The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-08-31
The Presbyterians.

The Prcssyterians.
Tho solemn-looking volumes which give
to the world the ecclesiastical figures Of
Churches have this year made their appear
snoe somewhat earlier than usual. They are
In the main series OF dry and detailed
statements. But the results Of years
work. as presented in these dry tabulations.
are Of material interest to all who want to
know what $4,000 good Christians have done
with eleven millions and third OF money.
These two branches Of Presbyterianism
are, unhappily. still kept apart by tho divi-
sion which grew out OF the slavery question
and the war, and which ought to have been
healed long ago. The Northern Church Is
nearly five times as large rs the southern,
and spends more money in proportion. It's
6l5,GO0 members bestow on the support
OF their 6.0o0 churches and Of their
various missionary and other bcnefic"nt
works about O.oO0.o 900. The $4,000 South
erners spend on their 2,OO0 churches and their
various benefcent operations about s.. 800. 900.
The Southern Church has only about half as
many ministers as churches. The Northern
Church has only COO less ministers than
churches. There arc many churches in
the South 80 poor In purse and so scanty in
congregation tina. two or three Of them have
to club in order to furnish meagre support
to one half-fed minister. And there are In
the Northern body some churches similarly
situated II it be asked why these very poor
churches do not disband and let their starved
pastors take the chances Of supporting ex-
istence In some other calling. the ready an
swer is given that they are holding on and
hoping for better things In coming years.
In some cases. where towns are growing and
neighborhoods filling up. this hope will be
realized In others the weary struggle for
life will result In wipng out some OF the
little churches whose organization has never
been productive Of much good. The year
has seen tho organization OF l6s churches
and the wiping out Of s.
The average ministerial salary in the
Southern wing OF the Presbyterian Church
is somewhat under $500. There are very few
wealthy churches there. There are in the
Southern cities no nnbob pastors with mil
lion-dollar churches and prncely salaries
The average salary in the Northern Church
is larger than in the South but the statistics
do not say exactly what it is. as the figures
whole support Of the churches costs.
The accessions to the Churches from the
outside world of unconverted sinners num-
Der about $4,000 five s!Xths Of which are in
the Northern Church and one-sixth in the
Southern. Whether this indicates that the
Northern pastors have worked harder than
their southern brethren. or that they have
had better opportunities for awakening the
unconverted. is one Of the puzzles which fig
ures are powerless 10 solve
As to money donations, they have flowed
in more freely than in former years. The
Southern Church has given nearly 100000
more than it did last year. nearly all this in
crease being in the direction OF church sup
port, where it was badly needed. For foreign
missions the Southerners did 5000 better
than reported last year. and for the work Of
publication 81 900 less. The falling off in in
terest as to publications is no. surprising
when We consider what juiceless material
much Of the printed work OF the Southern
Publication Board is The donations toward
publication in the Northern Church have
fallen on In like manner, there being only
$4,000 reported this year, against $500 in
last years report. There is growing feel
ing among the churches, not only that the
publications are dry and dull. but that the
publication cause ought to pay its own way,
as the religious newspapers do. The re-
ligious newspapers, however. have a habit
OF receiving pecuaiary aid from the quack
medicine men in the way of advertising
patronage. 1t would be considered undign-
fled for an ecclesiastical Board to resort to
this method OF making 1t light for the
churches.
The Northern Church has shown to the
extent OF $4,000 an increased interest in the
conversion Of the heather in distant coun-
tries. In the matter Of the conversion OF
the heather at home the donations have in
creased about $4,000. For this homo work.
which covers the missionary efforts put
forth within the bounds OF the United states,
the sum OF s69O,OoO has been given which Is
s23O.Ooo more than in 1879.
The Narrative. which Is the officially con-
densed history OF what the Church has done,
and the indication OF what 1t expects to do In
the future, takes very roseate view OF
affairs. 1t rejoices In the erection Of new
churches and the payment OF debts on old
ones. 1t says that the financial condition Of
the Church has never been better. and that
the Church has "n"ver been more thor
oughly equipped and furnished with the
necessary To the accomplish
ment Of her great work
Considering this, the increase is very small,
in view Of the immense resources at hand.
the capital invested, AMI the number Of indi-
viduals at work. The average addition to
the churchc, Of the Northern branch has been
only five AMI one-thrd new converts per
church. 1t must be remembered that some
OF the more prosperous churches have re-
ceived very large additions. Tho church in
Chefoo. China, received 260 converts all ma
tive Chinaraen. thus by far taking the lead
OF all the other churches. Next on the list Of
large additions comes the great company OF
IA converts added to the TALMAGE flock in
Brooklyn. Four churches have each received
I'M " m RI VT rao ~ cI,e,