The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-11
The Anniversaries.

The religious anniversaries commenced on Fri
day last, with the meeting of the friends Of colon-
zaton, at the Tabernacle, a report of which we
furnished in yesterdays paper. These religious
gatherings, which comprise all the prominent
sects, except the Catholics, form an interesting
feature III our social organization. They form
sort Of religious congress, where, probably, six
millions OF souls-one-half the adult population of
the United States-are represented by their respec-
tive ministers and delegates. An immense amount
OF facts and statistics brought light at these
meetings, and by them the community is kept in
formed Of the great increase of the different pro-
minent scots throughout the country. Iii curious
TO trace the rise and progress Of the different sects
that are scattered over the United States. The
Catholics, who form the most prominent and
hourshing community, settled in Maryland the
Presbyterians in New England. Virginia was CO.
lonized by English Episcopalians South Carolina
by French Huguenots. The Quakcrs, under
Penn, formed the peaceful colony of Pennsylvania
The Methodists took their rise from the visit which
John Wesley paid to this country in the middle of
the last century. The other various sects branch
ed off from those which we have named, Except
the Catholics, from which there is no off-shoot at
different periods since their establishment in the
country. II is little singular that the Methodsts
and Baptsts are spread mostly over the interior of
the country, and that the Catholics and Epscopa-
lians are generally in, or in the vicinity of large
cities. The Episcopalians mostly inhabit the Sou
hern cities, and the Presbyterians the small towns
OF New England. To nvestigaae the causes indie
pendent CT their original settlement, of this Gu
nous disposition of those sects in the various local.
ties that we have named would be most
interesting analysis.
The most important distinction that exists in the
religious community, is that between Protestants
and Catholics. This difference consists principally
10 the fact that Protestants profess to RELY upon
bible authority altogether, and the Catholics de-
pend partly upon the traditions ofthe church. Now
AZ Is evident that in the practices of all Christians
-Prt testant end Catholic-there are many inpor-
tan. fsstures which have no Bible authority. and
thelctore must depend upon tradition for their
sanction II is therefore foolish in Protestants to
70 continually accusing Catholics Of hostility to
the Bible, because they have some observances
ths; are not authorized by that holy book. All
the present sects have sprung from the Catholic
church, and they still retain many of the customs
Of that church, for which they have no authority
but hers. All the prominent Christian denomina-
tons have sprung up since the establishment of the
Catholic church, and consequently owe her their
existence. Why, then, make war upon one
nnotheri In Europe, Catholic was prosecuted by
Protestant, and Protestant by Catholic Both side,
were often to blame. But why renew their con-
troversy here, when their joining together, and
hamonizing as one community, and as Christians
ought to do, would be productive of more
good than all their wrangling about I'M
important points Of beliefi For instance, If
the various denominations at those anniversa
RIGS would unite one line of action, and direct
all their energies to the anclioration of their fellow
beings, instead of abusing each other, as has been
too often the custom, what an amount Of good
thcy could produce The influence of these ga
thenngs on the morals and manners of the COM
m"ni'y, would be a most beneficial one. The an
nVersares can be made great instrument for
good or Tor evil. Whyn Protestant and Catho-
nc unite and strive to improve the moral, social,
and intellectual condition Of their felow-citizen..
without distinction Of sect This would be a
change mos devouty TO b. wished for.