The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-11-30
DIFFERENT CHURCHEy ~ AMERICA
The Relative uncrense In the Ie~aiSe Ne
nsMinalious Hluce zoo.

BALTIMORE, Nov. 2S.-ThC presence in Bal
timore in attendance at the Plennry Council Of
tho Catholic prclates and disnitarics and the
interchange Of opinions resulting from their
several meetings have served to direct paitic-
ular attention TO u table which has Just made
it's appearance. 1t has been customary hore-
toforo to gauge the growth of religious organ
izntions In this country by comparative lg-
ures Mt each new reckoning. But rs tho whole
population is always increasing rapdIy the
various denominations have thus always been
able to show u healthy gain in numbers. since
tho opening OF the Council an attempt has been
made bv careful students and statistieians to
show these results relatively for the better
guidance Of the prelates. The table which has
been prepared arrives at some conclusions
little less than startling.
BY the census Of 1860 tho population OF the
United Statos was ~ .445. $50. The present bop
ulatiou Is now estimated at 81, 900. COO. The
gain in twenty-five years has been. therefore
twenty three and half millions or at the rate
Of rs per cent
In 1860. according to estimates tho accuracy
OF which was then universally ACKNOWLEDGED
there were s.G0o.00O Methodists In this country.
They were then. rs they are now tho strongest
religious body. numerically. Since 1860 the
total has grown to 100000. which is an in
crease OF IS per cent. keeping pace exactly
with tho increase in population.
The number OF aliiliants OF the various Dap
fist churches was. in 1869 5000 600 To-day 1t
IL ~ O00,n00 Tho increase in twenty five years
TIC; but u falling OF when considered re ativoiy.
"a The Presbytcrians numbered in 1850 $780,
in twenty five years Q; 81 per cent.
the Lutherans who have been materially
tion from Germany. Sweden. Holland. and Nor
y ayo ma have 2; gro%n from l25o goo in 1850 to
declined
lively very much. Tho old shirt OF tho Now
them; In twenty five years they have advanced
P sto - per Gent;-that Is. from l.4l3.0oO in
hand the various Ro %s Ghurshe sso Stnf
German. and Evangelical show m increase vi
ne aan So5 90 per cent from $4,000 in 1860 to
The Epis ,opalians show q fair increase in
nTpnm a yet one relatively below the average.
wh NIX nv o yenrs bringing up the total from
The Hebrews counting, together those who
nsbaSe ana sdse rN who are merely om
1U0 1000 10 1884. full 100 per cent. OF gain.
The Friends. or Quakcrs. show an absolute as
Ts as ceaE ro@ asf6e Goo They hSe on +;
The denomination OF Christians, who are nu-
AGAINST in 1850 an absolute '1 gain Hne q Is
But the M, most SURPRISING feature Of the cal
States > 900 Now there are 800 THIS This
Il a gain Of 100 per cent. in twenty-five years
Should the Same ratio Of increase continue to
hence rs 900. GOO.
The difficulties encountered in arriving at
tistics are many In the United States. as in
England and Scotland. the doctrinnl VIEWS Of
individuals form no item In the census emu
merauon. Tho generally accepted plan for ar-
irving at result Is as follows: The church ac-
commentators, which are gathered Officially.
are multiplied by figure representing in that
denomination the relation Of churchgoers TO
the whole number of its ldherents. Then an
othor table Is made of tho number OF en-
rolled members or communicates. These are
multiplied usually BY Ave for tho full popuia-
ton. Finally. a third table is constructed
riagcs and the Official record Of deaths. These
tables are compared in parallel columns and
an estimate is made from the three. Tho sub
SANTA! accuracy. not alone OF these tables but
otthe net results deducci from their compari-
son. Is not questioned. though OF course. the
CIRCUMSTANCES of their compi alton do not pre-
clude the possibility OF occasional errors.
III is tho opinion OF many OF tho Catholic
clergy assembled here that In default of Amer
lean universities OF very high scholarship
missionary labors with n difficulty not mot
with in, Europe. This subject is one certain
not to be neglected. By tho Plcnary Council
Bishop Gross OF Savannah has sought to inter-
est his colleagues in II plan for more efficient
pastoral efforts among the colored population
Louisiana and Texas the Catholic Church has
at present. canfcssedly. very little foothold. II
is to be noted that tito churches of all creeds
ana ominat Ions III tho Unitod States con-
tain accom- VIOLATIONS for II 500. 900 persons or
lust half .! tho whole population Of 1000. 600.