Smyrna times., 1898-04-06
THE PROPER ENUMERATION
OF METHODISTS.

PHILADELPHIA, Mar. 2Sth, 1898.
Mr.. R. d. HoFFECKER,
Editor of the Smyrna Times:
lLy Dear SiC:-I noticed a state
ment in your valued paper that Chief
Justice Lore in an address had stated
there were six million Methodists in
the United States, and that it was
stated at the Mems Union meeting that
they numbered two and halfmillions,
and you ask which is right?
1 think there is some confusion in
your mind as to the latter statement.
The Chef Justice was doubtless
speaking of the aggregate of the sew
enteen various bodies who call them
selves Methodists whilst the speaker
at the Mems Union only had reference
to the members of the Methodist Epis-
cOpdL Church. I do not understand
the remaining sixteen bodies of Meth
odist have much in common either
cOrporately or fraternally with the great
NJ. E. Church, suppose they frater
mize with them about like they do with
the Presbyterians or other Protestant
bodies.)
The object of the statement was to
find out what christians were going to
support the gospel. In hunting this
information, found to my amazement
that the M. E. and Roman Catholic
Churches were the only large bodies
who did not have authoritative infor-
nation on the subject. [ had sup
posed both of those bodies were al
most perfect in their mechanism and
detail.
wrote DR.. Buckley, of the Chris
tion AdUOcate, DIR. Sanford, Editor
of the Methodist Year Book; consulted
men highest in authority in the Phila-
delphia Conference, but to no purpose.
DIR. Sanford advised me to write to
DIR. Carroll of the Ne,O York Indepen-
dent and it was from him that OBJ
tanned the figures showing number of
members and amount contributed.
The latest date he could give was
1894, that showed the Methodist Epis-
copal Church to have $3.50, 448 mem
bers, their contributions for all pur-
poses such as salaries, repairs, build
ings, missions, schools, &C., was $23,
862, 900, an average of about nine dol.
lars per member. The Congregation.
alist averaged 1854, Baptist So. 20,
Presbyterians $1,000, Lutheran SO. SO,
Protestant Episcopal $2O.32.
The average given per all members
is $8.78, about seventeen cents a week
You will notice the NJ E. people are q
trife above the average of all. 1t mus
be borne in mind that / selected only
the great bodies of each of the demon
nations, these 1 supposed would give
me what 1 was after, the highest aver
age money contributions given by
Christians in the United States, what
ever may be the view of others l do no
see that any Protestant denomination
has any cause to boast of what they
are giving. Instead of giving a tentl
it is doubtful whether they give
fiftieth part of their income on an aver
age.
And yet we wonder why so man
people refuse to go to church; may
not be on account of our own half
heartedness in providing for the minis
trations of the word?
The Protestant Church relies on tn
preaching ability of its clergy to draw
an audience, whenever there is a poo
preacher there is a sluggish church
and vice versa. Noise, emotion, aneC
dote-telling is no longer a DRAWN
card. A man to attract and to hOl
the attention of the men in these day
must have something of value to sa
and know how to say it.
1t goes without saying that the onl
men who can do this are intellect an
souls of the highest order whenever yo
find men of this stamp preaching the
have crowded churches. Now as s
much depends upon preaching, with u
Protestants, we want able men an
they can't be induced unless they al
paid Notwithstanding many notions I
the contrary. Scarcely one in five
the clergy of the present day can Fl
. their churches.
Does it not show clearly that pulp
capacity has not kept pace with the en-
lightenment of the age, and can we e1
pect any change until the people mak
: up their mind to give literally of the
means and encourage every great ma
and student to enter the Ministr,
They can be spared from every 9th,
profession better than the Ministr
for the Righteousness and wholesome
t ness which they will enthuse an
: instill will be felt for good unspeal
able in all that tends to good govern
|" ment in individuals or State.
So long as we go on with petty sala
- les inducing only petty men we nee
} not expect either the men or our chi
dren to take much interest in churC
affairs.
Sincerely yours,
w. E. WATERS.