Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-12-31
VARIOUS EVENTS OF YEARIN
RELIGIOUS FIELD IN REVIEW
Some Large Scale Efforts-Thinkng in MIonsPans
vented by War-Statistics of Growth

count in millions was noticeable DUR
ing the past year. At the big Inter-
national Christian Endeavor conven-
tion 1900 delegates, standing, pledged
themselves to a two-year program
presented by President Francis e.
Clark, when he urged them to think
in millions, work for millions, achieve
millions The goal was set as "a
million new converts, a million new
Endeavorers, a million new church
members, million new dollars for
missions, a million new members for
the peace union" In like manner
the Northern Baptist convention
adopted five-year program, calling
on all churches to accomplish these
Objects: One million baptisms. 5000
missionaries increase of ministers
and missionaries fund to $4,000, 900,
the raising of s6,OoOOOO for education,
an annual budget of $6,0OO,0OO for mis-
sions and benevolence.
Great contributions have been
raised in the United States. mainly
through the churches and allied
philanthropic institutions for the re-
lief of war sufferers. The Jews who
have been active during the year in
the development of their religious ljfe,
especially alert in discussion over the
Zionist movement on both sides of the
question, have recently started
movement to raise funds for those of
their race in stricken lands.
The literary output of the religious
organizations has been unusually
large. The printing Of Bibles was the
largest in the history of the world.
American publishers, in part because
of the war, have even been selling
copies of the Scriptures in England.
The American and British Foreign
Eible societies in 1915 have distributed
the largest number of copies of Bibles
and testaments in their existence.
Mission Interest.
Contributions for missions to the
various denominations have been ex-
ceedingly gratifying. The Protestant
Episcopal Church has raised $20,000.-
900 for its work and has exceeded its
missionary apportionment. The Meth
odists passed the amount which they
hoped to raise by $105,000. The Ro-
man Catholics have been successful
in obtaining abundant funds and they
have recently started to raise S50O,O0O
for headquarters of the knights of
Columbus in New York.
One of the big religious movements
developed during the year is the
Congress on Christian Work in Latin
America to be held at Panama, Feb
ruary 1920, 1916 The congress is an
outgrowth of the Worlds Edinburgh
missionary conference held in Edin-
burgh. Scotland, in 1910, and is in
tended to bring about unity in Chris
tian denominations of all names But
It has created disturbance in
Protestant Episcopal circles. A
division of opinion exists and some
members of the Home Mission Board
of that church recently resigned be-
cause opposed to the participation of
the Home Board in the congress.
Statistics of the principal religious
bodies in the United States show an
increase of 100000 of members for
nine large denominations. The Pres
byterian Church this year has gained
larger number of new members
than in any year in its history. The
gains of other churches for 1915 are:
Catholics, 242.000; Baptists, $4,000;
Methodists, 100000; Lutherans. 10000;
Disciples, 5O.00O and Episcopalians.
26.000. These figures would indicate
that of the more than 100.0O000o in
habitants of the United States about
40, 900 have church membership.
Causes of Increase.
The increase of membership is due
to a number of causes. One is the
specialized movements such as the
Forward Movement of some denom-
nations and the Laymen's Move
ment. Another cause Is the wide ex
tent of evangelistic work conducted
during the year. Not only Rev. Will
liam A. Sunday, but many other
evangelists less known have had
largely attended meetings and many
converts. Still another cause is the
reflection of people on religious mat
ters induced by the reaction from ma
terialistic tendency. This increase in
membership in the churches is the
answer to the hastily written state
ments of a year ago about the wan
ing of religion and Christianity. The
churches have realized to consider
able degree that they are being put to
the test by the present situation cre-
ated by the war. When all seemed to
be going we'll; missionary work un-
der most favorable conditions; the'l
peace of the world becoming a
bigger idea than ever, and plans of
international scope promising relig-
ious advance, the world was startled
by sudden devastating war of great
dimensions and tremendous costs
Missionary work is prevented; the
peace of the world is cast to the
winds, and all plans of hope and
faith are made of no effect. But the
churches have recovered from the
shock and have modified their moral
and spiritual forces, are building their
home defenses, and making ready for
a great advance under even more
favorable conditions. it is believed,
after war has passed. CLERICUS.