Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1921-04-08

PF6Sluenr SouTnefn EapLlSL IHSolOgl-
cal Seminary, Who Is Touring South.
Following the close OF the second
year of the Baptist Is Million Cam
paign April 80, several thousand mes
sengers from the local churches are
expected to assemble at Chattanooga,
Tenn, for the seventy-sixth annual
session Of the Southern Baptist Con-
vention. The Convention met in
Chattanooga last. In May, 1906, and
during the interim there has been a
marked growth in every department
OF the Conventions activities and in
the numbers and work of the local
churches as we'll. The total number Of
Baptists reported to the Convention in
1905 was 1,S55,7S4, while last May,
fourteen years later, when the body
met in Washington, the total member
ship OF the local churches as reported
was 2,961,34S, or a gain OF 1,105,564.
The returns for this year are not yet
available, but inasmnch as it Is known
there were practically $4,000 addi-
lions to the local churches last year
by baptism alone. there is every rea-
son to believe the showing for 1921
will be even larger.
Growth shown In All Lines.
AT the same time there has been a
marked increase in the membership
Of the churches, there has been a dis
tinct advance in all departments Of
local and UNCONVENTIONAL work, 1t is
set out. The total number of local
churches has grown from 20,129 in
1906 to 5000 in 1920; the total mum.
Der Of Sunday Schools from 1882 to
1855; and the number Of Sunday
School pupils from S57244 to 1885,
1856, an increase Of more than 100 per
cent. The value Of local church prop
erty has mounted from $4,5O1, 122 In.
1905 to s74,27S, 72S in 1920. an increase
Of more than 1900 per cent, while con.
tributions to missions and benevo-
lences In 1906 were s1'5O1, 369.67, as
compared to 1888. 266.55 in 1920 an
advance Of practically 500 per cent.
Fourteen years ago the contributions
to all purposes in a year we're $5,941,-
2SS.44, as against $2l,327, 446.67 for
1920.
Next Meeting Important.
The approaching session OF the
Convention is regarded as vitality I'm
portant to the future of the denomina.
TONS work. It Is hoped that by the
Convention two-fifths Of all subscrip.
lions to the rs Million Campaign will
have been paid In cash and that the
program for the completion Of the
remainder Of the campaign task can
be formulated at this time. DR.. J. B.
GambrelI, president OF the Convention,
and DR.. z. Y. Mulline. who recently
completed a tour Of Europe, where
they carried fraternSl greetings to the
Baptists Of that continent, will give
their impressions Of Bsptist opportu-
nifty in that country, while DR.. George
w. 'rruet and DR.. J F. Love, who rep.
resented the Foreign Mission Board
at the London Conference last sum-
mer when the missiod fields or Europe
we're considered, VIII tell OF the new
territory Of Spain. Jugo-Slavia, Hun.
gary, Roumania and Southern Russia,
which Southern Baptists are asked to
occupy. This territory is as large as
the Southern States and has a popu-
lation Of 12S.OOO,000.
All the boards Of the Convention
will report the largest years accom-
in their history, the Home
Mission Board being scheduled to re-
port the completion Of its million dol
lar loan fund for church building, in
addition to the aiding of a thousand
churches during the year with gifts
and loans for the erection Of new
houses Of worship. The Sunday School
Board viii report more than 81, 100000 |
IN sales for the year and with collec.
lions as well as sales better than at
any previous time IN It's history.