New-York daily tribune., 1854-05-15
THE ANNIVERSARIES.

Tie second week in May annually witnesses the
anniversary meetings in our City of nearly all the
crea; Religious and Philanhropic associations of this
country which are sustained by that large and in-
fu1tia portion ofits Christian people, whose faith is
sul tantay expressed in any OF the creeds of Pro-
te.t,nt orthodoxy. Baptists Episcopalians, Metho-
dsts LutLerans, take part in these meetings though
the more direct and literal followers of the Reformer
Calvin in their two all but nominal divisions OF Presby
terians and orthodox Congregationats or Independ-
euts take tie lead in them. For Baptists, EpiscOpa-
Hans, Methodists have severay Anniversaries apart
from these while Presbyterans and Congregational
lists originated the Annual Meetings in our City and,
with more or less aid from other denominations the
societies which hold them. And though Colonization
Temperance Abolition, and other philanhropc enter
prises hold their Anniversaries also here smultane-
ousy vet these must be regarded as Incidental and
subsidiary to the longer established and better
supported organizations whose common object is the
diffusion of Christian knowledge and the evangezaton
Of the world.
The associations are Of great value proofs Of the
practicabty and efficiency Of the Voluntary System IN
religion The Protestants in communion with the
denominations represented in these Anniversaries are
hardly half Of the American People. They first tax
themselves heavily TO build churches pay clergymen.
and support religious ministrations at hOme-and
owing TO their minor differences of creed as many
Fix or eight Orthodox churches administers are some
times supported by rural township of thousand
nhabants, all but five or Elk families of whom must
labor for their daily bread-anl after this they con-
tribute something annually TO the support of the Bible
Tract or Missionary Societies The sum of these con-
frih al da1 hv fatul -. Ias
Two Millions per annum. about twO-tArds of which is
eorfded TIE Societies which hold their Anniversa-
ries each Nay in this City.
These bereiscticns have other beneficial effects be-
sides these contemplated by the donors The habit Of
giving IN aid Of grest Cause enarges the concep-
tions and eunobles the alma OF the giver He better
APPRECIATES generosity and philanthropy in others who
has himself made what are termed sacrihees for the
ENLIGHTENMENT aud blessing of men whom he has never
seen sId never in this world shall see 30 the Ma
or, whose citizens contribute Of sher sui stance to
relieve the neral and spiritual destitution Of others
VIII te certain to gain in moral influence and power
BY suei liteTality. Thus every Missionary station on
TIE globe, sustained by the Christian zeal Of any por-
ton Of citizens, i radiatng center Of American
idess, principles and power. BY such means the
Sandwich Islands have already become American in
al hut the name; the stagnation O. China, though
iorty centuries DID, TO be yielding 20 kindred
influences; while the western coast Of Africa the
foundations being laid Of a Christian Republic
which, faithful than our own 10 the principles
proclaimed in Declaration Of independence shall
cause TIE name Of America 10 he respected in the
darkest strongholds Of utterly savage Psganism if
We DO Lot perss! in diseredting il by eur own recre
tney and apo-taey TO the gospel OF Human Liberty
We believe something might be gained by con-
eentraton Of religious and philanthrOpe Effort There
are oo many societies engaged in the great work of
evsDgelling the world. Scme Of item might be abol-
ished or mereed in others without injury 10 their
special objects and with decided advantage TO the
general movement. We thnA tie Seameu's Friend
Society. for instance. might be merged in the great
organizations for the support of Home and Foreign
Missions, with advantage 10 sl except perhaps two or
three CT its own officers. Then the Society for Me-
orsng the Condition of the Jews ought 70 be either
radically transformed or altogether abolished Its
title is grave uisnomer; is society Tor proseIyt
iHg Jews, and that only. Now the Jews as people