p. 8 | A Retrospect by Irving H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 10, 1914

A Retrospect

By Irving H. Evans

EVERY successful business firm takes an inventory at the close of each fiscal year, to determine whether the business has been successful or otherwise. This comparison and balancing of accounts forms the basis for future operations. It is the only way to determine whether there has been gain or loss, and in what proportions. In the same way we learn of the growth of organizations, either secular or religious.

Brother Edson Rogers, statistical secretary of the General Conference, has completed his report for 1913, and it will be most instructive to those who will give time to its consideration.

There are those who have gone from among us who seemingly persist in misrepresenting our work, and in declaring that the denomination is not making progress. They seem to glory in loudly boasting that the “message” has come to a standstill, and that our losses exceed our gains. Let us look at the report for the year 1913, the statistics of which have recently been compiled, and are published in this number of the REVIEW for the benefit of our people.

At the close of 1912 our membership was reported to be 114,206. At the close of 1913 it had increased to 122,386, making a net gain, above all losses by death and otherwise, of 8,180, or 7.16 per cent in one year. The baptisms reported for 1913 were 12,794, or a gain of 11.20 per cent over our 1912 membership. The difference between the baptisms and the net gain is accounted for quite largely by the death rate. The rule used by nations, that man's average life throughout the world is twenty-eight years, if applied to these statistics, accounts for 4,078 deaths, leaving only 536, or less than one half of one per cent loss, for all other causes.

Increase in Funds

Our tithe for 1912 aggregated $1,653,624.54. In 1913 our people paid tithe to the amount of $1,771,989.60, an increase of $118,365.06. The total contributions for home and foreign work in 1912 were $2,702,199.02, while in 1913 they totaled $2,866,727.40, making a gain of $164,528.38. Our total expenditure for the year in all lines of denominational work was $4,002,141.52, an average of $32.70 for each communicant. During the year 1913 the property holdings of the denomination increased $671,720.47, making a total investment of $12,812,783.61 in real and personal property, represented in institutions and church buildings.

Our Publishing Work

No less encouraging is the growth of our publishing work. From our 37 publishing houses and branches, with an investment of $1,488,388.46, and employing 734 persons, we sold and distributed $1,869,714.48 worth of literature, employing 2,060 colporteurs. Our literature sales for 1912 amounted to $1,836,527.86. Thus, in 1913 we increased the sale of our literature $33,186.62, after deducting nearly $150,000, which would have increased the literature sales for 1913 that amount had we followed the same form of reporting as was used in 1912. This literature is printed in eighty different languages, and consists of 360 bound books, 325 pamphlets, 1,200 tracts, and 128 periodicals.

Our Educational Work

Our educational work is also making rapid growth, and many well-trained workers are being sent into the mission fields. We are conducting 786 schools, with a teaching force of 1,511, and a total enrollment of 27,379. During the year 1913, 828 students from our schools entered some department of our denominational work.

Our Sabbath Schools

In 1912 we had 4,450 Sabbath schools, while at the close of 1913 we had 4,732, a gain of 282 in the number of schools. The membership increased from 114,897 in 1912 to 123,068 in 1913, making a gain of 8,171. These Sabbath schools donated $232,682.40 to foreign missions in 1912. In 1913 they contributed $291,711.76, or $2.37 per member. Thus 1913 not only shows increased membership in our Sabbath schools, but increased contributions to the amount of $59,029.36.

Young People's Work

This department of the work is rapidly growing. Its membership increased 5,400 during 1913. There are 964 Missionary Volunteer Societies, with a membership of 19,428. In 1913 these societies contributed $24,380.20 to the work in other lands.

Laborers Sent to Foreign Fields

The year 1913 was the banner year in our history in adding recruits to mission fields. The General Conference sent out 157 missionaries during the year, holding every foot of ground we have gained, and making it possible to open not a few new stations, especially in heathen lands. Surely the Lord has prospered his work, and its growth exceeds anything in the history of this people. Every believer can look heavenward with thanksgiving, for the good hand of the Lord has been upon us, and to his name be all the praise. I. H. EVANS.