The Washington herald., 1915-11-14
WHAT CHURCH PEOPLE
ARE SAYING AND DOING

circumstances which had inspired
their writing. ~
The musical program was furnished
by II. c. Streamer. vocalist, and Louis
Van Look, piapist.
No better barometer OF business times
exists than the receipts of the Christian
mission boards. Unless there are special
efforts, as usually there are not, hard
times affects these receipts almost at
once. The situation on November this
year Is that mission boards are, without
exception, receiving larger sums than
last year, and several of them are far
ahead. This applies to Roman Catholic
income from this country, and that in
spite of the fact of larger gifts from
than ever before. The Peters Pence,
going to support the pope and his work,
is larger owing TO the war.
1.-THE Presbyterian foreign board Is
$50, 600 ahead for the first six months of
its fiscal year. The Baptist boards,
home and foreign, are reported slightly
ahead, and the Episcopal board, just
closing its year, has now passed its $780,
900 emergency fund and han ahead of
last year on its general fund $500. The
first named sum was wholly new this
year. Presbyterian women decreased
their gifts by 81. 900. but legacies and in
dividuals more than made good. 1t is
stated that Disciples are ahead of last
eign receipts mn beyond anything in the
of Methodism in America
This showing is even greater than ap-
pears on the surface since almost all
societies, the Catholic alone
excepted, made larger budgets this year
than ever. The large societies counting
on totals of s1.5O0.O0o upward added al
most without exception 800 900 at least.
The Presbyterian foreign board made
budget of sl,75o.o0O from living givers
alone, the largest in its history. Prac-
tically all societies are expected this
year to raise their full budgets and most
expect to go beyond.
To the Methodist board of foreign mis-
sions has come the story OF a poor Chris
tan mother In India who travelled nine
hours with her five children to reach the
little chapel in a mountain town where
an itinerating minister was holding serv-
ices.
How did you ever get here?" asked
the visiting pastor, who knew that part
Of the journey was up hill 50 steep
that the climber had to draw himself
roots.
"Oh," cheerfuIly replied the little wom-
an, that was easy. pastor. Just went
up the hill with one child al a time. COM
ing back for each one till / got them all
up. In order to hear the Gospel message,
even the hardest kind OF journey would
be well worth while
The Presbyterians have a sanatorium
At Albuquerque. n. NJ. in which they
care for tuberculos ministers. II is con-
iucted by the board OF ministerial relief
md sustentation. There is now a total
If about a hundred thousand dollars in
rested in the plant The institution is
lble to take pay patients at the rate of
As per month and hopes to secure en-
iowment SO patients may be received for
5 a week.
Methodists of the North. Just closing |
heir year, contribute s, so, 900 TO foreign |
the largest sum in the history
# American Methodism. The figures in |
Jude both the regular foreign board re-
,eipts and the women's foreign work. |
Both, however, pass all former records. |
The regular receipts of the general for |
ign board were N.1ss.ooO. an increase of
$500 over the preceding year, and of |
ROIlal ICCClplS eS4-TNlus ol 1
100, CO., This increase includes war re-
ief funds. besides some money given for
property purchases. The total is sl,7oo.-
20. while the total for the women
caches $4,000.
Some indication of the growth of /
Methodist work in spite of war conditions |
s seen in the fact that these fields last
ear asked for S954,0o0. This year the |
anne fields apply for s1.S25 900 for regu-
ar work and at least sl.ooo.00o for extern
ion and the purchase of new properties. |
financial times, and everybody |
t work, are given as reasons why en-
husiasts on these fields expect larger
ums this year.
Methodist benevolent societies are this
ear meeting on the Pacific Coast for the
rst time, save that some ten years ago
ne OF them met in Seattle. The foreign
ociety meets in Los Angeles. the home
ocietysin Oakland, and the Freedmen's
id in Pasadena. Women interested in
ONE missions met two or three weeks
ince in Seattle, and women working for
oreign missions will meet in Los An
eles. These agencies collect and dis
ribute upward of ss,ocoOoo a year.
At the recent meeting in Middletown.
I'd, Of the Maryland Lutheran Synod.
ToI. "A H. "entz, IN. ~ gave some
cures illustrating the growth of the /
lutheran church in this country, begin
ing with 1858. when there were 50 men,
ers; 173S. 5000; 1888. 5000; 1s4s, 1S5, 900;
SIS, 10000; at the end of the civil war
1869, $4,000; the centennial year. 600, 000:
SS5, 1000, 600; 1885, .1,5oo,0o0 1906, over
10000; 1910. 2,155. 40; 1913 2.24, 600; 1914.
4i2o0o. and this year doubtless more
han 100000. The growth is said to have
cen more rapid than that of any other
hurch, Including the Roman Catholic,
i this country. |,
On the subject of publicity for the
hurch, Rev. Orvis F. Jordan contrib
ties an article to the current number of
he Christian Century, in which he says:
he very word gospel means news"
he command to publish abroad is one
the inJunctions in connection with
ospel work. There were no newspapers
i Jesus day, but the equivalent in mod
m life was used. Disciples were sent
head as messengers to announce their
ords coming and to give some idea of
hat His messabe was to be. Paul was
OF satisfied with preaching. but used
is epistles to continue a preaching min
try to churches that he might not see
Dr. awhile. 1t is foreign to the spirit of ;
ne BOSpSi IOT uS 10 niue our lamps unQer
ushels. We are to proclaim the good {
eeds of our religion until the faith is {
Ike city set on hiII. We are encour-
yed to proclaim good deeds to the world
the confident belief that the world {
ill giorify our Father In heaven on the i
eceipt Of this good news. Ii
The notion that a publicity campaign
secular and that only secular-mindedi
win have part or lot in such ]
enterprises, Is born of false |