The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-15

some others. the commission lays the re-
sponsbility for action upon the men Of
each church. President King Of Oberlin
heads the commission. anG its active lead
or is the new secretary. the Rev Dr.. Hu-
bert G. Herring. The eampaign covers all
Congresa tional benovolences and is quite
IA much educational as financial
Disciples of Christ utilize the campaign
to inaugurate men and millions plan. 1t
begins on February Is. but Is not TO end
until s6. 100000 has been subscribed r. A.
Long. the Kansas City lumber million
aire, has offered sleo1.100 with the con-
ditions that Disciples turn in and within
the coming two or three years pledge
S5,oOo0oc. Disciples everywhere are say
ing they will secure the millions and
while doing will alsu increase their
membership already growing more rapid
" than any other body. unless on some
years X be the Methodist and Roman
Catholics.
Preshyterians north and south. United
Presbyterisns. the Reformed churches.
both Dutch and German United Breth-
ren. and I.gtherahs Of the general synod
are Joined in this vast enterprise. Lit
erature almost by the ton is going into
every city and hamlet Officers of nearly
all organizations are giving up other lines
and devoting themselves TO this work II
is altogether the most united plan. the
lipSt 1IIp1tlOuS one and eAPlAUouN eN
poets the biggest results Of anything yet
attempted by Protestants Such, at amy
rate, is what the leaders say
Ignored by Protestant Episcopals
Some bishops Of the Protestant Episco-
pal church In their own dioceses. are
taking up the plan, but as a church It is
being passed by Tne Rt. Rev DR. Arr
thur :. Lloyd, head of the Episcopal gem
eral mission board. Was elected chairman
of the whole plan Going to the general
convention of his church last October he
asked for approval Of what he had done
and was backed by the church unity lead
ers. especially those working for the world
conference on faith and order Without
mentioning other bodies by name. Bishop
Lloyds superiors teok such hostile atti-
tude that he felt compelled to resign. This
he did, and the Rev DIR. Arthur j. Brown
of the Presbyterian church. was chosen
chairman. Nevertheless. as has been
said. few bold bishops supreme in their
own dioceses, are entering this cam
pagn.
Church membership in America grew
last year $4,000. Methodists leading all
others 1t is to raise this growth now
approaching per cent a year, that this
common effort is put forth. Anne ic',
, leads the world in contributions to for
eign missions. With Canada churches in
cluded it gives about ST. 600 a year. 1t
also leads the world in gifts to home mis-
| sions. The amount. without Canada. is
between $4,000. 900 and s5o.0000o0 a year.
America also leads in Sunday school
work, both in number of pupils and in
preparation of Bible lessonss The cam
paigns now on or starting February is.
are to increase these mission gifts. and to
| increase the number of children in Bible
schools. Especially is 1t aimed to induce
every church member to give money, even
if a small amount At present a very
large proportion of actual Protestant
members of churches give nothing at all
to the support Of churches which they
attend, and still fewer give anything to
causes beyond their own local church.