St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-06-28

any OF the 2O9 tailed to have some
service at some time the last twelve
months.
But this does not answer the ques-
tions. This is speaking only of some
facts taken from the record OF one
body OF churches. Other denomina-
tions might report differently. There
is no question that there is much to
be desired in improving the tone of
religious sentiment in all parts of the
state, that there are still many "des-
tltute" communities, that sectarian
rivalry has caused the waste of much
effort and that Vermont is still far
from the ideal condition.
In one thing we are fully agreed
with the compiler of these tables.
What is needed is more home mis-
sionary work in Vermont" This is
plea we have been making for
many years, and we are glad of an
ally. But of late we have been plead
ing for it on the ground of fruitful
ness of the field and the hopefulness
of the outlook, and not on the
ground restitution and decadence.
Nor is it necessary to cast any rehec.
tion upon zeal for foreign missions.
The world is wide, and tbs one. Ex-
perience has shown that those most
liberal in gifts to foreign missions re-
spond quickly and generously to
calls at home. If any one doubts
this, let him undertake to outstrip
them.
Bishop Hall of Burlington makes
clear the situation so far as the Epis.
copal church is concerned and proves
that Walton's Register is in error in
every Episcopal church mentioned as
without pastor. This surely, is a
pleasing condition of affairs.
The worthy bishop, however, goes
out of his way to cast reflection
upon this paper for printing the tab.
ulated statement compiled for the
Register. He says
There is enough of truth in Gov.
Rollins words about the Decline OF
Religion in the country districts oil
New England to render untrust-
worthy statistics particularly unfor.
tunate"
4 1t will be remembered by all who
read the article that the editor did
not vouch for the accuracy of the
Registers statements, and that in
showing churches without pastors
he gave the only information at hand.
Bishop Hall is an earnest Christ.
ian. He is man respected and
loved. He deserves to be. But we
cannot agree with him that the de.
cline of religion in the rural places oil
New England is sufficiently bad with
out printing untrustworthy stats.
tics. Even though our information
was discrepant in many instances, it
has been the means of starting in.
vestigations, as for instance in the
bishops own case, and information
that is reliable is being placed before
the reading public. Essex Record.
Gov. Rollins allegation of the de.
cay Of Christianity in New Hamp.
shire has brought the statistical
theorists to the front. Figures show
that Massachusetts, has a religious
organization to every SIG of its
population and seating capacity in
it's churches for about one-half it's
population; New Hampshire has a
religious organization for every 4S0
people and a seating capacity in
churches for two-thirds of its popula-
ton. The statistical expert of the
Burlington News jumps into the ring
and says Vermont wont take back
seat for anybody and then adds
The census of 1890 gave Vermont a
population of $50 900 with 904 re-
ligious organizations, or one to
every 367 of the population; 500
church buildings, or almost exactly
one to every 400 Of population, with
seating capacity of $4,000 or
about 11.16ths of the population,
and LOG, 315 church me mbers, or one
out of every three of the whole popu-
lation. But how is it about vital
christianity in Vermont?-[ Vermont
phoeuiy