The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-11-21
C0IRHii

Christmas DO ttGf aes1ans' Sc IS $500
Total. 2s,Ca s,As 4,4ss,s4a
If allow 70 900 churches for those Methodist denom
nations that left blank in the table will find that
the whole number of churches in the United
The number Of Ministers amount to. ...... s2,5es
And the number OF COMMITMENTS. "A, 456,5a4
From this ii appears that the whole number of re-
gular communicates is about one-fiith of the po-
pulation of the United States.
If we put down the cost of erecting all those
churches at between and $4,000 each, the gross
amount paid for that purpose will be 1906 $780,
900. The gross amount OF money expended in reli-
glous worship will then appear to be as follows =
Salaries Of 80 500 Minister'S at $500 EACH 2sl 800
Interest at per cent on the cost of the
cnurcnes. .......:.. ......... ....... lS,333,SOo
Total .sa4, Ga, 800
Thus we see that the religious worship OF one
fifth part Of the people of this country costs annu-
ally the immense sum of S34,6l4,sOO, being great
amount than is required for the expenses of the
government and all its branches, to which may be
added several millions more. paid in supporting and
holding missions abroad.
Ofthe Ministers, the Episcopa lians are the latest
and best paid, and the Methodists and Catholics the
poorest-the latter frequently being paid no stipua
y,
gregations-a coat from one-a pair of breeches
from another.
We understand that the progress Of the Catholics,
within the last ten years, has been very rapid and
greater proportion than the Protestants. In 1884
their houses Of worship numbered 272, while in 1916
the number has increased to 675, with over l,0O0,-
600 OF communicates
The Catholics are generally confined to the cities
and small towns; the Baptsts are scattered princi-
pally over the West and Southwest and the Eplsco-
palians are strongest atthe East. The Episcopaan
Methodiss are the most numerous sect in the coun-
try, and the Reformed Methodsts the smallest.
Another singular TACT we will mention while we are
on the subject is that in politics the wing party Is
composed principally of Episcopalians and Presby-
terans, and the locofoco party is made up of Catho
lies, Methodists and Baptsts.
Many curious reflections suggest themselves to
the mind on examining the above table. Is 1t not
singular that the religion of one-th part of the en-
tire population of these United States should cost
than is required to defray all the expenses Of
the Government, in all its branches I! We have al
ways been of the opinion that the property of true
religion is to give, or, as 1t Is more significantly
expressed by the best authority in these matters,
"to visit the fatherIess and widow in their afflic-
TONS" Here, however, it would appear, if these
tables are to be relied on, that the various sects
which overspread this vast country gather from the
community larger sum annually than the whole
revenue of the Union. Ii is tax paid by this great
nation metaphysical tax, collected from the mass
of the people, exceeding in amount the whole reve-
nue. OF the customs, and that produced by every
species of taxation, direct or indirect. We hear
great outcries made concerning the patronage Of
the General Government, and doubtless it is great;
but what shall we say Of the powers of sectaran
patronage, when as here perceive, it yields the
mighty power Of distributing $346l4, 300 among its
various chieftains!
There is, however, another point of view in
which this subject may be regarded, and there is
something sad and melancholy in the contemplation.
What can be more melancholy than to reflect that
so large an amount Of money should be gathered
(and thence we are given to conclude that it is
cessary) to support the religion, the mental aspra
tons, the meetings and exercises of but one-ffth of
our whole populations Then, again, how sad to
behold the futile effects of all the zeal of the seca-
rian phalanx With this vast sum at their COM
mand, sum almost sufficient to bride twice the
number OF people, they only succeed in converting,
feven so much can be said OF them, a fifth OF the
whole population
Without extending our remarks on this prolific
subject, we will content ourselves with laying down
a few general principles, and even truisms, which
force themselves to view examining these state
mens. And first, then it is plainly to be perceived
that something more is wanting than money to ex-
tend the domain OF pure and genuine religion
Again, 1t is evident on inspection Of the tables, that
those two sects which gather the least amount of
money, have extended themselves, and are extend
ing throughout the country, more than their
weather. rivals And lastly, when we take
survey OF the moral condition Of the country. and
compare the advance OF public morals the spread Of
sound moral feeling Throughout, the Union, pain
full as the reflection is. yet the fact must be anna
rent to all observers, tina, the increase OF moral
good, and the spread OF virtue, happiness, and con-
tentment, is inversey the efforts and spread OF the
religious sects; IN other and palmer words. the
more the religious crusaders flourish, the less does
truth, virtue, and moral improvement progress and
prosper.
DISTINGUISHED MovEx KNIs--The Hon Daniel
Webster arrived al late hour on Wednesday eve.
ming at the Astor House, from Boston, and proceeded
the next morning TO Albany. The Hon. Judge
Spencer will be found also among The arrivals Al
the Aston.
GENERAL. CAss and family are 4, present \, the
American Hotel, where they will remain \ few
days They are en- rosf, Tor Washington.
Notices OF New Books.
1REESHow's HrsToRY or OREGON AND CaLryoR-
SMrrIhlrd Editlon-By Appleton 81 Co, N. York.
..n,Iv asoL presents accounts clear and sufli-
all ft. a