IF IMPULSE AND UNDERWRITING came from North America and the maps from Great Britain, the materials to be compiled had to be gleaned throughout the world. Thousands of letters had to be written and many hundreds of documents gathered from a multitude of centres. Each society or field report was scanned for data pertinent to the maps, directory or tables. When the printed matter or correspondence received was not in English, those competent to read it were assigned the task. In some cases translations were prepared. Technical words or phrases were weighed to get their values in terms of statistical rubrics accepted for use. Ecclesiastical areas were studied in relation to the political areas chosen as the basis for statistical units. Frequently a diocese or synod or conference extends across political boundaries, and returns had then to be redistributed as accurately as possible.
These processes were carried on with a never-ceasing wish that those who actually live with the facts were within reach for consultation. Moreover, however far afield materials were sought, new sources of information which challenged research were constantly emerging, and the work went forward under the baffling sense that others of significance must certainly be available somewhere, if only they could be discovered in time. Board or mission officials, harassed by pressure of stated duties, all too frequently sent only annual reports, when special and important studies, as of institutional work in particular fields, might have been easily available, if only conclusive thinking on Atlas needs could have been had from the overworked officials.
As the printed reports were scanned for data, many questions arose. Careful study was given these, and finally in many cases recourse was had to further correspondence for validation of statistics already compiled or for additional data. By the time replies were received the lineaments of the particular problems concerned perhaps had faded and must needs be revived by fresh study, or there had been long delay in response and the hour had struck when a decision had to be made and the general processes of compilation pushed forward. 'Nor snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these swift couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,' is chiselled across the front of the New York post office building from which went out and at which arrived the Atlas mail. Nevertheless, even with the marvel of modern communications, there are hazards and hurdles to be negotiated when the information to be assembled for an atlas must be gathered from the ends of the earth and from all the way between. Distance does not lend enchantment to the activities of atlas making.
Apart from the editors, twenty-eight different people served on the office staff for considerable periods, and there were a number of others who served as temporary workers. For many months the staff was never less than twelve in number. Of all the staff only two persons were of experience in earlier atlas or missionary statistical activities. All had to learn the work either anew or largely from the ground up, whatever may have been their previous training. The task of thinking through the atlas problems, that of assembling and compiling of data and that of training the staff had to go forward together. Out of all these processes had to be moulded the final results for publication.
These processes were carried on with a never-ceasing wish that those who actually live with the facts were within reach for consultation. Moreover, however far afield materials were sought, new sources of information which challenged research were constantly emerging, and the work went forward under the baffling sense that others of significance must certainly be available somewhere, if only they could be discovered in time. Board or mission officials, harassed by pressure of stated duties, all too frequently sent only annual reports, when special and important studies, as of institutional work in particular fields, might have been easily available, if only conclusive thinking on Atlas needs could have been had from the overworked officials.
As the printed reports were scanned for data, many questions arose. Careful study was given these, and finally in many cases recourse was had to further correspondence for validation of statistics already compiled or for additional data. By the time replies were received the lineaments of the particular problems concerned perhaps had faded and must needs be revived by fresh study, or there had been long delay in response and the hour had struck when a decision had to be made and the general processes of compilation pushed forward. 'Nor snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these swift couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,' is chiselled across the front of the New York post office building from which went out and at which arrived the Atlas mail. Nevertheless, even with the marvel of modern communications, there are hazards and hurdles to be negotiated when the information to be assembled for an atlas must be gathered from the ends of the earth and from all the way between. Distance does not lend enchantment to the activities of atlas making.
Apart from the editors, twenty-eight different people served on the office staff for considerable periods, and there were a number of others who served as temporary workers. For many months the staff was never less than twelve in number. Of all the staff only two persons were of experience in earlier atlas or missionary statistical activities. All had to learn the work either anew or largely from the ground up, whatever may have been their previous training. The task of thinking through the atlas problems, that of assembling and compiling of data and that of training the staff had to go forward together. Out of all these processes had to be moulded the final results for publication.
