The Tribune

Protestant church leaders throughout the nation are gravely concerned with the U. S. Census Bureau's announcement of the present estimated and the future populations of the country. The Bureau estimates that the national population has now passed the 168,000,000 mark; that by 1960 (at the present rate of increase) it will be 177,426,000; by 1965, the figure should be 190,000,000; and by 1975 it will have passed the 200,000,000 mark. Church and home missionary leaders see not only social and economic problems growing out of this increase, but many related religious and welfare problems as well. "This means," said one home mission leader the other day, "that the country is increasing at the rate of 7,200 persons (most of them babies) per day. At least one-half of these will be nominally Protestant. It means, among other things, that Protestants should be building at least seven new churches each day—allowing 500 persons for a normal congregation. It means also new educational and recreational facilities in our churches, an increase of 2500 additional ministers graduated from our seminaries each year, and adequate plants to house worshippers; and right now we do not have sufficient building or personnel to meet current needs."