Something to live up to

New Year resolutions are probably long forgotten by now but towns and cities, companies and businesses, institutions and organisations all have mottoes which are not forgotten by those belonging to them. And, though not generally realised, there are mottoes for most families, not just the landed gentry.

What’s your family motto? It is fairly easy to find out on the internet or at gift shops in tourist centres which display coats of arms and associated mottoes to attract sales from the passing trade.

Mottoes may be difficult to understand by ‘outsiders’ as they are often written in foreign languages, for example Per Ardua Ad Astra, Ich Dien, Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense, Irid Ghibit Dhe Agus An Righ, but they have deep meaning for those entitled to have them.

When, in February 1881, Francis Clark, pastor of the Congregational Church in Williston, Portland, Maine, set up a meeting for the young people in his church to encourage them to study the Scriptures and develop their talents for use within the church, he could hardly have imagined he was beginning a world-wide movement which today continues to challenge and train young people for Christian service.

What he also did for his newly formed Christian Endeavour Society at Williston was to select a motto and on February 2nd, recognised as Endeavour Day by all its members round the world, it is good to recall the motto he chose. ‘For Christ and the Church’ is perhaps the best motto that any Christian can have.

Like most mottoes, it gives us something to live up to.