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""536 STATISTICS AND CHARTS11 is still, however, difficult to presentoe \Jvetcotnecertain aspects of the statistical returns.. ,. , .,.... ,.,v .,satisfactorily. The difference in the termination of statistical years complicates the task of collectionand publication. For the first time in general tables wehave tried to indicate the period covered by the returns.]n some cases the absence of secretaries or change in theincumbency of the positions made it impossible to secureany returns for the year just past. Some missions make norecords whatever of their work, and some who make themare unwilling to communicate them to others. Many secretaries fail to discriminate in their returns between lack ofdata and lack of facts about which to present data. Somehave forwarded their only records to their home officesabroad. A surprising number keep no duplicates of theirreports, although provided with the means of doing so ;othersshirk the labour involved. These facts have made itnecessaryin some cases to give the figures of last year; inothers to enter no figures at all,in order that what is recorded may represent an understatement rather than aninaccurate record. Figures before the current year aregiven in italics; no figures are given except what have beensecured in connection with the enquiries of the China Continuation Committee, in order to ensure uniformity ofdefinition. In some cases it is apparent that the defiuitioosgiven in the notes are still too incomplete to enable satisfactory replies to be given to the enquiries. In others thereis not yet sufficient uniformity of definition or of practiceto make such returns possible. We are not yet sufficientlyagreed as to such common terms as "station,"out-station,""ordained man," "church," "gifts from the Chinesechurch,etc., to be sure that our enumerations are correct.In spite of these handicaps \\e believe thatwe are ra pi dlv approaching the time when itis possible to present statistics of realaccuracy and great" value, and that the careful study ofsuch returns as are even now available will be rewarding.The series of charts which accompany the statistics shouldenable us to appreciate the trend of our work more fully,it may be stated without fear of successful contradiction

fcTATiSTlCS AND CHARTS 537that the figures here presented are, on the whole, the mosteomplete, the most aeeurate, the most uniform, and we mayadd, the most encouraging which have yet fallen to the lotof a missionary statistician to record.~ . In the statistical returns presented in theYEAR BOOK for 1915 no attempt was made topresent totals where items were lacking in any of the details.This policy has been abandoned in the light of the greatfullness of the records this year. The totals should, however, be used with reserve, and with an appreciation of thefact that in general they fall short of the facts, and in someparticular cases are not at all representative of the truestate of things. Great caution will need to be used in comparing them with the returns of former years, as thedetinitions have in some cases been markedly changed.This is particularly true in the realm of education. Withthe growth of a standard government system and the conforming of missionary education to this standard, this willgradually disappear. It is hoped that the joint action ofthe medical organizations will shortly determine a terminology which will enable us to report with accuracy such asimple item as a "major operation,"about which at presentthe statisticians are all at sea.It is the hope of the China ContinuationCommittee through its statistical departmentto bring together such facts regarding missionary work in China as are capable of statistical enumeration; to assist the local and denominational statisticians inattaining a reasonable degree of uniformity in theirrecords ;to present such of these returns as may be of themost value in determining mission policy, or in givingencouragement and suggestion, and in preparing for thosewho may have occasion to use them such studies of materialin hand as will enable them to employ most wisely theresources at command. In collaboration with the ChinaChristian Educational and China Medical ^MissionaryAssociations these studies will range over the whole field ofmissionary endeavour. During the past year it has beennecessary to gain local experience, study the schedules forsecuring information, correspond with statistical and missionA 67

fcTATiSTlCS AND CHARTS 537that the figures here presented are, on the whole, the mosteomplete, the most aeeurate, the most uniform, and we mayadd, the most encouraging which have yet fallen to the lotof a missionary statistician to record.~ . In the statistical returns presented in theYEAR BOOK for 1915 no attempt was made topresent totals where items were lacking in any of the details.This policy has been abandoned in the light of the greatfullness of the records this year. The totals should, however, be used with reserve, and with an appreciation of thefact that in general they fall short of the facts, and in someparticular cases are not at all representative of the truestate of things. Great caution will need to be used in comparing them with the returns of former years, as thedetinitions have in some cases been markedly changed.This is particularly true in the realm of education. Withthe growth of a standard government system and the conforming of missionary education to this standard, this willgradually disappear. It is hoped that the joint action ofthe medical organizations will shortly determine a terminology which will enable us to report with accuracy such asimple item as a "major operation,"about which at presentthe statisticians are all at sea.It is the hope of the China ContinuationCommittee through its statistical departmentto bring together such facts regarding missionary work in China as are capable of statistical enumeration; to assist the local and denominational statisticians inattaining a reasonable degree of uniformity in theirrecords ;to present such of these returns as may be of themost value in determining mission policy, or in givingencouragement and suggestion, and in preparing for thosewho may have occasion to use them such studies of materialin hand as will enable them to employ most wisely theresources at command. In collaboration with the ChinaChristian Educational and China Medical ^MissionaryAssociations these studies will range over the whole field ofmissionary endeavour. During the past year it has beennecessary to gain local experience, study the schedules forsecuring information, correspond with statistical and missionA 67

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