| Description | Correspondence and papers concerning the recruitment, selection and training of individual candidates, with related lists and statistics.
The majority of records in this series comprise files of papers and correspondence arranged into specific candidate groups, including: medical candidates 1941-1943; German candidates 1949; candidate papers for the Ruanda [Rwanda] General and Medical Mission 1942-1949; records of short service, special agreement personnel and honorary missionaries 1926-1949, and two large sequences of records for men 1850-1968, and women 1902-1968. The series also includes small sequences of records relating to training institutions run or used by the CMS 1933-1948. These main groupings are complemented by Candidate Secretary's personal notes that include lists and statistics drawing on data from across the groups; although written in note form with many abbreviations, they are useful as a supplement to the main Department records which suffer numerous gaps.
It should be noted that the groupings are not exact. In particular, until the 1940s short service agreement papers for women candidates are filed with the men's records [CMS/C ATm 6-8]; furthermore, candidate packets for men missionaries include papers of wives and fiancees.
Although much has been lost and the amount of detail available on specific individuals is variable, this series serves as a useful source of information on individual missionaries' first contacts with the CMS. In particular through the registers of candidates for men 1850-1941 and women 1905-1956, and the candidates application papers, it is possible to to learn in some detail about an individual's motivation and circumstances at the time of applying and to trace their first steps with the Society up to the point of sailing thus providing a way in to the records of the overseas (mission) series. |
| Administrative History | After writing with their 'offer of service' candidates were required to respond to a 'Questions for Candidates' form, submit the names of referees and be interviewed by individual examiners. The opinions of the examiners were reported to the relevant committee(s) at which point the candidate was either accepted as a 'candidate in training', nominated for acceptance as a missionary, declined ('not promoted') or further action recommended. Over time all candidates were expected to undergo a period of training prior to being nominated for service.
Forms for clerical and non-clerical candidates differed and questions varied over time. Generally clerical candidates were asked their name, date and place of birth, whether their parents were British and alive, their address, date and place of ordination, details of curacies and other posts held; education and employment details; missionary vocation; hobbies and special interests. Non-clerical candidates were asked their name, date and place of birth, date and place of baptism, date and place of confirmation, whether parents were British and alive and their address; details of their education, exams passed and employment; they were also asked about their recreation, amusements and favourite books; place of worship and church work; missionary vocation, Bible Study practice, prayer life and Holy Communion. Wives and fiancees of candidates were also required to complete a standard application form, submit referees and attend personal interviews.
The committee to which a candidate's application would be presented varied. Men considered eligible as missionaries without training or further action (for example, those in Holy Orders or university graduates), might either be brought direct to the Committee of Correspondence, the Group Committees or, from 1906, the Candidates Committee, or would first be considered by the Clerical Sub-Committee. The cases of men judged to need training before being accepted as a missionary would first be considered by the Clerical Sub-Committee. All women candidates were first seen by the Ladies Candidates Committee. The Secretaries had the discretion to decline offers of service before they reached Committee in circumstances where there were very clear reasons why the application would not be successful.
Candidates selected for training might either go direct to a CMS training institution or first for preliminary training at the CMS Preparatory Institution based at Reading (1869-1887), Clapham (1888-1902) and Blackheath (1902-1912) and/or another training base. Preparatory training provided a period of probation and support prior to full training. The training institutions submitted regular reports for the committees.
For further information on CMS training institutions see the sub-fonds AdminHistory at CMS/C.
Source: minutes of the Special Sub-Committee appointed by the Committee of Correspondence to consider the question of Committee procedure in the matter of Candidates, 3 January 1906; G. Hewitt, 'The problems of success: a history of the Church Missionary Society, 1910-1942', London: published for the Church Missionary Society by SCM Press, 1971-1977. |