El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-02-20

issued its annual news report on
- Christian conditions in the United
States for the year 1914. and gives
the sum as contributed by Americans
during the year Tor the support of all
churches and their work, and to send
abroad to help what are called mis-
sions. as $410, 600, 600. This is the larg
est amount in the history Of American
Christianity. In addition to II are
charities, hospital and other support
for war and earthquake relief funds,
given always in largest share by
Christian and Jewish people. Bodies
giving largest single sums are the
Methodist, the Baptist the Presby-
terrain, the Episcopal and the Roman
Catholic. The highest average per
person is maintained by the Episcopal
and Presbyterian churches, which was
last year S1975.
Features of the Year.
The striking features Of 1914, accord
ing to the association, were a far more
serious consideration on the part Of the
people for God and spiritual things,
and a far better feeling between re-
ligious bodies heretofore more or less
hostile. The former was Occasioned by
the war and stringent financial times.
The SCALED higher critics have been
in hiding. for the most part, and there
is a wave of Christian orthodoxy such
AS has not been known for generations.
1t extends to almost all bodies to such
extent that all or nearly all are prepar-
ing for religious and spiritual forward
movements.
Spirit Of Unity Manifested.
The spirit Of unity has extended to
Professionals and Catholics alike, and |
has been so marked that the Church !
Peace union, endowed by Andrew Car !
negie to enable churches to use their /
influence to bring an end to militarism /
and wars between nations. has ven !
tured plans to bring about peace be- |
tween Christian bodies themselves. Al &
though just issued, it is known the pro-
pOsal has been well received. This .
peace union now proposes an informal
conference between leaders, the chief |
aim OF which is to make them person.
ally acquainted. It processes to believe /
from new conditions that arose last
wear. that cardinals Gibbons, Farley \
and O'COnneu for Roman Catholics. \
bishops Greer, Lawrence, futile and
Anderson for Episcopalians, and bish-
ops Wilson, Mcdowell and Hamilton
for MethOdists, can be brought to-
gether. It is also assured that leaders
among Baptists. Disciples, and even
Lutherans and others are ready TO meet
For Christian extension IN America
and iii all the world the United states
kept Up its record Of gifts in spite Of
war. Some Individual missionary So
Cieties fell heavily behind in receipts,
but on the whole America led the world
in gifts to work both at home and
abroad To extension work at home
about S45, 000 600 was given, and abroad
S1S,0000O0 Far more careful use IS
made OF money than ever DeIOre, ana
last year witnessed tremendous adj
vances in surveys, in special lines Of
effort like the rural church and the
prevention Of overlapping, and in the
adoption Of scientific management Of
men and things in relation to God and
his cause. Indeed, such improved /
management was a marked feature Of
the year.
Membership increases 7S2,OoO-
Membership growth for 1914 was
782, 600 and the number of. Christians.
enrolled in churches in America. is now
IS. GOO, 900 or 5000, 600 more than a third
of the population. This So Increase
slightly above the average See Metho-
dist church made the karGest growth
OF any in percentages, and me largest
IN its history. Episcopal. Presley erian, /
Lutherans and Catholics grew also in
steady ratios. There are now 1S6 diff
ferent religious bodies, Jews included,
or far more than in any other coun-
try
In the immediate outlook for this ]
year two things appear. one is the
Of Christian and Jewish
leaders TO take advantage Of an end to
the war to push large plans. The ,
other. the introduction Of better bust (
ness methods, and the training of lay
men TO nut them into effect