The religious denominations in the United States: their past history, present condition, and doctrines, accurately set forth in fifty carefully-prepared articles

Front matter

Class.

Book

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT

Preface

The numerous complaints made by clergymen, and members of different denominations, that the Histories of Religions heretofore published had done them injustice, ogether with a careful examination of such books, induced the projector and ompiler of this work to believe that a truthful History was not only very desirable, I ut also much needed. The plan having occurred to him of procuring a sketch f the origin, progress, faith, and practice of each denomination from some one of its most eminent professors or ministers, he sought to obtain the views of distinguished divines and laymen connected with the various sects in the United States, before engaging in the undertaking. From all whom he consulted, he received a full and decided approval of the project; and many at once consented to aid the work, by writing the necessary articles, or procuring them to be written by others.

Each sect having been afforded an opportunity of presenting its own history, all danger of misrepresentation is thereby completely avoided; and the public may rely upon having a "History of Religious Denominations" which is free from the objections usually urged against books of this character.

The contributors to this work are too favorably known to the members of their own religious faith to require any endorsement here ; and their names, prefixed to their respective contributions, are an ample guarantee that justice has been done to all, so far as the projector has been enabled to secure it. No writer can have had any motive for wilfully misstating the doctrines of his own particular sect; though a natural bias may have led some to present the beauties of their own religion in glowing language — but for this, the reader will, doubtless, make all due allowance.

The history, and, more especially, the creeds of the different denominations, will furnish the unprejudiced reader with ample material for reflection, and will well repay a careful investigation. Though truth and error may possibly be commingled, still the free inquirer can have nothing to fear from a perusal of these pages. Each religious body having had an opportunity of telling the story of its past and present in its own way, a liberal and discerning public have now an opportunity of forming an opinion of the merits of all.

PUBLISHER'S NOTICE

In presenting to the public this new edition of " The Religious Denominations in the United States," and " History of Religious Denominations in England and Scotland," the publisher desires to direct attention to the fact, that it has been thoroughly revised, and the present condition of all the denominations in the United States given, as far as it was possible to obtain them. Several articles have been emended by competent hands : as the " History of the Ger. Ref. Church," by Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D.D., Phila.; of the "Ref. Prot. Dutch Church," by Rev. W. J. R. Taylor, also of Philadelphia; and of the Unitarians, by Rev. Henry A. Miles, D.D., Boston. The sketch of the "Associate Presbyterian Church" has been substituted by an entirely new one from the pen of the Rev. Thomas H. Beveridge, Philadelphia, who also kindly furnished that of the " United Presbyterian Church," formed by a union of the Associate and Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches.

The publisher has likewise taken great pains to have the statistics of the leading denominations in the United States collected and arranged in tabular form. All would have been given could they have been obtained, and no effort has been spared to secure them ; but, owing to the omission on the part of many sects to examine into their condition from year to year, it is found impossible to do so at present ; though the hope is entertained that the time is not far distant when the historian will be enabled to state the exact numerical strength of each religious denomination in the United States. Full returns are presented of the Regular Baptists, Freewill Baptists, Old School or Anti-Mission Baptists, Six Principle Baptists, German Baptists or Brethren, Seventh-day Baptists, Church of God Baptists, Disciples of Christ, and Mennonites ; of the Roman Catholics, Congrcgationalists, Episcopalians, j Evangelical Lutherans, German Reformed Church, Israelites, Methodists (North and South), Wesleyan Methodists, Presbyterians (Old and New School), Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, United Presbyterians, and Universalists. The statistics of some of these have been compiled from Almanacs, published annually by different denominations ; and acknowledgments are here made to these sources for much of the matter presented in relation to the Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Universalists.

The publisher has also, at considerable expense, procured new engravings, from truthful portraits, of distinguished men in different denominations. These cannot be surpassed for correctness and artistic execution, and will challenge comparison with any others extant of the same individuals.

Yery convenient Analytical Indexes, and also Synoptical Views of each article, are prefixed to both Parts, by means of which any subject connected with the History, Faith, or Practice of the various denominations may be easily found. In many cases these will be found of great advantage.

Contents

ANALYTICAL INDEX ~ .Pag® 9

INTRODUCTION. 13

ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH By Rev. Thos. H. Beveridge 17

Part II. History And Statistics Of Religious Denominations In England

AND SCOTLAND.

PORTRAIT ILLUSTRATIONS

WILLIAM BLISS To pace page 13

JOHN M. MASON, D.D 24

ROGER WILLIAMS 42

DAVID MARKS 74

POPE PIUS IX 130

DAVID MILLARD 164

J. WINEBRENNER 170

COTTON MATHER, D.D 188

JOHN H. LIVINGSTON, D.D , 205

A. CAMPBELL 223

WILLIAM WHITE, D.D 236

GEORGE FOX 279

ELIAS HICKS 290

ULRICH ZWINGLI 298

MARTIN LUTHER 319

NICOLAS LEWIS (COUNT ZINZENDORF) 350

REV. JOHN WESLEY, D.D 358

REV. RICHARD ALLEN 396

MENNO SIMON , 406

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG 421

REV. HENRY A. BOARDMAN, D.D 459

ALBERT BARNES 485

DR. WM. E. CHANNING 579

REV. HOSEA BALLOU..... 593

ANALYTICAL INDEX

AT?

THE FIRST PART.

Adam, original state of, 24, 100, 240

Faith, condition of salvation, 90, 254

Penance, 147

Adoption, 251

Faith. (See Doctrines.)

Adventists, 37

Fast days, 179

614, 617, 621

Pictures and images, 156

Assembly, General, 476, 514

Free will, or freedom of man, 168, 177,

Pope, 158

277, 369, 394, 418

Prayer, 129

Predestination, 251, 301, 303

410, 519, 562

God, manifested in the flesh, 426, 455

Presbyterians, 459

Good works, 154

Presbytery, 468, 506

Bible, the word of God, 101, 110, 129,

Priests or Presbyters, 260

Proselytism, 153

393, 455, 530, 562

Providence, 27

Believers. (See Churcb.)

Guilt of sin, 100

Publications. (See Periodicals.)

Punishment, 279

Burghers, 25

247, 269, 393, 512

Purgatory, 155, 370

Ceremonies, 157

Christ's death for the elect, 27

409, 418

Holy orders, 151

426, 562

Holiness, 338

Humiliation of Christ, 101, 126, 409,

Restorationists, 538

277, 370, 410, 457, 512

Illumination, 291

613, 614, 616, 620

Inclinations evil, origin of, 100

Indulgences, 150

Revelation, necessity of, 524

Confession of sins, 148

Infallibility, 145

Rewards and punishments, 181, 279

Righteousness of Christ, 27

402, 555, 562

Intermediate state, 155, 245, 572

Confirmation, 147

Invocation, 153

Confession of Faith. (See Doctrines.)

Congregationalists, 188 Conscience, 485

Jesus, Deity of. (See Christ's Divinity.)

Constitution, 183, 381, 507

Saints, invocation of, 153

Conversion. (See Regeneration.)

394, 512

Salvation, conditions of, 110, 236

Convention, 380, 398

Kingdom of Christ, 420, 512, 539

Sanctification, 177, 403

Creation and preservation, 408

Knowledge of God, 426

Satisfaction for sins, 150, 278, 371

Creed. (See Doctrines.)

Law of nature, 28

Satisfaction rejected, 293

Law of God, 602

Saving faith, 480

Dead, resurrection of. (See Resurrection.) Death, 431, 457

Scriptures. (See Bible.)

Seceders, 26, 225

Sins after justification, 277, 370, 394

Debates, 227

356, 389

Solemn League and Covenant, 527

Divine decrees, 203

Lord's Supper (see also Eucharist), 111,

Soul, doctrine concerning, 181

512, 583

419, 555

Spirit, Holy. (See Holy Ghost.)

Divinity of Christ. (See Christ's Di-

Lutherans, 320 vinity.)

Man, origin of, 100, 602

Tenets. (See Doctrines.)

Man's primitive state, 240, 512

Temperance, 185

Mass, 152

Theological Seminaries, 31, 204, 221,

Matrimony, 151

Means of grace, 230, 235, 246

Mediation, 489

Toleration, 132

Mediator, 523, 601

Tradition, 141

579, 589, 593

Members of church. (See Church.)

Transubstantiation, 152, 370

Mennonites, 406, 421

Methodists, 357, 405

403, 512, 562, 581

Millennium, 38, 180

Trinity discarded, 293

Elect, 512

Ministers of the Gospel, 256, 259

Truth of God, 239

Election, 236, 251

Unitarians, 199

Eldership, 172, 182

522, 612, 614

Vestments, 157

End of the world, 181

Moral law, 101

Will, original, 512 '

Episcopalians, 236

Offices of Christ, 174, 191

Excommunication, 413, 420

Old Testament, 315, 348

World, end of, 181

Extreme unction, 151

....

in

SYNOPTICAL VIEW OF EACH ARTICLE.

Associate Presbyterian Church.

Date of its origin, 17 ; causes of the secession from the Established Church of Scotland, 17-19 ; institution of the first Synod, 20; dissensions about the burgess oath, and division into Burghers and Anti-Burghers, 20; reunion of both branches after a separation of seventy years, 20 ; introduction of the Associate Church into the Colonies of Pennsylvania and Delaware, 20, 21 ; attempted union of the different branches of the Presbyterian Church in America, 21 ; negotiations for a union with the Reformed Presbytery, 21 ; united under the title of " The Associate Reformed Church," 21 ; protest against it by some members of the Associate Presbytery, and appeal to Scotch Synod, 21 ; institution of the ''Associate Synod of North America," 21; unsuccessful negotiations for a union of the Associate and Associate Reformed Synods, 22 ; union of the Reformed Dissenting Presbytery with the Associate Church, 22; history of the formation of the "True Associate Synod of North America," and its reunion with the parent' body in 1854, 22; foreign missions, 22; negotiations for a union of the Associate, Associate Reformed, and Reformed Presbyterian Churches, result in a coalescence of the two first in 1858, 23; condition of the Associate Church at the time of union, 23. Statistics (see U. Presb.)

Associate Reformed Church.

Colony in South Carolina, 24; missionaries sent to this country, 24; origin of the A. P. Church, 24; division thereof, 25; dispute between the Burghers and Anti- Burghers, 25 ; division of the Burghers, 25 ; dispute respecting the Solemn League and Covenant, 26; division of the Anti-Burghers, 26; four bodies of Seceders — Old and New Light Burghers, and Old and New Light Anti- Burghers, 26; union between the New Light Burghers and the Anti-Burghers, 26 ; union between the Old Light Burghers and Established Church, 26 ; first missionaries to America, 26, 27 ; union between the Burgher and Anti- Burgher bodies, 27 ; division of the Old Pa. Presbytery, 27 ; origin of the Associate Reformed Synod, 27 ; basis of the union between the two Presbyteries, 28 ; account of the leading men who effected this union, 28 ; early localities of the Church, 29 ; synod, constitution, and standards of the Church, 30, 31 ; division of the Church into four provincial synods, 31; establishment of a theological seminary, 31; John M. Mason first professor, 31; character and writings of Dr. Mason, 32. Statistics (see U. Presb.)

Adventists.

Their name and rise, 37 ; peculiarities, 37 ; points of difference between Adventists and other bodies, 37 ; proofs of Christ's pre-millennial Advent, 38 ; nature of the millennium, 38, 39; views and proofs of the return of the Jews to the land of Palestine, 40 ; condensed viewof their former arguments in favor of the second advent of Christ about the year 1843, and of their present reasons for believing the advent near, 40; their associated action or church polity, 41.

Baptists.

Principles on which their views rest, 42 ; mode of baptism, 43 ; peculiarity as to the subjects of baptism, 45 ; testimonies of Psedobaptists on the subject, 46; arguments for the perpetuity of baptism, 47 ; confession of faith, 49 ; origin of the Baptists, 52; introduction of baptism into Britain, 53 ; decline and revival of religion, 54 ; reigns of Henry, Edward, Elizabeth, and Mary, 55; the Puritan Fathers and Roger Williams, 56; eulogiums by Magoon, Hopkins, and Channing, 56; influence of Baptists on freedom, 57 ; testimony of Washington, 58 ; eminent men, 59; attachment of Baptists to the government, 59; New Hampshire church covenant, 60; advantages of Baptist polity, 60; councils, associations, and conventions, 61; union with other denominations, 62; the Puritan Fathers and the Baptists, 62 ; Baptists in Wales and England, 64 ; Baptist literature in England, 65; peculiarities of English Baptists, 66 ; influence of Baptist zeal on prosperity, 67 ; Dr. Judson, 69; benevolent associations, 71; statistical tables, 603.

Freewill Baptists.

Origin and history, 74-76 ; notice of Elder David Marks, 74; doctrine and usages, 78; ordinances and officers, 79; government, 80; benevolent and literary institutions, 81; statistics, 81, 604.

Free Communion Baptists.

Origin of F. C. Baptists, 82 ; Groton Union Conference, 82; church in Westerly, R. I., 82; history, 82; first ministers and churches, 82; first conference, 83; increase and localities, 83; Pennsylvania Conference, 84; Northern and Southern Conference in N. Y., 84: General Conference, 84; Quarterly Meetings, 84; statistics, education, and benevolent exertions, 85; doctrine and polity, 85; union with Freewill Baptists, 86

Old School Baptists.

Distinction between Mission and Anti-Mission Baptists, 86; opposition to human inventions, 87; doctrine, name, localities, and periodicals, 87 ; statistics, 604.

Six-Principle Baptists.

Author's reasons for writing this article; origin of their tenets, notice of Roger Williams, his baptism, &c, 88; number of Baptists in Rhode Island in 1730, 88; first yearly meeting, 89 ; localities, 89; doctrines and government, 90 ; paper and principal ministers, 91 ; statistics, 604.

German Baptists.

Origin and emigration of G. B. to America, 92 ; Martin Edwards' account of them, 91 ; E. Winchester's account, 92; localities; manner of choosing and ordaining ministers; duties of bishops; duties of deacons; manner of public worship; annual meeting, 93 ; general view of doctrine, 94; statistics, 604.

English Seventh-day Baptists.

Antiquity of Seventh-day Baptists' principles, 95; identity with primitive Christians; controversy on the Sabbath in 1650; persecution of the S. D. Baptists, 96; first settlement in America; Wm. Hiscox first pastor; oppression from civil laws, 97 : localities, 97-99; church officers; organ of the church; institutions and societies, 99; confession of faith, 100, 101 ; views of baptism. 102 ; the Sabbath, 103, 108 ; statistics, 604.

German Seventh-day Baptists.

Rise in Germany, and emigration and settlement in America; Conrad Beissel, and his change of views on the Sabbath, 109 ; formation of a monastic society at Ephrata, Lancaster Co., Pa., 110; principles of the society, 110, 111 ; manner of worship, 112; Gordon's account of the society, 113; character of C. Beissel, 114; peculiar doctrines and practices, 114, 115; literary and Sabbath schools; decline of the society in 1777, 115; settlements in other places, 116, 117 ; position, and appeal to the government for religious freedom, and exemption from the restrictions and penalties of the laws respecting the Sabbath. 117 ; statistics, 604.

Bible Christians.

The Church an ancient and heavenly institution ; origin of the Bible Christians; account of Wm. Cowherd, their founder, 123; emigration to America, 124; locality and history in Philadelphia, 125; creed or religious views, 125 ; discipline and order of worship, 129.

Roman Catholic Church.

History of the Catholic Church in the United States ; outline of Maryland colony, 131 ; Catholic toleration and Protestant intolerance, 132; Catholic missionaries and first bishop, 135 ; explanation of the name " Roman Catholic Church," 137; dogmas of Catholic faith, 138-159; prejudice and persecution against Catholics, 160; statistics, 615.

Christian Church.

Origin of the Christians, 164 ; brief view of their religious tenets, 166 ; divinity of Christ, 166 ; church polity, 169.

Church of God.

Origin and name of the Church of God, 170 : history of the church in America, 171 ; formation of the first eldership, 172; form and attributes of the Church, 173; import of the word Church ; government, &c, 174 ; attributes of the Church, 175; faith and practice, 176-181; polity, 181; annual and general elderships, 182 ; constitution of general eldership, 183, 184 ; resolutions on Bible cause, educa-

SYNOPTICAL VIEW OF EACH ARTICLE.

tion, church property, book concern, Lord's day, and temperance, 184, 185; formation and constitution of a missionary society; boundaries of annual elderships, 186; publications, 187; statistics, 604.

Congregationalists.

Origin of Congregationalism, 188; church formed by Robert Brown, and his opinion of church polity, 189; Thacher and Cokking first martyrs to these principles, 189; act of intolerance passed in 1592, and enforcement of conformity, 190; John Robinson the father of Congregationalism; persecutions against Congregationalists, their flight to Holland, and settlement at Leyden, 191; principles of the Church at Leyden, removal to America, and settlement at Plymouth. 192; spread of Puritan principles, 194; banishment of Roger Williams, 195; Antinomian controversy, 195; Harvard College founded, 196; Virginia and New England intoleration acts, 196; Cambridge Platform settled, 197; banishment of Baptists and Quakers. 197 ; debates respecting proper subjects of baptism, 198; prevalency of the half-way covenant, 198; Savoy confession of faith and Saybrook Platform established, 199; great revival in New England, and rise of Unitarian principles, 199; disjunction of Church and State, 200; plan of union between Presbyterians and Congregationalists, 201; abrogation of this plan. Congregational church polity, church councils and officers, 202; manner of ordaining church officers, 203; different systems of State organizations, 203, 204; theological seminaries and periodicals, 204 ; statistics, 204, 620.

Reformed Protestant Dutch Church.

Name, whence derived, 205; historical sketch of the Reformed Church of Holland, 206 ; historical sketch of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America, 206 ; differences and contentions between the Coetus and Conference parties, 207; unchristian conduct of the two opposite factions, 209; appeal of the Conference party to the Classisof Amsterdam, 210; opposition to the introduction of English preaching, 210; schemes of union proposed, 212: union convention assembled in 1771, 213; adoption of a/ plan of union in 1772, 214: Gov. Fletcher places the Episcopal Churoh on a civil establishment, 216, 217 ; doctrines of the Reformed Dutch Church, 218; church government, 219; institutions of the Church, 221 : relation to other ecclesiastical bodies, 223 ; origin of the noonday prayer meetings in the United States, 223 ; statistics, 614.

Disciples of Christ.

Origin of the Disciples, 223; proposition for Christian union, 224; rejection of overture by the seceders, 225; formation of first congregation of Disciples in 1810, 225; baptism of first Disciples in 1812, 226; connection with Redstone Baptist Association in 1813. and afterwards with the Mahoning. 226; A. Campbell's debate with J. Walker in 1820, and with Mr. M'Calla in 1823, 227 ; Disciples cut off from the Baptists, 227 ; Campbell's debate with Owen iu 1829. 228; increase and localities, 228; faith and practice, 228, 229; supplement, 231-236; statistics, 604.

Protestant Episcopal Church.

The writer's difficulties in giving an accurate account of the rise, progress, faith, and practice of the P. E. Church, 236; his plan and intentions, 236: three different existing theories in regard to man's connection with the first and second Adam, 237; doctrinal system of the Church and the Scriptures, 238 ; of doctrine, man's primitive state, consequences of the fall, man's ability to repent, redemption, incarnation of the Word, conditions of redemption, office of the Holy Ghost, the nature of man's change, perpetuity of the change, the use of means, 240-246; order of service and festivals, 246; of the Church, 248; the sacraments, 250; baptism, 250; the Lord's Supper, 255; the ministry, 256; orders of the ministry, 259; the laity, 261; legislature of the Church, 262; relation to other religious bodies, 263; general history, 264; particular history in the individual States, 266-274; statistics, 607.

Evangelical Association.

Origin of this society, 275; localities and statistics, 275; government of the association, 275 ; salaries of preachers, 275 ; funds of the Church, book concern, and education, 276; articles of faith, 277, 278; conferences, 279.

Friends or Quakers.

Rise of Society of Friends, 279; account of George Fox, 279, 280; rapid spread of Quaker principles, 281; first settlements in America, 282; government and discipline of the society, 282, 283; statistics and doctrines, 284; testimony against war, litigation, and conformity to the world, 288, 289; division of the society in 1827, 289.

Society of Friends.

Origin of the society, 290; doctrines, 291-294; testimony against a hireling ministry, war, oaths, law-suits, superfluity and vain amusements, 295 ; discipline and government of the society, 295-298.

German Reformed Church.

Import of the name, 298; notice of Ulrich Zwingli, the founder of the Church, 298, 299; difference between Lutherans and Reformed, 299; sketch of John Calvin, 300; difference between Calvin and Zwingli, 301 ; form of government, conformation, and doctrinal system, 302; origin of the Church in America, 303 ; Heidelberg Catechism her symbolical book, 303; form of declaration in ordination, 304: government of the Church, 304; spread in the U. States, 305: Eastern Synod, 305; Western Synod, 306; theological institutions, 306: educational institutions, 306; periodical publications, 306; statistics, 613.

Jews and their Religion.

Origin of civilization, 307; Bible the rule of life, 307; origin and history of the Jews, 308, 309; Moses and the Mosaic state, 309 : Heathen and Christian prejudice, 309, 310; doctrine or belief of the Jews touching the Messiah of the Christians, 311, 312; their rejection of Christ, 313; unity and identity of the Jews, 315; history of the Jews iu the United States, 317, 318; statistics, 612.

Lutheran Church.

Founder and name of Lutheran Church, 320; character of the Germans, 320; origin of Reformation, 321; opposition from Church and State, 322; division among the reformers, 322; death of Luther, sanguinary conflicts, treaty of Passau, and diet of Augsburg, 323; Lutheran population, and first settlements in America, 324-327 ; character and labors of Muhlenberg and others, 327. 328; story of an Indian massacre, 328; effects of the American revolution, 329; formation of the general synod, and a general organization, 330 ; theological seminary and Pennsylvania college at Gettysburg. Pa., 330, 331: other institutions, 331; government and discipline, 333; doctrinal views, 334-337 ; forms of worship and church order, 338-341 ; Luther's Calvinism, 342; statistics, 608.

Latter-day Saints.

Biography of Joseph Smith, his visions and revelations, 344; account of the Book of Mormon, 345; first organization of the Church, 346; Mormon settlements formed, 346; Nauvoo city, their increase and statistics, 347 ; their doctrinal views, 348 ; note by the editor, 348, 349.

Moravians.

Their origin, first colony, and brotherly agreement, 350 ; Christian principles and polity, 351, 352; missionary and educational economy, 353, sketch of manner of living in brethren's, sisters', and widows' houses, 354; account of their public worship and peculiarities, 355; localities and statistics, 356; establishments in the United States, and settlements in England, 356 ; missions among heathen, 357.

Methodist Society.

Origin of the society, 357 ; progress and government, 357 ; secession of ministers, 358.

Methodist Episcopal Church.

Sketch of the founder of Methodism, 358; general rules of Methodist societies, 359 ; rise and progress of Methodism in America, 360, 361 ; Wesley Chapel and first missionaries to this country, 362; Asbury and Wright sent to America; first conference in Philadelphia in 1773; spread of Methodism, &c, 363; persecution and malcontents, 364; Dr. Coke and Asbury appointed superintendents. 365 ; propriety and validity of their ordination, 366; first general conference and rapid increase, 367; extent and general statistics, secessions, and doctrines, 368-371 ; government, 371-373; funds, book concern, education, 374, 375 ; benevolent enterprises, 878 ; statistics, 608.

Methodist Protestant Church.

Statistics, 380 ; first general convention, 380 ; basis of government. 380 ; constitution and elementary principles, 381 ; sketch of government and discipline. 381, 382 ; points of difference between the M. E. and M. P. churches, 382.

SYNOPTICAL VIEW OF EACH ARTICLE.

Reformed Methodist Church, Origin of the R. M. Church, 383; first conference, 383; doctrines and government, 384; distinguishing point of faith, 384 ; conditions of membership, polity of the Church, 385; progress and leading men, 386, 387; statistics and community project, 388; localities and church order, 389; account of secessions and peculiarities in faith and discipline, 390.

Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Wesley's arbitrary authority over the first Methodist societies, 391 ; peculiarities of Wesleyan Methodism, 392 ; elementary principles, 392; articles of religion, 393, 394; statistics, 612.

African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Origin of the African Church, 396; cause of separation from the M. E. Charcb, 396; opposition by white Methodists, 397 ; general convention in 1816, and points of difference between white and African Methodists, 398; book concern, education, &c, 399.

African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Origin and progress of the Church, 399, 400 ; cause of separation from the white Methodists, 401 ; organization of the Church and first conference, 402; doctrines of the Church, 403; rules regulating moral conduct, 404; church government, 404, 405 ; conventional department, 405.

Mennonites.

Character, travels, and labors of Menno Simon, 406; persecution of the Mennonites in Europe, and their first settlements in America, 407 ; leading articles of the Dortrecht confession of faith. 408-414; government and localities, 415 ; statistics, 604.

Reformed Mennonite Society.

First Mennonites, and origin of the reformed society, 116 ; sketch of John Herr, its founder, 417 ; chief articles of their Christian faith, 417-420.

New Jerusalem Church.

Swedenborg's writings, 421; confession of faith, 421; biography of E. Swedenborg, 422 ; sketch of the distracted state of the religious world, 422-424; progressive Christianity, 425; character of the Deity, 426; character and work of the Saviour, 427 ; origin and nature of sin, 428 ; identity of Father and Son, 429 ; work of redemption, 430 ; doctrine of resurrection and future state, 431 ; canonical books, 431 ; Wm. Mason's opinion of Swedenborg, 432-434 ; tirade against modern sects, 435 ; Swedenborg's high pretensions, 436 ; coup d'ceil of the New Church tenets, and of various authors, 438-441 ; persecutions against Newchurchmen, 442, 443 ; writings of Swedenborg, 444, 445 ; localities of New Church, 446 ; society formed in London, 447 ; doctrines of Swedenborg introduced into the United States, 448 ; statistics and church polity, 449 ; sketch of publications, 451, 452 ; points of casuistry, 453 ; summary of doctrines or religious creed, 455-457.

Ornish Church.

Identity with Mennonites, 457 ; their government and mode of worship, 458; their faith, 458.

Presbyterian Church. (0. S.)

Doctrines or confession of faith, 459 ; forms of worship, 460, 461 ; church government, 462-465 ; history of Presbyterianism, 465-467 ; first churches established in America, and first presbytery formed, 468; first synod held, 469 ; difficulties between synods of Philadelphia and New York, 470, 471 ; state of the Church during the Revolution, 473 ; literary institutions, education, and marriages, 474, 475 ; first General Assembly in 1789, and great revival in the West, 476, 477 ; origin and cause of the division in the Church, 478, 479 ; doings of the convention in Philadelphia in 1837, 480; account of the division in the Assembly in 1838, 481 ; statistics, 606.

Presbyterian Church. (N. S.)

Principles and government of the Church, 485-487; forms of public worship, 488; her Calvinistic doctrines, 489 ; genius and character of the Church, 490 ; union of N. York and Philadelphia synods ; also between the Presbyterians and Congregationalists, 491 ; plan of union, with other difficulties, occasion a split in the Presbyterian Church, 493 ; formation and success of the American Home Missionary Society, 494, 495 ; acts and doings of General Assembly in 1837, 496 ; suit in court, its result and withdrawal, 496, 497 ; statistics, 605.

Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Origin of the C. P. Church, 499 ; great revival and opposition to Cumberland presbytery, 501, 502; presbytery charged, tried, and a part silenced, 504 ; excision of the presbytery, 505 ; formation of a new Cumberland presbytery, 506 ; its constitution, 507 ; sketch of Finis Ewing, 507 ; great trials and opposition, 508 ; success and pulpit oratory, 509; first synod established, 510; confession of faith, 512 ; peculiarities, motto, and difficulties, 513 ; general assembly formed, 514; literary institutions and periodicals, 515; introduction and spread of the gospel in Texas, 516; benevolent institutions, 517; ministerial education, 518 ; present condition, 520.

Reformed Presbyterians or Covenanters.

Origin and localities of the Covenanters, 521 ; first missionaries, and organization of the Church in America, 522; union between Seceders and Covenanters, and origin of the Associate Ref. Church, 522 ; fresh supply of missionaries from Scotland and Ireland, and reorganization of the Church in this country, 522; distinctive features of the Church, 523, 524; objections to the Constitution of the United States, 525; division of the Church in 1833, 526; solemn league and covenant, 527-529.

Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Origin and early history, 531 ; test period, era of solemn league and covenant, and first settlements in America, 532 ; establishment of the Church, union between the Associate and Reformed Churches, and rise of the Associate Ref. Church, 533 ; reorganization of the Ref. Presbyterian Church, doctrines, and peculiar opinions, 534; psalmody, sacramental communion, civil government, and ordinance of public social covenanting, 535, 536.

Restorationists.

Religious faith of the Restorationists, 538 ; nature, design, and extent of Christ's kingdom, 539; proofs and arguments in support of their peculiar -views, 540-544; criticisms on a few words and phrases, 545 ; objections answered, 546-548; history of Restorationism, 548; condition of the society, 549 ; points of difference between Restorationism and Universalism, 549.

River Brethren.

Many Germans and others immigrate to America to escape European intolerance, 550 ; account of Alex. Mack and others, 551; origin of Ger. S. D. Baptists, 552; great revivals of religion, and origin of River Brethren, 553 : condition, faith, and practice, 553-554; peculiar views, annual conferences, and general character, 555, 556.

Schwenkf elders.

Sketch of Caspar Schwenkfeld, and three points of difference with Luther and others, 557 ; Schwenkfeld's character as a writer, persecution of his followers, their flight to Denmark, Holland, and Pennsylvania, 558 ; their first settlements, present localities and condition, 559; their peculiar practice with regard to infants, 560.