Personal Workers' Bands

If the key-note of present-day evangelism is the personal effort of the members of the Church, then naturally there would be many inquiries made concerning the best way of enlisting the sympathies and cooperation of the people of the Church. One of the most remarkable illustrations of what may be accomplished by personal effort has been given us in the experience of the Central Presbyterian Church of Rochester, N. Y. Concerning this work the assistant pastor says, “On the first Sabbath in October, 1900, Dr. Henry H. Stebbins, pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church, Rochester, N. Y., suggested to his people as a fitting and triumphant close to the nineteenth century that at least one hundred people be brought into the fold of Christ, one for each year of the century. One of the elders of the Church, hearing the suggestion, said to himself, “Why cannot a committee of one hundred be secured to carry this into effect?” His con- «45 fidence in the plan was so strong that at a meeting, a few days later, of St. Paul’s brotherhood, a band of twenty-one young men in Central Church organized for Christian work, he produced one hundred cards printed and numbered, and received their unanimous and enthusiastic endorsement. The cards were equally distributed throughout the brotherhood, with the understanding that each member should sign a card for himself and that he should commit the other cards to persons who might be depended upon for the work.

Face of the Card.
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Committee of One Hundred, By affixing my signature to this card, I desire membership in above committee, and agree to fulfill to the best of my ability the object of the committee. (See other side.)

Name,

Address,

Note. — Return this card to any member of St Paul’s Brotherhood of this Church.

Back of the Card, The object of this committee is, if possible, to bring into the membership of this church at least one hundred at the next communion, which occurs the first Sunday morning in December, and will be the last reception to new members in the present century. This is putting into effect the suggestion and desire of

Dr. Stebbins as stated by him Sunday morning, October 7, which was as follows: As a fitting way to close the present century, why not have a new member to represent each year in it?” Membership in this committee means that you will be responsible for at least one.

The above card embodied the plan, which was after Dr. Stebbins’ own heart. At the meeting of the brotherhood, above referred to, he expressed his great gratification at the adoption of such a method, and predicted for it the largest success, since it was the realization of an ideal which throughout his ministry he had cherished as the preferred gospel method of winning men, women and children to Christ.

While these cards were being circulated for signature, letters were sent to teachers of the Bible School and members of the Christian Endeavor Society, copies of which are here inserted.

This result of this personal campaign was more than one hundred and fifty people added to the Church, and the whole membership stimulated as it had not been before in the Church’s history.

“One of the elders of my church came to a session meeting last winter and described to us what he had heard of the work of the Rev. Dr. Stebbins, of Rochester. Our hearts were made to glow with the thought that so many people had been led to accept Christ in the Central Church. We at once determined that we would follow out as nearly as possible the same plan. We conferred together as Church officers and determined that we would each make it a special subject of prayer. On the Sunday morning following our conference I preached from the text, * First he findeth his own brother.’ I tried my very best to lay upon the people the burden of responsibility of souls, and when the sermon was ended I announced that the session would pass through the audience with the pledge cards which the members were asked to take if they would be willing to join with the pastor in seeking to lead at least one soul to Christ during a given time. Quite a number of cards were taken and enough were returned to make it possible for us to form the Committee of One Hundred. The card was as follows:

The Committee of One Hundred. Fourth Presbyterian Church, New York City. Rev, y. Wilbur Chapman, Pastor. I hereby agree to become a member of the Committee of One Hundred and will strive in every possible way during the next six weeks to lead at least one soul to Christ.

Signed,

Addressed,” On the opposite side of the card was printed something like the following:

In becoming a member of the Committee of One Hundred it is my purpose to follow out the suggestions given us by our pastor from the text: “First he findeth his own brother.” I agree in signing the card that I will meet the Committee of One Hundred whenever called together, so far as this may be possible, and that all my prayer and efforts shall be centred upon one until that one comes to Christ.

“Immediately we began to hold conferences with those whose names appeared on the cards. We talked together over the difficulties that the workers met in the effort they were putting forth; we prayed for those for whom prayers were requested in our conferences. As the meetings went on from time to time the workers began to report concerning their success, and instead of leading one some were used of God to lead two and three to the knowledge of Christ. Altogether the work was most successful. We had the joy of receiving eighty-two people into our church at the communion following the taking of these pledges and at a subsequent communion enough more to more than prove that the members of the committee had kept their pledge made to their pastor and to God. I can commend the plan to churches everywhere, and in some communities where it is not possible to hold a series of meetings it is possible to cany forward such a work as this. That God may make it successful is my prayer.”