Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-09-10
RURAL SURVEY Of
VITAL IMPORTANCE
Religious Statistics Are Secured
From County To BE Used BY
Local Churches
HEARTY COOPERATION ASKED

Information To Be Gathered In Every
Part OF The County According TO
Communities VIII Have Large
Significance
The rural survey department OF the
Tnterchurch World Movement has
been organized to assemble informa'
ton and analyze conditions from
religious standpoint in every county In
the state, according to J. A. J. Brock,
rural survey supervisor for the state
Of South Carolina, with headquarters
at 9O4 National Loan and Exchange
Bank Building, Columbia, 8. G.
In order for the churches Of com.
munlty to carry on their work OF
evangelizlng the territory In which
they are situated and to contribute
their share towards the complete
evangelization Of the world, which Is
the ideal in every Christian heart. It
is necessary that the actual condl-
lions which exist In each county be
discovered. Because Of the vital I'm.
portance Of this work, the movement
is calling upon the pastors Of all do
nominations and others who are In
formed relative to religious conditions
to render all the assistance possible
towards the completion Of the work.
This information. after being tabu.
lated by experts, Is taken back to the
counties. where the several Protestant
denominations with churches in the
county comparatively study It and de-
eide on the county's church needs.
Recommendation are made by the
county churches Of each denomina-
ton that so desires. to the denomi.
national home mission. Sunday school
and other boards so that these boards
can cooperate intelligently and efiec-
lively with the local county church
organizations.
The Interchurch World Movement
is attempting to do its work on
democratic basis. II is neither dictat.
ing nor attempting to dictate to any
church or denomination what shall be
done The denominations in each
county must decide unanimously
among themselves on any joint coun
ty program for church betterment be.
fore It Is adopted or undertaken with
the cooperation Of the Interchurch
World Movement The survey depart.
ment is designed to help build up and
meet the needs Of the local churches
through the local and county denomi.
national interests.
An lnterchurch World Movement
survey OF a county develops facts as to
a., the county's geographical location and
the general character OF Its agricul
tural. commercial and industrial life
its road system and means Of inter
communication. public school system
:. and other educational institutions, vel
:. fare and benevolent institutions. othel
: organizations and individuals engag
ed In public service for the entir,
:. county.
Accompanying general survey o
n a county is more detailed survey O
\, each community. a community bein
a, regarded as unit OF territory an
NJ population characterized by commo
a. economic and social experiences an
~ interests.
OF The community survey designate
1e the outline and location OF the con
e. munity on information acquired fro1
A. storekeepers, bankers and other Il
IS formed persons. Territory not del
Q nitely included within the limits
any trade community is considered
connection with the communities
1. which 1t Is contiguous and to whis
IN. 1t is most closely related. Thus I
ne area is omitted In the enumeration
m. population and other statistical
nj. formation. The survey takes accou
he Of the community's economic CONF
he tions, such as natural resources, chi
oa sources OF income. soil. climate al
10 market conditions, relations Of far
10. ers and business men, industrial dat
to etc. The social life and organizatio
ina OF the community are covered in {
am tail, together with other informati
to throw light on the state Of the
clal mind.
"a, The third link In the survey chs
wa Is the survey Of each church In ca
de. community This sets out the lo
IN ton. denomination. minister date
ma. organization. descriptive data as
,ct. buildings and equipment, membersh
,ts regular and special meetings and t
ulated results therefrom, statistics
- to area covered by the parish, NUM-
=. OF families reached. parish probe
80 ~. and other data to give a compreh
~. ~ sive vision Of the parish, and sup
anu mented by information as to the
~ gram Of work outlined for the chu
aN- by the pastor and the official boal
~. The triple surveys-county. C
n" munity and church-assemble all
.ua formation that may be needed to
10" the individual churches and demo
'so1 nations In working out their pres
problems and future programs OF
the velopment. so that wasted effort i
IN be eliminated and unproductive
sons tivities Of each denomination may
nave transferred to productive fields.
cnes The need OF such a systematic ST
ada. of church conditions is apparent
has the results OF investigation alrt
It all made In some sections Of the So
with II the churches are to accomplish
dove greatest possible amount Of good
dis. conditions found TO exist In a
quarters are rather startling In
eces- county In the South, for insta