INTERCHURCH WORLD MOVEMENT OF NORTH AMERICA World Survey A Statistical Mirror PREPARED BY THE SURVEY DEPARTMENT T HIS issue of A Statistical Mirror is a facsimile reproduction of the edition dis¬ tributed at the World Survey Conference at Atlantic City, January 7-10, 1920. It is now being revised and enlarged. The revised edition will be issued in two sizes con¬ forming to the Library edition and Handy Volume edition of the World Survey Volume. The former, 8 x 11 inches, about 64 pages, printed in two colors, will be sold at twenty- five cents a copy. The Handy Volume edition, which will be a 5 >2 x 8 inches facsimile repro¬ duction of the Library edition, will be sold for fifteen cents a copy. NOTE: A copy of the Statistical Mirror will be included with each set of the Inter- church World Survey. Persons ordering the latter, therefore, need not order A Statistical Mirror. The prices of the Interchurch World Survey, Library edition, 8 x 11 inches, two volumes, two colors, $1.00 per volume—$2.00 per set. Handy Volume edition, x 8 inches, two volumes, two colors, fifty cents each— $1.00 per set. Cash must accompany all orders at these prices. Send all orders to Sales Department, Interchurch World Movement, 45 West 18th Street, New York City. INTERCHURCH WORLD MOVEMENT OF NORTH AMERICA WORLD SURVEY CONFERENCE ATLANTIC CITY JANUARY 7 to 10, 1920 A Statistical Mirror PREPARED BY STATISTICAL DEPARTMENT ' * CONTENTS Introduction. Page 5 Church Membership in the United States . 6 Membership Feeders .... 8-10 Ministerial Support . ... 14 Statistical Table of Methodist and Seventh Day Adventist Churches . 18 Forward Movements . . 20 One Billion Dollars for Advance Work 22 The Latent Church. 24 The Developed Church. 26 Clearing Up the Record 29 Page Daily Participation. 30 Common Types of Statistical Errors . 34 For the Quiet Hour.36-37 For Scripture Notes. 38 The Valley of Dry Bones .... 39 Winnowing Grain. 40 Poverty’s Offering. 41 The Modern Thresher. 42 The Grain Tithe .... • . 43 A Soldier’s Estimate of the Interchurch - World Movement. 44 CHARTS AND GRAPHS Page Two Hundred and One Religious Bodies 7 Membership Record—Church, Sunday Schools and Young People’s Societies 9 Membership Record— Spring Conferences, Including Foreign 11 Spring Conferences—Home Group 12 Presbyterian .... 12 Spring Conferences—Foreign Group 13 Are Preachers Overpaid? ... 15 Per Cent. Record— Presbyterian Church (North) . . 16 Per Cent. Record— Methodist Episcopal Church . . 17 Per Capita of Total Church Expenses— Methodist and Adventist . 19 Offerings—Presbyterian, Baptist, Meth¬ odist, Past and Future . . 21 One Billion Dollars. Page 23 An Unrelated Membership .... 25 A Related Membership. 27 Quadrennium Records— Methodist Episcopal, 1915-1918 28 Presbyterian, 1916-1919 28 Methodist Episcopal, 1911-1914 29 Per Member Benevolent Offering Records— By the Day. 31 By the Week. 31 By the Month . 32 By the Year. 32 Everything Except the Kingdom . . 33 A Page of Statistical Errors . . - 35 Lantern Slide Pictures. 41—43 ■ . A STATISTICAL MIRROR T HE purpose of this book is to set forth in graphic form a few general facts concerning the work of the church in its several branches. The charts presented were selected to set forth some varied conditions of church activi¬ ties and are intended for study and careful analysis. Experience has made clear that in dealing with statistical records in chart and graph form the lessons set forth are usually a revelation to the people who look for the first time into what may be termed a statistical mirror. A diagnosis of conditions in the church before undertaking a great forward movement is as essential as the physician's diagnosis before administering his treatment. That the church has not measured up to its world responsibility needs no argument. In dealing with actual conditions of church life and legislation affecting our benevo¬ lent and local interests the individual member must be kept definitely in mind. The church membership does not seem to be aware of existing conditions. Our hope lies in relating the entire membership to the central purpose of church organization. One of the most alarming indications is the increasing number of unrelated members, a certain sign of decreasing vitality The vitality of Christianity is diminished as its adherents fail to give of life, service and means. When the church fails in holding its own young people its decline is inevitable. A church organization in a community center with a large percentage of its members inactive usually fails adequately to support its minister and seeks to excuse itself from missionary responsibility. If, as men prosper financially, they decline spiritually they are reversing the fundamental teachings of the word of God. A careful study of the Scriptures will reveal that the highest service we can render is the giving of ourselves. As to offerings, if we give according to our ability the amount will usually exceed the tithe. The greatest service the pastors of evangelical Christianity can render .the Interchurch World Movement of North America and the kingdom of God is to put forth faithful and increasing efforts to secure the full cooperation of each registered member in a forward movement. 6 A STATISTICAL MIRROR Church Membership in the United States FOR THE YEAR 1918 T HE chart on the opposite page was originally drawn to a scale of 1,000,000 members to the square inch. The 42,044,374 church members are divided according to the 6ize of the 201 different bodies as reported by the government's Bureau of Religious Statistics. The Roman Catholics are reported as a single body and 119 other churches are scaled accord¬ ing to their numerical strength, with 81 smaller bodies grouped in a single block which repre¬ sents the relative size of their combined mem¬ bership. The chart was prepared to illustrate a table of statistics so that the relative numerical strength of the religious bodies of our country might be readily seen. The methods of compiling religious statistics differ widely in the several religious bodies, especially when attempts are made to har¬ monize the records of Protestant and Roman Catholic. Care must be exercised that we do not over-estimate the strength of a religious body because of the number of its members. By a more careful analysis it will be found that the development of some of the smaller bodies in local and benevolent church life will serve as an object lesson for many of the larger organizations. One of the most vital subjects affecting church statistics is that of the children; some of the branches of the church counting them as mem¬ bers from infancy and others actually under¬ taking to conduct the work of ftie church with¬ out them. This is often the cause of conflicting statements as to the relation of church member¬ ship to population and nothing is rpore mislead¬ ing than to state that the unsaved portion of a given population is the difference between the population itself and the number of people recorded as church members. It should be kept in mind that according to the last official census 26 per cent, of the entire population of the United States were children under eleven years of age. Aside from the child life which certainly cannot be counted against us, there are literally millions of people in America who have belonged to Christian churches but who are not now re¬ corded as actual communicants. Many of these are worshiping in churches in which they do not hold their membership. This is especially true in some western communities where by actual count it has been established that the number of church members belonging elsewhere equals the number who belong locally Perhaps one of the first and most essential movements of the church should be in united efforts to gather in these people and to enlist their full cooperation in the work of the church. If the Interchurch World Movement of North America is to succeed with its world program we shall need the full cooperation of the last man, woman and child of the entire Christian body. Methods of making up religious statistics differ widely. In some cases we find actual member¬ ship only, while in others the figures are made to include the church constituency in its broadest sense. Thus we encounter almost unsurmountable difficulties in compiling uni¬ form tables of church statistics. Concerted action should be taken by the religious communions of Protestantism looking to greater uniformity in respect to what con¬ stitutes church membership, what should' be included in the reporting of church properties, ministerial support, and church benevolent offerings. The official or legal names of religious bodies should be reported in making returns for all items of record. THE TWO HUNDRED ONE RELIGIOUS BODIES IN THE UNITED STATES From the Government Bureau of Statistics 1918 Roman Catholic 15.742.262 Eastern Orthodox 250.340 Jewish Congregation 359 998 Latter Day Saints Two ood»es ^62.332. German Evangelical Synoo 342 -7©e Reformed in U S 340 671 Churches of Christ 319 2" Colored Methodist Episcopal 24 E> 74 Q Disciples of Christ 1.231.404- Northern Baptist Convention 1.227 448 Lutheran Synodical Conference 777 438 Lutheran General Council 535108 Lutheran 14 Bodies 193 953 Methodist Protestant 186873 Lutheran Untied Norwegian 1*77 ^€>3 Lutheran Svnod of Ohio 165.116 United Presbyterian 1607263 Reformed jn kmgiCQ TUTT? 75 n^To|^ 7 o=a Presbvtenan 126, 7 bodies OQI Evangel on Advent Lutheran Synod for Norwegian 12 .7/3 United Evangelical 90 007 Methodist S bod«>s (While) 793 34- Church" 853 . Cnjrch c/ he Brethren 105 649 Friends OrIhodffl 94 in Menoniles Ifebodm 79 591 QneU'rcn * >—>»-» 28ITT All other 81 bodies 647 868 Lutheran Gen Synod 370616 Presbyterian in US 357 666 Umled BreEhnpn inChnst 348490 tUrOK-MF-O* Methodist Episcopal South 2 . 108.061 Presbyteriaa in USA 1613 0S6 Protestant Episcopal 1 . 098.173 Congregational 790 163 African Methodist Episcopal 552 265 African M E Zion 250.433 Baptist South 2.711,591 Methodist Episcopal 3718.396 Baptist Colored 3 . 018.341 Baptist • 14 Bodies 279.270 = 2 S 0.000 Members TOTAL MEMBERSHIP - 42 . 044.374 E rttarchurch Htrt) Movement of North Amend A STATISTICAL MIRROR 3 Membership Feeders Illustrated by the Methodist Episcopal Church T HE church has been receiving a large percentage of its membership from the Sunday schools and young people’s societies and we have accustomed ourselves to look upon these organizations as the reservoirs from which the church receives the major part of its mem¬ bership. The record of the Methodist Episcopal Church will serve as an illustration. This denomina¬ tion has not reported a loss in membership in its total figures for the past 37 years. During the last 10 years it reported gains of from 50 to 130 thousand per year, bi_„ last year, 1918, the increase was only 5226, while this year, 1919, the spring conferences reported an actual loss of 10,656. The unchecked reports of the fall conferences indicate that the denomination as a whole will report an actual loss in membership for the present year. This calls for more than passing consideration. If it be true in the several bodies of Protestant Christianity, sooner or later it cannot help but diminish the mis¬ sionary activities of the church. If the stream flows with less volume there is real concern lest its sources of supply be drying up. Is it not a fair question to inquire the causes for the decline of membership ? On the opposite page the per cent, chart shows that the spring conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church reported a gain in member¬ ship each year from 1915 to 1918, as is indicated by the solid line beginning at the zero (0) mark and moving upward for three years. The per cent, of gain or loss in each case is computed upon the figures of 1915. In 1915 there were 1,485,353 members In 1916 there was an increase of 46,874 members In 1917 “ “ “ “ “29,770 “ In 1918 “ “ “ “ “ 6,514 In 1919 “ “ a decrease of 10,656 “ Thus this diminishing increase at last resulted in an actual loss; and why? First, the Sunday school, the main feeder or source of supply, reported as follows: In 1916 a membership increase of 18,361 In 1917 “ “ decrease of 29,136 In 1918 “ “ “ “ 44,968 In 1919 “ “ “ “ 37,250 or a net loss for the four years of 92,993 mem¬ bers. During the same period the Epworth League reported a net loss of 35,445, and the Junior League, 14,293. Whatever may be the record as to the number of conversions in the Sunday schools and young people’s societies during the past few years, the fact remains that in many of our church ser¬ vices the absence of young people is most noticeable. The chart on the opposite page is intended to tell its own story. There are other feeders which supply the church with its membership. In the Methodist Episco¬ pal Church ten membership feeders are re¬ ported, and the Presbyterian Church reports five, as will be noted on the charts which follow. 1 IFE FORCES are always genetic. They proceed from life and move on -o' to quicken other life. The church is a living, throbbing organism. Her vitality is exactly the vitality of her membership. Her children are seed. Rightly nurtured, they become the flower of her Christian youth and the fruit appears in a consecrated maturity. A STATISTICAL MIRROR The Church of the Future AS THE church must draw the major part of its membership from the Christian home and / \ from its young people's organizations, if it is to succeed in a great and permanent forward movement, church leaders, pastors, teachers and parents must guard against the danger of separating the young life from being vitally related to the organization and work of the church itself. We are dependent upon the young manhood and womanhood of the church to supply our pulpits at home and abroad and for Christian leaders in all departments of church activity. The work of life service will ultimately break down unless the trend of the church, as shown by the lines of the above chart, is changed. A STATISTICAL MIRROR 10 Other Membership Feeders I N THE consideration of church life atten¬ tion is called not only to full membership but also to the items of preparatory and non¬ resident members, deaths, baptisms, Sunday school, young people’s societies and the number under religious instruction. The membership graph of the spring conferences was prepared for the purpose of presenting to the eye by lines the percentage of increase or decrease from year to year of the above “feed¬ ers” of church membership. In the left hand column are the items consid¬ ered and the figures as reported in 1915. These serve as the basis of calculating the percentage of increase and decrease for each year. Figures for the year 1919 are placed in the right hand column opposite the respective items for 1915. The actual increase or decrease may be found by subtraction. Each division of the vertical lines represents 20 per cent, and the horizontal divisions cover a year of time. The dotted line is the base of calculation as it represents the record of 1915 for each item. As a practical explanation of the working of the chart, the first item on the left is “under in¬ struction.” In the year 1915 there were 57,607 reported. Reading directly across to 1919 the number on the waiting list is 165,460 or an increase of 187.2 per cent. The third item is that of membership. The line is heavier as the chart is a membership record. At the end of the. first vear. 1916. five of the items show losses; there were eight downpulls in 1918; and also eight for the last year, pull¬ ing the membership itself into the loss, with only the death record and those on the wait¬ ing list showing an increase. While the membership curve is affected by the elements which feed into membership it is evident, as indicated by the record of 1919, that the membership itself cannot be sustained if unsupported by the items which build it up. No item has moved continuously upward each year but three have declined each year, namely: the number of adults baptized; the number received into preparatory membership; and the number of senior league members. If a straight line be drawn from the left hand zero passing through the point representing the adults baptized in 1919 it will be observed that in six years from now, if the present rate of decrease were to continue the baptism of adults in the spring conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church would cease. When the springs begin to dry up the flow of the stream is lessened; or when the branches of the vine wither, the life of the vine itself is imperilled. The outstanding feature of this chart is the marked percentage of increase for those “under instruction” or in training for church member¬ ship. This item must be kept in mind in study¬ ing the following charts. S UFFER the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it. Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth. A STATISTICAL MIRROR 11 MEMBERSHIP RECORD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SPRING CONFERENCES - INCLUDING FOREIGN UNOER INSTRUCTION 191$ $7,607 OEATHS 78.236 fUll MEMBERS . NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS . 1.485.353 . 92.226 SUNDAY SCHOOL ENROLLMENT f.872.467 PREPARATORY MEMBERS ON ROLL 334.260 CHILDREN BAPTIZEO . . , 73.130 JUNIOR LEAGUE . . . 129.388 SENIOR LEAGUE .... 260.465 ADULTS BAPTIZED. * . , 75,040 PREPARATORY MEMBERS RECEIVED 157.011 1805 1&5 / 140" 1205 1005 805 605 j 405 / ) 205 / / L f Jill 404 601 JW m 165,460 1913 42.672 1.557855 100932 1.779.474 316.039 68.501 115,095 225.020 46.770 90.185 191$ 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 b/ercfiurch Wotkj ifaemenf cf North America 60/41 MEMBERSHIP RECORD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SPRING CONFERENCES 1915 DCAlHb 19588 TULL MEMBERS . ... 1322.171 NONRESIDENT MEM8ERS . . 94.086 SUNDAY SCHOOL ENROLLMENT 1.572.752 ° UNDER INSTRUCTION . . . 45.607 CHILDREN 8APTIZED . . .. „ 51638 JUNIOR LEAGUE . „ . » . 108057 • SENIOR LEAGUE . » . . 233.807 PREPARATORY MEMBERS ON ROLL 127.780 PREPARATORY MEM8ERS RECEIVED 140.274 ADULTS BAPTIZED 50.635 MOS 20'S / V — — 20S 40t 60S 8W m 1919 25.900 1.415090 96.274 1.520.448 42.610 45.454 94.725 203.472 78.173 70.464 23.293 HOME GROUP Merdwrch Wtfd Movement of Hor!h America G DM2 A STATISTICAL MIRROR 13 <4 Where the Growth of the Church Takes Place T HIS chart shows the per cent, move¬ ments of membership and its feeders for the foreign group of spring conferences. In the chart of the spring conferences including foreign group, as shown on a preceding page, the line representing those “under instruction” advanced to 187 per cent, but when the record is analyzed and the home group is separated, this line, as may be seen on the opposite page, shows an actual loss of 7 per cent, over the 1915 record. Of necessity the scale of the accompanying chart has been reduced to accommodate the space required to set forth the lesson of the increase of those under instruction in foreign fields. When the record of this total is analyzed, the entire gain in respect to the number of persons on the waiting list, or “under instruction,” was in the foreign field. Were this same rate of increase to be made by the entire Protestant body, it would require less than five years to reach the last man, woman and child on the face of the globe. The tragedy of this lies in the fact that these people on the waiting list are not members. They are waiting at the door, asking for teachers and schools; for preachers and houses of wor¬ ship; and for lack of these they were neither baptized nor received into membership. The only losses as shown on the above chart are in the number of persons baptized, due to the fact that we cannot receive persons into church membership until they have been baptized. 1 WILL give thee the nations for thine inheritance. And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession, A STATISTICAL MIRROR 14 Ministerial Support T HERE are few subjects which relate more closely to the success of the church than that of ministerial support. The fact that the church has moved forward and that our educational system has advanced with underpaid leaders is no argument that this condition should be continued. A congrega¬ tion which promises its minister a certain salary and fails to pay it, not only robs its leader but places itself in the class of those who do not pay their bills. The people are demanding ministers who are men of high spiritual attainment; resourceful and tactful; men who know how to conduct themselves socially; men who are not only able to preach but who can serve in any capacity of public life. Of course the preacher does not preach for money but he must have money to live. The lawyer, doctor and merchant collect their own accounts but upon this subject the minister must be silent. His salary is fixed and collected by others. On the opposite page is a chart setting forth a few general facts concerning ministerial non¬ support. These figures from the Methodist Episcopal Church for the year 1918 were used because the records of other denominations were not available. Group number 5 on the chart shows that of 49 per cent, of the pastorates in the United States, not one paid as much as $1,000 per year includ¬ ing house rent. That is, 8,285 churches paid less than $1,000; or, considered together, they gave toward pastoral support an average of only $543. “How do these men live?” This is a fair question. Congregations sometimes give donation parties for their pastors. They provide potatoes and apples and help clothe the children, and thus ministers are looked upon as objects of charity in their fields of labor. Church leaders who object to these statements must face the fact that 26 per cent, of the churches of this one denomination are served by supply preachers. Group number 4 shows that 42 per cent, or 6,986 churches, pay annual salaries ranging from $1,000 to $1,999 including house rent, or an average of $1,338. The total average for groups numbers 4 and 5 is $907. This accounts for 91 per cent, of the pastorates of Methodism. Group number 3, representing 7 per cent, of the total, pays from $2,000 to $2,999. Group number 2, representing a little more thpn 1 per cent, of the total, pays from $3,000 to $3,999. Less than 1 per cent, of the total, or 108 churches, pay a salary of $4,000 or more. The tragedy of all this lies in the fact that in 34 years the average per capita offering as made by the lay membership of the church for the ministry has increased only one cent per week, and this in the face of unparalleled financial prosperity. That the work of the church may accomplish its highest mission in world redemption, the churches of America are now engaged in a great advance movement. The success of this work will rest very largely upon the leadership of the ministry, the men upon whom we must depend for the permanency of the campaign. TT IS never contended that the minister should have the best. It is con- tend£cl that he should have a sufficiency and that this should come from the worshipers as an integral part cf their worship. Was not the Levitical portion of the priests the right shoulder and the breast of the peace offering? ARE PREACHERS OVERPAID? METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH MINISTERIAL SUPPORT U.s. ONLY FIFTH CLASS- FOURTH THIRD SECOND FIRST u it tt -LESS THAN $1000-AVERAGE $543 ]=$IOOO TO 1999- “ 1338 ]=2000 « 2999- « 2325 1=3000 “ 3999- *' 3278 = 4000 OR ABOVE- « 5055 AVERAGE OF CLASSES 5 & 4 -UNDER $2000-IS 907 5*4 & 3 - " 3000*“ 1006 ii tt 49^.8285 CHARGES ARE IN CLASS 5-NON-SUPPORT 42%-.6986 “ “ " " 4-WAGES 7%-, 1142 ** M ** M 3-MODERATE l^+, 253 ** ** “ “ 2-SUPPORT ttf-f |08 '** ** “ ** I “SALARY MINISTERIAL SUPPORT ON THIS CHART IS THE CASH PAID TO PASTORS. INCLUDING RENTAL VALUE OF PARSONAGES, COMPILED FROM THE STATISTICAL TABLES OF 1918. iafcnurch World Movement of North America ■ 16 A STATISTICAL MIRROR V PER CENT. RECORD POPULATION-CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AND PER CAPITA WEALTH-CHURCH OFFERINGS. PRESBYTERIAN (NORTH) tverctkrcfi mrv UCfemenl cf Horn /Imnca ___ g q I N A STUDY of the relations between church membership and population of the United States and between per capita giving and per capita wealth it will be noted that while the rate of membership increase outreaches the growth in population, the rate of giving falls far short of keeping pace with the increase in per capita wealth. A STATISTICAL MIRROR 17 PER CENT. RECORD POPULATION - CHURCH MEMBERSHIP PER CAPITA WEALTH-CHURCH OFFERINGS METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1890 PER CAPITA WEALTH $1035 iUNITED STATES) MEMBERSHIP 2:064,437 iMETHOOlST EPISCOPAU q POPULATION 62,622,250 (UNITED STATES) PER CAPITA GIVING $1002 IMETHOOlST EPISCOPAL) 125% 100% 75% 50% 25% J 25% 50% • 75% I 00 r. 1917 $2404 PER CAPITA WEALTH (UNITED STATES) 1918 3,849,381 MEMBERSHIP (METHODIST EPISCOPAU 1918 105,253,300 POPULATION (UNITED STATES) 1917 $12.02 PER CAPITA GIVING •METHODIST EPISCOPAU InrarcMOi Wong Hbvwwi) ot North America 6059 T HE chart for Methodism teaches the same lesson as that on the opposite page. It must be kept in mind that in this form of per cent, chart, each item involved has a common starting point and the per cent, advance or decline is calculated from the original base. The rate of giving should more than keep pace with the increase in per capita wealth. 18 A STATISTICAL MIRROR Membership and Total Church Expenses Record for Fifteen Years SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Year Membership Total Per Capita Year Membership Total Per Capita Inc. Foreign Giving Giving Inc. Foreign Giving Giving 1904 81,721 856,714 10.48 1904 2,781,589 30,050,683 10.80 1905 87,311 1,180,918 13.52 1905 2,832,899 31,141,702 10.99 1906 91,531 1,394,362 15.23 1906 2,903,163 32,790,503 11.29 1907 94,048 1,704,718 18.13 1907 2,960,474 34,992,318 11.82. 1908 97,579 1,770,649 18.14 1908 3,034,168 35,010,113 11 64 1909 100,931 1,984,557 19.66 1909 3,116,785 35,164,588 11 28 1910 104,526 2,223,768 21.27 1910 3,171,454 36,902,121 11.64 1911 108,975 2,363,088 21.68 1911 3,222,160 38,924,541 12.08 1912 114,206 2,702,199 23 66 1912 3,304,651 31,788,741 11 74 1913 122,386 2,866,727 n <2 1913 3,406,470 39,035,429 11 46 1914 125,844 3,090,4S5 24.56 1914 3,536,123 39,813,038 11 26 1915 136,879 3,407,298 24.89 1915 3,620,470 39,965,331 11 04 1916 141,488 3,950,492 27 92 1916 3,724,188 41,416,760 11.12 1917 153,857 5,119,683 33 28 1917 3,844,155 46,205,726 3.2.02 1918 162,667 6,895,720 42.39 1918 3,849,381 47,074,301 0.2.23 T HE above statistical items are better understood when studied from a graph. The red figures indicate a loss over the record of the previous year. The 1913 per capita loss in the record of the Adventists was recovered the next year, whil,e it required three years for Methodism to recover the 1908 per capita loss and the per capita of 1911 was not regained until 1918. It will be observed that the per capita giving of the Methodist Episcopal Church during the past fifteen years has remained practically constant, the per capita for 1918 being only slightly in advance of that of 1904. The record of the Adventists, slightly below that of the Methodists in 1904, shows an in¬ crease each year except in 1913, and in 1918 the per capita giving is more than four times their average of fifteen years ago. The outstanding lesson of the Adventist record is to be found in the teaching and practising of the tithe as a regular part of the worship or service of the church. A similar statistical record, when made into a graph, can be used in a very practical manner for local churches or for other denominations. It is commonly known, and not to their discredit, that the Seventh Day Adventists are not rich as a church. Their membership is made up very largely from the great middle class. Hence their per capita wealth and consequent income would hardly measure up to the Methodist Episcopal Church. No invidious comparison is here intended but an attempt to get at the facts. What is the truth? Look at the graph. If the Methodist Episcopal Church had given as much per capita for all church expenses as the Seventh Day Adventists gave, she would have paid $163,175,261 in a single year instead of the $47,074,301, or enough to take care of all her church expenses and $116,100,960 to. apply on her Centenary subscription, thus paying in a single year the whole five-year quota. A STATISTICAL MIRROR 20 Forward Movements T HE church has never been without some outstanding leaders who have been calling it into action but their attempts to awaken the church to its full sense of responsi¬ bility have been limited to their personal mag¬ netic touch or to their own denomination. Now for the first time in the history of the modern church the day is at hand when the entire Christian body is entering into a united forward movement, not confining its efforts to the conquest of the world abroad but also engaging in building a more permanent religious structure at the home base. In its efforts to maintain the new level reached in its forward movements the church must of necessity readjust its entire system of work. The program of church activity is being greatly enlarged; the vision of the membership widened; and their responsibilities and obligations in¬ creased. This new age now being ushered in will develop and bring to perfection at least three things: First. The survey now being made will give to the church a new conception of the world’s needs. It is positively appalling when one thinks of the poverty, the ignorance and the sin of great masses of people: whole races that, after nineteen hundred years of Christian¬ ity, are still without any knowledge of God or of saving grace. This is an awful indictment against the professed followers of Christ who through the centuries have held the truth but have not given it to the whole world. Second. The new age will give rise to a new appreciation of world brotherhood. The World War is now over and the door to opportunity was never more widely open. Christian people cannot longer look upon the world’s needs and pass by on the other side. That procedure has been condemned for all time. The world has now been reduced to a neighbor- hoodi and my nearest neighbor is not necessarily the man who lives next door, but rather the man, whoever he is and wherever he lives, who most needs me —he is my nearest neighbor. Third. The new age will relate the entire church and its membership to the world program. More than twenty of the denominations or religious bodies of our awakening American Christianity have already entered into en¬ larged programs of missionary activity. War drives for world freedom are passing into Christian drives for world redemption. We were startled by the amount of money called for that we might take our part in the world struggle and now some of our churches and people are wondering if we are not undertaking too much; but the world is stricken and millions are starving. Disease and sin await the breath of Christian life. It was never so before. The challenge never went out to the church in more unmistakable terms. It is God, not man, who is calling the church into action. The Christian body or individual member that fails to answer the call in this hour of the world’s most dire distress and fails to relate itself as a body or himself as an individual to world re¬ demption is guilty before God and man. F ORWARD!! The key note of the new world order! The call for an advance all along the line is clear and unmistakable. Upon us of today rests the high privilege of shaping the destiny of the church and, through her, shaping the destiny of mankind. A STATISTICAL MIRROR 21 OFFERINGS AND PLEDGES PRESBYTERIAN, BAPTIST, METHODIST PAST AND FUTURE $ 6 . 18 ' 4.85 3.89 2.26 .898 mterchurch torkj Movement of North America CM/40 I N THE above graph the term Presbyterian applies to the Presbyterian Church of the U. S. A.; Baptist, to the Northern Baptist Convention; and Methodist, to the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Presbyterian and Methodist benevolent lines date back to 1859 and, for lack of comparative information, the Baptist to 1894. The perpendicular broken lines show the lift of the per capita pledge of the forward movements of the churches represented; the upper mark indicating the plane upon which the churches are to move hereafter in their benevolent activities. These are great increases only in the light of advancing from very low per capitas to moderate standards of giving. A STATISTICAL MIRROR 22 One Billion Dollars Per Year for Advanced Christian Work O NE billion dollars was selected without reference to the Interchurch world sur¬ vey which is being made. No one knows that this large sum in any sense represents the amount needed. It was selected to show that thoroughly organized Protestantism, with each member contributing, could raise this amount without special effort. As applied to the work of the church this seems beyond the range of the possible and especially in the light of what the church has done in former years. Prior to the world war we could not have con¬ sidered this seriously, but today the world’s needs are so appalling and our prosperity so great, that a billion dollars in a single year of time from the Protestant Christian membership of our favored country is altogether within the range of the possible. Never in the history of the human family has the field been so white unto the harvest: never before has the ability to give vast sums been so apparent. Last year the Protestant churches of the United States reported $249,778,535, or the tithe of 27 cents per day, expended for local and benevo¬ lent work. As a total figure this is a very large sum but when looked upon from the stand¬ point of an individual offering, 2 cents 7 mills per member per day is scarcely worthy of being considered an offering, nor even a tithe. The giving of Protestantism in 1918 is repre¬ sented by the darker section of the chart. If the entire Protestant church reached the aver¬ age of the Northern Baptist Convention, 3 cents 3 mills per day, there would be $47,875,515 above the total giving of last year for advance work. This is shown by the lighter section of the Baptist column. If the Methodist per capita standard of 3 cents 4 mills per day were reached by all of Pro¬ testantism the margin would be $56,413,539. If the Protestant church could be lifted to the standard of the Presbyterian Church, 5 cents 6 mills per day, there would be a margin of $259,122,758. If the Protestant membership could be lifted to the per capita standard of the Seventh Day Adventists, 11 cents 6 mills per day, last year’s giving would be maintained and there would remain for the new work $811,615,547. This church advocates and its members practise tithing. It is an amazing statement that the tithe of $1.37 per day, or 13 cents 7 mills from each member of the Protestant churches of our coun¬ try, would maintain all church expenses as per last year and provide for the world’s need in new work the colossal sum of one billion dollars! The full tithe from each member as a minimum and an offering according to our ability will hasten the day of world redemption. If the next great revival throughout the church could be in the deepening of the consciousness of personal responsibility to God and the sense of obligation deepened concerning the world’s need, and if the church through its entire membership were awakened, a billion dollars per year would be a very small amount of money to raise and the church would be established upon a more permanent basis. T HE practise of Christian stewardship is one of the fine arts. Skillful execution of this virtue requires persistent and painstaking endeavor, for it is more difficult to give than it is to gain. But he who practises a consecrated stewardship owns kingdoms in the far corners of the earth. A STATISTICAL MIRROR ONE BILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR FOR ADVANCE WORK WITHIN REACH OF PROTESTANTISM $1,000,000,000 $1,000,000,000 $800,000,000. $600,000,000 $400,000,000. $ 200 , 000 , 000 . 1918 CONTRIBUTION OF PROTESTANTISM FOR ALL CHURCH PURPOSES $249,778,535 ALU ABOVE THIS LINE' REPRESENTS POSSIBLE ADVANCE WORK THE CHURCH COST EACH MEMBER 2 CENTS 7 MILLS PER DAY FOR ALL PURPOSES 10CAL & BENEVOLENT r Northern Methodist' Presbyterian Seventh Protestantism's Baptist Episcopal U. S. A. Day Possibilities Convention Adventist ( DAILY PER CAPITA .003 .034 .056 .116 .137 IF PROTESTANTISM COULD BE LIFTED TO A STANDARD OF 13 CENTS 7 MILLS PER MEMBER PER DAY, WE COULD MAINTAIN LAST YEAR’S WORK WITH A ONE BILLION DOLLAR MARGIN A STATISTICAL MIRROR 24 The Latent Church T HE chart on the opposite page is intended to show a condition which cannot be discovered from the printed record of the pastoral charge. This is a condition which can only be brought to light by the study of the local church treas¬ urer’s record. From a study of the chart by the. aid of the key it will be observed that a very small number of the members are contributors; and that a still smaller number contribute to the benevolent work of the church, each contributing family being represented by but one member. This condition robs the local church of its right¬ ful place in a community and makes its per capita standing abnormally low A church of this kind carries unpaid bills, fails adequately to support its pastor, and disre¬ gards its benevolent obligations. The church property is usually in bad repair The membership roll is carelessly kept. The Sunday school and young people’s societies are below standard. This condition and more can be accounted for by the large number of inactive or unrelated members. The hope of the church at the home base lies in the utilizing of this latent membership. There can be no great permanent forward movement in all the church until all the churches come to realize that they must use their entire membership in the work of the kingdom. This chart was prepared as a suggested form for the use of pastors or church workers, with the hope that the actual record of charges will be made on paper or canvas sufficiently large to be'seen by the congregation, and used for the purpose of bringing before the membership the relation of each member to the financial work of the church. When the condition has been set before the people they must be given a program to follow; the non-contributing member is seldom in¬ terested in the work of the church. We have reached a time in the movement of the church when each pastor must feel the responsibility of enlisting the last man, woman and child in the active work of the church, for their own sakes, for the strengthening of the local church and for the advancing of the king¬ dom at large. U PON an examination of the actual records of individual pastoral charges, it is observed that in many cases a very small per cent, of the enrolled membership is actually related to the financial program as applied to the conquest of the world. There is no more important work before the church than that of relating the entire membership to the whole program of the Christian church. The first step toward this end is that.the membership become acquainted with its own record. The evangelization of the world would not be very far distant if all members of Christian churches were awake to a full sense of their responsibility AN UNRELATED MEMBERSHIP \ X \ X \ X X \ V \ \ X \ X \ X \ X X \ X \ X \ X \ \ \ X \ X \ \ X \ X IX \ X ■ \ X \ X \ X \ X \ X \ X \ \ \ X \ X \ X \ \ \ X \ X \ X \ X \ X \ X \ / X \ \ \ \ X \ X \ X \ X \ X \ X \ X \ X \ • h - _ | | = One Member Group of Squares - A Family \ = Contribution to Local Church / = Contribution to Benevolences X s Contribution to both Local Church and Benevolences Ct>60 Inter church World Movement of North Amer/co A STATISTICAL MIRROR 26 The Developed Church T HE church represented by the chart on the opposite page is the same church as ap¬ peared on the preceding page, with 572 members, but with this vital difference: here the church is represented as being unanimous in its sup¬ port of church activity and life. It pays its ministers a living compensation. The property is kept in good repair. Its bills are all paid promptly. The credit of the minister and the church is A No. 1. This church has an interest in world redemption. I It furnishes its quota of young men and women for the ministry and missionary work. The minister is recognized in the community as a leader not only in his own church but in the town where the church is located. The church also is a factor in the community life and its influence is felt around the world. The chief reason for all this is the fact that the entire membership is organized for work at home and abroad. Each family has a part. Each member in each family is financially related to the church. Each member contributes to both local and benevolent work; hence their interest in the same. “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” An accurate membership roll is kept. The treasurer really and truly “keeps books.” There is a wide awake Sunday school and the young people’s societies are attractive and helpful. Baptisms are frequent and there is a constant procession into church membership. Here the stranger feels at home and having once attended the services returns again and again. These charts are given to suggest conditions which exist back of any statistical record of the church. A minister or church official making a like chart and checking the same carefully and accurately, after consulting the treasurer’s books and making a copy large enough for use in the public congregation, will be able to set before his people information such as will prove helpful in enlist¬ ing a larger percentage of the members in the vital work of the church. The full execution of the Interchurch World Movement’s program is dependent upon the complete organization of the membership of each local congregation. I F THE organization of the entire church in each of its local congregations were perfected, so as to relate each family and each member to the work of the kingdom, one and a quarter billion dollars would be a very moderate annual offer¬ ing from the members of the Protestant Christian churches of the United States. A RELATED MEMBERSHIP xxx x XX xxx x'x X X XX xxx X X X X XXX XXX xxx XX X X X X xxx X X X X x x X X X X XX x x x x X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XX X X XX X X X X X X X X X X X X X xxx xxx xxx X X X X X X X X X X X X X x XX XXX xxx xxx X X X X X X X >< X X X X X xxx XXX X X X X X X X X XX X X X X X x X X XX x x X X xx x,x X X X X X X X X X X X X X x X x X X XX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X >< X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X ■ ■ X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X >< X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X x X X X X X X X. X X X X X xx X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X x|X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X x X x X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X x X X X X X X X xxx XXX X x X X X X X X X X X XX X X X xxx X X X X X X X X X X X X XX XX I | = One Member Group of Squares = A Family X s Contribution to both Local Expenses and Benevolences Merckurch florid Mortmenf of North America CDS! Methodist RECORD OF THE WHOLE CHURCH, 1 1915-1918 OUR BE Episcc INCLUDING ST QUAE )PAL FOREIGN (RENNIUh CONFEREE 1 ICES Comparative Board Record 1919 19 18 1917 1916 19 15 INCREASE or DECREASE . . t Church . Board of Foreign Minion* j ^ 5 ^^ Board of Home Minion* \ Church . and Church Exteniion J S. School 1.068,092 940,875 841,937 807,546 260,546 358,295 331,455 323,024 307.683 50.612 873,911 756,654 675,893 636,421 237,490 321.434 299,891 293.961 282601 38,833 187,838 160,873 145,685 138,053 49,785 301,511 252,923 138,501 116,962 184,549 . . , . \ Church . Board of Sunday School* j ^ School 84,320 72,116 55,780 52,617 31.703 96,204 91,435 82,220 77,638 18,566 70,388 67,829 46,810 44,258 26.130 Board of Temperance, Etc.. General Deacones* Board. 67,199 48,956 33,983 28,959 38,240 28,685 22,097 — — 28,685 3,457,877 3,045,104 2,637,794 2.492,738 965,139 Woman’s Societies, Etc. Children’* Day Fund -.. Conference Claimant* (Chicago) . • • • Woman’* Foreign Minionary Society. Woman’* Home Minionary Society . Total Woman’* Societies, Etc.'.. 107,559 96,616 85,335 83,863 23.696 — — 15,470 15,243 15.243 1,157.715 1,045,791 935,037 822,728 334.987 825,007 789,143 628,975 528,823 296,184 2,090,281 1,931,550 1,664,817 I.4S0.65 r 639,624 Comparative Statistical Record 3.849,381 3,844,155 3.724,188 3,620,470 228,911 249,587,835 241,846,366 231,813,830 226,664,223 22,923,612 Total Mini»terial Support. Total Ditciplinary Benevolence* .... 20,418,110 19,483,212 18,644,264 18,111,388 2,306,722 5,548.158 4,976.654 4,302,611 3,943,395 1,604,763 A. uJ £>«'•“• c«i /nferchurch World Movement yf North An lima CMBptni 1915 tnJ 1918. nnc& GO 2/7 Presbyterian Church inU.SA 1916-1919 Comparative Statistical Record 19 2 0 19 19 19 18 19 17 19 16 INCREASE^ liiSrBi.ASfe- ■■ Board of Home Miuioni «•*•#»*#* *■< Board of Foreign Minion*.. 2 213924 2 268 925 2194147 2 OOO 614 213310 2 074 670 2131387 2 055 313 I 738 02* 336 645 General Board of Education, Etc..... Board of Publication and Sunday School w>rk•••••< Board of Church Erection ..•••»•* Board of Ministerial Relief and Sustentation •«*•••;*<• 787 472 699 346 826403 -.741 333-- 46134 236140 223 012 235 920 202 163 33 077 179 200 187064 1 74 523 148 424 30 776 290 393 321 507 426125 311443 21 050 200 701 186 963 191169 188 979 11 722 Board of Temperance, Etc.. 254 332 242666 217576 191 326 63 006 Total CoDectioo* for Benevolences.. Local Church Support. Local Miscellaneous Expense. Total Collection* for Local Work... Full Membership Church. Sunday School Memberthip. 6 236 832 6 260 870 6 321 176 5 522 312 714 520 21097175 21 682102 21468345 20 101322 905 853 5 248 595 4 985 776 3 235 865 2 295 985 2 052 610 26 345 770 26 667 878 24 703 210 22 397 307 3 048463 1 603 033 1 631 748 1604045 1 560 009 43 024 1 319 416 1 386 926 1 455 466 1 412 387 02 971 Tbe lacr««*« *®d Deere*** Column o 191**1)4 191* fnterchorch World Movement of North America 0.IX2I7 A STATISTICAL MIRROR 29 Methodist episcopal Record of the whole Church, including foreign conferences I9!l --1914 _ Comparative Board Record 19 15 19 14 19 13 19 12 19 11 INCREASE or DECREASE Board of Foreign Missions j ^ School Board of Home Missions j Church . and Church Extenders \ S. School 784 .387 789 277 764 540 762 659 21 728 313 958 305 102 308416 307398 6560 026 124 636 071 614185 613 578 12546 287333 282 613 286131 284 457 2 876 136 486 1 35 932 125 189 130 357 6 129 Public Eduction. 57 945 49 705 66 361 53 759 4 186 Board of Sunday School* j ^ School American Bible Society. Board of Temperance, Etc,.. 50 574 52 264 50932 52 101 1527 73 199 64 403 32167 26 331 46 868 44 059 38 738 34 704 40 975 3 084 26619 19971 — — 26 619 General Deaconess Board.... _ — — — — Total Apportioned Collections... 2 400 684 2 374 076 2 282625 2 271 615 129 069 Woman’s Societies, Etc. Children’* Day Fund. 83 609 87 438 80453 .77 028 6 581 Conference Claimants (Chicago) . • • * Woman’* Foreign Missionary Society. Woman’s Home Missionary Society . Total Woman’* Societies, Etc.... 17448 24 941 29442 31 522 14 074 818873 785 248 760658 720146 98 727 546 854 588826 460133 434499 112355 t 466 784 1 486 453 1 3 30686 1 263 195 203 589 Comparative Statistical Record Full Members*«**«•••••••*••••«• Net Property •••••v********•»•••• Total Ministerial Support..... 5 536 023 3 406 470 3304 651 3 222160 313 863 221 596 219 215 982 740 209 850 454 205 664 880 15 931 339 17 826 376 17338 536 16 835 179 16 378 709 1 447 667 3 867 468 3 860 529 3613 311 3&34810 332 658 "fb* lacr£uo D«ct« 4 m Column cccnporoo I9H s-d 1914^ R®d indicate Iom ove, preriou. year. /n'erchurch World Movement oT North America _ CD.217 Clearing Up the Record T HE above chart sets forth in color (red figures indicating a loss over the previous year) a statistical record of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the quadrennium ending in 1914, before any systematic plan was adopted to clear up the record, charge by charge. The' element of uncertainty shown by the red figures, or downpulls, is evident each year. When red appears in total figures, it indi¬ cates that downpulls in the smaller units are frequent. The chart at the top of the opposite page shows the record clearing up. This was by no means an accident. The increase in membership is less than that on the above chart while the increase in total collections was $1,272,105 greater, the major part of this increase having been made by the charges which cooperated in the system set forth in these pages. The record of the Presbyterian Church should be studied in its relation to the chart under the caption “Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Past and Future,” where the marked up and down movements of the Presbyterian benevo¬ lence record may be observed. We are endeavor¬ ing to set forth the principle of a continued forward movement on the part of the entire religious body. The smaller units, or local churches must study their individual records and clear them up before we can hope for a permanent advance from the larger group. 30 A STATISTICAL MIRROR Benevolence Offerings Per Member DAILY PARTICIPATION T HE record of the Copper Hill Church printed on the opposite page is that of a small church having but 51 members with very moderate church and parsonage, and paying a small amount for ministerial support. A year ago the church paid $39 for disciplinary benevolent collections while this year $260 was paid. Charts of similar form were used in this entire district last year. If $260 seems a large amount for benevolence offerings it should not be overlooked that this is but 1 cent 4 mills per member per day, or the tithe of an income of 14 cents; and that a tithe of 43 cents per day would pay the benevolences and ministerial support. GIVING BY THE WEEK ECORD charts were used a year ago by the charges of the Oneonta District. The per capita giving of the Hartwick-Hyde Park charge while showing a fine advance was not large enough to be reckoned by the day. Two cents 5 mills per member per week paid this marked .increase. An unusual feature of this record is a loss in the amount paid to one of the woman’s missionary societies, the fall being from $54 to $31. BY THE MONTH ECORD charts were not used in this church. While there were substantial increases in membership, property and minis¬ terial support there was but one dollar increase for benevolences. The benevolence return of this charge could not be stated by the day nor by the week in Ameri¬ can coin, the members having averaged but 1 cent 1 mill per month, or the tithe of an income of 11 cents in 30 days of time. The seriousness of this is that there are thou¬ sands upon thousands of such churches. ANNUAL PAYMENTS F COURSE this charge has not seen its own record. Like many others it is on the down grade. Red lights are flashing all along the line. We can not hope for a strong church at the home base when recordsof this kind impede its progress. In this charge the per capita offering can be expressed only by the year. A tithe of an in¬ come of 69 cents per member per year paid the benevolence offering. Had the ministerial support been tithed for the regular benevolent work of the church the charge would have paid twelve times as much as the amount reported without a single mem¬ ber having contributed. A N ANALYSIS of the record is the first step toward a forward movement. Charts setting forth the actual records of congregations, when used by pas¬ tors or other church officials, have never failed to awaken a new interest. It is seldom that a membership, when face to face with its tecord, on a daily participation basis does not awaken to a keener sense of its world obligations. Centenary Record Chart Conferenc e NEW YORK 'BAST rH»fWr+ NEW HAVEN _ Charge - COPPER HILL Comparative Board Record 1920 1919 1918 DAILY PARTICIPATION Board of Foreign Mission* | Board of Home Mission* \ Church . and Church Extension j S. School Freedmen’s Aid Society.. Public Education.. Board of Sunday Schools j ^School American Bible Society... Board of Temperance, Etc.. General Deaconess Board. 'Total Apportioned Boards..' 10 8 1 8 The offering per member for the Centenary and Apportioned Boards fday wna 1 rs»nf« 4 mill* rw>r!w*k 1 3 0 10 8 1 5 1 3 4 0 3 4 0 d 4 1 0 or the tithe of an income of dollar! X._4_centa per D A Y. 2 2 1 — 2 6 0 nr~ | Woman’s Societies, Etc. 1 Children’s Day Fund. Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society. Woman’s Home Missionary Society .. Total Woman's Societies, Etc.... 5 5 The increasing needs of the world call for substantial increases in offerings and the FORWARD MOVEMENT 0 0 0 o 5 Comparative Statistical Record Full Members.......... Net Property.. Total Ministerial Support.. Total Disciplinary Benevolence*. 5 1 5 0 5 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 ALL ALONG THE LINE 3 3 5 5,2.4- 2 6 5 4 4 AB Annual Per Capita 5 .0 9 8 7 8 *AB includes Centenary, N War Reconstruction and Apportioned Boards. friterchurch ti/orlcf Movement of North America JUd firm fcadkAte loss mf Um prerwaa Tmi. C D. 2/7 Centenary Record Chart Conference WYOMING _ District oneonta ra-y. HARTWICK - HYDE PARK Comparative Board Record 1920 1919 1918 DAILY PARTICIPATION Board of Foreign Missions j J ( S. School 8 6 1 8 2 0 1 0 The offering per member for the Board of Home Missions 1 Church . 4 0 1 3 and Church Extension j S. School 2 0 9 Centenary and Apportioned Boards Freedmen's Aid Society... 1 0 8 Public Education .... 1 9 ft Mep. Board of Sunday Schools j 1 S. School 5 5 was _2_cents-5_miDs per (week t (month 7 7 American Bible Society..... 3 or the tithe of an income of Board of Temperance, Etc... 3 2 General Deaconess Board., .. 1 1 _dollars 2 5 cents perWEEli 'Total Apportioned Boards.. 2 14 8 0 Woman's Societies, Etc. Children’s Day Fund... 5 5 The increasing needs of the world call for Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society. Woman's Home Missionary Society .. 3 1 5 4 substantial increases in offerings and the Total Woman's Societies, Etc.... IT 5 9 Comparative Statistical Record 16 5 1 7 4 FORWARD MOVEMENT 6 5 0 0 6 5 0 0 10 3 7 9 4 1 AIL ALONG THE LINE | Total Disciplinary Benevolence!..,.. 2 5 0 1 3 9 AB Annual Per Capita 1.296 *AB include* Centenary, War Reconstruction and Apportioned Boards. fi * w “ udk *“ u« mr o» w''"* tnfercfHjrch World Movement of ~Worth America __ CD 217 Conferenc e CENTRAL ILLINOIS District PEORIA- Centenary Record Chart 0 LA S FORD Charge- Comparative Board Record 19 19 1 91 8 19 17 DAILY PARTICIPATION A ! Church . & School Board of Homo Missions \ Church . end Church Extension j S. School Freedroen’e Aid Society........ <3 > • Public Education'...... 11 ».. • 0 1 2 — 5 Centenary and Apportioned Board* Freedmen’s Aid Society. W a. 5 — — A (Church . Board of Sunday Schools j ^ g c j >00 j 3 9 i(wy 4 “IT American Bible Society... ' 0 4 y5ar Board of Temperance, Etc.......... - Dr 4 or the tithe of an income of General Dsaconeo* Board. 0 1 -dollar* 6 9 cent* perVE AR * Total Apportioned Board*. • • • • a -TT 8 8 Woman’s Societies, Etc. Children , » Day Fund. 1 g, 0 The increasing need* of the world call for B Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society. 5 7 Woman’s Home Missionary Society .. - - substantial increases in offering* and the Total Woman’s Societies, Etc.... 6 4 5 7 Comparative Statistical Record 1 5 9 1 7 0 FORWARD MOVEMENT 1 7 0 0 0 17 0 ft 0 Total Ministerial Support. 1 3 9T 1 4 4 3 ALL ALONG THE LINE / O 1 4 5 AR Annual Per Capita ft 6 9 ’AB includes Centenary, War Reconstruction and Apportioned Boards. fed Acw» todkate Ira ara the pnrwm jvu. tnterchoreh World Movement of North America -—--— , J G.Dirr EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE KINGDOM BY THE DAY 10 cents per day for carfare 5 cents per day for ’phone call 2.7 cents per day for the Church BY THE WEEK $1.50 per week for room rent .40 cents per week for ice cream and candy .20 cents per week for moving pictures .18.9 cents per week for the Church BY THE MONTH $8.00 per month for clothing $3.00 per month for tobacco $1.00 per month for the theatre .81 cents per month for the Church BY THE YEAR Our annual expenditures for the essentials, or even the non- essentials of life, are so greatly out of proportion to our total giving for all church purposes, that the space on this page will not permit of a graph without destroying the scale of the above charts. Interchurch World Movement of North America GD./39 34 A STATISTICAL MIRROR Common Types of Statistical Errors T HE chart of statistical errors is from an actual printed page of church statis¬ tics for the year 1919 and is used to illustrate some of the difficulties faced in efforts to present accurate information concerning the work of the church. But why give space to a subject of this kind in a statistical publication? It is done in order to call attention to some items which may serve to illustrate conditions which must be corrected before we can have accurate statistical tables. When errors occur we usually blame the printer. But how can the printer set up in type the correct figures when the copy itself is unintel¬ ligible. When figures are carelessly made, how is he to tell a 3 from a 5 or a 2 from a 7; or when a figure is marked over without erasing the old one how is he to know which to use? A cause of incorrect totals frequently lies in the fact that the columns were not correctly added, and most of the blunders in addition are due first, to poor figures; and second, to figures being out of line, that is, the unit figures are not all in the unit column. There may be a number of errors on a given page and the total figures be correct. When one mistake is made to balance others the total isunaffected. “But are not statistical records checked or proof-read?" By no means; and furthermore there are few if any persons who can read back from poor-copy. Proof-reading figures from good copy is in itself an art. When totals of conference, synod or state con¬ vention records are to be carried over to a recapitulation page we find very serious trouble when these totals are incorrectly transferred. They are not infrequently entered in the wrong column and are often transposed. The subject of the transposition of figures is largely due to defective attention and is serious. No one who transposes figures is competent to read proof or to check statistical records. But the printer is not guiltless. He slips in an extra cipher and 5,000 becomes 50,000. He omits a figure and 441 becomes 41; and of course the columns will not equal the original total. Thus an injustice is done the local record. As a practical, up-to-date illustration, in a well-known and prominent publication dated December 4, 1919, the figures 34, which were type-set from a correct photographed copy, were printed 334, and thus the Methodist Episcopal Church is by a printer’s blunder charged with having increased its weekly per capita payment to the support of the ministry but one cent in 334 years! We have always found it necessary to re-add and re-check all columns of figures and when possible to consult original sources. A little extra care on the part of pastors in making up their reports, and greater watchful¬ ness on the part of printers in their proof-read¬ ing would insure greater accuracy in publica¬ tions. B E WE all- as careful as is humanly possible, some errors will stealthily find their way by us. It behooves us therefore to mingle charity with care that, exercising mild judgments against those who make errors, we may be similarly dealt with in our day of misfortune. A PAGE OF STATISTICAL ERRORS Interchurch Wor/d Movement of North America. G.Q83. 36 A STATISTICAL MIRROR For the Quiet Hour GOD’S OWNERSHIP In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.— Genesis 1:1. God created man in his own image.—Genesis 1:27. Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.—Job 41:11. For every beast of the forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills.. »,. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; For the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.— Psalms 50:10, 12. Behold, unto Jehovah thy God belongeth heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is therein.... For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward. He doth exe¬ cute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loveth the sojourner, in giving him food and raiment.—Deuteronomy 10:14, 17, 18. MAN’S WEALTH? And lest thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember Jehovah thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as at this day. And it shall be, if thou shalt forget Jehovah thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. —Deuteronomy 8:17-19. If I have made gold my hope. And have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gotten much . This also were an iniquity.—Job 31:24,25,28. They spend their days in prosperity. And in a moment go dovm to Sheol.—Job 21:13. Come now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that.—James 4:13-15. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.—Proverbs 23:5. SEPARATED PORTIONS And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is Jehovah’s: it is holy unto Jehovah.—Leviticus 27:30. And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the chil¬ dren of Israel gave in abundance the first-fruits of grain, new wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly .. .they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and •the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated unto Jehovah their God, and laid them by heaps_Since the people began to bring the oblations into the house of Jehovah, we have eaten and had enough, and have left plenty: for Jehovah hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.—2 Chronicles 31:5, 6,10. To whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all.—- Hebrews 7:2. Then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.—Genesis 28:22. Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which cometh forth from the field year by year.—Deut¬ eronomy 14:22. RICHES If riches increase, set npt your heart thereon.—Psalms 62:10. Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.—Proverbs 16:8, 16. Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncer¬ tainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.—1 Timothy 6:17. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, And loving favor rather than silver and gold.—Proverbs 22:1. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase: . .and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding of them with his eyes? There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt.—Ecclesiastes 5:10, 11, 13. There is that seattereth.and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want. The liberal soul shall be made fat. . Proverbs 11:24, 25. There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth.— Proverb 13:7. But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a roc* of all kinds of evil; which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. —I Timothy 6:9-11. A STATISTICAL MIRROR 37 For the Quiet WANING For whau all a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, al forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange r his life?—Matthew 16:26. Neither eir silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in e day of Jehovah’s wrath.—Zephaniah 1:18. Woe un you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe ml and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weigier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith; b these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the ocr undone.—Matthew 23:23. How ha is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingim of God!—Mark 10:24. PRCIISE Honor Jiovah with thy substance, And with the first fruits of 11 thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with pley.—Proverbs 3:9-10. Return uo me, and I will return unto you, saith Jehovah of hosts ut ye say, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob Godfet ye rob me. But ye say, WTierein have we robbed tc? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with the curs jor ye rob me, even this whole nation. Bring ye the who tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in y house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, al pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room .augh to receive it.—Malachi 3:7-10. But seete first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these ings shall be added unto you.—Matthew 6:33. Jesus sa unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that whi. thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treure in heaven: and come, follow me.—Matthew 19:21. OFIRINGS Let eachnan do according as he hath purposed in his Hour ( Continued ) heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.—II Corinthians 9:7. Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper.—I Corinthians 16:2. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not.—II Corinthians 8 : 12 . And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor.—Luko 19:8. For they all did cast in of their superfluity; but sho of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.— Mark 12:44. WORSHIP And ye are not your own; for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.—1 Corinthians 6: 19, 20. What shall I render unto Jehovah For all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation. And call upon the name of Jehovah. I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, Yea, in the presence of all his people.—Psalms 116:12-14. Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come before him; Worship Jehovah in holy array.—I Chronicles 16:29. The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being.—Acts 17:24-28. Extended Scripture Readings braham and Melchizedek. Genesis 14:13-24 ~cob’s' Covenant. Genesis 28:10-22 -•vid’s Stewardship...I Chronicles 29:1-30 bat Jesus Said . Matthew 6:19-34 '•te Parable of the Talents. Matthew 25:14-30 ^wardship in the Jerusalem Church ... Acts 4: 31—5:11 38 A STATISTICAL MIRROR For Scripture Notes A STATISTICAL MIRROR 39 The Valley of Dry Bones C AN statistics be made to live? Can. records be pictured ? What could be duller, drier or more uninteresting than a statistical lantern-slide lecture? But statistics when accurately compiled are records of fact; of life’s achievements, its victories or its failures. They uncover the covetousness and reveal the liberality of men. They are the inexorable, unescapable records. They reflect actual con¬ ditions like a mirror. Dry as figures are in statistical columns, the moment they are made to apply to the individ¬ ual they take on bone and sinew, flesh and sblood. They reveal tragedies of failure and epics of glorious achievement. The camouflage of statistics is the covering up or counter¬ balancing of the individual items which make up the' total. The miser may hide behind the total and the liberal man may be lost from view when the giving of the congregation to which he belongs is reduced to an average. Nothing is farther from the truth than the idea that statistics are dry. But one must get close to them in order to understand them; must live intimately with them so as to be able to inter¬ pret their meaning. They will often reveal facts which will hold the attention as. closely as a fascinating novel and will cover an equally wide range of human emotion, sacrifice and indulgence, loyalty and treachery. Further, if this intimate relationship is con¬ tinued, it will be discovered that these charac¬ teristics of statistics can be expressed in inter¬ esting diagrams, graphs and pictures and made into lantern slides to be projected on the screen, so that the eye can help the ear of the listener as the speaker explains and interprets the startling facts of character and achievement revealed by statistical records. There are introduced here four sample pages taken from the midst of a stereopticon lecture dealing with statistical records regarding wealth, money, income, church support and benevo¬ lences. 400 B.C. RETURN UNTO ME LAC & ES AND LEVITI JEMPLE SERVICi i AND OFFERir .THE PEOPLE HAD P £ TIME. CR WE WAS GS GO V\E [MINI fS W< ISA THEPEOf DERN STRY IS UNd>! 3RK IS NE.GLEC *ID OFFERI MGS LE LIVE' F*< >R TF ?E NOT NEGLE' RE WITI EN GOD rriMi- ER PAID TED. *RE WITH EMSEU I9I9AD.“REPENT 1920 “GO YE ft 40 A STATISTICAL MIRROR Winnowing Grain P RIMITIVE methods are still practised in the Far East. They thresh their grain and plow their fields in Palestine today just as they did in the days of our Lord. It is easy to see that their methods are laborious and the consequent results very meagre. Millions of people are living in abject poverty in India, Multitudes have never known during a single day of their lives what it is to have enough to eat. Here the grain is beaten out with hand flails or with stone rollers drawn by oxen. As seen in the picture the grain is tossed into the air on windy days or poured out from elevated platforms or stools. The chaff is blown away by the wind while the grain falls to the ground to be gathered up by the toiler. A STATISTICAL MIRROR 41 Poverty’s Offering O UT of their poverty they set apart the tithe. These offerings frequently represent more than the tithe and are to be classed with the widow’s mite, for she gave her whole living. In the home of the Christian family in India, so poor that it has no money to give, stands the “vessel of blessing,” usually an unglazed earthen jar. At each meal time the wife and mother puts into this jar a handful of grain taken out of the very living of the family On the day of the church meeting this grain is carried to the meeting-place in the man’s body belt and is poured out on the collection cloth. The picture shows the native Christian pouring out his offering of grain which falls upon the cloth spread upon the floor, to be presented to the church as his offering. 42 A STATISTICAL MIRROR UNITED STATES’ GRAIN CROP 1918 The Modern Thresher I N OPEN contrast with the Far East is this modern thresher. What could not the man-who owns the field or the thresher do if he had the “loving loyalty” of the Indian Christian in the preceding picture. America is rich beyond imagination in all that constitutes national wealth. We are rich in houses and land; in gold and silver; in iron and coal; in cotton and wool and grain. The best of modern facilities are at our command. The United States grain crop for 1918, corn, wheat, oats, barley, rye, buckwheat and rice, amounted to 5,441,357,000 bushels, valued on the farm at $6,971,634,000. Compare this method of threshing with the Indian method. Not with flail nor with stone rollers drawn by slow moving oxen, but by thousands of steel-spiked cylinders, 18 to 40 inches in diameter, and 36 to 66 inches long; driven by power plants of 6 to 25 horse power and with a f apacity of 60 to 200 bushels an hour. A STATISTICAL MIRROR 43 PRO RATA SHARE OF THE PROTESTANT CHURCHES IN THE GRAIN CROP OF 1918 BUSHELS 1 , 360 , 339,000 VALUE AT FARM $ 1 , 742 , 908,000 THE TITHE OF OUR SHARE BUSHELS '136,033,900 VALUE AT FARM $174,290,800 The Grain Tithe O N THE supposition that the Protestant churches of the United States had their pro rata share of the nation’s gram crop and that they should tithe it, the tithe of this grain alone would equal 70 per cent, of the total expenses, local and benevolent, of the givings of Protestant Christianity for the year 1918. When Christian people come to set apart tithes and offerings of the product of the fields, forests and mines; when the profits of factories, shops, banks and stores, and when wages and salaries are all, according to our prosperity, brought into the storehouse, then the promised blessing such as there will not be room enough to contain, will be poured out upon the church at home, and a new thrill of life will be sent round the world. A Soldier’s Estimate of the Interchurch World Movement A SERGEANT in the 150th Field Artillery of the famous Rainbow Division, who spent twenty-two months in France and was in all the big drives where Americans took part, writes from Denver University to his father in New York: “Truly, the churches of the world are awakening to their great oppor¬ tunity. “This Interchurch Movement is the biggest thing in the world today. “In the church and in a broad Chris¬ tianity lies the solution of the present unrest. “This unrest centers, I think, in the individual, and the church must center its efforts to appeal to the individual.” . - . ' ■