee on church membership and attend- ance it would naturally come at this point. Advertising A poster of girls, an attractively worded announce- ment, and a personally worded invitation to every new girl with perhaps an older girl to accompany her. A welcome committee outside the door, and real cordiality after the meeting closes. In order to confine such a subject to the allotted time, it would have to be handled by one or two people who know how to make a subject interesting and clear-cut without wasting words. The leader might sum up the meeting by reading thought- fully the purpose of the Association (from the suggested Constitution.) Closing Hymn: — Something like “Faith of our fathers.’’ Bible Reading: — I Thess. 3:11-13. “CHOOSE YE” Subject: — Kipling’s “I wish myself could talk to myself as 1 left ’im a year ago; I could tell ’im a lot that would save ’im a lot of the things ’e ought to know.” Leaders: — Four — sophomore, junior, senior, and recent alumna. Retrospective, on scale of values for college: “what is worth doing, and what can be left undone in a college year.” What to choose. Based on honest confessions from actual experiences. 7 Bible Reading: — Matt. 6:24; Matt. 6:33. Reference for Leader: — Chapter 10 in “The Manhood of the Master.” Hymns:— Such as “Fight the good fight” Poster: — A very large girl shaking her finger at a very small frightened girl; or someone standing undecided at cross- roads; or if the Kipling quotation is used as a subject the poster could represent someone speaking to himself as to another person. “IS YOUR BOOK DUSTY?” or, “FINDING THE WAY” Subject: — Bible study. Just what is the Bible anyway ? Why should a student study it? Is there a place for voluntary study in addition to the curriculum ? Why or why not? Can a student find time every day for voluntary private Bible reading and prayer ? Exactly how do most students treat their Bibles ? Is it fair? How much time ought one to give it ? Can one plan for that time ? What happens, if one does, to make it worth while, and what happens if one lets it slip? Is there a law of cause and effect in this as in other things? What are Bible circles or groups ? Why are they worth while ? Does any girl get out of a group more than she is willing to put in ? 8 If the Voluntary Study classes are to be presented at this meeting, make the presentation fair, showing the possibilities in each group, but making very clear also the fact that the worth of anyone class will be determined almost entirely by what each member puts into it of study, steadiness, interest, thinking, discussion, etc. Why should the Voluntary Study plans include foreign and North American problems as well as Bible ? Why is it logical that social study is needed for a well rounded Christian life ? Bible Reading: — Hebrews 4:12. Reference: — Introduction to pamphlet on Voluntary Study Prospectus for 1914-15. Mr. Mott’s closing address at Kansas City on the Morning Watch, etc. Hymns:— Such as “O word of God incarnate” Poster: — A girls desk covered with books and papers, a Bible almost hidden underneath. A RARE SPIRIT Subject: — Forbes Robinson’s Life and Letters to his Friends. An informal sketch from his life, and bits from his letters, including humorous portions, showing how real his religion was in the life of a simple, normal, loving, influential man. What was the secret of his influence ? Was it a thing that you and I could get ? How would that kind of spirit manifest itself in the life you are living ? 9 Bible Reading: — I John 3: [-3. Hymn: — “O, Master let me walk with Thee” Poster: — Some striking bit from one of the Letters, or the picture of a man at a desk. “WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT” Subject: — Reports of the summer conference. Divided possibly among three speakers on such subjects as: Folks Frolics Firing Lines (councils, classes, meetings, etc.) Bible Reading: — 2 Cor. 4:5-6; 1 Cor. 10:31. Hymns : — The conference hymns Poster: — Pictures of the conference or a map of the State in which the conference was held, with innumerable lines lead- ing from every direction to the conference point. ON LEADING MEETINGS Because the meetings are so often misinterpreted by girls who are asked to lead, and who refuse because they “are not good enough”, or who accept and give only casual attention to preparation, or because they are misinterpreted by those who in attending criticise the leaders because they are not perfect, and so stifle the atmosphere of the meeting by their indifference or criticism, — because of these conditions, might it not be well to have a meeting early in the autumn on the subject of “Leading Meetings” and what it means. It might take the 10 form of an open debate, or two or three clever girls could work up a “muck newspaper”, a “special edition” on the subject. Or it could be taken up in the form of a little play adapted from an article entitled “A Modern Morality” in the Association Monthly, December, 1911. (The article contains numerous suggestions as to preparation for leading a meeting.) Bible Reading. — If you want a Bible reference, something like 1 John 4:18 would cover a part of the theme. Hymns:— (If they are used) such as “Who is on the Lord's side”, and “O, Jesus I have promised” EIGHT WEEK CLUBS (If there were enough clubs to report, or enough interesting facts from one or two). Bible Reading:— Phil. 2:1-5; or the phrase from Luke 19:12, “What they had gained by trading”. Hymn: — “For the beauty of the earth” Poster: — An attractive country landscape. “I WILL BE SQUARE” 1. In what I say. Classes — Is “bluffing” square? Friends — Do your friends “bank” on your sincerity? Religion — Do you say more than you believe ? Are you guilty of what people call “religious cant”? On the other hand, do you pretend that you are worse than you are ? Is that a pose as much as the other ? 11 2. In what I do. Do you act upon what you say you believe ? Have you the habit of evading? Do you spend your time honestly ? Are you square in dealing with the things that have been entrusted to you — your mind, your spirit, your body, your influence, etc. ? 3. In what I am. Do you dare to be honest with yourself ? Are you afraid to see yourself as you are ? For what purpose are you using the life that has been given you, etc. ? Bible Reading: — I Cor. 4:20 Hymn: — “Christian, rise and act thy creed’’ Poster: — A square face with the features made out of square and right angle lines, or a whole body built on the same plan. THANKSGIVING Why should one ever say “thank you”? In what does that habit originate ? Has America today particular reasons for saying “thank you”, more than other countries ? Have you more than other people ? For what are you most thankful in your own life? Have you thought through point by point the things you have to be grateful for, in regard to your body, your mind, your spirit, your family, “folks”, campus life, play times, work, the natural world, etc.? 12 Bible Reading: — Luke 17:12-18, Ephesians 5:19-20. Hymns: — Of thanksgiving, such as “Rejoice, ye pure in heart", “For the beauty of the earth". Poster: — The conventional picture of Puritans on the way to church, or an autumn cornfield, etc. The difference between your feeling after giving something away voluntarily, and losing something. Have you ever given until it hurt? “God so loved the world, that he gave”. Which comes first, the loving or the giving? Does one produce the other? Have you ever kept account of your expenditures at college for two months? On one side of the page, candy, soda, crack- ers, chocolate, peanut butter, ice cream, etc. On the other side, “Gifts toward the coming of the Kingdom of Righteousness upon the earth". Would it be fair to keep such an account for two months, and after that base one’s expenditures upon what one discovered to be the fair and right thing ? Bible Reading: — Money, Luke 20:25; Time, Matthew 10:38; Joy, Acts 3:1-8; Self, John 15:13. Hymn. — “We give Thee but thine own” Poster: — A page from the average college girls expense account. References: — “Money, its Nature and Power”, a pamphlet by Dr. SchaufSer. “The Opportunity of the Hour”, by Mr. Eddy GIVING Money Giving Time Giving Joy' Giving Self Giving 13 THE JESTER’S SWORD A little book by Anna F. Johnson, the story of one who gave his best. It might be worth while to have the whole meeting simply a reading by someone who can read with depth of sympathy and with simplicity. Hymn: — “Soldiers of Christ, Arise’’ Poster: — A jester in cap and bells. Note: “The Face of Christ’’, by K. P. Woods, is also a good book for such a meeting. CHRISTMAS Bible References: — Luke 1:67-79; Luke 2:8-14; John 8:12 — “Light of the world”. Emphasis on verse 79 of Luke 1, “To shine upon them that sit in darkness”. Does the way you celebrate the coming of the Christ child take that spirit into account, or is all the “shining” that you do done toward those whose way lies already in paths of light? What is the reason for Christmas giving? What proportion of your Christmas gifts are planned for those for whom life means only shadows and sufferings and struggles? For the sake of weary shopgirls to whom the last crowded weeks before Christmas are one long horror of overwork, would you be willing to do your Christmas buying at an earlier time? Could you agree with some of your friends to exchange your Christmas gifts in some such way as the following: — Sometime during the year to give the equivalent of your 14 gfift to one friend, in time, or money or work, which will gladden the life of someone who would not otherwise know any Christmas joy, and then in order not to lose the joy of communion with your friend at the happiest time of year, write the friend for whom it has been done all about where your Christmas gift has gone, and what form it has taken. Would there be so many sad-hearted mothers who sit numb on Christmas F.ve before “the greatest tragedy of motherhood” the empty Christmas stocking. What has Christmas always meant to you ? How much time do you spend in preparation for it, think- ing into the spirit of the first Christmas morning? What would it mean in the life of the world if all of us were to live the year around in the spirit of Christmas ? (Would it help the spirit of all in college who are approach- Christmas, if Christmas carols were to be sung at dusk around the campus on the last night before the Christmas holidays ?) NEW YEAR Subject: — The Psychology of Resolutions. References:— Chapter on Habit in James’ “Psychology.” Dr. Henry King’s pamphlet, “The Fight for Character.” John Foster’s little book, “Decision of Character.” Mark Twain says, “Habit is habit, and not to be thrown out of the window, but coaxed down stairs one step at a time.” Has your habit of New Year resolutions been based upon common sense methods? Or have you had a sort of super- 15 stitious idea that there was some magic about Xew Year’s Day that would stick full-grown habits upon one without effort? “Every day is the beginning of a new year.’’ Are New Year's resolutions worth while? How must one go about them? Is it wiser to try to develop them all at once or to make a list for the year and concentrate first upon one until it is well grounded, and then upon the next, and so forth? Bible Reading: — Philippians 3:12-14; Hebrews 12:1-4 Hymns: — Such as, “Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve” Poster: — A long list of typical New Year’s resolutions on the big calendar page for January 1st, and same list destroyed, with calendar page January 5 for background. “ARE YOU EXTRAVAGANT?” References: — Report of Commission on Thrift and Efficiency, articles in The Association Monthly and other current magazines on “Thrift and Efficiency”. Hymns: — Such as, “Father, whate’er of earthly bliss” Bible Reading: — Luke 16:10, or Matt. 25:14-21 with emphasis on verse 21. Poster: — A happy-go-lucky girl throwing money to the winds. “THROUGH FRESHMEN SPECTACLES” OR “ COLLEGE AS WE SEE IT ” (entirely in the hands of Freshmen) A frank coufession from several freshmen as to the things they were disappointed in in college. Ways in which it differs from their ideals. What they like best about it. What they are willing to do to bring it up to their ideal, etc. 16 Bible Reading:— I Corinthians 13. Hymns: — “Fight the good fight”. ‘‘The Son of God goes forth to war”. Poster: — A frightened freshman approaching the campus. Note: Have it understood that freshman are to be absolutely and fearlessly frank in this new way of playing “truth”. “HOW DO YOU PRAY?” “ What you pray is the surest index to what you think of Cod." Do you honestly pray or just say words? Why? Do you know what it means to practice the presence of God? For what sort of things do you pray? Do you ask for things or do you share with God your long- ing which is also his? Do you pray “believing” or blocking the answer by not ex- pecting that God will really take account of what you ask for? “And He did not there many mighty works, because of their unbelief.” Are your prayers selfish? Intelligent? Active? that is, are you willing to do everything in your power to help fulfill what you ask for? What is the basis of fear of praying aloud? What should one have in mind in praying a prayer in a group? Bible Reading: — Matthew 6:5-13; 6:33; 7:7; 9:38; 14:23, etc. Hymns: — “Prayer is the soul's sincere desire ;” “Draw Thou my soul, O Christ.” Note: The preparation for this meeting will require much thinking and a study of such books as: — 17 Nolan Rice Best’s, “Beyond the Natural Order.” Mr. Mott's “Intercessors — The Primary Need” (a pamphlet. ) “Quiet Talks on Prayer,” by S. B. Gordon. What Forbes Robinson says about prayer in “His Letters to his Friends;” and the older books — Andrew Murray’s “With Christ in the School of Prayer” and “The Ministry of Intercessors," and Brother Lawrence’s “The Practice of the Presence of God.” It may be a help to try and write out one or more prayers. Learn from the Psalms how the Psalmist prayed; from Jesus ; from the Apostles : from great men and women since then. “ EVERYBODY’S LONESOME ” The story of Clara Laughlin’s little book “Everybody’s Lonesome,” either cut for reading or told. Or the “Shet-up Posy” from Annie Trumbull Slossen’s little book called “Story-Tell Lib.” Bible Reading:— Matt. 25:35. “For I was a stranger and ye took me in”. Hymn: — “When thy heart with joy o’er-flowing” Poster: — A girl standing alone at a party where everybody else is having a good time together. Advertise, if wise, for “every girl who is ever self-conscious, awkward, sensitive or lonely, and for all who are not”. 18 IF YOU WERE A SETTLEMENT WORKER (Choice between this subject and the following one) Subject: — People you would deal with. Where you would have to live. What it would require of you. (a) Strength (b) Courage (c) Sympathy (d) Level-headed judgements (e) Self-sacrifice (f) Ability to give people somthing more than things. Luke 12:15 Reference*: — “Twenty Years in Hull House”, by JaneAddams. “The Spirit of Youth in the City Streets”, by Jane Addams. “How the Other Half Lives,” by Jacob Riis. “The Survey”, etc. Bible Reading: — Luke 4:17-18. Hymn: — “Where cross the crowded ways of life”. Poster: — A congested city district, or a group of immigrants. or “THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN” OR “YOUR LITTLE SISTERS” Subject: — Child Labor Reference: — Material from the National Child Labor Move- ment (105 East 22nd Street, New York) if it can be well enough worked up without slipping over from the tragic to the ridiculous. The use of a little play such as is suggested 19 in “Stories of the Other Child’’, published by The Child Labor Movement in December 1913, would be a very drama- tic way of presenting actual conditions. If you have not the material for that kind of a presentation, some one might read one of the typical stories, giving quietly at the close a few direct statistics about conditions and the work of the movement to give children their right to live, and what you can do to help. Bible Reading: — Matt. 18:14 Hymn: — “I think when I read that sweet story of old.’’ Poster: — One of the photographs of tiny children at work in factories, or sweatshops, or a print of “Christ blessing little children”. “COME ALONG WITH ME” An outdoor meeting reproducing as far as possible a typical day at a conference. Bible Reading:— Matt. 17:1-8; Matt. 17-14-21 Hymns: — Conference favorites. Poster: — “Where are you going, my pretty maid?” “To summer conference, sir,” she said. (A girl with suit case, tennis racket, etc.) “WHAT DOES EASTER MEAN TO YOU?” Subject: — Preparation for Easter (meeting preceding Easter Sunday.) Why celebrate Easter? History of Easter and Easter customs. 20 Getting at symbolism back of each custom. Deepest meaning of the day — The Risen Christ — the Christ “who liveth in me”. Is that true in your life, or might he just as well have stayed bound by death so far as your every day life is concerned? How is the significance of Easter connected with every day of the year? Bible Readings to choose from: — I Cor. 15:20 — ‘‘But now is Christ risen from the dead”; Rom. 6:4 ‘‘that like as Christ wasraised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in the newness of life;” Rom. 6:6 “That so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;” Rom. 6:13 “present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead”; Rom. 8:2. “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and death;” Gal. 2:20 "it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me”; 1 Cor. 15:54- 57 — “Death isswallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is law, but thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Hymns: — Choose from the best Easter hymns available. Note: If the regular weekly meeting comes on Sunday an Easter song service very early in the morning would be worth planning for. Get the girls’ glee club to help with radiant Easter songs, such as “Christ, the Lord, is risen today”. 21 SERIES OF THREE VOCATIONAL MEETINGS Subject: — Choosing a Vocation. What is the difference between a vocation and a job ? How choose a vocation ? 1. Need of knowing all about work itself from exper- ienced people and books of authority. 2. Frank facing of one's self. Weaknesses, strong points, etc., not from one's own standpoint alone, but from the standpoint of older people who know* both the girl and the demands of the work under consideration. 3. Inner motive of life, whatever the form of work. Bible Reading: — Matt. 26:39 “Nevertheless", not as I will, but as Thou wilt”. SECOND AND THIRD MEETINGS OF SERIES Subject: — Kinds of work, including those forms “for pay other than gold", in the mountains, city slums, frontiers, etc. in America and other lands. References: — “Vocations for Trained Women", by the Women's Educational & Industrial Union. “Vocations for Girls", by Weaver. “North American Student, December 1913’’, “The Southern Mountaineer". Literature from Home Missionary Societies of various denominations. “The Association Handbook”. An article by Dr. Cabot in “The Atlantic Monthly" entitled “The Call of the Job". 22 TOPICS FOR MISSIONARY MEETINGS Purpose of the Missionary Meetings for the Year. Through portraying homely, detailed facts about women and children elsewhere, to make clear that after all they are not just “statistics” because they happen to “live on a map” but that they are live flesh and blood “folks” who live, and love, and suffer, and laugh, and die — thus will the hearts of American girls who accept unthinkingly the great gifts of life in a Chris- tian land, go out through prayer channels, love channels, money channels, life channels, to guide their feet into the shining way. It is fair, is it not, to this end, to ask every' missionary who speaks to you to portray the realities of every day life beyond the seas, that those who hear may know more intelligently how to share? Interesting Missionary Countries to Contrast: — Russia, Turkey, Persia, China, Japan, India, Africa, South America, etc. References: — Church papers; mission board literature; current magazines; World’s Student Christian Federation Report (Mohonk); Week of Prayer literature; foreign pamphlets; Young Women’s Christian Association Handbook; mission library of college or Association or ministers; “The Child in the Midst”, by Mrs. Labaree; “India Awakening”, by Sherwood Eddy; “The Continent of Opportunity" (South America) by Francis Clark; “The Education of Women in China”, by Margaret Burton. I. The Life of the Child under other Skies. At Play. At Work. At School. 23 II. The Social Life of a Young Girl up to and through her Marriage. III. Regular meeting during Week of Prayer. (Christian Work of, by, and for Young Women Around the World). IV. Comparative Religions, as to God, Life, Ceremonies, Immortality, etc. Some such treatment as Chapter 3 in Dr. Weatherford's “Introducing Men to Christ" is very easy to handle. V. Student Life Around the World. VI. How a Foreign Missionary's Days Go By. (Have you the idea that conference missionaries sit on pedestals and preach all day long to hungry multi- tudes, or do you know how they do social work, gymnasium work,— teaching everything imaginable, from kindergarten to college, etc. ?) Or— The life of some interesting missionary. Six girls might talk, each on a different phase of the life, or on different years. VII. Home Missions. This meeting will probably come within the vocational service without being separate from it. VIII. One meeting is purposely left open, to be filled according to local opportunity. Note: If wise in some colleges to have the balance more nearly equal between home and foreign missions, home missjon subjects such as ‘ The Negro", “The Indian”, “The Immi- grant", (“those who knock at our gates’’) may be substituted. 24