The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-02-22

from the IL counties reported from
these states $1,000 conversions ana ~
600 additions O. the churches, and these
liz are less than one-third Of the coun-
ties Ia these five states
II we should make the low estimate
Of double this number for the cities and
400 counties not included in the returns,
il would make the additions % the
churches Ia these five states 10000
during the last year This would give
an increase for all the states % moro
than 10000 during the last year.
Iu 1890 Christian denominations had
( 2l,161,O92 members IN the United States
The New York sun collected informa-
ton showing the increase OF tho
churches in 1891 70 be 1.OS9,s13 IL was
doubtless as much, or t.OS9.S53 in 1922
and 100000 for 1875, which would give
a present mem bership Of 2j,l4j,s9s In
this estimate are included tho baptized
children Of the Catholic church. II We
should include the baptized children OF
tho protestant churches, who number
more than 100000, and are church
members though not confirmed or adj
mitted 20 the communion table, It would
show the real church members 20 be
over twenty eight millions.
These facts show that more than one
third OF our people are COMMITMENTS m
our Christian churches, ana fully one
half are church going people or children
in the Sunday schools Of The churches.
BY comparing the church and state
populations 1t will be seen that in $500
the Protestant churches numbered but
seven per cent Of our population, while
in 1890 these churches numbered - per
cent Of the population, and now the
church members will number fully 40
per cent Of our population.
The disposition 10 put money into
churches has been on the increase until
he present money crisis, which may
have checked this expenditure in some
degree. A writer in Harper's Weekly
has been collecting church statistics
which show FOR the city OF New York q
marvellous church growth IN the past
three years. In that time some fifty
new houses or worship have been built
or started, at a cost OF about s5Oo000O /
or these the Catholics have twelve, the
Episcopalinns eight. the PresbyterIans
eight, end twenty-five are divided
among the fifteen ether denominations
of that city.
Similar facts might be collected show
ing an unprecedented growth Of all the
twenty church organizations in the
country, and IN all parts OF the country.
This vast increase Of the church must
be very discouragng to these who have
spent so much time and so much elo-
quence in trying to discredit and de-
str0y it, Why can not men learn from
this experience. The more they abuse
{ the faster it grows. Better take the
advice Of Gamalel. given the sanhedrim
nearly 1000 years ago: And now | say
unto you, refrain from these men, and
let them alone; for if this counsel OF
this work be Of men, it will come to /
nought; but If it be Of God, ye can not |
overthrow it; lest haply ye be found /
even 10 fight against God"
Gamalels argument comes pretty I
near proving this work 20 be Of God:
for there has been a continuous success +
sion OF men from Caiaphas to Nero, and .
from Nero to Ingersoll, contendlng
against this work for near 1000 years;
and in these years the church has
proved the wisdom Of Gamaliel; for the
greater the opposition the faster the
growth OF the church in all these 800
years.