The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-20
STATISTICS OF THE WORK.
Reports of the Convention officers
The Morning Session.

President Quay called the second session
of the organization together at $3.50 yester-
day morning, with an attendance in the
hall of about three thousand. The chorus,
which was composed largely of delegates
and visiting choristers the home talent not
being available for the day time, did very
effective work and with the assistance of
the convention, the hall was made to re-
sound with the melody of the psalms. After
devotional exercises conducted by DR.. w.
G. Williams, of Keokuk, Ia, Rev. John A.
Duff, the retiring general secretary made
the report of the general committee. The
report was quite a lengthy document, Civ
ing a detailed account of the work done in
the first year. In the Introductory part of
the report the following statistics respect
ing the church organization were given:
Eight years have passed since we first
assembled in convention in Allegheny City,
Pa. These have been years of wonderful
growth and progress in our church. We
had then sixty presbyterieS, 1858 ministers,
SOB congregations, 101 S5S members and we
contributed $1,110,S53, an average of $l2.53
per member Now we have sxty-ive pres
byteries S95 ministers, $50 congregations
123.5A members, and We contributed last
year $l,S9426S, an average of $l2.51 per
member In other words, we are larger
seven congregations, 2i6S3 members, and
our contributions this year exceeded those
of eight years ago by $3.50, 40 We have
gained in the average contributions q cents
per member.
THE minutes of the General Assembly
for 1889 give us no statistics concerning
young peoples work though few congre-
cations then had young peoples organiza-
lions. Since that time, however there has
been a steady growth in organization and
membership, until now almost every con-
gregation in the church has a young poo
pies society, the total membership aggre-
eating little over 81, 000 To these may be
added a small army Of juniors, 10000 strong,
the recruiting force for the depleted ranks
of young people when the new century is
ushered in. Who will say that our general
prosperity has not been largely affected by
this permanent organization within the
church,"
WORK OF THE LAST YEAR
Concerning the work for the past year,
the committee says that there have not
been so many discouragements presented
formerly, nor questions asked as to the
solution of local difficulties, and the spirit
of the recent institute seems to have taken
possession of the presbyterial conventions.
Most encouraging reports have been re-
ceived from nearly all of the ffty-three
conventions held during the year. This is
the more gratifying, as many felt that the
diminish the interest in and attendance
the presbyterial conventions. But the very
has stimulated the interest In all depart
ments of the young peoples work.
Some of the preSbytery secretaries have
been slow about making their reports, but
these are few in number The reports re-
ceiyed show that there are 624 young peoo
pies societies in the church. of which ass
are c. L. and 1856 c. E., reporting a men,
bership of 21,S0S against 26,297 for last year.
a gain of 1.511. The contributions amounted
to $33, POS. OF this sum the boards received
1871; $10017 was used for society purposes
and the balance devoted to other work;
cards and 14l have a title committee; 3S6S
of these 27S0S members-about one-sev-
enth-are 1.-THE payers. This shows n
marked growth over last year We also
received reports from 240 junior societies.
These have a membership of S.I69 as
against 6S36 last year. Their contributions
amounted to $3.50.
The report next referred to its work in
making changes in the helps used by the
societies. changes which have been in
dorsed by Dir. Miller The custom of using
the Christian Endeavor topics by permits
sion has been continued
Three meetings have been held by the
committee for the transaction of the bust
ness Of the institute The committee con-
Cured in the action of the institute rela-
tive to the changes in the constitution, re-
ported the same TO the General Assembly
and received its approval These changes
refer to the office of corresponding secre-
tary for each society and the duties of that
office
UNITING WITH THE sOUTHERNERs
Speaking of the important work of COM
bining with the Southern societies, the full
text of the report is follows:
But the committee gave itself to the
consideration of another matter. which
may eventually accomplish the union of
America. At its meeting III October, the
general committee authorized its chair
man to open negotiations with the young
people of the Associate Reformed Church,
soliciting their cooperation in the ninth
annual convention. seeking, also. if posi-
BILE, Il close utilization between them and
our own young people. The negotiations
have proceeded most pleasantly and profit
ably and able To report that the
executive committee having in charge the
young peoples work of the a. r, Church
has appointed the Rev. J. $: Moffat synod
teal delegate TO this convention. and. at our
solicitation, have nominated one of their
number to take a principal place on the
programme.
The had no convention this year but a
large delegation of young people of that
church is here thus indicating their inter
est in this movement. 1t - expected that
their executive committee will report TO
their synod at it's annual melting i'm October
a plan Of cooperation which will, IL APP
proved by them and accepted by as. per-
manently ally and unite the young people of
that church and our own in their organized
work. The informal plan OF cooperation