CHURCH CENSUS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1166, 29 June 1911, Page 8

CHURCH CENSUS.

■ * . REMARKABLE FIGURES. Some remarkable comparative statistics relating to the numerical strength of both the Church of England and the Free Churches were given in the "AVcstminster Gazette," ofllay 15.. "The comparative statement of Church membership, so far as England and AVales is concerned, cannot be described as altogether encouraging," it states. "Population has increased, but the numerical strength of the Churches—more particularly the Free Churches—does not keep paco with the enlarged opportunities. Churches, sittings, and ministers aro continually being augmented, but the ordinary. test of successful religious work shows that there has occurred a slackening of grip on the people by Nonconformist Churches, which has continued in some cases for the past five years/' ■ Tho Anglican' Church, however, has reported increases in communicants and in other directions. For the three years 1907-8, 8-9, 9-10, there is a steady growth in communicants. Sunday scholars, Sunday teachers, and Bible-class attendance. 'Communicants have increased by 141,005, Sunday scholars by 70,688, and teachers by -1915, and there are substantial increases in the Bible-classes. The Anglican Church is behind the Free Churches in Sunday scholars and teachers, and there are probably three-quarters of a million more scholars in their schools than in those of the Established Church. The Anglicans aro now, however, on tile up-grade, not only in numbers, but also in respect to the training given to the teachers.

One important shrinkage, must, however, be noticed. Tho last figures of confirmation are 13,166 behind those of the previous year, so that 1910 is only 51 in advance of 1907. Four years' figures show the up and down movement ; 1907, 229,940; 1908, 237,259; 1909, 213,457; and 1910, 229,991

"For fijur years tho Baptist membership has shown a steady decrease. In 1906 it was returned at 434,741, or over 16,000 higher than to-day; yet during that period churches have increased by 140, and the seating accommodation by 41,000 sitting?. Correspondingly a decrease of 14,000 Sunday scholars is. reported, while tho teachers havo increased by 1600. Pastors in charge <iro less by two, and as compared with 1905 the number of local preachers has also decreased. In nearly every instance the machinery and equipment havo been improved, while the membership has declined. The Baptist figures include those for the whole of tho United Kingdom.

"A small decline in Congregationalist membership has set in since 1907. In that year the figures were 459,603, or 4853 more than to-day, so that the Congregationalists have only suffered less than a third of 1 the. decrease experienced by Baptists in respect to membership. There Jias, however, been a greater drop in the number of Sunday scholars. In 1006 these totalled 698,405. To-day they have decreased by 30,370—this figure is more than twice that of the Baptists, while the teachers have increased by oyer 3000. The Congregational figures rclato only to England and Wales. "The figures collected by the 'Methodist Recorder' and recently published show that the Weslevan Connexion has again suffered a decrease. This has happened now for five years in succession. The decrease this year is 3219, compared with 2299 in 1910, 1144 in 1909. 4424 iu 1908, and 2031 in 1907. The total' decrease in the five years is 13,120, or about 2.4 per ccnt. There is also a drop of 7000 in the number of Sunday scholars as compared with the previous year." The "Daily News," which gives the Nonconformist point of view, states:— The salient fact, that the membership of tho Fren Churches has declined in recent years, is, of course, known and fully admitted. It is a thing of some moment, but it is not to be accepted or used for purposes of comparison without, proper consideration of all tho factors involved. Take, first, the total figures given in the table. The communicants in the Church of England, counted at Easter, are said to number 2,283,044 for tie year 1909-10; members of the Freo Churches (fourteen denominations), 2,051,284. The former figure shows an increase on preceding years, the latter a decrease on the total, though several denominations report enhanced membership. Tho statistics of Sunday school scholars, roughly speaking, exhibit a similar tendency. But several essential points, not brought out in a bare table, must bo taken into account. To begin with, tho Free Church list is far from complete. The Salvation Army lias no place in it. nor liavo several other Nonconformist bodies, which, if added, would make a considerable difference to the total. The statistics provide material neither for an accurate comparison with the. State Church nor a basis for estimating the full strength of the Free Churches in the country.