SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST STATISTICS.
By R. F. Cottrell
In the Recorder, the organ of the S. D. Baptists, of March 6, 1862, over the signature of A. H. Lewis, we have the following statistical information : "The report of 1807 (see Seventh-day Baptist Manual) shows 1,648 as the number of communicants. Forty years later, 6,092 are reported, giving an average annual increase of 111. From 1830 to 1846, the last fifteen years of this period, an average gain of 175 is shown, while from 1846 to 1862, a gain of only about 35 is reported, showing a most sad decline in the ratio of our increase within the last fifteen years. The greatest number of additions in any one period during this time, was probably from 1855 to 1858, during which time the denominational gain was greater than the entire real gain since 1846, it being 626, or 208 annually. The fact just stated would seem to denote that this gain was more in numbers than in real godliness. A hasty growth which, 'when the sun was risen, withered away.' The history of the last three years fully corroborates this testimony, for with all the real strength which this rapid growth ought to have given us, we have as rapidly declined during an equal number of years since that time. "A summary of the reports as published in the minutes of our last General Conference, gives the following : From 1858 to Sept., 1861, the gain in the Eastern Association was none; loss, 79. In the Central, gain, none; loss, 22. Western, gain, none; loss, 48. North-Western, gain, 6. Excess of denominational loss over gain, 143. Had the reports of all the churches in the North-Western Association been made entire, there is little doubt but in that, as in every other Association, the loss would have exceeded the gain. Thus our figures show a rapid decline in the ratio of our increase for fifteen or twenty years past, and a positive loss of nearly 150 within the last three years. "Now, it is scarcely possible that such a decline in numbers could take place without a corresponding decrease of vital piety. Could the private heart-history of individuals and churches be read to-day, such would be its story, and in this decline we should find the cause of many of those unpleasant things which are among us. Necessarily our enterprises have gone down with our life and numbers. In the direction of missions, if I mistake not, one man in Kansas, with one in Wisconsin (local), and one in Pennsylvania, the last two being only partially supported by the Board, constitutes our home force. Favorable opportunities for building up societies, and establishing outposts, are lost. Men who would gladly hear the truth, go unwarned, scattered individuals and isolated families are left alone to battle with the tide, and go down, becoming an injury rather than a benefit to truth, because we have no shepherds to look after and defend, no vanguard to press the war into the camp of the enemy." The writer commences his article with the text : "But can ye not discern the signs of the times?" Matt. xvi, 3. And it must be admitted that the facts contained in it are significant. I would not say anything invidious of this people. I am acquainted with many of them, and have been from my earliest recollections. Many of them are my personal friends. And I can say of them in general, as Paul said concerning his brethren the Israelites : "My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." Neither would I boast; for boasting is excluded. We, as a people, have nothing of which to boast, but have much reason of humiliation before God. But we have a right to speak of what God has wrought. During the last few years, in which, according to the above statistics, the S. D. Baptists have been declining, the Lord has wrought more powerfully and effectually for the upbuilding of that truth which is the distinguishing feature of that denomination, than at any time since the dawn of the Reformation. He has raised a people to do and teach all his commandments, probably outnumbering greatly the S. D. Baptists, not from their ranks, with a very few exceptions, but from the quarries. They are to be found in various localities, from Maine to Minnesota and California, and some few on the east of the Atlantic. The Lord has established a printing-office, with a good power-press, and Sabbath-keepers to do the work, and provided the means for the accomplishing a great work, even the gathering together into unity the scattered members of Christ's body. God has raised up writers and preachers to advocate Bible truth, and the Sabbath is sustained by clear and forcible arguments, which Sabbath-keepers before had not dreamed of. Brethren, S. D. Baptists, all of you that fear God, "Can ye not discern the signs of the times?" Can you not see that the hand of the Lord is with the S. D. Adventists? Can you not see that the Lord is at work for his truth, but that the work is taken out of your hands?—that the "kingdom is taken from you," and given to a people bringing forth the fruit thereof? Can you not see that the reason why you decrease, while the work of the Lord in favor of his down-trodden commandment increases, is, that we have truth respecting the faith of the gospel which you have not? Can you not see that we have present truth?—that the Lord is fulfilling prophecy, even the last prophetic warning, through the instrumentality of the Advent doctrine? Think of these things, brethren, and know that if you would have the blessing of God upon your labors, you must embrace the light that is now shining upon the prophetic word.