New-York tribune., 1902-05-19
BAPTIST ANNIVERSARIES.
TO BE HELD IN ST. PAUL FROM MAY 10
TO 27-DENONINATIONAL WORK
OF THE YEAR.

OF THE YEAR.
The Baptists of the United States number,
cording to the latest figures. 4.2ss.0s3 members.
These are gathered into 4i453 churches and 1.ssi
local associations. The ordained ministers num-
ber SO561. The baptsms for the last year were 17-
SIS. about per cent of the total membership
In round numbers three-fOurths of these Baptfsts
are in the Southern States. and OF those In the
South about One-half negroes. The Southern
Baptsts both white and colored. have their own
organizations for missionary work. and may be
omitted for the purposes of this article. The Bap-
lists of the South. both in foreign and home mis-
sions doing excellent work. and worthy OF
all praise. The Baptists of the whole country have
nine theological seminaries. 1O3 universities and
colleges and ninety-One academies and other instt-
tutions for secondary instruction. These schools
have total property Of about s25OO0.Oo0 OF which
about s19ONO.OOO is in the form OF productive en-
dowment There are over hundred Baptist
periodicals. weekly and monthly
The anniversaries to be held this week at St
Paul for the Baptists of the Northern States.
OF whom there about one million. The societies
to be represented the American Baptist Mis-
sionary Union. with headquarters at Boston. which
is engaged in foreign mission work; the American
Baptist Publication Society. of Philadelphia, and
the American Baptist Home Mission Society. OF
New-York. Associated with these are several Won-
ems Missionary societies for both home and foreign
mission work: also the American Baptist Hsstcri-
cal Society, OF Philadelphia; the American Baptist
EduCaUOn Society, OF Newly Ork. ana the 6dpUSc
Young Peoples Union of America. of Chicago. The
three first named societies great business COR
porations holding large permanent properties. man
aged by many Of the best business in the cities
where they are located and doing annual busi-
ness of many hundreds Of thousands of dollars It
is necessary to keep in mind the business side OF
these missionary societies. because 1t is an impor-
factor in all questions Of change reorgani-
zation readjustment of any sort
The Missionary Union dates from 1914, and Is or
nfz he Of Christian missions
in foreign countries, including in this work all
branches of education. from the primary school to
the theological seminary. and to extent indus
trial education also. Medical missions have
prominent place Missions carried on in South
India. Assam, Burmah China, Japan, the Phil
ippine Islands and the western part OF Africa
The union assists the Baptist churches in various
parts of the continent of Europe-in France. Ger
many, Sweden. Russia Finland. Denmark and Nor
way. The total receipts of the union last year
were S6SoOo0- The expenditures were in excess OF
the receipts. and there is debt of S5.000 but
The union has in its service in ASIA and Africa
zoo 4Ten miSsioTbgGs mar men and and NO ToTsn s1 and
full of encouragement The members of the native
China who we're disturbed BY the Boxer uprising
have returned TO their places of service and are en-
the union has iust connIeted ieTr Of the asystGc
missions, both in China and India The perna-
nent property of the union is valued at 100000.
The Publication Society was organized in 1924 II
reports a prosperous and satisfactory year. The
entire receipts from the sale OF merchandise and
perlodcaIs amounted 10 SeSouV an increase OF VA
20 over the previous year The receipts of the
5000; there is deficit in this department. of over
5000 but there has Dsen increase in expendi-
sources sour IN the & ye2I were nearly SiOeo This so
both the home and foreign fields 1t is also en-
gagged in organizing Sunday schools in the West
and Northwest and South. and his six chapel cars
and many colporteur wagons as important auxil-
The Home Mission Society was established in
IsS- and the last year has ben one or exceptional
Tor an purposes ere TSre al has Seen ne and
essary enlarsS ment OF The work in many direc-
There is nominal debt SI3 go but this has been
The contributions have come from forty-six states
and Territories. and from Alaska. Canada China.
this society is in the establishments and nainten-
aCe @ %. S'.lrCns IN tIe newer ana more sparsely
keep up with the rapid growth OF the nation by i'm
Der Of preachers and teachers supported Wholly or
in part by the society for the last wear has been
LIS, These represent twenty-five natiOnalites.
They are scattered from New England to Califor-
mia, and from Alaska to Cuba Porto Rico and
Mexico i The society is doing large educational
the South The Indians are not overlooked in these
The ''1 Educati6n sociSty IS ensaes in strengthen
Ing the institutions OF learning Of the denomination
II has contributed large TO the endowment Of
the schools. East West and South and as these
gifts have usually been IN addition TO sums raised
Increase or funds and efficiency has been secured
books and Documents and ;eriai Of all sorts per-
tanning 10 the history or the denomination from
the earliest period and In all countries. It's
lection was totally destroyed by fire in 1896 but
has made good beginning in restoring its library.
although much that was consumed can never be
replaced.
The Baptist anniversaries have no ecclesiastical
chara Cter-that IL 10 say, there viii not be pre-
sented at ST Paul any matters OF discipline or
creed revision. anything of the The
cteties are purely voluntary bodies, organized in
the most popular way, for strictly missionary pur-
poses Among the BaptiStS the local church Is the
only recognized ecclesiastical body and each church
settles all questions of discipline for itself There
will be less of discussion concerning these
organizations. This apprehension Is
well founded.
II is strongly affirmed that there is much unrest
the societies among themselves and their methods
OF work IL is thought by that there should
be of CO-Ordina toD, not TO say OF COnsolida-
ton. The question whether there be
greater economy in the agencies for collections
and in the publications for general information.
Undoubtedly these matters will up >tOr con-
SideratiOn- They have been discussed for the last
two in the denOmlnat1Onal journals. in the
meetings of ministers and special gatherings. II
may be doubted whether the question be
tirey settled at the present time There IS criti-
question at issue is a question of methods and OF
organization. whether greater efficiency can be Sc
cured by consolidation into one central Organza-
ton. with various boards for the several Depart
societies. with close adjustment to another.
The missionary work Ot the denomination at
nome and abroad. In all its departments Is a vast
involving large OF money and
Or the wiSest management. Just how this Is 70 Be
secured Is the central question in all this discussion
as 10 reorganization. Undoubtedly there VIII be
sufficient time given TO the inquiry. and there viii
{ Is reached