The New York herald., 1869-01-03

as "Lttle Christmasn and in many places
the Christmas festivities are repeated smaller
SCALE In Germany 1t ls known as the FESTIVAL Of
the Three Holy Kings" and among the Eastern
christians 1t bears the name Of "Feast OF Light"
as the day OF our Saviour's baptism by st. John In
the waters OF the Jordan, when the voice from
Son, In whom am well pleased" The decorations
whlch had been placed In the various churches Tor
intact until after the Epiphany, when they are re-
moved.
Progress Of Religion.
1t is gratifying to learn that the past year has
been crowned with spiritual mercies beyond many
that preceded 1t. We have recorded more new
churches built, more congregations gathered, moro
revivas Of religion with accessons of members to
evangelicalichurches than in any one Of many pre-
vious years. But the year has been especially re-
markabe for the progress OF Christian union. With
out any abatement OF attacnment their distinctive
doctrines, the various denominations OF Christians
have been coming closer and closer together In sup
port OF the cardinal principles In which all are
agreed and thus making common cause In the pro-
motion OF Christs kingdom on the earth. Thus an
evangelical alliance s becoming more and more con-
s0lidated in our own country and throughout Chris
tendon.
Churches Recently Dedicated, Revivn,s, &C..
Oftwenty-nve churches dedicated since our last
report twelve belong TO the Methodist church. In
this State small houses Of worship have been ded-
Gated at Haviland Hollow, sparrowbush, Fairdale
and West Galway; also at Paterson, N J. ana South
port, Ind. In the West parish Of West1eld Mass.
the Methodist church some time ago demolished the
ednce in which they have assembled since 1921 and
on the l1th inst. consecrated new sanctuary. A
Methodist chapel just completed In Chicago at q cost
OF $4,000 mas been duly dedicated. At Bcvidere.
Lombard and Vernon Prairie, ILL., at Mount Pleasant
and Money Creek Mnn.; and on the Pacific slope, at
Los Angeles Cal, Methodist societies have lately
provided themselves with houses OF worship.
In Springfield, ILL.,, Rev. J. K McLeanis people
dedicated their new house ofworshp on the evening
ofDecember TO- 1t OF wood, 40x5o, AID has cost
100000, besides the lot. which was bought for
$4,000 The churches OF Farmingham, Auburndale
and West Newton, Mass. OF Jersey Ci.y and Of Am;
their fellowship BY putting In each stained window
at an expense o. $40. By unanimous vote the
payments will be relied upon.
The liberality OF Mr.. 3. H. jerks, ruling elder In
has provided the congregation with house Of wor
ship. IL has been In course OF erection for the last
two years aud was lately completed at cost OF more
In Rockford. ILL.,, handsome church, costing
$4,000, was recently dedicated by the Presbyterian
built by the church OF Knightstown, ILL., since 1t was
organized, thirtyslx years ago. has just been com
shyrock, and President Archibald, Of Hanover Col
lege
nsS s % I" sf mulch Struggle
building, twelve years later, q small sanctuary.
Conversion O s Of forfytwo persoss greatly
the congregation, and they have Just succeeded in
providing themselves with new and fitting house
OF worship, which dedicated early In the present
month. Reformed houses Of worship have also been
lately dedicated In Schenectady, and in Boonton
NJ.
Congregarionaist church, formed eighteen
months ago at Independence, Iowa, has lately COM
M sna se IT, s S tsa d1der
have also been dedicated.
baptist houses OF worship were consecrated the
present month In Rochelle, ILL.,, and In Rolin and
The Lutheran church at New Hanover Pa, was
wthstood the storms and tempests Of one hundred
years" having been completely remodelled and re-
built during the last year, was reconsecrated the
2lst ult.,
powerful revival, with crowded meetings and
forty conversions, Is reported from Starksboro VI.
work OF grace has been In progress at Buxten.
Maine, several weeks mainly among the young.
Several family affairs have been established. one by
man over seventy whose attention was arrested by
parting words at his goden wedding. revival il
also In progress at 0tsneld.
The labors OF the Rev. A. B. Earle have been greatly
pleased In Providence, and are to be continued lew
days longer
revival, productive Of much good, has been going
on at Bullock's creek church, South Carolina
The statistical report OF the gatonal General
Association OF New York, Just issued, shows total
bers During the year j sS4 have been received on
profession, and G23 adult and 617 infant baptsms
reported. About 10 OF these churches have since
formed the General Association OF New JERSEY.
There arc more Minister'S ~ more churches, 3.7i4
more members and 1892 more sabbath school schol-
-Four years ago the Freewi Baptis.s organized q
Home Mission and freedmen's Committee TO operate
In the West They have organized, from CARO- as
centre, eleven churches, with 900 members and AIS
sunday schools. They have also mission In West
Virginia, with promising high school.
Fourteen years ago. when Rev. William Brown be-
came pastor OF the First Congregational church I'm
Newark, N j., his was the only church OF that order
In region which now has q conference OF twenty
churches.
The Congreoationdttst gives the following In rca-
tion to Congregatiouasm in Minnesota and Mis-
s0uri:-The minutes OF the General Conference Of
Minnesota report 10 churches, with 55 ministers, OF
whom 80 are acting PASTORS total membership 2S35;
added during the year, 406 whole number In Sabbath
schools, $3.50; amount OF benevolent contributions,
$3,0oa. The minutes OF the General Association OF
Missouri report AZ churches OF which were added
during the year; ministers IS. only OF whom are
settled pastors; entire membership, 1891, OF whom
As2 were added during tho year. Only four OF the
churches are able 10 go on without assistance. yet
they have contributed $5.1aj for benevolent pur.
poses and for their home work they report s32.l1i,
which Is IN average OF S23 TO each member. Eleven
churches report rcvivas.