Some Interesting Figures

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Sep 14, 1916

Some Interesting Figures

FROM the statistical report for the second quarter of 1916 of the North American Division Conference, sent out by Brother H. E. Rogers, the statistical secretary, we take the following interesting comparisons:—

“The same rapid advancement in this work as has marked this cause in the recent past, is clearly indicated in the report for the North American Division Conference for the quarter ending June 30, 1916. This progress is revealed in nearly every line, as will be readily seen by a comparison with the totals for the preceding quarter. The outlook before the work in this country was never brighter, the prospects never more encouraging.

Membership

“Before taking up the figures for the report in hand, it might be of interest to glance backward over recent years, and note the gain in membership. In 1906 the membership stood at 58,381, thus indicating an increase during the past ten years of 21,812. Coming down five years later, to 1911, the membership in this territory stood at 60,691, thus indicating an increase during the past five years of 19,502; that is, while the gain during the first five-year period was only 2,310, during the last five-year period the gain in members in this territory has been 19,502. The per capita of total contributions for the entire year in 1906 was $17.99. Current reports indicate an amount nearly twice in excess of that figure,—for 1915, $32.71.

“The net increase in members during the second quarter was 1,325, thus making the grand total membership stand at 80,193. This is the highest membership ever reported in this country. The membership of Sabbath schools is 5,081 more than the membership of churches, or a total of 85,274. The net gain in the membership of churches during the year closing June 30, has been, by quarters, as follows: 1,090, 1,133, 1,209, and 1,325, a total net gain of 4,757. Thus it will be seen that the past quarter has witnessed the highest gain of any of the four quarters of the past year.

“The highest number of persons baptized in any Union Conference was reported by the Pacific Union, namely, 403, with the consequent increase in membership of 401.

Tithe

“The total tithe receipts amounted to $359,580.16, a per capita of $5. With the exception of the receipts for the fourth quarter, which are usually heavier in all lines, this is the highest amount ever paid in this Division in any quarter, and also the highest per capita amount. The highest per capita amount paid by any local conference is that paid by the Saskatchewan Conference, namely, $13.07. The Western Canadian Union Conference has again the distinction of paying the highest amount of tithe per capita of any of the Unions, paying $9.37 for each church member in its territory.

Twenty-cent-a-week Fund

“The total amount received during the second quarter on the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund was $130,749.40. This is a per capita of $1.82. The amount received during the first quarter was $124,096.66, or a total for the six months of $254,846.06. This is the exact amount reported as receipts by the General Conference treasury. The per capita for the first quarter was $1.72, thus indicating a gain of 10 cents per member for the second quarter. The amount is, therefore, just a little over one half of the quarterly goal, namely, $2.60. The last six months of the year must witness a heavy increase in mission offerings in order to make up the deficit for the first six months.

“It should be stated that the basis for figuring the per capita of both tithes and mission offerings is the membership as reported in the annual statistical report for 1914. This will be the basis of figuring during 1916.”

We have occasion for thankfulness that the blessing of Heaven has attended the efforts which have been put forth by our laborers in this Division during the last quarter. And yet there is no occasion for self-gratulation. While we are grateful that Heaven has been pleased to work through our poor, feeble efforts, at the same time, to compare what has been accomplished with the great work yet remaining undone, brings a sobering sense of our own insufficiency and of our dependence upon God. Grateful for past success, let us press forward, seeking a still greater measure of power in future labors.