Civil Service Prayer
and Christian Unions

History from 1914 to 1938

From an article in The English Churchman and St. James's Chronicle, 18.12.1924:

"During the war the work of both Unions was necessarily curtailed, and even when the war ended, considerable difficulty was experienced by both Unions in resuming normal activities, so that the decision reached last year to amalgamate was welcomed by most of those concerned, especially in those departments where the office traditions are not exactly helpful. Strange though it may seem, the spiritual atmosphere may differ considerably on opposite side of Whitehall..."

G. F. Lane's 1933 history of the Union says there were three notable events in the Civil Service Prayer Union during the Great War of 1914/1918:

1917: The Right Hon. H. Pike Pease, M.P. Assistant Postmaster General was elected President on the resignation of Sir William Archibald. As Lord Daryngton, he was still President in 1933.
Mr E.M. Craven M.A. was appointed Secretary in succession to Mr A. A. Mulloy
1918: A special meeting of the Committee and representative Members, early in the year, discussed the extension of the Union. This was later followed by the setting up of a sub-committee.

Prior to the Great War, the Junior Union was very successful, with regular monthly meetings, a Bible Reading Association Branch, Rambling Club, Cricket and Football Clubs. For a period, its monthly magazine paid its way. However, in 1914:

"The great majority of the hon. members enlisted, and the Boy Clerk members as they reached military service age went also. All that were left of the Junior Union clientele were the "unfit" and the "too young" for military service. But they carried on with their monthly meetings and with the Observer until in 1919 it became too heavy a drain on the Union's now very slender resources. Examinations being suspended, there were no Boy Clerk entrants, so that the Union's "field" was continually narrowed.

[G. F. Lane was hon. Secretary of the Junior Civil Service Christian Union from 1918:]

"After the War both Unions hoped for a revival of interest, but they were sadly disappointed. Needless to say, many fellows did not return at all. From many who did return we heard what became a sadly familiar refrain, "I have no use for organised religion." Moreover, the Boy Clerks class was now abolished, and the Junior Union became "unemployed". The Prayer Union also suffered considerably, but to a lesser extent. Both Unions continued their meetings but attendances steadily fell. The Junior Union at one or two of its Annual Conferences, succeeded in getting 100 members and friends together, including a number of Senior Union members; apart from that little or no life was evident. A special effort of 5 nights' meetings conducted by a well known evangelist was made in the autumn of 1920, but without result."

At the Junior Union Conference on Saturday 10.12.1921, a paper was read on 'The Evolution of a Representative Christian Union for the Civil Service'. "Considerable discussion followed which resulted with the passing of a resolution: 'That this conference instructs the executive to explore, at an early date, the question of the amalgamation of the Civil Service Prayer Union and the Junior Civil Service Christian Union, representatives of both Unions to be present, and then to call a general meeting.'"

"The Senior Union when approached was found willing so a joint committee was set up. A 'working agreement' between the two Unions was drawn up and approved: its working was satisfactory and the joint committee was instructed to proceed to prepare a scheme for amalgamation. On 18th September 1923, a joint meeting of both Unions accepted the report of the joint committee and approved the amalgamation of the two Unions as from 1st October 1923."

"On 1st December 1923, the inaugural conference of the new Union was held. It was attended by about 130. Since then the conference attendances have increased until last year [1932] there were something like 400 present, and all who have attended will agree that they have been times of spiritual power."

"The President of the Junior Union, Sir George King, who had succeeded Lt- Col. J. Winn on his retirement in 1920, became Joint President with Lord Daryngton of the new union, and so served until his death in 1928."

G. F. Lane, 1933

1914

Civil Service Observer Volume 20: 1914
Edited by Mr H. Polman (Local Government Board).
All numbers. Dark Green Art Paper cover

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.122, January 1914

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.123, April 1914

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.124, July 1914

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.125, October 1914

R.A. Heywood joined the Junior Civil Service Christian Union soon after entering the Civil Service in 1914. He was appointed to the committee about 1919 and served as treasurer from 1946 to 1954.

The Civil Service Women's Missionary Union was founded in 1914

1915

Civil Service Observer Volume 21
Edited by Mr H. Polman (Local Government Board).
All numbers. Dark Green Art Paper cover

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.126, January 1915

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.127, April 1915

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.128, July 1915

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.129, October 1915

1916

JCSCU Annual Report for year ending 30.9.1916: "Two of our officers, Mr D. Wood (Missionary Secretary), and Mr D.A. King, who for a short time succeeded Mr Kern as I.B.R.A. Secretary, are conscientious objectors and are absent from us. Their places have been filled by Mr J.J. Barnes and Mr C.K. Toulson."

Civil Service Observer Volume 22
Edited by Mr H. Polman (Local Government Board).
All numbers. Dark Green Art Paper cover for January, February and March, then light green paper cover.

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.130, January 1916

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.131, April 1916

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.132, July 1916

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.133, October 1916

1917

JCSCU Annual Report for year ending 30.9.1917: "Four of our officers, Messrs H.B. Parris [Honorary Secretary], F.J. Sharp [Assistant Honorary Secretary], M.C. Keighly [Sub-editor of the Civil Service Observer] and E.G. Woodford, beside the two mentioned in the Report for 1906, are "Conscientious Objectors". We regret their absence, but we feel it due to our Union to say that the action they have felt themselves called upon to take is not one in which the majority of their fellow members can in any way concur."

"The Hon. Secretaryship of the Union has become vacant by the resignation of Mr H.B. Parris, and has been filled by Mr G.F. Lane. Mr Parris has been for a number of years a most earnest and faithful worker for our Lord in the service of the Union, and his resignation is a serious loss."

Civil Service Observer Volume 23
Edited by Mr H. Polman (Local Government Board).
All numbers, but no longer regular. Light green paper cover. January, February, March, April-May, June, July-August, September-October, November- December.

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.134, January 1917

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.135, April 1917

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.136, July 1917

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.137, October 1917

1918

Civil Service Observer Volume 24: 1918

Edited by Mr H. Layzell (Local Government Board).
Intended to be issued every alternate month: Issued January-February, March-April and May-June. Then intended to be issued quarterly for the duration of the war, but no more were issued in 1918. A note left by Edwin Roberts agrees that he had no editions for August to December 1918.

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.138, January 1918

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.139, April 1918

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.140, July 1918

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.141, October 1918

1919

Civil Service Observer Volume 25: 1919
Edited by Mr H. Layzell (Local Government Board).
Five numbers (every alternate month). Plain paper - No cover. The first four are eight pages. The September-October issue returned to 16 pages with an increased price of two pence. I have no other issues. A note left by Edwin Roberts agrees that he had no editions for "November 1919 onwards"

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.142, January 1919

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.143, April 1919

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.144, July 1919

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.145, October 1919

Junior Civil Service Christian Union
Order of Proceedings of the Twenty-Ninth Annual Conference and Welcome Home of members who have returned from service with H.M. Forces.
Saturday 13.12.1919 at the Sunday School Union, 56 Old Baily, EC

1920

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.146, January 1920

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.147, April 1920

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.148, July 1920

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.149, October 1920

Junior Civil Service Christian Union
Order of Proceedings of the Thirtieth Annual Conference Saturday 11.12.1920 at the Sunday School Union, 56 Old Baily, EC

1921

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.150, January 1921

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.151, April 1921

Civil Service Observer

A sub-committee to "formulate schemes to increase the influence and efficiency of the Union" was considering two (opposing) proposals, one of which was made by the Honoray Secretary (E.M. Craven).

"That the Union be renamed the 'IMPERIAL CIVIL SERVICE PRAYER UNION'

That the Union should encourage gatherings for united prayer in offices and places where several members work together.

That in London and places where there are many members, devotional meetings and evangelistic meetings of the type now held by the Junior Civil Service Christian Union and by the London Federation of Prayer Unions should be arranged by the Union in conjunction with associated Christian bodies."

2: From E.M. Craven:

"That the Union should not officially engage in any form of active Christian work."

In a letter, E.M. Craven gave the reasons for opposing Mr Hyde's suggestions:

"... We think that Prayer is of such great importance that the Union ought to rest on that basis alone..."

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.152, July 1921

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.153, October 1921

Junior Civil Service Christian Union
Order of Proceedings of the Thirty-First Annual Conference Saturday 10.12.1921 at the Sunday School Union, 56 Old Baily, EC

1922

Moving towards amalgamation

George Lane had a "General File" which he reused (General File deleted) with the title:

C.S.P.U. and J.C.S.C.U

Joint Committee on Amalgamation 1922-1923

1) Minutes of Joint Committee

2) Reports of Joint Committee

3) Joint Meeting 18th September 1923 (actual amalgamation)

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.154, January 1922

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.155, April 1922

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.156, July 1922

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.157, October 1922

Junior Civil Service Christian Union
Order of Proceedings of the Thirty-Second Annual Conference Saturday 16.12.1922 at the Christian Police Institute, 1a, Adelphi Terrace, Strand, W.C.

1923

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.158, January 1923

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.159, April 1923

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.160, July 1923

CSPU Quarterly Paper No.161, October 1923. Two copies.
This was the last issue before the merger, when the Civil Service Prayer Union Quarterly Paper became the Civil Service Christian Union Quarterly Paper

Civil Service Christian Union for Prayer and the furtherance of the Kingdom of God

Order of Proceedings of the Inaugural Conference (Combining the Thirty-Third, and last, Annual Conference of the Junior Civil Service Christian Union) Saturday 1.12.1923 Church House, Westminster, S.W.1.

1924

Civil Service Christian Union Quarterly Paper

Editor, V.P. Peacock, "Andred", World's End Lane, Chelsfield, Kent.

Copies marked * were in a file of G.F. Lane, as well as in the main set.

CSCU Quarterly Paper Nos 1 & 2, January and April 1924. *

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 3, July 1924.

Editor, George, J. Joyce, 110 Blysthwood Road, Goodmayes, Essex.
CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 4, October 1924.

November 1924: Printed circular to members outside London. Officers heading:

Rt. Hon. Baron Daryngton of Witley, P.C.

1925

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 5, January 1925.

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 6, April 1925.

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 7, July 1925.

A "Missionary Supplement" was issued with the July Quarterly. The Civil Service Christian Union. Its Foreign Missionary Work: Past and Present.. This was the work of Frederick Tatford, who also "gave a brief account of the origin and growth of the Union's missionary work" on the first day of the union's Annual Conference on Friday 4.12.1925.

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 8, October 1925.

1926

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 9, January 1926.

CSCU Quarterly Paper Nos 10 & 11, April and July 1926.

The Civil Service Christian Union. Its Foreign Missionary Work: No.2.. was issued as a supplement:

As the result of the publicity given to that survey, friends have introduced to our notice quite a number of other servants of the Lord in other lands who were Civil Servants. These have been communicated with, and six have expressed their desire to be regarded as members of our Union."

1926 Organ File

28.6.1926 G.F. Lane, Joint Hon. Secretary "Dear Sir, Our Union is the proud possessor of an American Organ for which at the present time it has neither use nor home. It is a relic of days when we met on premises where we were obliged to have our own instrument" [The organ went to the Baptist Tabernacle, Staines Road, Hounslow]

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 12, October 1926.

A one page insert Missionary List No.3 introduced Rt. Rev. George Wm. Wright, D.D., Lord Bishop of Sierra Leone.

1927

Civil Service Christian Union

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 13, January 1927.

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 14, April 1927.

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 15, July 1927. *

The Civil Service Christian Union. Its Foreign Missionary Work: No.4.. was issued as a supplement:

21.7.1927 G.F.L. Memorandum on Secretarial Duties.

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 16, October 1927.

1928

Friday 27.1.1928 Lawyers' Prayer Union and Civil Service Christian Union. Memorial Service to the late Sir George Anthony King, Kt., 6pm Marylebone Presbyterian Church, Upper George Street, W1.

CSCU Quarterly Paper Editor: F.A. Tatford, "Martyns", Oakington Avenue, Wembley Park, Middlesex.

From a note on page 9 of issue 18, it appears there was no issue 17 of the CSCU Quarterly Paper

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 18, April 1928.

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 19, July 1928.

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 20, October 1928. [Two page sheet] *

1929

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 21, January 1929. [Missing]

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 22, April 1929. *

The Civil Service Christian Union. Missionary Supplement: No.5. added nine to the list.

21.8.1928 Circular Letter (to Canadian and Australian members) from G.F. Lane:
It is now nearly five years since our present Union came into being... much of our time has naturally been occupied in strengthening our links with members of the former Unions, at home and overseas.
... the Branches in Bengal, Madras and Burma are more flourishing than for some years past, whilst new Branches have been formed in the Bombay Presidency (Poona), in the Sudan, and in New Zealand (Blenheim).
At home, new Branches are very active at Kew and in Belfast, as well as in several of the big London Departments, such as the Inland Revenue, H.M. Office of Works, etc. The London work, generally, is going on very well; membership is increasing, as well as interest in the meetings. The Annual Conference, held in December, brings together between 200 and 300 members and friends.
Against these encouragements, however, we seem completely to have lost touch with practically all our members in Canada [Australia]...

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 23, July 1929. *

CSCU Quarterly Paper No. 24, October 1929. *

Service

"Service" replaced the "Quarterly" in 1930.

Published quarterly in January, April, July and October and supplied to all members of the Civil Service Christian Union.

Editor: Fredk. A. Tatford, Ministry of Supply

availability in public libraries
British Library lists:
Service. The organ of the Civil Service Christian Union.
Main heading: ENGLAND. Miscellaneous Subheadings. Civil Service Christian Union
Publication details: [London,] 1930- . 4o.
Shelfmark: P.P.357.bie.
Notes: Imperfect; wanting
volume 4 [all of 1933] numbers 1-4,
volume 6 number 2 [April 1935],
volume 7 numbers 3 and 4 [July and October 1936],
volume 8 numbers 1-4 [all of 1937],
volume 9 numbers 2 and 4. [April and October 1938],
Bodleian Library, Oxford has:
1940 Volume 11, Number 1 to August 1996. Though there are some gaps in the run.

Service Number 1, January 1930

Service Number 2, April 1930

Service Number 3, July 1930

Service Number 4, October 1930
A note left by Edwin Roberts said he did not have this issue. It was found in a selection of back numbers (presumably) sent to him later.

1931

1931 (pen on cover) Rules of the Civil Service Christian Union for Prayer and the furtherance of the Kingdom of God This was the full title, but the rules said "The short title shall be the Civil Service Christian Union".

Service Volume 2, Number 1, January 1931

Service Volume 2, Number 2, April 1931

Service Volume 2, Number 3, July 1931

Service Volume 2, Number 4, October 1931

31.12.1931 Circular Letter (to overseas members) from G.F. Lane:
As the union entered into its 60th year, he commented on the founders, in 1872: "Little could they have foreseen the dimensions and ramifications of the work as it is today. Nor could they have anticipated gatherings such as our Annual Meeting in London when 300 members and friends, or more, meet for our conference and fellowship"
The original prayer meeting of top Civil Servants was attended by twenty- two. However, in 1882, 110 members attended a Quarterly Meeting and, two months later, 600 "gentlemen" (no ladies) attended to tenth anniversary.
In 1932 a new Calendar of Prayer had been issued, retaining the established subjects, but "the reading and thought suggested week by week have been completely revised".
A "scheme of reorganisation" had the object of "lightening the burden borne by individual officers and of making the whole machine more efficient". As part of this scheme, Mr G.H. Williams of the War Office had become the new Overseas Secretary with "care of our work... throughout the British Dominions beyond the seas (excluding, of course, the work of our missionary members, with whom we shall still keep in touch through the Missionary Secretaries)
The printed stationary lists the members of the new organisation
President The Lord Daryngton P.C.
General Secretary: Mr G.F. Lane
Treasurer: Mr A Phibbs
Registration Secretary: Miss E. Negus
Assistant Treasurer: Mr R.A. Heywood
London Secretaries: Mr H.A.V. Horsey and Miss A.L. Wall
Provincial Secretary: [apparently vacant]
Overseas Secretary: Mr G.H. Williams
Home Missions Secretary: Mr A.W. Savage
Foreign Missions Secretary: Mr M.G. Gladden and Assistant Secretaries: Mr P.G. Elliott and Miss A. Duncan
SERVICE:
Editor: Mr F.A. Tatford
Assistant Editors: Mr J.F. Howard and Mr J.A. Breddon
Business Manager: Mr A. Milroy

1932

Service Volume 3, Number 1, January 1932

Service Volume 3, Number 2, April 1932

Service Volume 3, Number 3, July 1932

Service Volume 3, Number 4, October 1932

Diamond Jubilee Conference

Friday and Saturday, December 9th and 10th 1932

Bloomsbury Central Church,
Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2.

For which J.P. Ede specially composed the:

Diamond Jubilee Hymn

Hark! the trumpet note is sounding:
'Tis the year of Jubilee
Joy and triumph blend their voices
In a shout of ecstasy
Praise the Lord for goodness ever;
Praise His high exalted Name;
In a song of holy gladness
His unceasing love proclaim

Lift the heart in hallelujahs;
Praise the Lord with holy glee;
Swell to heaven in radiant rapture
This our song of Jubilee

Through the years, with love unfailing,
Thou, O Lord, hast led the way;
Rod and staff our sure protection,
Health and comfort, strength and stay.
O'er the plain and through the valley,
In the sunlight, 'mid the haze,
Thou didst ever go before us,
Thou wast with us "all the days".

Gratefully our hearts acknowledge
Thou hast been our faithful Friend,
Leading, feeding and protecting --
Grace and mercy without end.

Kindred hearts and kindred spirits
In sweet fellowship conjoined
In the fires of holy fervour
Rich experiences have coined:
Proving every precious promise;
Finding real the things unseen;
In a conscious hope rejoicing
Trusting with a faith serene.

For the joy of willing service
'Neath Thy crimson banner, love,
Lord accept our heartfelt praises
Rising to thy throne above.

Hark! again the trumpet's sounding:
'Tis to muster Christ's array
Lead us forth, O peaceful Captain,
We will follow in the way,
Loud and clear the call is ringing;
May the challenge never cease
Till all peoples, tongues and nations,
Claim the year of glad release.

Lift the heart in hallelujahs;
Praise the Lord with holy glee;
Swell to heaven in radiant rapture
This our song of Jubilee

1933

Service Volume 4, Number 1, January 1933

Diamond Jubilee ... The Diamond Jubilee Conference, held in Bloomsbury Chapel on December 9th and 10th last, proved conclusively that the spirit and aims of the founders of the Union have been maintained down to the present day, and gave promise of greater things to come. The next issue of Service will contain extracts of the addresses given at the special Conference.

Pages 6 to 8: "Sixty Year's History. By G.F. Lane, Inland Revenue, General Secretary, C.S.C.U.". The typed MS of this is also in the archives, with a press release for the Jubilee that summarises the history.

The issue also contains a poem, "The Diamond Jubilee" by J.P. Ede, Inland Revenue, and a report of the Diamond Jubilee Conference.

Service Volume 4, Number 2, April 1933

Service Volume 4, Number 3, July 1933

Service Volume 4, Number 4, October 1933

1934

Service Volume 5, Number 1, January 1934

Service Volume 5, Number 2, April 1934

Service Volume 5, Number 3, July 1934

Service Volume 5, Number 4, October 1934

1935

Service Volume 6, Number 1, January 1935

Service Volume 6, Number 2, April 1935

Service Volume 6, Number 3, July 1935

Service Volume 6, Number 4, October 1935

1936

Service Volume 7, Number 1, January 1936

Service Volume 7, Number 2, April 1936

Service Volume 7, Number 3, July 1936

Service Volume 7, Number 4, October 1936

German Paganism - The Literary Digest declares that 6 million Hitler Youth "have become Saxon Widukind's apostles of Nordic pagan folk-culture that the 'mongrel traitor' Charlemagne ruthlessly stamped out when he proclaimed the first German Reich under the sign of the Christian cross.. Stern-faced leaders propounded to them the ancient ideals and mythology of their pagan forefathers."

Notes on National Socialist Theory
Alfred Rosenberg's racist alternative to Christianity (1930)

1937

Baron von der Ropp identified,for me, by Alain Brillouet (email 21.7.2011) as:
Friedrich Theodor Louis Sylvester von der Ropp
Born Dauzogir, Lithuania on 21.10.1879
Father: Wilhelm Edmund Karl Reinhold Alexander Von der Ropp (1835-1902)
Mother Lydia Gurjev (1847-1908).
Mining Engineer (graduated in 1903)
Went to the Congo,
Christening: 1911-1913 In Belgian Congo
In early 1914, went to Germany.
Married Elisabeth Stolle.
Possibly in touch with Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin), then living in Switzerland.
Involved around 1916 in the so called "Ostpolitik", seeking peace with Great Britain to mediate the establishment of a business league of foreign nation to liberate the Baltic states from Russian rule. The collapse of 1918, destroyed all his plans. Broken internally, Ropp recognized, that man can not be his own destiny, but that Christ is the Lord of history. He turned to religion. (source)
Founded "Christlichen Kampfschar" (Christian Organisation).
[By?] the beginning of 1932 The "völkisch-protestantische 'Christliche Kampfschar'" [Nationalist protestant Christian battle group] of "GermanBaltic baron Wilhelm von Ropp, used a building in Berlin as a hostel and training course for unemployed young people. Building later taken over in 1933 by SA field police as a prison. (German Wikipedia
1936 Founded Anglo-German Brotherhood
In 1961, wrote "Zwischen gestern und heute" (Between Yesterday and Today).
Died 2,2.1964 Bad Godesberg, Germany.

Service Volume 8, Number 1, January 1937

German Conditions

Service

Church and State in Germany. The attitude of the National Socialist Party and the German government towards Christianity by Baron Friedrich von der Ropp

The article makes clear that the Nazi party is opposed to atheism which it associates with communism. "...at the beginning of the National Socialist revolution the churches were full of brown shirted young men." "Hitler hoped for and expected the support of the Churches, being ready to support them in his turn". The churches, however, had let Hitler down. "Christianity does not reflect the true likeness of the Son of God". In a speech in 1935 Hitler said that "the German nation was built up from the old Germanic tribes and Christianity". Baron von der Ropp had the impression that "Hitler is waiting and watching the German nation in the hope that something will yet arise which is stronger than the conflicting Churches... The great question which we ask with such anxiety is- will Jesus Christ come to meet the German people on the sea of their revolution in such a way that they will recognise him?"

On March 2nd 1937 people were "cordially invited", by an illustrated leaflet, "to meet Baron Friedrich von der Ropp...at Orange Street Church". Underneath his photograph it said "Baron von der Ropp is founder of the Anglo-German Brotherhood, and is the leader of christian work amongst German officers and others." He gave an address on "World's restoration through Christ". The meeting was chaired by The Lord Daryngton, P.C.

Executive Committee Minutes Friday 19.3.1937:

The proposed visit to Germany (to the Baron's home) to meet German Civil Servants, which the Baron hoped might result amongst other things in the establishment of a similar Union in Germany, was carefully considered in all its aspect, and its possible reaction within the ranks of the Union. A letter from Mr Tatford expressing opposition to any such visit was read.

The general feeling of the Committee was that there should be no "official" Union visit, though no objection would be raised to any member of the Union arranging a party."

Service Volume 8, Number 2, April 1937

C.S.C.U. Matters

What do YOU think about it?

Service Volume 8, Number 3, July 1937

C.S.C.U. Matters

Overseas
15.8.1937: G.H. William wrote "with considerable regret" to overseas contacts " for the last time as Overseas Secretary of the Civil Service Christian Union. During the past the increasing long hours that I have had to work at the War Office have made me neglect my CSCU duties... I see no early prospect of any relief at the office..."
Mr Laurence S. Porter, MA, BSc, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Chairman of the Lytham St Annes (Lancashire) branch became Overseas Secretary. However, in January 1942 he was called up for military service and persuaded his friend Miss Josie P. Nurish (Minister's Typing Pool, 55 Whitehall. Previously Lytham St Annes secretary) to take over as Acting (or Deputy) Secretary Overseas for the duration of the war. She resigned on 11.4.1945 "as a consequence of my marriage" on 28.4.1945. "There is very little work in connection with this job... but... I am doubtful... whether I shall remain in the Service very long after the 28th.." Files were sent back to Laurence Porter. They were posted to Edwin Roberts in December 1950 and remained in their brown paper wrapping until they became part of this archive after his death.
Branch Files: - South Africa - West Africa - Burma - Madras - Kenya - New Zealand - Bengal, Biher and Orissa -
Dead files: (tied together with string) - Bombay - Jamaica - Belgaum - Central Provinces - Sudan - Western Australia - Gibralter -
Oddments - General File - Australia - Canada and USA - Recruiting - Malaya - Rhodesia - Poona [I think this should be a branch file] - Diplomatic Service.
The Post Office Christian Association also had an extensive part overseas. That of the Civil Service Christian Union appears to have ceased after the war. That of the Post Office continued. This, however, was evangelist. The Civil Service Christian Union's support for missionaries continued, but its missionaries were ex-civil servants, not missionaries to civil servants. The actual overseas branches of the Post Office Christian Association, in 1949, were in Australia (several), Canada (Toronto) and South Africa (Capetown). In "What is it?", an undated post-war booklet of the Post Office Christian Association says: "the Association seeks to bring to Post Office workers everywhere a knowledge of the Word of God, and through it, a living faith in Christ the Saviour." "Before 1939 its sphere of work was worldwide. The work at home, and in India, Central American Republics and Spanish-speaking republics of South America, and Venezuela, went on steadily throughout the war. Since 1945 our task has been to rebuild the work in the war-torn countries of Europe and China, and elsewhere. Work has already begun in France, Portugal, Greece and China..."