The Washington herald., 1913-07-26
METHODIST.

To maintain all churches in the United
States, their upkeep and extension
takes about 1850, 900 a year, 1t is e.
! timated. Naturally some propositions
financially fall. Church efficiency ex-
perts, like mechanical efficiency engi-
neers, are the logical need. For example,
what shall be done with a downtown
church the former supporters Of which
have removed to the suburbs? In plan
ming a religious convention in given
city shall there be one big meeting or
many small ones? Ought there to ne a
limit to the number Of persons permitted
to belong to one church, and ought that
limit to be affected by the population
of the town In which the church is
situated? Which is more effective, one
big church or two small ones? These
and SIMILAR vital questions on the bust
ness side of religion in America are
bringing the profession of church ef-
ficiency experts into the field.
It was a consideration Of just such
problems and needs that led Methodists
to appoint an efficiency board known as
the Commission on Finance.
At their annual meeting at Cleveland,
Ohio, June 1874, attended by twenty
three of the tvcnty-six members. to-
gether with six q the field secretaries
of the benevolent boards, three sessions
were held daily. and a vast amount of
business of vital interest to Methodism
was transacted.
The annual report Of the executive
secretary, DR.. S. Earl Taylor. showed
tie following as some Of the results of
tine years work:
The appointments have been made
upon the new basis, have been worked
out in detail for all the churches of
| Methodism and sent to all the district
surerintendents.
Elaborate statistical data have been
compiled which will serve as basis
for surveys by residential areas and for
diagnosis Of the financial condition Ct
the church by conferences, district and
local charges.
A new literature has been created.
New pledge cards and duplex envelopes
have been prepared and printed.
Important parliaments, conference visi-
and district campaigns have been he'd.
An increasing number of churches have
adopted the new financial plan
Close supervision has been given to
the organization Of conference commits
sions and these commissions are being
appointed in various parts of the church.
Much time has been given to the con-
sideration Of the work of the commission
in the colored conferences and a series
OF forty conventions are now in progress
in the South under colored leadership.
The commission received with deep re-
greet the resignation of DIR. Taylor as ex-
ecutive secretary. who, because of the
great pressure upon him of the work Of
the Board of Foreign Missions, found
IL impossible to continue longer in thu
Office.
The growing conviction among the MEM
bers of the commission that the hour had
come for a more adequate provision for
a central Office for the administration of
the work and for a more extensive and
thorough campaign in the interests Of the
new financial plan led to the formation
at this meeting of a central COMMITTEES
Of eight members. This committee. sub
ject to the approval of the several benev-
olent boards, will arrange. rs soon as
possible, for a central ONCE. with execu-
tive secretaries and such assistants as
may be necessary to launch and conduct
q comprehensive and consecutive CAM
paign. The Laymen's Missionary Move
ment win be requested to Grant the serv-