C.E.M.S.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XV, Issue 2, 1 August 1924, Page 428

C.E.M.S.

THE CHURCH'S EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. #' APPEAL TO MEN TO SHARE IN GREAT ADVENTURE. What is CE.M.S.? A band of brothers who have felt the call of God to go into the world and fight under His banner against the powers of evil, and by their active Avitness, sendee and fellowship to win others for Christ. Why can't I 4o this just as Avell without joining the C.E.MiS.I Because it has been proved that unity and co-operation are more effectual than individual effort. What is expected of me if I join? To be a real definite Christian m your daily life, and to. be ready to show your love for God by trying to do some active service for Him m His Church. The following is the "Rule of Life," which you are asked to accept ;— ' 'ln the power of the Holy Spirit: To pray to God every day; to be a faithful Communicant ; and by active Witness, Fellowship and Service, to help forward the Kingdom of Christ. " In what Ayays can I best fulfil these objects? The Vicar of your parish, or the Secretary of the CE.M.S. Branch,, will soon show you what work is most needed m your phurch; but, above all, God Avants you to be ever seeking to Avin others to Christ, ahd~ to service m His Church, by your personal witness m the daily life, and by your influence. When Andrew was called by Christ to follow him, the first thing he did Avas to share this neA\' joy with someone else: "He first findeth his OAvn brother Simon, and saith unto him, /We have found the Messias,' which is, being interpreted, the Christ." This is the only way iii Avhich the Kingdom of Christ can be spread. How will the meetings of the C.E.M.S. help me to do: this? (1) By making you more efficient both for service and witness by the study of the great truths of the Christian Faith and by the discussion . with other men of the social problems and difficulties of the. day. Most men knoAy very little about jthe teach> mg 1 of their own Church, or; the;

meaning of the Bible. Fuller knowledge means greater efficiency for influencing others. (2) By planning together how you may help forward the work of the Church m your parish by some piece of active service. The CE.M.S. is not a mere debating society, nor only a study circle. It is meant to be the "Expeditionary Force" of the Church. (3) By Fellowship, Avhich is one of the great aims of a real live Branch. The Bishops of the Lambeth Conference emphasised the vital importance of this: "To a world that craves for Fellowship we present our message: The secret of life is Fellowship. So men feel, and it is true. . . . But Fellowship with God is the indispensable condition, of human FelloAvship. The secret of Life is the double Fellowship — with God and man." You should find m each Branch a Brotherhood through which you Avill receive yourself much help and encouragement, and into which you may invite your friends, and. so bring them into touch with the life of the Church. We try m our Branches to remove the old reproach that the Church is cold, (4) We endeavor m our Branches to deepen the spiritual life of our members by corporate prayer and communion, and devotional study. Only so can our Avork become effec-tiA-e. We ask you then,, to join with us m this great adventure — so similar m its aims to these ideals which led the Knights of King Arthur's Round Table to band themselves together m a glorious brotherhood. We need you! God needs you! The world, so full of unrest and discord, needs you ! Was there ever a time when men of goodwill were more needed to 'follow' our Great Captain m the warfare against the forces of evil which at present threaten to Avreck the world? — H.G.B.