Methodist Church Reports Membership Losses
The reported net loss of membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church during the last year is nearly 20,000; this is over and above the 257,699 probationers reported. Had there been no loss at all over the previous year’s report, the present membership plus the probationers would have been 3,151,582; but the membership now, including probationers, is but 2,874,037. There were 136 fewer preachers “on trial,” and 246 fewer “local preachers” than a year previous. The report further says: “Whilst 192 new Sunday-schools were added during the year, no less than 2,553 officers and teachers have been lost,” and there are 17,850 scholars less. The Bishop’s address declared, “We are retreating,” and “the lost ground is paved with our dead.” And all this Dr. Moore foretold years ago. The remedy?—It is God’s everlasting Gospel of present truth. There is none other.