The Evening critic., 1882-01-28
FOR RELIGIOUS REFLECTION.
interesting Church Statistics.


The various Protestant churches afford
accommodation for about $4,000 people,
and there are ordinarily present at public
worship about $50, 600 persons. The Roman
Catholic Church has the largest number of
communicants, amounting TO 10000, for
which there isaccommodationi 55churches
for only 10000 lThe Presbyterian Church,
including the Reformed, is the largest of
the Protestant bodies, numbering in all its
branches Ill churches and missions aud
$4,000 members. The Protestant Episcopal
church is second. with over 10000 com
municants and s5 churches and missions,
The Baptists are third, with over 1000
communicants and As churches and mis-
sions. The Mothodists follow closely, with
over 10000 communicants and 62 churches
and missions. Including the 10 African
Methodist churches and MISSIONS with 200
members, they would take the third place.
The Evangelical Luthorans and Evan
gelical associations take the fifth place,
with nearly 0,000 communicates and 20
churches and missions. There are IS
Union churches and missions reputcd with
1900 members. The Congregationalists
have churches and chapels, with go
members. The Universalists num-
Der 1896 members, with 6 organizations;
the Unitarians $50, with churches.
There are small organizations of Disciples,
Friends, Moravians and Second Adventists.
There arc 23 Jewish organizations, with
nearly 5000 members and property valued
at nearly $3,500,00s. The Episcopal
churches are the wealthiest, owning prop
erty valued at $14 100000.
The Roman Catholics own sfo,000,000;
the Presbyterians, $e,0O0,00O; the Baptists,
nearly $2,00o,000; the Methodists, nearly
$3,000000. 1t is interesting to notice the
relative cost for salaries of tho various de-
nominational agencies. The Roman Catho-
lies sustain 55 churches for 100000; an
average of 81 100 each. The Episcopalians
sustain s5 churches and missions for $780,
0O0, or $4,000 each. The Presbyterians sup
port i'll churches and missions for $2Sl, 900,
or about $4,000 each. The Methodists sup
port over so churches and missions for about
S91 ,00O or 81 300 each. The Baptsts sus-
tain AZ churches and missions for $4,000,
or 81 600 each.
Dropping from the Sanctuary.
We shall not die until our work be done;
We shall not cease until our course be run;
We shall not fade or fail
While heart and faith prevail,
or aught is to be won
Beneath the constant sun.
The proposal to hold an American Meth
odist Centennial Conference finds almost
universal favor. The Zion's Herald says ::
at will be attended with comparatively
small expenses. 1t can admit of less re-
stricted programme it may secure certain
more pronounced practical results. 1t
might be made great spiritual inspiration
as well as fresh and happy occasion for
the development of true Christian frater-
nifty and cooperation" In the opinion of
the Central Christian AdUocate, it will con-
tribute to q movement that cannot be
much longer delayed, the organic union of
the several divisions of Methodism which
are really one in thought and conviction.
AT recent meeting of the overseers of
Harvard College discussion was held upon
a resolution which had been before the
board for several weeks, THAT, in the
opinion of this board, the statutes making
religious exercises compulsory should be
repealed" The board, by a strong vote,
refused to adopt the resolution.
The popularity of the electric light is
steadily gaining The latest departure is
its adoption for lighting churches. A
couple of lamps are to be placed in one of
the churches in Troy, N. Y.
When the Church of England Temper
ance society was started, nine years ago,
not more than 500 Of the clergy were total
abstainers. They now number over 5000.
The Chicago churches, with scarcely an
exception, observed the week of prayer by
meetings every evening or special services
in the morning.
The 200th anniversary of the opening Of
the first (Unitarian) church of Bingham
Mass, was commemorated By its members
with appropriate services on January 5.
The success of Christian missions in
| Japan has aroused the Buddhists to un-
wonted exertions. They are holding pro
tracted meetings all over the land.
OF the 500 persons who live in the Vati-
can with Pope Leo nearly 200 are females
Electric light is used in the Mount Yer
non Place Methodist Church, Baltimore.
There are 6, ,s56 Roman Catholic churches
| in the United States.
| There are 10000 regular Baptist churches
| in this country.