The following notes were written for the "Plas-y-Nant Excursion Leaders Book" (1951-1952)

Each week it is your responsibility to see that the talk on the “Comradeship” is given. Almost invariably you will find a suitable speaker among the guests, preferably a young - in mind - person.  Best time for the Comradeship talk is in the Rec after supper on Friday evening.   But make your choice about Wednesday, and ask your speaker then, to prepare his or her talk.  To assist them they may wish to consult the small green leaflet entitled “The Comradeship” - a stock is kept in the office and displayed in the hall. This leaflet is published by the Comradeship and was revised and reprinted in May 1947.
Here it is in full :

The Comradeship.

What it is?

“The Comradeship of the Christian Endeavour Holiday Homes,” known briefly as “The Comradeship,” is an organisation chiefly of young people drawn mainly, though not entirely, from those who have visited the various Christian Endeavour Holiday Homes.

It was first formed in 1910 among folks attending the Homes connected with the Lancashire and Cheshire C. E. Federation and did good work in a small way until 1916, when it was found impracticable to carry on.

In 1924 it was re-formed as a part of the Lancashire and Cheshire C .E. Holiday Homes movement in connection with its coming-of-age celebrations and put on a firm basis. Its aim is essentially the furtherance of the cause of world peace, but its interests are wide and, broadly stated, may be said to be connected with anything affecting the welfare of mankind. Those who join are required to give assent to the Faith and Aims which are as follows:-

THIS IS THE FAITH OF THE COMRADESHIP

That mankind is one great brotherhood, indivisible alike by social status, religion, nationality or colour, God being the Father of all.

THIS IS THE AIM OF THE COMRADESHIP

To destroy those barriers which separate man from man; to substitute for them a happy Christian Comradeship; and to foster “the spirit that does away with the occasion of wars.”

It will be seen that the above have been framed so that all may join who wish to labour for the establishment of peace. Some members are uncompromisingly opposed to all war and to meet their wishes, there is also an optional pledge stating their views and this may also be signed by those who wish to do so. Application for a copy of this pledge must be made to the Secretary.

Though the social side of the activities of the Comradeship is an integral part its work, it serves only as means to the end referred to above.

HOW IT WORKS

There are about 4,000 members. Most of them are members of the local Groups which have been formed in many of the chief cities and towns of the country. There are 4 such Groups in Great Britain situated as far apart as London and Glasgow, and Newcastle and North Wales. Other Groups will be formed as members desire it.

The Groups arrange rambles, picnics, visits to places of interest, concerts, socials and peace meetings. It is designed that on each social occasion there shall be a short talk bearing on the aims of the Comradeship; the themes for rambles are chosen by a committee formed for this purpose.

In the winter most Groups form study circles to discuss such themes as “The Clash of Colour,” “Disarmament,” “Russia,” “Colonies,” “Nationalism,” and "Internationalism"

In several cases Groups have formed their own Christian Endeavour Societies composed of those who wish to be associated with Christian Endeavour but in whose Churches no society exists. Some Groups offer speakers to Christian Endeavour Societies for peace topics and several arrange public peace meetings, sometimes on a large scale.

Many Groups co-operate actively in the work of other peace societies and take their part in the organisation of local Peace Councils, etc.

Each member contributes 3/ 6 per annum, and receives the quarterly magazine ‘Someday”.

Sixpence of each subscription is transferred to the group to which the member belongs. Roughly one-half of the remainder is utilised in the entertainment of guests from overseas, who usually come for two weeks to the various homes as the guests of the Comradeship.

These visitors are selected from as many countries as possible and about 40 are entertained each year. It is proved that in most cases the contact with our people leads to an understanding which cannot fail to make the starting of war a little more difficult. An effort is made to bring guests from different countries for the same period and in recent years there has been a special fortnight when a number of different nationalities have gathered together in one Home or, more usually, have visited together the two homes for one week each.

Tours to continental countries are organized for Comradeship members, not primarily as holidays, but to enable members to meet young people, and pass on the message and method of personal friendship for the overcoming of barriers and the development of understanding between peoples.

We invite all who can subscribe to the Faith and Aim to join in this happy and useful crusade.

Enrolment forms are available at the Holiday Homes, in the Groups, or from the •Hon. Secretary, Harry Barratt, 36, Newlaithes Gardens, Horsforth, Leeds.

MARCH 1974 This still stands. The Secretary is now Miss J Harrison, 12 Trehearn Drive, Rhyl, Flintshire. A list of local group secretaries will be found in the C. E. Holiday Home Annual leaflet S.J.P.

Short Talk For a C. E. Meeting.

The First C. E. society was formed at Williston Congregational Church, Portland, Maine, U.S.A. on the 2nd of February 1881 By the founder Dr. Francis E. Clark the minister of the church.

In 1887 the first society was formed in this country.

C. E. is mainly for Y.P.s though there are groups for J.R.s and Sr’s. The idea being to train Y.P.s for work with in the church.

The motto of C. E. is ‘For Christ and the Church’.

There are four essentials which each society must observe.

I. THE COVENANT (Read the covenant 300 in the C. E. hymn book omitting the last verse)

2. Weekly DEVOTIONAL MEETING like the one we are having now. The meeting is conducted by the members themselves, all taking some part in the meeting.

3. MONTHLY CONSECRATION MEETING where the members re-consecrate them selves to the service of Christ and His Church. There is a roll call and as each members name is called they make a response.

4. COMMITTEE WORK The number of committees will depend on the size of the society but in the main they will probably be,
Devotional Committee
Missionary
Social
LookOut

Devotional committee arrange the weekly meetings etc

Missionary arrange special services, keep the society informed of missionary work etc

Social are responsible for the fun and games etc

Look Out find new members and look after the well bring of existing members etc

Each society as its own officers, Pres, Sec, Tres, and Conveners. In each society that is really making progress you will all most certainly find a leader probably an older pearson appointed by the church who’s concern is for Y.P.s.

C. E. stands for Christian Endeavour.

Young christians who are endeavouring to be better, NOT I repeat NOT as some people think endeavoring to be a Christian.

If you would like to know more about C. E. then ………. or ………. or ………. would be only to willing to help you, please come and see us any time you like.