Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-01-28
a oral a1t0 Afl(Ntnsse.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

published schedule of the different de.
nominations of Christians in the United
States, 10 correct several erroneous
statements" which have been r,,ade,
From this and other sources, the follow
ing summary is collected.
Presbyterians.-The writer enumer-
ates IL different Synods, in which are
included 53 Presbyteries, 1901 Congre.
cation, 682 Ministers. and SIT desti-
tnte Churches.-tE1- The Presbyterians
very generally, reject the Hopkinsian
theory, and are almost exclusively Cal
vinsts.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES include
Hopkinsians, Calvinists, Arminians and
Unitarians.) 1896 churches, 846 Minis
tiers and 243 destitute hurches.-There
are probably between 100 and 200
churches out of New-England, which do
not appear in this table.
Baptisls--(which probably include
Calvlnistic, or Particular Baptsis, Free
willers and General Baptsts, 149 asso-
Citations, 3l03 churches, 1883 Ministers,
and 1920 destitute churches.-The Co.
lunblan Star reckons $3.50 churches,
$500 Ministers, and 100000 communi-
Giants, and adds, "We have no doubt,
that the Baptists are in effective strength,
the most numerous denomination of
Christians in this country"
EPaScopalians. All Congregations, and
3G9 Ministers. Returns imperfect. The
whole number of Churches is believed
to be between and 500.
Methodisfs. -12 Conferences, (answer-
ing to Synods in the Presbyterian Church)
$500 churches, travelling preachers,
1926, local preachers, 5000, white mem
bers, 967, 1918, coloured members, 44,922
Dutch Reformed Church.-o Synods,
81 churches, rs Pastors, 81 vacant
churches.
German Reformed Church.----4l1
churches, 10 Ministers, excess of church
es, 1888.
Friends.--In 1919, the number of So
cieties was 525. They are now esti-
mated at above 800.
UniOerSal1sts.- Estimated at 200. and
the Ministers, at 1870.
Roman Catholics-9O churches, and
100 Clergymen.
Chr'stians.-(called Christ-ians) 11S
Churches, and 143 Elders. ln this es-
innate the Churches in New-York and
Ohio are omitted. In New-York the
ordained Elders are reckoned at Al.
Mr.. R. Potter, an elder of this Society,
and editor of the Gospel Palladium, in a
letter to Mr.. G. Smailfeld in England,
calls this sect a species of Baptists, as
they admit baptism in no other way than
by immersiag the candidate" The first
church of this denomin nation was planted
in Portsmouth,. H. in 1908, since which
they have spread East, West, North, g.
South. They have now, says Mr.. P.
ESQ churches, and their COMMITMENTS
are computed at between $4,000 and 20.
600. g MANY of their churches are large
and respectable" They reject useless
forms and ceremonies-aIi human creeds,
and articles of faith, and receive the
Scriptures as their only rule of faith and
practice. They are in sentiment Anti
Calvinistic and Anti-Trinitarian, aud dis
claim the appellation of Reverend, to the
Clergy, on the ground that it belongs to
Deity alone. This is the last dcnomi-
nation that has arisen in our country,
which has made any considerable pro-
gress.
REFLEcToN.-lfpeopl would say Tess,
and read more, (not books of controver-
sy, but the plain, simple truths of the
B56le,) should not we soon find the
"midde wall of PARTITION" which has
been raised so high, beginning to decay,
and Christians +" walking together in
all the commandments and ordinances of
the Lord, blamcless %
| CoNsoLATIoN.-The life of man on
earth is doomed to be clouded with va
rious evils. Throughout all ranks the
afflicted form considerable proportion
OF the human race; and even they, who
have title to be called prosperous, are
in some periods Of their life. obliged to
drink from the cup of bitterness. The
christian religion is particularly entitled
TO our regard, by accommodating itself
with reat tondo rnosq IN fhis disf rnasad