The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-24
New York Messenger paper published b.
he American Tract Society
LESSONS OF TIE LAST CENSUS.

The leading facts OF the census or 1850 widely known
Gathered at the cost ola million and half ofdoar they
should be carefully scanned They deserve to be pondered
They unfold the elements Of our national greatness they
furnish reliable data for estimating future expansion and
they afford the information from which the Christian phi
anthrepist may graduate the Of his tolls and
sponsibtes Let group few Of these facts and gath
some Of the impressive lessons they teach:
REsouRcEs-The value of the real and personal wealth
the country exceeds seven thousand millions dollars
average of nearly $4,000 each white family OF Ave
persons. OF this S53ooooo 900 employed in
manufactures, still larger in commerce. and
S99400000o in the construction of $4,000 miles of rail-
road completed and in progress.
PoPuIAroN-The total population in 1850 was 23,25o-
76oan increase in years Of lse307 SO per
OF the whole number 22l0S2s born in foreign
tries making with the defendants ofemgraRts since $780,
435o934 chiefly from Ireland Germany The average
density OF population about TO the square mile With
the ratio Of increase during the past half century
the population of the United States the close this
fury viii exceed hundred millions.
CHuRcHEs.-The number Of churches of all denomina-
tons is 36,22l with sttings for 3s49s96 persons and
valued at average Of So 400 each More
than one-third of these in Pennsylvania New York
and the New England States while thousands Of them are
small clustered in villages, and little accessible the in
habit ants Of the agricultural districts They furnish
commodaons for perhaps wo-hirds Of the classes who
might 90 church; but thousands of them opened
but once III TWO or TOUR weeks considerable portion OF
them not evangelical and perhaps average of
half the sittngs generally unoccupied SO that while
should be grateful for the extent Of sanctuary priv
ieges, need abae zeal in the work of church
extension in efforts carry the Gospel to every
freside.
ScHooLs.--Four millions of children enjoy the nstruc-
ton of ll5ooo teachers about 100000 schools and col
eges.
PERioDIcALsNearly 1000 newspapers and periodicals.
with circulation of 600 422 100000 copies an
nuay To these should be added the periodicals issued by
the American Tract Society and embraced in the
sus which have circulation more than equal to one-hun-
dredtl part OF the immense aggregate above.
Here we pause ia this enumeration. Ii almost makes
the brain take in and attempt digest these
aud incompehensibe numbers As they go abroad
the world herading the mighty strides of free peo-
pie wealth and civilization and intelligence they viii
tell with power the systems Of desposm than
hundred armies and fleets They will inspire patience and
hope in the breasts of the oppressed nations and when
another shall unfold its record of progress il will
decide the great struggle of ages yountarysm in affairs
Of religion repnbcansm politics. and freedom in com
merce will triumph at last
But is there lesson of duty and of prayer these
statistics What TO be the destiny of these 2300o0oo
now $4,000 900 Of souls And what that the one hun
dred millions to people this land How shall this
seven thousand millions Of wealth be empoyedor God
Shall these great lines Of ntercommunlca-
Grafton and ruin Shall these hundreds of millions Of pc
rodicas be the vehicles OF pure morality and saving
religion shall they pander to lust and avarce? With
the church and the ministry and the Bible and the Sabbath
and Christian literature and all baptized and blessed
with the Holy Spirit may thank God and take cour-
age for every stride onward in national power and in
aueuce Without such blessings and restraints our mo
viii be but that Of the vessel driven by the rapids
TO speeder and deadlier plunge the cataract
Save America said college professor he entered
office from residence in Europe; for the sake Of
Europe and the world save America We have risen
from the perusal Of the acts Of the of 1850 with
deeper more overwhelming conviction Of the necessity aud
the difficulties Of home esangeization than before.
Yet In the belief that God has great purposes Of
mercy be subscrved by this nation and with quickened
in the work He has assigned u.s. would give the in
ensty Of death struggle TO Christian enterprise while
would breathe OF dependence and Of hope in
the petition Con SAVE AMERICA.
AoRs oP BRITISH STATESMEN Lord Lyndhurst SO Lord
Broughan 76 Marquis OF Lsnsdowne IS Earl Of Aber-
deem II Lord Hardinge 10; Lord Palmerston 10 Lord