The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-02-20
PROTESTANT FoRElGN MIS-
sIoNs.

foreign mission boards during
1914 was $17, l68,611, according
to statistics made public at the an
Enual meeting of the Foreign Mis-
Isions Conference in New York.
These figures cover the work of
all American organizations doing
educational and philanthropic as
well as missionary work outside
1.-THE United States and Canada, ex-
Eeept, the work conducted under
the auspices of certain other mis-
tsion boards in Mexico, Cuba, Por-
Ito Rico, Hawaii and Alaska, for
which $509,51O was contributed
during the year.
Statistics show that contribu-
tions fell slightly below the
amount received in 1912, the ban
ner year, and exceed by more
THAN 81, 100000 the contributions
Of 1913. In 1901, the first year
for which statistics were avail
liable, the contributions totaled
Sc, 22S,173.
| Natives in foreign mission
fields, the report asserts, contrib
Inted 50 ,243, 1857 to work conduct
led by American missionaries.
There are 1860 missionaries en-
rolled by the several organiza-
Etions, and $780, 86 persons were
baptized during the year-a gain
of 81 ,475 over 1913.
A gain Of $40 churches is re-
ported, bringing the number up
Ito 9,946. There are l606 colleges,
Theological seminaries and train
ting schools, and 1860 other
schools, with a total attendance of
E547,73O.
Great Britain and continental
Europe again fell below America
Fin the amount of contributions,
Eaccording to the latest available
figures, those Of 1913. The
Iamount of their contributions
was $13,6S4,4n. All Christen-
dom, the report asserts, contrib
Euted $50, 131 ,234 to foreign mis-
Isionary work in 1913, America
contributing approximately one
Ehalf.
The foregoing report shows
that Protestants give generously
to the support of the Foreign Mis-
Ision work Of their respective de-
nominations. Taken as a body,
Ethey give more generously than
ICatholics do for similar purpose
1.-THE heads Of Catholic missionary
organizations, whether home OF
foreign, maintain that Catholics
Ehave not shown as much gener.
kosity towards this phase of Cath
Eolic religious activity as it's i'm
lportance demands. This, no doubt
Eis true, il we take into consider
Lation the actual amount which
lCatholics contribute for mission.
larry, work. But it must not be
Forgotten that Catholics have
Imany calls on their generosity
1.-The Church in America, especial.
lily, has not yet passed the brick
land mortar stage OF its develop.
Ement. Each parish and. each do
Iicese had its pressing needs fo1
1.-THE relief Of which Catholics are
I.bearing a heavy financial burden
They are building churches, erect,
ling educational and charitable
institutions, and contributing to
1.-THE. ordinary up-keep of religion
lin it's various phases of activity
i The demands made upon Catho
.llics for the running expenses,
Iso to speak, of religion is much
lgreater than the demand made
lalpon .Protestants for similar pur
lposes. We have not so many
wealthy Catholics to add to the
Isum total contributed for any spe
lcific purpose. When all these
| things are taken into cOnsidera
| ton we have reason to be prouC
lof what Catholics have done ano
lare doing for the mission work o.
the Church. Above all we mus
mot conclude that they are no
doing their share in this regard
OF course, larger sums might b.
given for this purpose but never
ltheless, the sum total OF Catholic
contributions for home and for
4 eign missions is considerable
, though not so large as it will be
lnow that the missionary spirit o
II Catholics has been more full.
iaroused and they are seeing thel
& way out from under the financia
1 burdens which have pressed s.
Heavily upon them in the past.
We must not forget that tn
results accomplished by the mis-
3 sionary activity Of the Churcl
y are much greater and more last
,ling than those attributed to Prot
estant missionary endeavor, TO
Il the whole amount contributed b.
Il Catholics is disbursed for thi
q work, whereas Protestants expent
large sums in purely social servlc
II l. p a Il