.440 Population...341,000 Churches.. it useless to burden your attention on this subject. | difficulties of the forest, found leisure and means The slightest reference to the Statistical Tables to provide itself as follows: will settle the question. But while it is commonly conceded that the New England States are better supplied with the means of religious worship than any other country in the world, the admission is not unfrequently made at the expense of the other States, and of the voluntary principle. Mr. Daw-truth, are not these figures, in union with such cirson, for instance, in a recent address to the electors of Plymouth, conceded, that these States were excellently supplied with religious means; and he then proceeded to maintain, that these means had grown up on the principle of State establishment, and that the other and newer States, which had discarded this principle and relied on its opposite, are, indeed, in the very state of desolation predicated. If this is correct, it is fatal to the new method; but let us look at it dispassionately. cumstances, most astonishing? I confess to you, that I have looked at them once and again; and when I have assured myself that there is no cause to doubt their correctness, it still appears next to impossible for a people, settling in this new land, without aid from Government, and spread over so large a surface, to have achieved so great a work for their spiritual welfare. and I can readily account for the impressions which I have travelled over a large portion of the West, I think I have already shown, with some clear- have been received by strangers in those regions. ness, how much of her prosperity New England owes The eye is disappointed at not seeing, amidst every to the principle of a Standing Order; I must now little cluster of log cabins, the spire or tower of the bring the means possessed by other States into com- village church; the people who do not profess reliparison with those she is admitted to enjoy. Massa-gion, are not careful to save appearances, and you chusetts, then, the principal State of New England, and the longest settled, has Population... 610,014 | Churches.... ...600 Population. 1,913,508 | Churches........ 1,800 Ministers... 1,133 Churches........1,829 Population. 1,347,672 Communicants, 180,205 Is this a sign of desolation? If it is, what are we to say of the most favored divisions of our own country? Scotland is universally thought to be highly privileged in her religious means; but ScotJand stands thus- Population.2,365,807 Churches........1,804 Ministers......1,765 Communicants, uncer. But it will be objected that these States are not either of the West or South, and are, therefore, not to be accepted in evidence on the wants of the more distant regions. I admit this; but, with this admission, I maintain that it is unjust to make the condition of the young States in the West, or the Slave States in the South, which are just colonizing, the test of the voluntary principle, as compared with New England; as unjust as it would be to try the compulsory principle in Great Britain, not by what it had wrought there, but by what it had done in Jamaica and in the Canadas. Having, in mere justice, protested against this mode of trial, I am not, on that account, unwilling to make the compa rison. Tennessee has 630 Population...684,000 | Churches........ Ministers.. 458 Communicants. 60,000 Ohio, a Western State, which, in 1810, had only a population of 230,000, and forty years since, not more than five hundred persons settled, has now a population of 937,000, scattered over a surface of 40,000 square miles, nearly the size of England and Wales. With these disadvantages, the account stands thus Population...937,000 Churches... ...802 Ministers.. .841 Communicants..76,460 Indiana, which is further West, and is settling at this very time, has, while struggling with the first Number 23. quickly see them as they are; the ministry as a distinct order, is far less apparent than in the East, for those who minister among the Methodists and Baptists are mostly without regular training. But it is evident, that he who is not prepared to revise and correct his impressions, under such circumstances, is not qualified to report concerning them. The ministers here are in advance of the people; they will still keep in advance of them; and it would be the desire of ambition, not of wisdom, that would place them so far in advance as to be out of reach, and out of sight. The little churches also in the scattered districts bear the same relation to the state of the people. They are frequently log cabins, and have no outward sign to designate their use; but as the log cabin yields to better accommodations in domes.ic life, so surely does the church receive an improved and visible form. In fact, the West is not New England. There are fewer means; they are of a lower character; and the people who do not profess are less under the influence of wholesome restraint and decorum. How can it be otherwise? There is, undoubtedly, much to be done for it. But, meantime, you will know how to judge of the reports made on its waste places, by remembering that, if its present means are fewer than those of New England, they are decidedly more than those of Scotland. If we turn from the particular and comparative views, with which I have thus supplied you, to those which are more general, the American Institutions suffer nothing. The severest trial that can by possibility be made on this subject, is to take the ten States, on which we have any safe returns, which have been last added to the Commonwealth. These are, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana, and Florida. These will give a return of persons spread times the size of England and Wales, as follows:over a surface of 480,670 square miles, about nine Population..3,641,000 Churches....... 3,701 Ministers.......2,690 Communicants 286,560 Need I say, how greatly this again exceeds Scot land! mentary evidence, and have sought, in several cases, to verify or shake it; and the result is, that I am fully persuaded it deserves confidence. Great pains have, indeed, been taken with this class of evidence. All the denominations have more association and more system than are common with us. They make their yearly returns in their respective associations where they are known, and where serious error would be corrected. These are made again to conventions, or central bodies. General almanacs are prepared for public use, into which these statistics are introduced, and are subject to revision and amendment. One gentleman, with excellent capacities for the subject, and of unquestioned integrity, has devoted himself entirely to these important inquiries. All the annual and local returns have been searched and sifted by him; and they have appeared, in the amended form, in the and fidelity, has acquired high repute in all the deQuarterly Register, a work which, for its research nominations; and it is the interest of each body to see, that no other body is allowed, at its expense, to pass with exaggerated numbers. I say not that these returns, after all the pains taken, are perfect; but I fearlessly say, that they are both honest and admirable. Certainly we have to this day no returns, dissenting or episcopal, ecclesiastical or civil, that can in any way be compared with them. With us, it is still a desideratum, which, I trust, some one will at length supply. Population..13,000,000 | Churches......12,580 Ministers......11,450 Commun....1,550,890 On the whole, then, the conclusion is, that whatThis yields about one clergyman and one church to ever trivial errors may cleave to a subject which every thousand persons; while it gives about one in does not admit of perfect exactness, the general renine of the whole population, as in a state of com-sults remain indisputable. And with such results munion; and as the returns do not include the communicants connected with the Episcopal, the Catholic, and some smaller sects, it is certainly not taken too high. Of England, if it is allowed that there are seven thousand working clergy in the Episcopal church, and five or six thousand clergy united to other divisions of the church, the amount of ministers will bear about the same proportion to the population as in America. But if this ministry is to be submitted to the two indispensable tests of its efficiency on the people, church accommodation and church communicants, it will fail most lamentably. The Bishop of London, in his evidence on this subject, states, that certainly not one tenth of the people are supplied with church room in the places of his diocese. I conclude, that no diocese can exceed that of London, and take the whole, therefore, at one tenth. If it is conceded, that the Dissenters supply as much as the Episcopal church, I suppose this is the utmost that may be asked. This, then, would supply both by the voluntary and compulsory system, only an accommodation for one fifth of the people. before us, shall we still, with blindness and prejudice, refuse the lessons they imperatively convey? While such evidence is developing itself in favor of the voluntary principle, where alone it has found an open and fair field of probation, should not the Dissenter be confirmed in his assurance of its power and efficiency; and be disposed to rest his cause on it with confidence and quiet? And should not the pious churchman, who regards an establishment only as it promotes the interests of religion amongst the people, be inclined, whatever may have been his original disinclination, to weigh such testimony with calm and dispassionate attention? At least, he should know, that he need not be withheld from the subject by apprehension and alarm. The Dissenter concerns not himself in the temporal estate of the church, except as it may affect his equality as a citizen, and as he devoutly desires that the Episcopal portion of the church may arrive at a condition most favorable to her honor, stability, and usefulness. Spoliation, not only is not, it never can be his object; for he can never profit by the spoil. Even the paltry grant, passing under the name of Then look at the state of communion, which is, the Regium Donum, his principles, fairly carried after all, the real test of strength and influence. It out, compel him to decline. Whatever emoluis shown by documents, which will not be disputed, ments may be granted by the State to others, and tha. the Episcopal church, though hers is a free whatever his opinion of them, he deems himself communion, has only 350,000 communicants. I richer than they in having none; for the church thir.k the communicants of the Dissenting bodies and the world are to be renovated, not by patronage, may be safely put down at 700,000; and I do not but by principles. At all events, if the infirmities expect more will be allowed to them. This, how- of our common nature should allow no more in the ever, will only give us 1,050,000; while America, present period of excitement, this improved conat a low estimate, and with a universally strict com-viction might take from our discussions most of munion, has 1,550,890; an increase on ours of more than one third! their bitterness while they continue, and conduct us the more quickly to peace when they terminate. How apposite and beautiful, at such a time, is the prayer of the excellent Venn, of Huddersfield: O, Prince of Peace, heal our divisions! Diffuse thy patient loving spirit! Give discernment to distinguish aright between what is essential and what is not, and (meekness) to bear with each other's differences, till the perfect day discovers all things in All these results are most striking; and, in truth, if they are admitted, they are overwhelming in evidence. On this account, the Statistical Returns have recently been put into dispute, and have been taxed with the grossest exaggerations. That some exaggerated statements have been hastily made, I am ready to allow, for I have seen such. But I have given much attention to the approved docu- I their true proportions." LETTER XXXVII. MY DEAR FRIEND-Although I have dwelt on the last subject at considerable length, I hope it has not been to weariness. I have now to solicit your attention to a kindred topic-the Religious Societies. My design is, not to present you with an almanac under this head; but merely to glance at the leading voluntary associations for religious purposes; and to connect, with a brief statement, such remarks as may appear to be opportune and important. The Bible Society was not instituted till the year 1816. Its receipts, in the first year, were 19,218 dollars; but it met with such general sympathy, that it made rapid advances on that amount. The last year, its income was 88,600 dollars; making an increase on the previous year of 3,665 dollars. The amount of Testaments and Bibles printed during the year, is 149,375 copies; and since the formation it has issued 1,644,500 copies. Its first attention was directed to the domestic claims. In May, 1829, the resolution following was unanimously adopted :-" That this society, with a humble reliance on Divine aid, will endeavor to supply all the destitute families of the United States, with the Holy Scriptures, that may be willing to purchase or receive them, within the space of two years, provided means be furnished by its auxiliaries and benevolent individuals, to enable the board of managers to carry this resolution into effect." This noble and patriotic resolution was carried out in the spirit which suggested it; and I have every reason to think, that so far as the nature of the pledge allowed, it has been redeemed. Certainly, the American people are the very people to deal with such a resolve. One good purpose enacted, strengthens the mind to bring forth another. When the demands of home were, for the time, answered, the Christians looked round for another world to conquer. A proposition was made in 1833, to do, in concert with other societies, for the whole world, what had been done for the States. Such a proposal evidently required to be looked at with greater caution, in all its bearings, before a society could pledge itself with propriety or honor. It stood over. The sense of the sister society here was sought. I was the instrument of conveying it, and offering the needful explanations. The proposal was modified, and submitted to the meeting in the following terms:"In view of the Divine promise as to the ultimate spread of the gospel over the earth; of the signal success of the Bible cause during the present century; and of the numerous translations of the Scriptures already made; of the establishment of able and faithful missionaries in almost every Pagan and Mohammedan country; and of the wide extent of commerce and international communication; it is the serious conviction of this Society, and is therefore "Resolved, That were the friends of the Bible in Christian countries to exercise that faith, to offer those fervent supplications, to make those efforts and sacrifices, which the present aspects of Providence and the word of God demand, but a short period need pass away before the families of all nations might be favored with the light of revealed truth. Resolved, That in consonance with the sentiment expressed in the preceding resolution, this Society will steadily aim, and, under the blessing of God, employ its best endeavors, in concert with similar institutions, towards effecting the distribution of the Bible among all the accessible population of the globe, within the shortest practicable period. "Resolved, That the zealous and united prosecution of this grand object be affectionately and earnestly recommended to all the Bible Societies and friends of the Bible in this country and foreign lands." This proposition, thus qualified, was unanimously accepted. There can surely exist no objection to it. It is, indeed, the expression of what we all desire; but the expression is useful. It awakens the sentiment where it is dormant; it presents a recog nized and sublime object before the eye; and it creates sympathy with every other society in every quarter of the world, from the instant conviction, that it is only by the union of all, that it can be accomplished. I trust the resolutions will be responded, as with ar angel's voice, from the father land. The American Board for Foreign Missions was formed in the year 1810. It was first suggested at an association of ministers, by some young students, who were anxious to devote themselves to missionary labor. Its rapid growth is evidence sufficient, that it has laid firm hold on the convictions and affections of the churches. Its receipts, in the last year, are 145,844 dollars; being an increase on the former year, of 15,270 dollars. In the same period, forty-eight persons have been sent out; nineteen ordained missionaries; two physicians; two printers; other assistants, twenty-five; total, forty-eight. The present state of this prosperous society is as follows: It is the intention of this Society to send out at least an equal number of missionaries this year. Its proceedings are reported in the Missionary Herald, a well conducted periodical, now commanding a sale of about 15,000. copies. It should be observed that it embraces only the Presbyterian and Congregational denominations; and not more than 2,500 churches are at present contributors. The Home Missionary Society is a remarkable instance of sudden advancement towards maturity. It was constituted in 1826. It commenced by some previous movement with 104 missionaries; in the first year this amount was increased to 169; in the second to 201; in the third to 204; in the fourth to 392; in the fifth to 463; in the sixth to 509; in the seventh to 606; and in the eighth and last to 676. The income has risen in proportion to this demand. The receipts during the last year were, 78,911 dollars, which is an advance on the former year of 10,284 dollars. It has contributed to revive the domestic societies connected with the Presbyterian and Reformed church bodies; so that there are now about one thousand missionaries employed by these societies in the United States and the Canadas; and about fifteen hundred churches supported or assisted through their instrumentality. Apart from these, are to be computed the efforts put forth by the Methodist, the Baptist, and other religious bodies, for the same object. Undoubtedly, the astonishing success of this society is to be referred chiefly to the deep sense of its need on the minds of the people; but no small proportion of it must be ascribed to the confidence which has been inspired by its management. It was my privilege, frequently, to plead its cause; to become acquainted with its detail; and to witness, in the West, its labors; and I have certainly never met with an institution under more excellent government. And this is the more remarkable, when the brevity of its existence and the rapidity of its growth is borne in mind. There was danger that its sudden advancement, that these societies, which embrace only the Congregational and Presbyterian bodies, have not less than fourteen hundred young men in training for the Christian ministry! and the crying claims made on it from the wilderness, might have betrayed it to hasty and unwise measures. On the contrary, while it moved with surprising energy, it has acted with equal prudence. It has started on the principle of employing no one The Tract Society requires to be named here, fot as a missionary who had not enjoyed a regular edu- the extent and importance of its operations. It was cation for the ministry. It has accepted no man for formed only in 1825; but it has on its lists 737 this service who would not have been deemed eli- works, which it has published. Of the tracts, it gible to act as a Christian pastor. It has thus saved has printed 36,303,250 copies; and of the volumes, the ministry from degradation; it has inspired con- 33,669,918 copies. The receipts on the past year fidence in the congregations needing help; and by were 66,485 dollars; and the whole amount had maintaining the character of the missionary in full been disbursed. No less than 20,000 dollars had equality with that of the pastor, it has secured his been applied to foreign distribution; and a resoluusefulness, and disposed the most respectable mention is adopted to use 30,000 dollars in the presen year for the same purpose! to look to its service, as offering an inviting, as well as an important field of exertion. From the want of some such principles of action, so simple, and yet so wise, what mischief has been done, where there was, doubtless, a sincere desire to do only good! The Education Society has for its object the preparation of young men of talent and piety for the Christian ministry, either for home or foreign service. It was formed in 1815; and although claiming priority of existence to the Home Mission Society, it has recently owed much of its success to the principle on which it has acted. They are admirably calculated to work in harmony, and to the highest issues. Apart from many smaller societies, that at Bos ton deserves notice, as it is the parent of the one I have reported, and as its principle of action is equally general and comprehensive. It has upwards of 700 auxiliaries; its receipts, in 1832, were 12,606 dollars; and it issued 14,500,740 pages. This society is conducted with much vigor, and equal prudence; its noble efforts in behalf of foreign objects deserve especial commendation. The Sunday School Union is an important tributary in the great work of benevolence. It is catholic in its spirit, and is second to none in the ability and zeal with which it is conducted. This society was formed in 1824. Its committee is composed of religious men of different denominations; and no book is to be adopted until it has the sanction of each member. In the year 1832, the eighth of its existence, it had 790 auxiliaries; 9,187 schools were in connection; having 542,420 scholars, and 80,913 teachers. As many as 26,913 teachers and scholars are reported to have become pious in the same period. The expenditure for that year was 117,703 dollars; for the last year it was 136,855. This institution does not provide itself with the means of educating its beneficiaries; it merely sees them placed in the existing colleges, and meets the expenses which are consequent. The applicant is required to produce, from his pastor and others who know him, certificates of his talents, piety, need of pecuniary aid, and preparation to enter on a collegiate course of study; and if he is accepted, he is required also to enter into an engagement to refund the expenses of his education at a future time, should he be able, and should the society call on The more vigorous efforts of this Society have him so to do. The society have a discretional been directed most wisely to the Valley of the Mispower to cancel the engagement under particular sissippi. In 1830, it was resolved unanimously, circumstances. This arrangement had been adopt-"That, in reliance upon divine aid, they would, ed subsequently to its formation, and is considered to work with advantage. During the past year, 1834, it had 113 Beneficiaries in 14 Theological Seminaries. 912 .111 Academies and Schools. 159 The applicants, in the same time, had been two hundred and eighty. The receipts of the institution, in the last year, were 57,818 dollars, being an increase on the year 1833, of 11,000 dollars. The expenditure has been 56,363 dollars. The beneficiaries have refunded, in the same period, 1,947 dollars. within two years, endeavor to establish a Sunday school in every destitute place, where it is practicable, throughout the Valley of the Mississippi;" that is, over a country which is 1,200 miles wide, and 2,400 in length! If this great work is not perfected, much has been done, and much is doing. There are thirty-six agents wholly employed in this service; and during the past year, they established five hundred schools, and revived a thousand. I must not omit in this notice The Temperance Society. It was instituted in 1826, and has wrought an astonishing renovation amongst this people. From the circumstance that ardent spirits were to be had at about a shilling a gallon, the temptation became exceedingly great. As the demand for them rose, extensive orchards were planted, and About six hundred of its beneficiaries have com- fruits and grain were grown for the purpose of expleted their course of education, and are now ac- tracting spirit; till at length it threatened to betively employed in the ministration of the word of come the beverage of the country. The serious life. Forty are missionaries in foreign parts; and attention of the benevolent was called to it. The between two and three hundred are employed subject was discussed and urged in all its importwholly, or in part, by the Home Missionary Soci- ance on public notice. At last the principle of total ety. About twenty are engaged as editors of lite- abstinence from spirits as a drink, was adopted as rary and religious publications, and the remainder the basis of the society. It had, of course, to conare settled as pastors, or are looking to such settle-tend every where with unreigned appetite and ment. One sixth of all the ordinations and instal- pampered vice; but every where it fought to conlations in the past year, throughout the States, were quer. under the patronage of this society. During the last eight years, eleven thousand dollars have been repaid; and about one hundred thousand dollars have been earned by teaching schools, manual labor, and other services. Besides this society, there is the Presbyterian Education Society, which, in the last year, had 436 beneficiaries, and had received 19,277 dollars; so In the short space of its existence, upwards of seven thousand Temperance Societies have been formed; embracing more than one million two hundred and fifty thousand members. More than three thousand distilleries have been stopped; and more than seven thousand persons who dealt in spirits have declined the trade. Upwards of one thousand vessels have abandoned their use; and, most marvellous of all! it is said that above ten thousand drunkards have been reclaimed from intoxication. I really know of no one circumstance in the history of this people, or of any people, so exhilarating as this! It discovers that power of self-government, which is the leading element of all national greatness, in an unexampled degree. It is my duty to convey my impressions with perfect candor; and I should therefore observe, that this society, and its noble cause, are suffering at the present time from slight, and I trust temporary, reaction. The cause of Temperance has often been pleaded intemperately, and the intemperance of the mind, as well as of the body, has its appropriate punishment. Many have sought to extend the pledge to wines and other things; and have thus destroyed its simplicity and its power. Uniformly it is found that the use of wine is diminished where abstinence from the use of spirits obtains; had the advocates of the great cause remained inflexible to demanding one simple object, they would have won both; the fear is, in insisting on both, they may be denied all. No people know better than the Americans how to bear with manly and united energy on any portentious evil of the day; they have only one fault-they know not when to stop. However, they have, as a whole, acted above all praise; they have labored and prayed, prayed and labored, and the plague is stayed, and the nation is saved. These are the principal general Societies. The following table, with which I have been favored by Dr. Wisner, comprises the remainder of the same class, and it will interest you. Besides these, of course, there are numerous local Societies. The amount raised annually will be an index to their relative power, and will, perhaps, make further statement unnecessary. I am inclined to think, that when your eye runs over these brief statements, and when you remember, that scarcely any one of these Societies is more than twenty years old, and most of them less than ten, you will be filled with surprise and admiration. But let us seek to profit by what we admire. Is not this an additional proof of the power and resources of the voluntary principle? Could so much have been done, in such a period of time, and amongst a people so circumstanced, by any other imaginable means? Again, is it not presumptive evidence of the general good management of these Societies? I am fully aware that large sums of money may be raisand careful application; but a public institution ed, occasionally, where there is no proof of a wise will not have large accessions to its income, year after year, unless it gains increasingly on public confidence; and confidence does not usually rest long where it is misused. In fact, I may say, and say it advisedly, that the most popular of the Societies are excellently conducted. Were you to desire me to account for this, in one word, I should say-they owe it to their agency. The persons who are entrusted with the concerns of a great benevolent Society, rest under the deep conviction, that its claims and interests are paramount; and they resolve to commit the official superintendence to the highest and best hands. They look round in every direction for the best man, and it matters not where he is, or what he is doing, he is their man as far as purpose may go. They challenge him without hesitation; and they leave it with him to say whether he deems his present engagements to have superior demands upon him, to those proposed to him. The person so applied to, if sacrifices of pastoral attachment are to be made, is prepared to make them at the call of public duty; he has no feverish anxiety about his means; he does not seek Receipts of Benevolent Societies in the United States, more, he does not expect less; for these Societies in the year ending May, 1834. American Board of Commissioners for are economical in things, and not in men, and that is true economy; and he is embarrassed by no fear Dollars. Cts. that he shall suffer in the estimation of his brethren by compliance, for the best and the wisest will be his consociates. Hence it is, that you commonly find the very first men in the church, at the head of these Institutions. The particular churches sympathize with the church universal, and resign their pastor for such a service; and if he is careful to honor the choice, he finds himself not degraded, but advanced to higher esteem, as well as to wider usefulness. 155,002 24 5,572 97 Western Foreign Mission Society, at American Home Missionary Society, Baptist Home Missionary Society, 26,007 97 Board of Missions of the Reformed 40,000 00 Board of Education of the General As I know of no one thing that has contributed to the success of these religious bodies equally with this; and simple as it is, it deserves to be made an indispensable principle of action. The opposite course is full of disaster. If, from a low estimate of the office, or from an unwillingness to incur charge, an inferior person is accepted to first rate appointments, you will soon find him surrounded only by men like or less than himself. He is offi38,000 00 cially the leader of the body; but if the weak lead 4,681 11 the strong, there will be confusion and every evil work; and order will only be restored by the better 1,270 20 men gradually disappearing. Incompetency prepa88,600 82 gates incompetency; and, at length, none but the 136,855 58 weak aspire to a post which has been degraded in the eyes of men. Would I could say, that none of 6,641 00 our Societies have suffered from such causes! But 6,126 97 it is impossible to put some of them in comparison, 66,485 83 as we were forced to do, with the corresponding 48,939 17 ones in the younger country, without painfully feel2,364 00 ing their inferiority in such respects. The inte16,064 00 rests at stake are grea: and overwhelming; and a 5,871 12 remedy should be applied without delay. $910,961 31 Besides the primary agents, most of these Societies have a considerable number that are secondary. |