RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS IN AMERICA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1998, 28 April 1885, Page 2

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS IN AMERICA.

Ditking the sitting of the Penary Council of the Catholic prelates ami digni taries in Baltimore, an attempt was made by careful students and statisticians to show the giowth of the religious communities of the United States ieliitively, for the better guidance of prelates. The table which his been piepared arnves at some conclusions HttU loba than staitlmg. By the census of ISliO the population of the United Staies was 31,14.1,080. The pteseut population is now estimated at 35,000,000. The gain iv twenty-five yeais has therefore been 33,501), 001), or at the rate of 75 pei cent. In 18U0, according to estimates, the accuracy of which was then universally acknowledged, there were 5,G00,000 Methodists in this country. They wcic then, as they are now, the strongest ieligious body numerically. Since 1860 the total has grown to 14,000,000, which is an increase of 75 per cent., keeping pace exactly with the increase in population. The number of alfiliants of the various Baptist churches was, in ISGO, 5.000,000 ; to day it is 11,000,000. The increase in twenty-five years is therefore, 50pei cent. — a gain in absolute ratio, but a falling off when considered lelatively, The Presbyterians numbered iv 18003,000,000. Now they number 6,300,000, An inuiease in twenty-five years of 33 r,er cent. The Lutherans, who have been materially benefited by constant and increasing eniifrom Germany, Sweden, llollaud, and Norway, have gi own from 1, 2,30,000 in 18G0 to 2,000.000 iv 1881, or at the rate of GO per cent. Tiic Congregation ilibts have declined lelatively very innch The old •pint of the New England pilgum3 acir.s to be dying out among them. In twentylive yeais they have advanced but 27 per cent, that is from 1,413,000 iv 1800 to 1,900,000 at piesent. On the other hand, the various Reformed churchesDutch, German and Evangelical — show an increase of nearly 30 per cent, from 810,000 in 18G0 to 1,200,000 to day. Tlie Episcopalians show a fair increase in numbers, yet one iclati\ely below the average. Their percentage of gain is 33V per cent in 23 yeais, bringing up the total from 900,000 to 1,200,000. The Hebrews— counting together those who are orthodox and those who aie merely nominal— have increased fiom 330,000 in ISGO to 700,000 in 1834, % full 100 per cent of gain. The Friends, or Qualcei9, show an absolute as well as a relative decline. They have fallen off 60 per cent, from 220,000 in 18bO to 150,000 in 1884. The denomination of Christians, who are numerous in Kentucky, Southern Indiana, Southern Ilianois, and Missouri, numbered 800,000 against 30,01)0 in 1860, an absolute gain of 60 per cent., yet a falling off, relatively, of 15 per cent. But the most surprising feature of the calculation just completed is the growth of the Catholics. In 18G0 they numbered, in the United States, 3,176,000. Now there are 9,300,000. This is a gain of 100 per cent, iv twenty-five years. Should the same ratio of increase continue to be preserved, they wonld number, fifteen years hence, 23,000,000. The churehos of all creeds and denominations in the United States contain accommodation for 27i505,000, or just half the whole population of 55,000,000.

List of visitors to To Aroha laths latt week :— Mr W. Wood, Mr A. W. (JUddiiijj, Mr Gco. Gihncr, Mr W. Reid, Mr Faiibourn, Mias Fairbourn, Mr and Mrs Bailoy, Mr Ferguson, Mr Felson, Captain Lindfers, Mr Alford, Mr Y. H. Long, Mrs Taylor, Mr Smith, Mr Winter, Mr Teacock, Mr Dacre, Mr Loath and ton, Mr Carr, Mr Dayrell, Mr Wynyaid, Mr Howard, Mias Campbell, Mr and Mi\s Nancarrow, Mr Drake, Miss Nancarrow, Mrs A. H. Taylor, Mr Pine, Mr Chas. I'tirchas, Mr Ct. H. A. PurchoH, Dr and Miss Tune], Mrs J. R. Nicholson, Auckland ; Mihsos A. and J. Hamilton, Miss Ehronfried, Mrs Moses, Misse* Moses (3), Mis Smith, M«as Lawson, Dr Kilgour, Tliames ; Mr Franklin, Mr Littlejohn, Mr Grace, Capt. Deere, Mr Ilamsdon, Mr D. M. Beore, Mr McGregor Hay, Mr Marshall nnd son, Waikato ; MrD'Arcy McDoupal), Queensland ; Mis and Miss Roche, Ohinoroa ; Mrs Hally, Miss Campbell, Mr Littlejohn, Cambridge ; Mr Joshua Hartley, Turua ; Mis» Law, Dunodin ; Mr Lash, Hawera; Mr J. M. Greenwood, Wondland«; Mr and Mrs Balby, Otahuhu ; Mr H. Clark, Mr Robson, Miss Robsen, Mr W. rtulliTan, Paeroa; Mr J. La Prello, Owharoa : Rev. B. Callman, Sydney ; Mr, Mrs and Miss N*nc»ri'9 w, Wellington,