THE ELEVENTH CENSUS by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 28, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 41.

THE ELEVENTH CENSUS.

By Editor

IN order to get the fullest information in regard to the various religions and denominations in this country, a new feature has been introduced in the Eleventh Census, namely, "Church Statistics." This department is under a special head, and Dr. H. K. Carroll is eminently qualified for the work. If he can have the assistance of presidents and secretaries of the various organizations connected with the different religious denominations, the work will be a success. We trust our readers will do all in their power to make this feature complete and accurate. The following letter from the Department of the Interior, Census Office, Washington, will explain more fully what the department designs to do in this direction:—

To the Editor of Signs of the Times—

DEAR SIR: Having determined to include Church Statistics in the special inquiries to be made for the Eleventh Census, I wish to announce to you, and through you to your readers, my desire and purpose to obtain the fullest and most accurate results possible in this special department. I need not enlarge upon the value of such results to any who are in any-wise interested in church work and progress, and wish to know the numerical strength of the various religious denominations of the United States.

The inquiry will be broad enough in scope to embrace every religious body, of whatever name or creed, however few or many its churches and members, and it will be conducted with the utmost fairness and impartiality. The information sought will be arranged under five heads: (1) Organizations or societies; (2) Church edifices; (3) Seating capacity; (4) Value of church property; (5) Communicants. This is as much, in my judgment, as it will be wise to undertake in this direction for the Eleventh Census.

In order to prosecute this plan successfully and to make the results so thorough and accurate that they cannot be impeached, the government will have to count largely on the prompt and generous co-operation of those in each denomination who are in a position to furnish the information desired. This information cannot be gathered by the enumerators. They are already fully burdened; and the appropriations available for the Census will not admit of the appointment of special enumerators for this work. It is necessary, therefore, to make Church Statistics a special inquiry, and they must be gathered chiefly by schedules placed in the hands of some competent person in each of the minor ecclesiastical subdivisions of the various churches.

The conduct of this special inquiry has been committed to a gentleman whose qualifications for the work will, I am sure, be instantly recognized. H. K. Carroll, LL.D., editor of the Independent, of New York, has consented to assume the duties of the position. Dr. Carroll is now engaged in preparing plans for such a division of the territory of each denomination as will make it comparatively easy for those to whom his inquiries will be addressed, to give a prompt and faithful response. I ask for him, and I am sure you will heartily second me, such cheerful and generous assistance as he may require from officers of the denomination you represent.

Very respectfully, ROBERT P. PORTER, Superintendent of Census.