The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-05

149. 2Os The annual report for 1899 gives an
aggregate of 1Si.95s-an increase of 81, 1853.
1896 was 154.2s7; in 1899. 10. SOFA gain of
$40. The sum collected for all purposes
of self-support in 1895 was $3l6,lSS: in 1888,
S49i .0l0-an increase of s174.S22
The estimated value OF churches and
chapels in the foreign field in 1895 was 81.
5S1. zoe; I'm 1899, s3.13f97S-a gain of S55S,275
In 1895 there were 225 missionaries and "a
assistant missionaries (mostly wives or
missionaries and including few unmar-
ried iadies)-a total of 449. In 1899 there
were 234 missionaries. 201 wives of mission
aries and 81 unmarried lady missionaries.
total of 46l, a gain of Is. In 1885 there
were 691 native ordained preachers; in 1899.
765-a gain of "a. In 1895 there were 1,159
native ordained preachers; in 1899 there
were 1,031, a loss of lbs, due probably TO
imperfect reports In 1895 there were 1851
local preachers and other helpers; in 1899,
2,502-a gain of SOL. In 1895 there were l56,-
SS reported adherents; in 1893, Bo,6l-a
gain of 2432S.
I'm the home field the society has aided
about the same number of English-speak-
ing missions during the preceding quad
rennium. There are eleven conferences in
which foreign languages are exclusively
spoken, and there are eight missions or
ganized outside OF annual conferences. Our
missionaries are preaching the gospel In
this country in fourteen different languages
and ministering to the spiritual needs of
probably more than 100000 members and
probationers. Missions have been estab-
lished in Alaska, Porto Rico and the Philip
pine islands"
THE EPwORTH LEAGUE.
The report of the Epworth League set
forth that the past quadrennium had been
marked by an advance movement on prac-
tically every line of its work. March 1, 1900,
there were 1891 chapters, with member
ship of over 1.350.000. In the Junior League
there were 1867 chapters and a member
ship of more than 100000. The total MEM
bership is therefore 2704S chapters and
about ], 10000 members. There has been a
rapid and steady increase in the member
ship in 1900. especially in the Junior League
chapters. The report says:
I'VE gratefully record a growing spirit of
fraternal good will and cooperation be-
tween the Epworth League and the Chris
tan Endeavor and the young peoples So
cieties of other churches. They COM
ing to see that the consolidation of or
several young peoples societies into gen.
eral organization under the official direction
of the church was not the outcome of de-
nominational narrowness or sectarian ri
valry, but rather that the very genius and
correctional quality of the Methodist
Episcopal Church required that for their
larger spiritual growth and usefulness her
young people be trained in the usages,
spirit and correctional ideals of the
church. The justification of this organiza-
ton is demonstrated by its unprecedented
growth and spiritual power and by its
achievements for Christ and the church,
The report of the twentieth century
thank-offering commission contained the
following: Much of the work done has
been preparatory blowing and sowing, but
a harvest has been already gathered large
enough to greatly encourage us, and the
promise that If we sow bountifully we
shall reap bountifully' leads us to hope for
ultimate and complete success. The presi-
dents and financial agents of our colleges
and seminaries have reported at the central
office over $2.600.000 subscribed for Christian
education. More than S2,5O0,0O0 has been
subscribed for debts on church property,
and at least $4,000 for philanthropies and
charities. If all reports were in they would,
we think, show that one-third of the S20,-
900 has been subscribed. Every day this
movement is growing in interest and favor
with the church.
The other reports submitted to the con-
ference were those of the boards of educa-
ton, managers Of the Sunday-school Union,
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society,
Woman's Home Missionary Society and
trustees, the Freedman's Aid and Southern
Education Society, the committee on
church extension and the National City
Evangelization Union.