The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-28

creases Disciples show a steady growth,
rapidly forging ahead of some of the old
bodies Presbyterians north for example.
Congrega Methodist South Uni
tarians and some others DO not reach the
II per cent figure. But the per cent is
20 per cent each decade. and the 20 per
cent is somewhat larger than the growth
in population. The larger bodies grow
more steadily than the smaller ones. Bap-
lists, both north and south, are steady
in their growth, and maintained that
seediness last year.
Sunday Schools Growing
In Sunday schools there is the same
steady increase in numbers of children
enrolled. Catholics are multiplying their
schools and adopting pedagogical meth
oos. They are also introducing the sys-
tom of classes and teachers Organized
Sunday school work of the world, having
it's strongest centres in America, held a
v orld convention during the year. and
made big plans for growth. Educational
methods are put on better lines, and there
is better organized machinery for start
irg new schools. America is carrying the
Sunday school system into Inc very cor
hcrs of the earth, including some-of the
distant parts of Soiteh American coun-
tries. Speaking of the latter countries,
Prctestants in the United States made
many preparations during tho year to eX-
tend Sunday school work along the west
coast, the Panama canal helping to reach
taat section.
Mission contributions, all Protestant So
cjetes, reached last IL months $63000,00o.
No other country compares with America.
England is second, but 4 very large part
of England's gifts are for relief so cast
are demands for the suderins poor. Amer
ica's gifts go almost wholly 70 religious
! SIN, 10. in
creased by $2,0o0000 to $5,oJc,oJ0 if Cath
oilc missions are included. This sum is
exclusive of gifts to Catholic orders, of
which no record is available. Protestant
foreign mission gifts for The first time
passed the s1S. 100000 mark, the largest
from any country. and a new report, soon
to be made. will not increase it much,
owing to dull times obtaining in the fin
ancial world during the last half of
the year now ending. Protestant home
missions are $45,00o,0O0 with steady gain
in amount, and better system for its
distribution in large cities and towns
OF the far west.
Eugenics came to the fore in Christian
affairs during the year as never before
1t started in Chicago, and was taken up
throughout the country. With it came
a new interest in all social questions. The
federal council of churches pushed the
one days rest in seven and made plans
co prevent commercalized vice in San
Francisco much possible during the
Panama exposition. Several bodies re-
constructed both local and general social
service agencies. Pulpits everywhere in
Weighed against evil in the home. on the
stage. in politics, in business. The church.
all names, took such active hand in So
cial questions as 1t never took before
Several bodies have put such work on
the same organized basis as missions and
religious education. Perhaps this social
crusade, next to the better method plans
is the most marked feature of the year.
More MONDAY Lunch Clubs
There came in cities, especially in
the east, a great increase In the num-
ber of MONDAY lunch clubs conducted
by church organizations. These are
chiefly for women, but some for men
are planned. These clubs have in them
"a protest against poor luncheons pro-
'vided by the trade cost of living
has advanced. They have a social
and a religious side in that they are
centers for picking up new workers
in churches, and they make profits
These latter are not private but are
used for missionary purposes of many
kinds. With the clubs also come new
centers for the church to reach work
ing men. to secure employment for men
and women. 1t is safe to say that no
year-end in history ever saw Christ
mas agencies touching people at more
points than this one.
Orthodox and reform Jews have been
active during the year. The former
perfected an agency for keeping con-
gregations closer together and for the
first time in the history of Judaism in
America salaried secretaries were sent
out on national work. The latter made
national a Young Mems Hebrew asso-
citation on the same lines at the Chris
tian associations, and guaranteed an
annual expense fund for five years
Catholics lost by death a consider
able number of cardinals who were OF
first rank in conduct of work but
beyond that the Vatican had a quiet
year. French Catholics went forward
as never before. being released from
obligations to the state. Here mis-
sionary leaders held in Boston the
greatest gathering of Catholic prelates
and laymen America had yet seen.
Started by home interests it was mis-
sionary in the broadcast sense. and
the address of Cardinal O'Connell en-