The "Youth For Christ" Campaign

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21162, 12 May 1934, Page 12

The "Youth For Christ" Campaign

With the support of most of the churches in Christchurch, together with that of the Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Associations, there will commence tomorrow a campaign that should meet with the approval of the great majority of our citizens. This is the " Youth for Christ" campaign, which will be launched by the Christian Youth Council of Christchurch, a body representative of the youth organisations of most of the Christian churches and of the two Christian associations. As we understand it, the object of the movement is to awaken in the youth of thz community a new appreciation of Christian teaching and to align them in their respective churches on the side of those forces in the community which stand for . the realisation of Christian ideals. Because the movemont is undenominational, because it does not seek to capture adherents for any particular church, but rather for the universal work of God, which all churches aspire to do, it makes no call on prejudice or sectarian interests. The movement involves no less than 108 churches, about 400 youth leaders, and nearly 4000 young men and women. We do not believe it can be justly claimed that the young men and women of to-day are worse than the young men ar- 1 women of former generations, nor, for that matter, that they are very much better; but that they can be improved by association with all that stands for the best in our lives and thought no one can doubt. The times through which we are passing tend to turn all thoughts too strongly towards material things rather than towards those of the spirit. In an age when voices, many and varied, are sounding in the ears of youth, some already see the urgent need for a voice of universal authority. The Christian church believes that in Jesus Christ is to be found the only one who can grr-p'e with present conditions and out of chaos bring order, and that in Him is to be found not only the ideal of human life but also the inspiration and strength to attain to it. It believes that more than anything else is needed in the coming age a generation of those who live and serve as sons of God. And if this campaign can serve to multiply the numbers in our midst who subscribe to the principles of living laid down by Jesus Christ, adherents of a teaching that nearly 2000 years ago brought new light, wisdom, and happiness to the lives of the peoples of the earth, it should be able to count on the assistance of every right-thinking person. For such an increase must inevitably mean new relationships between men and women of every class, and extond beyond this community to the wider relationships of nations, so bringing nearer to fulfilment the establishment of the kingdom of righteousness, equity, and peace.