Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-08-26

OdtnONC CnufCn WOuiu e0cH ~ 70 N-S
most numerous Of these bodies, but re-
duced 20 the Protestant mode Of CON-
putation in the manner indicated II
RACKS but third. The Methodist group
with four and a.half millions Of members
easily takes rank as the first numerical
Is. This, however, Is composed or no
less than seventeen distinct sects, a
larger number than belongs to any
other type Of American Christianity.
Next are the Baptists with 3,7OO, 600
members ana thirteen divisions. The
PreSbyterians and Lutherans are near
together as fourth and fifth in rank,
having each little more than 1900 900
communicates. The former have
twelve divisions. and the latter nearly
ecual the MethOdists with sixteen.
The Disciples Of Christ. Eplscopa-
lians and Copgregstionalists are in the
order named, the remaining ones OF the
eight greater bodies.
II will suffice TO name according to
rank the other eight principal groups.
They are: Reformed, United Brethren,
German Evangelical Synod, Latter Day
Saints, Evangelical Association, jew
ish Congregations, Friends and Chris
tians.
IL will be noticed that amongst these
two bodies are included that are not or
dInarily reckODed with Christians. The
Jews number l3O 900, and are divided
into two great bOdies-OrthodOx and
Reformed. The latter conform but
slightly 10 traditional Hebrew usages,
and, as might be expected, are largely
in the majority. Iii probably not gen.
orally known that there are also TWO
sects OF the MormOns. The Utah con-
tlrgent OF these, who call themselves
officially Church Of Jesus Christ OF Lat
ter-Day Saints, number nearly $50, 600.
The other part is a comparatively small
faction, not a sixth as large, who, many
years ago, went of from the main body
under the leadership Of Joe Smith, Jr.
They are found scattered In various
places throughout the country, and IN
d0ubtedly represent the original system
Of the American prophet.
It would be tedious % enumerate the
remaining tweuty-seven groups or sects,
much more % name their Individual
divisions. They run over the whole
field Of vagaries, into which the Chris
tian religion has been twisted, and in
clude many bodies that have about as
much excuse for existence as the NTH
wheel Of a wagon.
There are eight sects classified as com
musistic and religious. These include
the smallest ones known 20 the Gems us.
The AlJyu!sts, mot, we suppose, Mr..
Howelrs kind,) have just % cOmmuui-
cauts, the mem bers Of New Icaria are 81,
and the devotees OF AdOnai ShOmO have
the distinction Of forming the smallest
reI gious sect 10 the United States, with
lust a score OF members. We are not
informed as 90 the distinctive tenets of
this body, but have no doubt il pro-
fssses 90 present the only pure form Of
Christianity, aud confidently expects
an the world in time 70 come around 10
It's way OF thinking.
Other very small bodies are the Greek
Orthodox Church with 100 members,
the Apostolic MsnnOnites with 200 and
the ScnWenkf9IGians with 500. There
are more than q score OF societies, uOne
OF whom claim more than thousand
members each.
Chinese temples represent all the
showing made bv any form Of heather
IMa q
ship attached 10 these places Of worship
was made, out it may doubtless be taken
% equal the entire Chinese population.
Mohammedanism fnds no representa-
ti0u IN the census OF 1890. as 10 Is only
since that date that the famous prOpS-
gauda OF MOhammed Webb has been
instituted. WedO timagine, however,
that even yet the number OF American
followers of the Prophet would be found
90 be very great. The devotees OF
SDiritualism are returned at about
f0rt7-6ve thousand. The Society Of
Ethical Culture claims l,O6t mem bers,
and the TheOsOphists the modest total
OF 6a5.
The whole number OF religious organ
izaJiouS il the country comes to the
amazing total of more than l6j,0OO
They have l42 600 edifces aud are Serv-
ed by an army OF more than lilo
ministers.
The churches Of this country have
seating capacity Of over forty-three
millions, so that tbree-iOurths OF the
population 40 any time could be accom-
U0Jated with seats.
Different sections OF the country seem
20 vary widely Ia the possession OF
these elements of church strength.
Thus New York has the greatest mum
Der of church members and the largest
aggregation of church property, but
peunsy 'yania, a smaller State, possesses
more examinations, edihces aud clergy
Relatively considered, Texas has the
largest number of church organizations,
Georgia Of ediiceS, Massachusetts pos
ses>es the most church property, and
North Carolina provides the greatest
seating capacity Ia proportion to her
population.
Amongst the denominations the Cath
Ole Church is the wealthiest absolutely,
but the EDiScOpaIianS lar excel all others
~ wealth 10 proportion 10 numbers be
considered.
Few would guess that, of all the
States aud Territories, New Mexico has
by far the largest percentage Of church
members IN It's population. Here IS u
pew idea for the piOuSly inclined why
this long suffering Territory should
40 last be granted the dignity
Of Statehood. Its pre-eminence in
this regard is of course 70 be
accounted for by the predominance of
the Catholic Church counting all its ad
hevonts as members. Utah shows an
other high percentage which is SINH
larry 70 be explained by the presence Of
the Mormon Cnu-ch. South Carolina,
Rhode Island, North Carolina and Mas
Sacbusetts represent she highest real
proportion Of church members in total
population. Strange that these four
States, notable in this regard, should
represent equally sections as diverse as
New England aud the old South.
Oklahoma has the distinction Of car
ing least for spiritual things, having by
for the lnMRat nhrcantnrn III rhnrrh |