Evening star., 1923-05-18
SOUTHERN BAPTISTS
REPORT PROGRESS
Marked Growth Noted in Sunday
School and B. Y. P. u. Work.
Convention Reports.

By the Associated Press.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, May 18.-Mark-
ed growth was experienced by Southern
Baptists in their Sunday school and
B. Y. P. U. during the last year. ac-
cording to the annual report of the
Sunday school board. presented to the
southern Baptist Convention today by
DIR. /. ]. Vanness Of Nashville, Tenn.
total Of 20.935 local Sunday schools
are reported. with combined enroll
ment Of 2.220.035 pupils, while the num-
ber of Baptist Young Peole's Unions
are given as 1888. with a membership
Of 4S3.166. There has been a gain dur
ing the past year Of $500 unions and
167, ,434 members.
Total Church Membership.
The statistical report Of the board
shows there are 27.919 churches affil-
lated with the Southern Baptist Con-
vention, with a membership Of 3.366.211.
One OF the prominent features Of the
boards field work the last year was its
rural campaign for the development Of
the Sunday schools and B. Y. P. US In
seventeen states Of the convention ter
rtory.
During the last year the boards re-
ceipts were 1888, ,300.5S, and from its
earnings the board invested $273,931.22
in general denominational work. the
secretary reported. A new publication
in Russian for the use of Russian immi-
grants. while another departure is the
provision Of worker for the promotion
of daily vacation Bible school work.
Report ON Student Activity.
The convention today has before 1t
the report of the interboard commission
on student activity, which Is seeking to
state and private schools n deeper So
cial, religious and denominational life.
The Baptist schools of the south have
an enrolment of approximately 10000.
Recommendations as to a program for
general missionary. educational and
benevolent enterprises of the denomina-
ton when the $75,0O0.000 campaign has
been concluded are scheduled for con.
sideration this afternoon.
Condemns Evolution Teaching.
A resolution condemning the teaching
of evolution read to the convention was
referred to committee after a motion to
table had failed to pass.
The resolution commended the trus-
tees of William Jewell College of Lib
erty. Mo. "for putting to death in that
institution this order or system OF
tea ching" condemned 'such teaching,
and feels that its adherents, processing
Christianity and at the same time deny
ing the source thereof. are highly in
sane on the phantom of higher educa-
tion." and asked that q commission be
dppblllttu W diu III dDOul IIic
death of all such teachings"
The reading Of the resolution brought
many delegates to their feet. some Of
, fering substitutes. some requesting the
striking out of the name of William
Jewell College and others raising points
of order.
Personal Service Work.
Indicating the extent to which the
organized Baptist women of the
south, through the Woman's Mis-
sionary Union, have carried on per-
sonal service work in their local
communities during the past year. it
was reported by the personal serv-
ice department of the union at the
annual session of that body here to-
day that a total of 215 good will
centers have been maintained. 4s3
mission Sunday schools conducted.
III home makers clubs operated, 907
cottage prayer meetings maintained
and 33 boys clubs conducted. while
other phases Of this general char
acter Of work maintained during the
year include the following:
The conduct Of 121 cheer-ali clubs.
30o bits Of rescue work, 81 kinder
gartens. rs day nurseries. SO vaca-
tion Bible schools, while 1873 local
societies engaged In sewing for the
poor. 15S carried on Americanization
work in their communities and $50
did prison work.