The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-07-20
NEW YORK CHURCH STATS
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TICS.
The New York Times of Saturday
last furnished its readers with some sta
tistics showing the growth of Protestant
ism and Catholicism in that city, and
the strength of the various churches,
which are rather surprising. The Kan
sas City Journal has a carefully consid-
cred editorial on the subject and truly
remarks that the facts and figures pre-
sented by the Times are worthy of the
most earnest examination. The Times
investigation covers the period between
the years 1915 and 1882. In 1915 the
city of New York contained 100000
people, and the membership of the non
Catholic churches was 10000. In 1882
the population of the city was 100000,
and the membership of the nom Catholic
churches was $1,000. While the city
had gained 225 per cent. in population,
the Protestant churches had gained
only 125 per cent. In 1915 the Catholics
numbered about $4,000; in 1882 they
number 100000, gain of 900 per cent
And the facts stand that in thirtY-seven
years the Protestant church has gained
1875 per cent, the city has gained 225 per
cent in population, and the Catholic
church has gained 900 per cent in men,
bcrship. Itappears that up to 1916 the
Protestant churches were exceedingly
active, but since that time they have
Episcopal church stands next to the
Catholic in progress, and has a member
ship of % ,275, with percentage of in
crease for the time mentioned of215 per
cent. The Methodists have increased 30
per cent, the Presbyterians "a per cent.
and the Baptists As. The total church
membership in the city is 500, lit out of
which SOC, 600 must be taken as Catholic.
Almost 40 per cent of the population of
the city of New York is Catholic, and
it is estimated that in another decade
the increase will bring it up TO fifty per
cent.
We quote some further comments of
the Journal upon this important sub
ject:
an his review of Banks History of
the Popes,' Lord Macaulay says: We
often hear it said that the world is con-
stantly becoming more and more en-
lightened, and that this enlighten-
ing must be favorable to Pro
testantism and unfavorable TO
Catholicism. We wish we could
think so. But we see great reason to
doubt whether this be we'll founded
expectation. We see that during the
last two hundred and fifty years the hu-
man mind has been in the highest de-
gree active - that it has made
great advances in every branch
of natural philosophy = that 1t
has produced innumerabie inven-
tiOns tending to promote the conven-
ience of life-that medicine, surgery,
chemistry, engineering, have been very
greatly improved-that government, po-
lice and law have been improved, though
not quite to the same extent. Yet we
see that during these two hundred and
fifty years Professionalism has made no
conquestS worth speaking of, Nay, we
believe that, as far as there has been a
change, that change has been in favor of
the church of Rome
Since Lord Macaulay wrote his cele-
brated essay the worlds history has
taken great strides. Intellect has never
been more active. In all directions,
fraud, pretense and sham, have been
unearthed and exposed, Investigation
has been extended into all the problems
of life. Nothing within the range of
possibility has been left unexplored. 1t
may be said that nothing in the range
of science, religion or philosophy has
escaped this general investigation. EY-
~, L. hfF,,r
doubted. But through all these trials,
and infinitely more, the Catholic church
has held its course undlsmayed and ap-
parently invincible. 1t has more than
held its own in Germany, it is all pow
erful in France, and its growth in the
new world bids fair to exceed its most
cherished expectations. The Protestant
world can no longer view the situation
with indifference. 1t can no longer
look upon the Roman church as de-
clining institution.
The influences which were expected
to weaken the power of that church have
existed, but they have not performed
their work, and we are inclined to think
that they must be put aside as factors in
the situation. Is it not true that enthu-
siastic work and rigid discipline are the
true sources of Catholic success? If
there is really any vital reason for the
ascendancy of the principle of Protest
antism, if the world would be better off
for its ascendaucy, then indeed the be-
LEVERS in that faith must consolidate in
place OF dividing, and must address
themselves to the work of increasing
the efficiency of their organization. The
progress of general intelligence, which
was expected to build up opposition to
the Roman church, has had counter
effect. 1t has made a multitude of Pro-
testant rival organizations, and has
thought is the enemy of all the Christian
world. Judging by the New York statis-
tics, which branch of the Christian or
ganization has been most successful in
keeping Its people within the bounda-
ries of Christian doctrine? The causes
for the situation are worth study, and
facts must be faced.