The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-06-27
Denominations

The Reformed Dutch was the first form of worship
IN New York, brought ever by the descendants Of
those who founded the Dutch republic. When the
colony Of New Netherlands fell into possession Of
the English, the Protestant Episcopal church was
established. The Reformed Dutch we're the first to
establish Presbyteranism in America. Until 1854,
however, their worship was conducted in the Dutch
language. 1t appears by . letter read al Il recent
meeting of the Historical Society from Hon. H. c.
Marpby: our minister at the Hague that this form
Of worship has been established in this country two
hundred and thirty years. Mr. Murphy communi
Gated translation from n letter from jonas MchsD.
Illus, the first Dutch Reformed minister in New
York; another in the Dutch language. dated ut
Nanhatas, in New Netherland, August IL, 1928.
This church now numbers In this country some $3.50
churches.
The Reformed PRESBYTERIAN church claims lineage
from the second reformation in Scotland, and binds
its adherents TO what is known As the National CO.
venant of Scotland.
The Associate church dates from the expulsion Of
the Rev. Ebenezer Erskine by the General Assem-
bly, Of the Church Of Scotland in 1873.
The Associate Reformed church was organized at
Philadelphia, October 81, 1882 by the union OF the
reformed and all the associate ministers 10 the
country.
The German Reformed church was organized in
l74l in Pennsylvania, and was subordinate to the
Dutch church in Europe until 1892 In 1872 it
adopted an Independent constitution, with synod
ard oresbyteries.
Presbyterianism made some progress in early
years III New England At Londonderry. in Ne0
Hampshire. where the ScotchIrish planted a strong
colony in the first half Of the eighteenth century,
there is still presbytery the only we believe in
the six New England States Presbyterian churches
established early in Maine but they have given
way To the more vigorous younger brother congrc
gationalism.
The distinctive tenet Of congregationalism it, as
defined by the Boston Congregational Almanac, that
I" all church power resides in the church, and not in
the church officers and resides in each particular
church directly and originally, by virtue of the ex
press or implied contract Of Its members" C,ngre-
gationalists deny that Christ has given to his minis
tiers, or to ministers and ruling elders the exclusive
power either Of ordination or judicial rule. They
have twenty churches in this city and Brooklyn
with some two thousand five hundred commandments
The usual number attending these twenty churches
Is about eleven thousand In the United States they
have some one thousand six hundred churches.
Of the regular Presbyterians, IN the sect Il now
defined, Mr.. Francis Mackenzie Of the first, If
not the first minister i'm America. He came to New
York in 1907. He was tried in this city "for preach
ing without the Governors license" and "usng
other rites and ceremonies than those contained in
the common prayerbook." The Court favored the
prosecution but the jury found mot guilty" Not
withstanding his acquittai, he was made to pay the
costs of prosecution, amounting to eighty three
pounds, seven shillngs and sixpence.
There are i've varieties Of Baptists in this city and
In the number of their churches they are only ex.
ceeded by the Methodist the Presbyteriaus and th
Episcopalians. In the United States they are cx
ceeded in number by the Methodists. u the regular
Bap.ists only are counted. Bat If all with whom
baptism by immersion il practice re ckoned.
the Baptists will be found TO be the most numerous
church in the country. Kentucky rs the most Baptist
State Of the Union, not excepting the parent State,
Rhode Island
Me,hodism in all its sects in New York numbers
1856 communicates :.The Methodist church dates
its formation from John Wesley, who lived to his
Isbors in fine fruit. The sect has gone increasing
in the United States largely In the South and South
west. of later years its increase has been slow in
the Northern States.
The Moravians are Episcopal in ordination. but
PRESBYTERIAN in government
There are eight distinctive sects Of Methodsts In
this city and Brooklyn.
The following table shows the number usually at
tending in the churches Of each denomination in
ed in an approximate fraction Of the number Of com
mupicabts To the number Of usual Attendants