Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-06-21

ated where there was no other English
church. These twenty eight churches
had membership of six hundred and
seventy-seven. an average Of twenty
four each. They received from the
board S3.254. These churches are
needed. or these seventy-five churches
forty -seven were located where there
was one or more other English chur-
ches. They had a membership Of 2,449
an average of fifty-two each. They
received from the board $6.6S0. Four
of the forty-seven failed to report their
rank; twelve ranked first; and thirty
one ranked from second to fifth in their
respective communities. That means
that thirty-one out Of the forty-seven
churches situated where there were
other English churches, were situated
where there were from one to four
other and stronger English churches.
Forty-five per cent of the money spent
on the seventy-five churches went to
the support of these churches SO 10
Gated. The four churches failing to
report rank may belong to this class
also, and most Of them doubtless do.
The percentage spent on such churches
then ought to be larger, probably fifty.
But counting all the four churches not
reporting rank as ranking first-and II
church had ranked first it would pro-
badly have reported that fact-and
over thirty-seven per cent. of the home
mission money expended in Iowa by the
Presbyterian church, North. goes to
churches in villages and towns Of
less than 5000 population where there
are from one to four other and stronger
English churches! Every dollar OF
this is wasted. These reports came
from the churches themselves and 1t
is not to be supposed that they under
rated their own standing. In report
ing rank. churches were asked to con-
slider numerical strength, financial
standing and general influence.
Twenty-Five of the seventy-fve
churches had membership each of
twenty-five or less; their total mem
bership was 344, an average of fifteen
and six-tenths. They cost the board
$3.50 for the year Six of the twenty
two were situated where there was one
or more English churches and these six
received s541.
One town in the state has a popula-
ton of 1900 with four churches: Meth
odist. Episcopal. Lutheran and Presby-
terrain. The Methodist church is strong.
The Episcopal church with fifteen
members receives $500 home mission
money; the Presbyterian church with
twenty members receives 500. Seven
hundred dollars of home mission money
to support two rival churches with
a total membership of thirty five souls
and both situated under the shadow!
The Presbyterian church had lost TWEEN
ty-four members in three years. The
board of church erection had assisted
1t to the extent of $500 Ii had been
aided by the board of missions for ten
years. since its organization. Numer'1
Gus cases of the most f1agran. waste Of
home mission money in the state were
found.
OF the twenty eight churches stu
ated where there We're no other English
churches. ten had received aid from
the church erection fund amounting to
s5.025. None of it has been repaid.
Eighteen received no such aid. Thir-
teen Of the twenty eight failed to re-
port the length of time they had re-
ceived aid: fifteen reported this item.
Three had been aided for one year;
one. three years: two. six years; one
eight years: three. ten. years; one
twelve years; two, fifteen years; and
two. thirty years.
OF the fortr-seven churches Situated
where there was one or more English
churches, thirty Ave had been aided by
the church erection board Three had
paid back their amounts in full. three
in part. These churches now owe the
board of church erection S20.022. Nine
of the forty-seven failed 20 report how
long they had received aid: thirty-eight
reported this item. Three had been
aided for one year: one. two years:
one, three years; two. four years; two
five years; two. six years; two. seven
years: one. eight years: two, ten years:
one. eleven years; two, twelve years;
two. fourteen years: four, fifteen years;
one, seventeen years; one eighteen
ty years: two, twenty-five years: one
twenty nine years: one. thirty years;
one, thirty five years: one thirty-seven
years: one, forty years; and one said
always"
The board of missions is not to blame
for this condition. 1t is only the logical
and inevitable result of our sectarian
ism. The fault is in the system. These
conditions exist more or less every
lures OF the churches and stand ready
to do their bidding. When the churches
desire something better they will get it.
Christ and Intsmperanee.
Northwestern Christian Advocated
;r-f iodn Of Ro nf.h q