Quadrennial report : 1909, 1921

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Ouadrennial Report

6?/ the Church Eredlion
Secretary

To the Twenty-Fifth General Conference

United Brethren In Chri^

Convening at Canton, Ohio, May, 1909

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Honored Bishops, Fathers, Brethren, Sisters, and Friends, in the General Conference.
Greeting :

WE ARE lUilLDlNG.

The quadrennium has been one of great activity in the building of churches
and parsonages, malting a gain of almost $2,000,000. The increase in values shows a
larger proportion than in the number of churches built, owing to the fact that much
costlier churches than formerly have been constructed and many old ones were
replaced by larger and better buildings. The aggregate property values now reach
the handsome amount of $10,236,417 as placed upon 4,000 churches and 1,000 par-
sonages. Compared with twenty years ago, when nine-tenths' of our churches were
in rural districts, and rated at $4,000,000, this gives our present property interests an
increased valuation of $6,236,417. During the last decade seven-tenths of the new
churches were built in towns and cities. These facts plainly show the sweeping
transition that has been made from being almost solely a country church to one that
is courageously grappling with the problems in establishing herself in the growing
towns and cities all over the nation.

AN INDISPENSABLE FACTOR.

In this achievement the Church Erection Society has been an indispensable
factor. Our forward march proceeds no faster than the pace of this essential agency,
in furnishing churches. Others may find the places, but it is left to Church Erection
to secure them. In the country our constituency and friends builded the churches,
but in the rushing towns and cities churches must first be built to make a constit-
uency and friends. With our splendid growth the weight of this work necessarily
multiplies.

It is to be deplored that our Church Erection work is not founded on an
integral basis rather than subdivided into almost as many independent or local
organizations, as there are annual conferences, aside from the General Society. These
conditions do not mean simply a distraction of funds and energy, but that which Is
worse, they provincialize the work and compel the doing of here a little and there a
little, whereas the supreme duty of the hour for this department is to encounter the
larger and needier fields at a greater cost and task than we are able to perform under
our present plan.

As we have established Indianapolis, Columbus, Kansas City, Mo., Chicago, Omaha,
Oakland City, Riverside, Los Angeles. Walla Walla, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Galesburg,
Hamilton, Cincinnati, Wilkensburg during the quadrennium, so in a more triumphant
way, entailing a greater expense, we should very soon gO' into Philadelphia, Pittsburg,
South Bend, St. Louis, Kansas City, Kan., Decatur, Scranton, Buffalo again, Chicago
in many places, and other great cities, as well as into the new and prolific sections
of the country that are now being opened by the Government, traversed by continental
railroads, through which constant streams of our good people are flowing to these
lands of promise. Shall we not claim our heritage as an American church with our
loyal, genial, American spirit? To invade these many waiting places, with the assur-
ance of success, demands a united front along the whole line.

Our conference boards are doing a good work, and in a few of the stronger
conferences commendable enterprises liave been set in motion by them, but the
fact nevertheless remains that there should be a general, dominant plan and purpose
in all of our mission building work, championed by all our leaders, and thus vic-
toriously lay siege on the great fortifications of sin, supported by a solid Church.
This is an age of concentration of capital and energy and from the stupendous com-
mercial and industrial conquests all around us we should learn that the largest
building enterprises can be handled only by united foi'ces.

As affairs are now conducted, the General Board is not in touch with the
work of our conference boards, and neither can it be, for they are beyond its reach.
Honored members of the -General Conference, none of the other great, aggressive
churches presume to administer their affairs under such a lame policy. Dr. Charles
H. Richards, Secretary of the Congregational Church Building Society, says: "We have
no indejjendent or State societies, for which we are grateful. Such a plan, in our
judgment, does not work well." Dr. Robert Forbes, Corresponding Secretary of the
Board of Church Extension of the Methodist Episcopal Church, writes: "Every Con-
ference Board of Church Extension is auxiliary and responsible to the Parent Board."
Dr. H. H. Weber, General Secretary of the Board of Church Extension of the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church, General Synod, adds: "We have no independent societies.
All work goes through our Central Board." Dr. G. W. Muckley, Corresponding Secre-
tary of the Board of Church Extension of the Christian Church, also says: "We do
not have any State organizations." The splendid success of these boards and the
many churches they are building in their work of extension can only be admired
and dare not be ignored by. us.

We do not mean this to be an attack on our conference beards, but we do most
earnestly protest against our present fallacious system. Under a general, single plan
the interests of each and every conference would be enlarged and better conserved
than they now can -be. With the multiplied increase of funds and power, as a united
order would insure, the work of this department would soon speed with irresistible •
momentum for the permanent extension of God's cause everywhere throughout our
domain.

The policy of separate, provincialized work is obsolete and ought to be dis-
carded by us. This General Conference should harness all our church-erection work
to pull the same way, so as to draw the heavy loads that challenge our combined
strength. The United Brethren Church was never keener of vision than now, never
more ardent in her devotion to the Master's cause. She has a mighty work to ac-
complish, and that this may be well done, let us provide for her a mighty equipment.

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About the middle of the quadrennium the "City Fund" was instituted and
incorporated as a part of the Society's work. This fund was created to be absolutely
devoted to loans for churches in cities having a population of not less than 50,000.
Thus far $17,352.10 cash, and pledges representing about $25,000 more, were secured
by specials, these having been its only source of income. The conference revenues
were left undisturbed in supplying the General Fund. This special work, in part, is
meeting ti long-felt want and is growing in favor with our people.

MONTIir.Y (;II.\1!T.

A chart has been devised to give the results of the canvass for funds. This
method of publication created new interest as it imparted information by telling its
own story each succeeding month through the columns of the Telescope. The goals

fixed at $26,500, $30,000, $35,000, and $50,000 for the years of the qiiadrennium in the
order named, have been reached, aggregating $141,000. These figures represent all
that was secured in cash, contingent notes, real estate, and mortuary notes.

THE EASTEK Al'PE.VL.

At the Columbus, Ohio, Board meeting, held April, 1907, a departure from the
assessment plan to an open Easter offering was decided upon. Accordingly a prepo-
sition for said change of operation was submitted to and accepted by nearly all of the
annual conferences. The first year's results of the new plan do not show deciderl
gains above the amounts realized the few previous years, through the assessments
and Easter parsonage collections, yet the amounts secured by the pastors who faith-
fully presented the cause to their people justifies the change. This glorious day should
be designated by the General Conference as the special time for Church-Erection
contributions in all our churches, Sunday schools, and Young People's Societies. A
sister church of about the same numerical strength as ours, by a united and
thorough effort on Easter several years ago, secured $40,000 for her church-extension
work.

PAnSOXAGE FUND.

One-fifth of the returns from the Easter offerings, $1,600, was credited to the
Parsonage Fund, and this was its only resource last year. This fund has grown from
$5,911.50 to $12,500.00 during the quadrennium. The time is here when the women of
our Church should be called upon to support this fund. We believe that the many
Ladies' Aid Societies and kindred organizations among us should be enlisted to make
annual appropriations to this work, which is so essential to the domestic happiness
and comfort of our itinerants and their families. Where our women are not organized
for any special work, under the direction of the pastors, they' will gladly, in a private
way, secure offerings each year for this fund. Our mothers, our wives, our sisters.
our daughters are the rightful conservators of the home, and let us here, by action,
dedicate them to the beautiful and tender work of aiding, in their own way, the
Parsonage Fund.

LOT OR GRANT Ft^XD.

The time has also arrived in the history of our work when a Lot or Grant
Fund should be created. Within the bounds of every annual conference there are
towns and cities of strategic importance, to which many of our people emigrate. An
available fund to j)urchase well-located lots in such places as a straight gift to the
probable church, would prove a great entering wedge for subsequent operations.
Such a fund could be sustained by charging a small rate of interest, say from one
to two per cent., on the loans. By this method all our income would be retained
in the permanent funds to the Society. Then, too, there are persons who would be
glad to contribute to such fundamental work.

nOARn OF :vrAXAGER.S.

The Board of Managers elected at the last General Conference, consisting of
the honored Bishops and Doctor Whitney. Dr. H. F. Shupe, Dr. I. H. Albright, Rev.
S. C. Coblentz, Rev. W. F. Parker, J. M. Cogan, Esq., Mr. H. J. Roop, and Mr. J. A.
Weinland, held regular annual meetings at Dayton, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, Chambers-
burg, Pa., and Canton, Ohio. At these meetings the proceedings of the Executive
Committee were heard and ratified. The reports of the General Secretary and the Field
Secretary were also submitted and considered, and other important business trans-

acted. Addresses cf great strength and inspiration were delivered by Hev. C P.
Macklin, D.D., Rev. H.* F. Shupe, D.D., and Rev. W. R. Funk, D.D., all of which were
published in tract form and distributed throughout the Cnurch

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Rev. H. F. Shupe, D.D., Chairman; Rev. H. A. Thompson, D.D., LL.D., Prof.
A. W; Drury, D.D., Mr. L. O. Miller, Treasurer, and the General Secretary composed
the Executive Committee, which held one hundred and four meetings through the
quadrennium, when the correspondence and applications for aid were carefully scru-
tinized. Some of these applications have been cheerfully granted, while others had
to be reduced, or even refused. It may have been for lack of money; it may have
been because the community seemed already over-churched, or because the outlook
did not warrant the risk. But every application received sympathetic and thorough
examination at their hands. Rev. G. P. Macklin, D.D., of large experience, and who
served with distinction for a number of years, because of his removal from Dayton,
to the regret of the other members, was obliged to relinquish the work a year ago.
His vacancy was ably filled by the election of Prof. A. W. Drury, D.D., who proved of
inestimable value as a judicious counselor.

FIELD SECRETARY.

To the energetic and tactful work of Rev. H. A. Sechrist, Field Secretary, is a
great share of the credit due, for any measure of success that has been achieved. His
earnest, yet genial spirit, and gentlemanly deportment have won support and many
friends for the Society everywhere he has gone.

FINANCIAL ITEMS.

Our books were closed on March 31, 1909, the fiscal ending of the quadrennium,
with a cash balance of $4,098.87.

It is to be regretted that after an earnest effort to realize on our outstanding
loans, $35,000 remains unpaid. A portion of this amount is long overdue. It would
be well to place a larger measure of responsibility on our annual conference author-
ities for the prompt refunding of these claims, which is very essential in granting
relief to the many waiting churches.

At the Dayton board .meeting the Treasurer was ordered to deduct one per
cent, for the defraying of incidental expenses on all loans made.

It will be observed that the death notes secured during the quadrennium have
not been invoiced because of possible contingencies, which amount to $29,900. They
have all been legally written, and will doubtless at some future time prove a source
of handsome revenue.

Neither could wills nor bequests be listed, for they are usually of an uncertain
kind and quantity. Yet we have knowledge of some persons who have generously
remembered the Society in this manner. There are now two cases pending in the
civil courts, where wills devising liberal amounts to the Society are being contested.
It is believed that both cases will finally be decided in our favor.

The Annuity Fund is becoming more popular, the better its benefits are being
understood. A five per cent, rate of interest is usually paid on these investments,
though in a few instances six per cent, has been demanded. Eleven thousand dollars
for this fund have been secured through the quadrennium.

Our capital, as taken from the Treasurer's books, now amounts to $228,662.09,
including all the assets that have been invoiced, cash, real estate, and notes.
This makes a net gain of $91,212.11 for the quadrennium. Had not the business de-
pression of last year interfered, it is believed a round $100,000 might have been
reported as so much increase to the several funds of the Society.

RECAPITULATION.

For the From the

Quadrenniiim Beginning

Total net assets secured $91,212 11 $228,662 09

Loans on churches 112,255 00 404.005 00

Loans on parsonages 9,900 00 17,800 00

Number of churches aided 86 527

Number of parsonages aided 18 47

Refunded loans '. . 63,109 42

NOT TNVOICKI).

Mortuary notes $29,900 00 $46,250 00

Beqliests 35,000 00

Retained by conferences 23,582 00

Special for Southern District 500 00

Kansas City Church 9,265 00

Oakland, California, Church 873 00

RECOMMENDATIONS.

1. That independent cr conference Church-Erection Societies be made auxil-
iary to the General Society.

2. Easter be designated as Church-Erection Day, when offerings for this cause
shall be taken in all our churches, Sunday schools, and Young People's Societies. This
plan to be in lieu of an assessment.

3. The creation of a "Lot Fund" for the purchase of desirable lots in stra-
tegic places, tc be donated to the conferences in which they may be located.

4. Our Ladies' Aid Societies and kindred organizations be enlisted to make
annual solicitations for the Parsonage Fund. Where such societies do not exist, that
the pastors be requested to appoint one or more of the women cf the church to gather
funds for it.

Respectfully submitted,

H. S. Gabel, Secretary.

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Quadrennial report : 1909, 1921.

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