The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-05
PRESBYTER|AN|SM REALIZES GREATEST
 OF ITS HISTORY

The Presbyterian denomination grew more last year and raised more money than any year in its history.
 This is the report brought homo from the meeting of the Presbyterian general assembly by Dr. J. M Broadly and Elder W. F. Tyler of this city, who were two of the 900 commissioners at this annual legislative body of the de- nomination. It met for ten days at winona Lake, Ind
 Although official figures have not yet been sent out, reports from 5000 of tho 9,700 churches in the denomi- nation show that last year there wore added on confession of faith about 124,o0o new membNrs of Presbyterian churches. Death and other causes re- duced the net gain to 77.000.i This is double the net gain of the year pre- vious-
 Last year the Presbyterians with a membership of 375,000 gave sb,894, 900. an average of $l4.S9 per capita. which 1t Is said is the highest of any denomi- nation in the United States. The pro- gramme for the next three years calls for SPA. .00o, 900, which will be per capita gift of s21.a4 per year.
 For this important work the assem- bly appointed as general secretary tho man of the denomination who. 1t Is said, by reason of his experience Is specially equipped for the position. Rev. M. E. Melvin D. D., who has been and is now conducting campaigns for Christian education.
 Gifts to local expenses and to be- nevolenoes in the denomination in- creased s21, 100000 in two years. prao- tioally doubling the amount of money passing through the hands of treas urers of the church.
 This result has been brought about. according to church officers. by more intensive work on the part of local congregations and on the part of in- dividuals- This growth has ben coin cident with the operation of the New Era movement.
 Gifts to Protestant churches in France, Belgium. Czecho -Slovakta, Hungary and other European countries are to be continued. Thousands Of Hungarians are said to be looking to the Protestant church for religious leadership.
 Twelve Presbyterian colleges the past two years have raised over S5,- 000,o00 as part of 8 campaign where by it is hoped to add $S5,000,00o to the resources of Christian education through the 57 colleges of this denomi- nation in the United States.
 Visitors.
 There were 80 returned missionaries at the assembly, from all corners of the earth, representing 1,500 employed on the foreign field. They were heard at numerous meetings. including the In teresting meetings of the women's boards of missions.
 William Jennings Bryan was one or the well known laymen at the assem- bly, He addressed an audience of near ly 4,000 in the new tabernacle at Win ona Lake on Sunday night during the session, speaking on the need of teach ing the Bible in higher educational In stitutions.
 Miss Alice Robertson, member of Congress from Oklahoma, and a former home missionary of the Presbyterian church to the Indians of her state, was one of the most popular speakers at an evening meeting.
 Woman's Board.
 The woman's board of home missions increased it's work largely last year. having 1,500 more children in schools. l5O0O more patients in hospitals ana adding 54,000 members to mission or ganizations.
 Plans were adopted at this meet ing for a thorough study of all the work of the church with committee instructed to continue investigations looking to a report next year at Des Moines. Iowa. which may reorganize all the fourteen boards and agencies of the church along lines alleged to be more in keeping with efficiency and the present needs of the church
 Another committee was instructed to continue negotiations with other churches looking to organic union or all evangelical denominations An overture furthering this was defeat ed this year, 1t being alleged the ef- fort looked to mere federation. An other effort at union rather than fed eration was made in overtures to the Southern Presbyterian church.