The Van Buren press., 1860-11-30
For the Press.

Respectfully, your OBJ servt, /
For the Press.
Growth Of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church in tho United States.
One Of the distinctive and prominent fea-
lures of the nineteenth century is tho rapid
growth of tho Episcopal church, growth
which finds its precedent only in the first age
of the christian era With her conservative
elements and her noiseless, irresistible
march, she comes with materials Of stabili-
ty and with forms of perennial beauty to
chasten the fcrvent, unchecked liberty of
the world. The ship of state requires bal
last as well as sail the wild erratic. en-
thusiastic emotions of religion, like the im.
petuous cataracts of Niagara, need the wide,
quiet, beneficial expanse and at time of
great licentiousness in morals and politics,
when the fanaticism of a puritanical race
stand up, giant-like. against the southern
part of the country, it becomes the duty of
consistent men, strong and peaceful, brave
and generous, active and calm, to gather
ssound the standard of duty ana religion
which the Storm of ages finds unmoved and
whose power is still sufficient to guide us
onward and upward to progress and to
God. Such it is widely felt, is the mission
Of the Episcopal Church. OF course we
are now merely considering it as an insti-
tution-one in its discipline and action
throughout the United States, one with
name influential and force beneficial, and
as such, holding large place in the col
umns of the press throughout the length
and breadth of the lan6. Qnr remarks are
called forth by the following extract from
one of the Philadelphia papers
LOUISVILLE, Oct. 31st, 1860.
KENrUCKY.-REv. AND DEAR SIR On
Monday, the 18th inst, very gratifying
event in the history of the Church in Lou
isville was consuumated. The congrega-
ton of "Selron Chapel" an independent
Methodist house of worship, came in a
body into the Episcopal Church. transfer
ring to that church all the property previ-
ously held by the congregation. That
property consists of very handsome
Church building. capable of holding four or
five hundred persons, with commodious
basement school rooms ; very fine lee
ture room. and two large rooms in the rear
of the main building. but fronting on an
other street very good organ and valua-
BILE Communion Plate. The property is
situated in the heart of the city and is W worth
not less than $4,000.
On Monday the members of this Con-
gresation associated themselves as a parish
o. the Protestant Episcopsl Church under
the name of Cavalry church. To enable
the new parish to start free of all embar
rassnent, the Episcopalians OF Louisville
nobly stepped forward and in two days
raised $500, the balance of debt remain
ing on the property
The Episcopal Church in the United
States, in the year 1885. was known but
by the prejudices Of the people and the an
cicnt hatred inherited from northern puri-
!aRs aOdSt " 5aS.0ob aTobr; IN IN 1855 the number is
above 140,0
In 1880, the number of dioceses was
nineteen and the sums contributed for
foreign and domestic missions was S33,-
S79 IS. In 1859 we have thirty three ii-
Occses and the sums contributed for the
above mentioned purpose are nearly $780,
600, and the various sums contributed for
divers purposes are about five millions OF
dollars. In 1850 the church numb bered only
$4,000 COMMITMENTS.
This is surely wonderful exhibition of
growth, NJ os:entstious display, no tempo
rary excitement, mt steadv aim and ac-
ton have presided at this vast spread, not
only keeping pace with the popu..atlon. but
increasing hundred percent during the
last ten years, while all the other Chris. ian
denominations put together, have not in
creased more than thirty per cent. Surely
such facts should be known and they speak
to attentive minds with irresistible sway.
Still, with all this, the number of pro-
Tossing christians in the United States with
a population of $4,000, 900, does not ex-
ceed a million and half, scattered, divided
with opposing views and conflicting inter-
ests, and thus offering to the world at large
aspectacle of sorrow and of scorn. When
We rejoice at the great things achieved, we
nearly despond at the magnitude of things
yet to be wrought.
Whilst commenting upon these matters,
it may be interesting to some of the read
ers of the Press to know what the Episco-
palians have done in the little city of Van
Buren,. Two lots have been paid for at
the amount of $617,00. A foundation
laid for a'church capable of seating 25O per.
sons. Ind at a cost of $4,000. Besides
which $4,000 of lumber and church fur
niture have been bought and are waiting
for river to come to u.s. A few ladies in
Van Buren,, IN AMI out of the church. have
contributed largely to the erection of the
edifce which is in pure Gothic and which.
when completed will be the finest building
tn the State.
The following verses. SO beautifully sng-
gestive. will be an appropriate mode Of
thanking for their libeyality. those six la
dies and the few children who have con-
tributed toward the stained glass windows
OF that edifice nearly $4,000.
THE SUNBEAM IN THE CHURCH
1t sweetly stole through tinted pane
With mild and mellow light,
And stayed within the sacred fame
As though it loved the sight.
1t played onchildhood's cloudless brow
In warm and rosy rays
And gave the mothers psllid cheek
The bloom Of other days.
It touched the old mans silver head
With amber's softest hue,
And fondly DER the halloved font
peaceful rainbow threw.
1t lit the sculptor.s classic group,
Or monumental stone
And fingered long with faith and hone
And round the mourner shone