Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-08-15
ROGRRSS or PROTEsT.svTES.
Iy THE UNITED ST.TTBS.

PROGRR RSS or PROTEsT.syvTES.u
I.v THE UNITED ST.TTBS.
The notion of the decline of Protestant
tism seems to have been adopted by some
of our leading journals without careful
examination of the facts, and various reme-
dies or explanations are offered for con-
diton of things that has no existence ex-
cept in fancy. 1t is not true that Protes-
tantism shows any signs of decadence.
On the contrary, the principles of n pure
religion were never so active as at the pres
ent moment, nor were the chief Protestant
denominations ever more rapidly extend
ing their influence over the great body of
the people. No doubt among the wealthier
aud what are called the fashionable circles
of Europe and America, among minds en-
ervated by luxury and weakened by a
long co urse of sensual indulgence, there is
tendency, as there must always be, to
sink into Journalism. Intellects constrain-
ed within the narrow limits of decaying
European caste, or degraded by the pueril-
tiles of its transatlantic imtators, may fall
an easy prey TO idle superstition, may a.
bandon pure faith for the lenient require
ments of lower grade of civilization. But
except in his class the course of Protes-
tantism is still onward. Some wealthy
churches may have become temples of
mammon. In the fierce struggle for money
in the lavish expenditure of the time, men
eminent for Christian reputation may Of
ten startle the community by Il sudden
9 4 1, ,,tto
estantsm never boasted its iniallibilty.
Its chief supporters will sometimes prove
unworthy of the name they bear. But this
proves nothing. The true question is,
What are the Protestant bodies doing for
the people? How far are they overmaster-
ing the principle of evil by the agencies of
education, of preaching, and of all the de-
vices of Humanitarian progress? By their
| fruits they are content TO be known.
And here we are able TO affirm that with
in the past ten years nearly all the Prot.
estant bodies have shown an extraordinary
increase. If we take as an example the
Lutheran Church, which owes much of its
progress to immigration, we find that in
1850 it numbered 1921 churches; in 1860,
| 2l2s in 1870, 3032 church organizations. In
| other ords, in twenty years the churches
Of this single Protestant denomination
have nearly trebled. The number of its
sittings is or 1882, indicating church con-
necton Of nearly million of worshipers,
| if not one still more extensive. The Prot
cstant Episcopal den omination is little less
progressive. In 1850 it had 1859; in 1860,
2l45; and in 1870, 26Ol church edifices or
organizations. And as it is probable that
| the earlier re turns were somewhat eyag-
gerated compa rcd with the more careful
its increase is probably more rapid than
the record seems to show. or the great
Baptist body, which is noted FOR its energy
and its adaptability to all classes of the
| people, we have still more remarkable
account. In 1850 its churches numbered
1876; in 1860, II ,22l; in 1870 its organiza-
tions were, according 10 its own records,
over l7,O00 Thus five thousand Baptist
| churches, by their own account, have
sprung up within the past ten years, or al
| the rate of nearly on3 and one-h half day.
Five hundred Baptist congregations are
formed every year. The Meth Odists are
equally progressive, and even more num-
erous. They had in 1850 1892 churches
in 1860, 10 ss3 and in 1870 their organiza-
tions are given at the extraordinary num-
Der of 25,27S. They too, therefore, during
the past ten years must have created
churches or church organizations at the rate
of nearly two a day.
The idea, therefore, of any decay or even
check in the progress of Professionalism
among us must be at once dismissed. 1t
advances with renewed vigor. 1t plants
yearly fifteen hundred churches. 1t pene-
trates deep into the heart of the people. Il
| fiourshes in the new Territories of the
West and in the throngs of the Eastern
cities and when we remember that cacl
one of its church organizations is usually
followed by Sunday y-school. Bible class
societies for helping the sick aud poor
charitable and helpful unions of various
kinds, we may easily see that Protestan
tism is an enormous stimulant TO the prac
tice of humanity, and to intellectual and
physical Improvement. Moving chiefly
among the work ing classes, it sustans the
purity of the nation. Whatever be the de-
fects of some or even of all its members
the tendency of Professionalism is upward
In spiritual matters the advance of Ro
manism is far less rapid. Notwithstand
ing its immense aid from foreign immigra
tion, while the growth of Professionalism re
suits chiefly from new conversions among
the native population, the Roman Catholic
church organizations numbered, in 1870, on
ly il27 to 1850 in 1860. 1t is true, each one o
these churches attracts probably a far larg-
er congregation than most of the Protes
tant, yet if we withdraw from Romanlsn
the stimulus of immigration, ii woult
plainly make but slow progress compared
to its evangelical rivals. It's whole strength
lies In what il borrows from European
sources 1t weakens its numbers in foreign
countries in order to build up its 'denomi
nation here; and should tho immigration
from Ireland continue with undated vigor
1t Is not impossible that the Protestant pop
ulaton of that island may within twent,
years approach very closely to the Roman
Catholic. But the most remarkable, ant
perhaps most alarming, trait of Romanisn
among us Is the enormous increase of II
wealth. Within twenty years, compare,
with the number of its church organiza
tions, it has become the richest OF all tn
denominations. It's property in that perlo,
has increased skiold. Its value is return
ed in 1870 at 500, 1855, 500; in 1850 It was bu
S9,256,75S. The Methodist denomination