Four Points of the Compass and the Main Resolution
It is important that every so often we reaffirm the core values of Toc H and I believe that ‘now’ is a time to do that.
Toc H has been given a magnificent legacy by a Queensland member who was befriended by Toc H in the Second World War, and we are immensely grateful for that. Les Ainsley’s expectations for that were not great – to give some disadvantaged youngsters camps etc. We have interpreted that to mean that the money should be used to ‘grow’ Toc H in Australia. Toc H is all about people and it is ‘people’ who can grow Toc H. Money, in itself can do nothing, in fact money has the potential to accelerate the decline of Toc H rather than the reverse.
All the more reason to reaffirm the basics of Toc H.
The “Royal Charter” and the “Main Resolution” are fundamental to Toc H. They may seem ‘out of date’ to people in 2026 but, in fact, they are still highly relevant. The Royal Charter was granted in 1922 – just seven years after Toc H was established and the “Main Resolution” was passed by Central Council a year or two later.
The ‘objects’ stated in the Royal Charter were to “preserve amongst people and to transmit to future generations the traditions of fellowship and service manifested by all ranks in the Great War, thereby encouraging members, through the common Christian life of the Association to seek God and to help them to find His will and to do it.”
“To encourage amongst the members of the Association the desire to perform, and to facilitate the performance of, all kinds of social service between and for the benefit of all ranks of society.
“To promote among all people a wide human interest in the lives of their fellows and to foster in everyone a sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of their fellows”
The Main Resolution
Passed by the Central Council in 1923–1924.
Remembering with gratitude how God used the Old House (Talbot House, Poperinge, Belgium) to bring home to multitudes of people that behind the ebb and flow of things stand the eternal realities, and to send them forth strengthened to fight at all costs for the setting up of His Kingdom on earth,
“We pledge ourselves to strive:–
To listen now and always for the voice of God;
To know his Will revealed in Christ and to do it fearlessly, reckoning nothing of the world’s opinion or its successes for ourselves or this our family; and towards this end:–
• To Think Fairly
• To Love Widely
• To Witness Humbly
• To Build Bravely
These Four Points of the Compass are expanded:
- Fellowship – to Love widely
- Service – to build bravely
- Fairmindedness – to think fairly
- The Kingdom of God – to witness humbly
Whole books have been written about the “Four Points”. For me and many others Toc H is a way of life – guided by the Four Points of the Toc H Compass.
Toc H is all about people. People caring for people.
There are lots of people out there. Good people who respond in an emergency. People who are willing to help if asked. It is up to us to talk to people – (and I am not good at that…) We have to tell people about Toc H. The good things Toc H has done in the past – particularly in times of war – and what it could do again. We are too thin on the ground to do anything without help. So we must ask for help. We are surely proud of our past record. If money is needed, it is there. Money is a means to an end – not an end in itself.
Toc H must grow numerically. We need people. We need ideas. We are running out of time, but it is not yet too late. Don’t forget ‘personal service’ – it is at least as important as ‘corporate’ service. Above all, talk to people. Don’t apologise for Toc H. Toc H may have a funny name, but it has always ‘punched above its weight’. May Toc H be an increasing “force for good”. Good luck.
David Hall
Councillor
