Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1922-03-10
Federal Councils Statistics Show
War Losses Being Steadily
Overcome.
45,997, 1893 CHURCH MEMBERS
Various Religious Bodies Report 1885,
fo4 Congregations, Headed by 2oo,-
900 Ministers-Tota Constitu-
ency 100000.

Washington, ID. C.-Every day dur
ing the last five years an average of
2,173 persons Joined the various
churches of America. An average of
three congregations have been organ
lied daily and the average number
joining the ministry has been four
and one-half persons day.
The figures are furnished by DR.. e.
0. Watson, Washington, secretary of
the Federal Council of the Churches Of
Christ in America. The statistics show
that the churches are steadily over
coming their war losses. Total church
membership of the country is placed at
45,99T 1919, an increase of 4.070,345 over
the 1916 census figures and indicates
gain of more than million members
for the preceding twelve months. The
various religious bodies report 233, 104
congregations, headed by 100000 min
listers. This is gain of 5,617 congre-
cations and 1924 clergy over the gov
eminent figures for 1916
Increase in Ministers Total.
While there has been much talk Of
shortage of ministers, the increase in
clergy has been approximately 90 per
cent more than the increase in the con-
gregations. The 1904 difference be-
tween ministers and congregations
does not indicate a corresponding
shortage of pastors.
OF the persons listed officially as
church members, the Roman Catholics
have 17,8S5,646. The Catholic figures
represent estimated population, includ-
ing all baptized persons. Protestant
bodies count only communicates.
The 30 bodies related to the Federal
Council of Churches have 1898, 115
members. They have a total of 142, 472
congregations manned by 113,761 cler-
gy. Their gain in membership over
the preceding five years is 1,245, 1886.
Their total constituency is 55.S12, 722.
gain of 3,44S,61S over the 1915 GEN.
sus figures.
Total constituency" 100000.
The total religious constituency Of
the country Oncluding all members
and "adherents') is estimated by Doc
tor Watson at 95,85S,096 persons. Ow-
ing to different statistical methods of
the various churches these figures are
estimated in accordance with studies
made by statisticians. On this basis
the constituency of various bodies is:
Protestant, 74,795, $780, Roman Cath
Ollie, II, 1886. 646 Jews, 100000; Latter
Day Saints (Mormons), 1,646,17O.
The Jewish bodies have different
methods of reporting. Volume % of
the American Jewish Year Book esti-
mates the Jewish population of the
United States at 100000.
For the first time the combined Bap-
lists have passed the combined Meth
odists in total membership, now hav-
ing 1885, $50 members against Meth
odist membership Of 7,797,99 The
Lutheran bodies stand third with a
membership of 2,46S,645 persons and
the Presbyterians are fourth with g.
3S4,6S3 members.
Largest Protestant Denomination.
The Methodist Episcopal church
(North) reports an increase In men,
bership of 220,870 over the 1916 figures
and 62,595 members over last year. 1t
is the largest single Protestant COM
munion. The Methodist Episcopal
church (South) shows gain of 91,-
315 members for the preceding year.
fits total now being 2,346,O67. The Prot
estant Episcopal church shows gain