The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-27

The Census Returns OF Is6O-GrOw
Condition of the Religious Elem
the MetrOpOlis-Its Decline Cor
with the Increase of the POpuI.
The Number Of Churches-The n
of People They will Accommoc
Value Of Church Property, Sc.,
II stranger would take position on tined =
churrfrand take survey of the metropol ~
evitably come to the conclusion that religi,
well respected among u.s. that amid all tn,
fusion of commerce, the scramble for &
amount of crime and RIGHTEOUSNESS, the col
politics, the plumber of the city treasury by thu
rayed in official garb, the mutitudinous cases of
and suffering in our cellars and garrets-still the
Jehovah is worshipped in splendid temples, costi
$l2 COO ,O0O His eye would be struck first with
of so many Heaven pointing spires that sconvi
the devotional habits Of our people would be fore,
him. If he had ever studied our free institution
contrasted them with those of other lands, where (
are dictated by arbitrary power, his first exclamI
would naturally be--What cam religion have to fear
democracy or from republican form OF govern
In what other land Is tod moIc faithfully ~
These religions are no, founded pp The violated
OF conscience, Their coat A,s mol been wrung rr0l
willing hands tho yafious creeds protested ~ IT,
taneous homage Of free heai.s and IN orsal tole
is inscr bed ,hc yoly thaftol Of American liber
democracy. Here, at least, there is no incestuous
between POLITICS and religion which in other cod
has Jed 70 those teri be results recorded in history
e.. our stranger descend from his elevated p1
am. visit the interiors of the church edidces, he "
a most gorgeous display OF architectural beauty II
although entirely inconsistent with the taste or msl
original Christianity, yet is evidence of the abif
disposition OF free people to pour out their sub
with lavish profuson in the worship Of the Aim
But in listening to many Of the sermons he .
African slavery in the Southern States severely dc
anc many Of the preachers avowing the sentin
its abolition was the great work Of the Christie
try. II il should happen to be the season Of
when our anniversaries are held he would fin
number Ct reports of Christian assoc atons, she .
millions Of dollars which had been expended to Chr
ize the barbarian world, though, az we shall sho |
and-by, not one. half Of the people in our imu |
vicinity have the least particle of faith in |
preaching, or ever see the inside of their Oh,
ana thousands Of them are suffering from all the II
Of poverty, Overlooking with vice, and needing
fuepces Of Redeemer far more than the heather
whom so much money is expended The great
portant truth seems to be wholly overlooked, il L
gotten, which Is that all good Christians, and a
mon are responsible for the condition OF the POI
suffering, aud the laborng classes immedit.t'yi
them, in their own community, first, ami IL a
these are well provided for, their charity, pbilaAtl
and good works may extend over bros ~
True philanthropy, humanity, demands thai we
devote our time, our labor, our thoughts, ~ritin
our surplus means to assist and reform those une
immediate charge. II is simple neglect Of Ct
duty TO close our eyes TO the poverty, misery and
Of those in our midst, and to criicise and denour
social customs and institutions Of others, in no "
trusted to our care, and OF whose evils one CAV
we'll Informed. 1t is a dangerous benevcencls
SEEKS to excite the indignation Of the world TO
section Of country against another, TO denounce
brethren for not fastening, under their dlctatiou
dress wrongs, TO remedy evils which are solemn
MED to exist. II those who engaged in
a crusade against negro slavery were aske
know Of any des.itu;on among the slave ,,opr
or did you ever hear of a slave starving in III,
States the reply would be In the negative: but
in our boasted free North Destitution meets US al
corner Of our streets Let US, then, first emancipa
poverty stricken and destitute laborers OF the Ne
fore we talk Of emancpating the four millions o.
slaves, who, in point Of physical happiness and
culture, will iayoraby compare with the same NJ
aborers anywhere on the globe,
The following tables will show the number OF q
In the metropolis in 1850 and in 1890 also the nun
seats they contain and the value Of church propcr
Number OF churches. Observation-Disclosures.
Number OF seats. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.