LITERARY AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS FOR THE WEST.
Colleges;--Statistical Sketches of each Denomination;--Roman
Catholics;--Field for effort, and progress made.
In giving a sketch of literary and religious institutions in the West,
the very limited space remaining to be occupied in this work, compels me
to throw together a few general facts only. The author has made some
progress in collecting materials, and he designs to prepare another work
soon, in which a variety of particulars and sketches will be given of
the early history, progress of literary and religious institutions,
colleges, seminaries, churches, Bible, Sunday school, education and
other kindred societies in the Western Valley, with the present aspect
of each denomination of Christians. The interest taken in the affairs of
the West, and the anxiety evinced by the community for facts and
particulars on those subjects, demand that they should be treated more
in detail than the limits of this Guide will allow.
I. COLLEGES.
OHIO.--_Ohio University_, at Athens, was founded in 1802;--has
an endowment of 46,030 acres of land, which yields $2,300 annually. A
large and elegant edifice of brick was erected in 1817. The number of
students about 90. _Miami University_, was founded in 1824, and is a
flourishing institution at Oxford, Butler county, 37 miles from
Cincinnati. It possesses the township of land in which it is situated,
and from which it receives an income of about $5000. Number of students
about 200. Patronized by Presbyterians. The _Cincinnati College_ was
incorporated in 1819, continued to be sustained as a classical institution
for some years, and then suspended operations. It has been revived and
re-organized lately, and will probably be sustained. _Kenyon College_, at
Gambier, Knox county, in a central part of the State, was established in
1828, through the efforts of Rev. Philander Chase, then bishop of the
Ohio Diocess, who obtained about $30,000 in England to endow it. Its
chief patrons were those excellent British noblemen, Lords Kenyon and
Gambier. It is under Episcopal jurisdiction, and has a theological
department, for the education of candidates for the ministry in the
Episcopal church. It has about 150 students. _Western Reserve College_ is
at Hudson. It was founded by Presbyterians and Congregationalists in 1826,
and has 82 students in all its departments. _Franklin College_ is in New
Athens, Harrison county, on the eastern side of the State, and has about 50
students. The _Granville Literary and Theological Institution_ originated
under patronage of the Baptist denomination in 1831. It is designed to
embrace four departments,--preparatory, English, collegiate, and
theological. It is rapidly rising, and contains more than 100 students.
_Oberlin Institute_ has been recently established in Lorain county, under
the influence of "new measure" Presbyterians, with four departments, and
has 276 students, as follows: In the theological department, 35;
collegiate, 37; preparatory, 31; female, 73. The citizens of Cleveland
have recently contributed to it $15,000, of which six persons gave $1000
each. The _Willibough Collegiate Institute_ is in the lake country of
Ohio, and has been gotten up within a few years past. The _Marietta
Collegiate Institute_ is said to be a flourishing and respectable
institution, having a large number of students in various departments.
INDIANA.--_Indiana college_ is a State institution, established
at Bloomington, and commenced operations in 1828. Present number of
students not known. In 1832 the number exceeded 50.
_Hanover College_ is at South Hanover, six miles below the town of
Madison, and near the Ohio river. It is a flourishing institution, with
arrangements for manual labor, and is styled "South Hanover College and
Indiana Theological Seminary." The number of students exceed 100.
_Wabash College_, at Crawfordsville, has just commenced operations under
auspicious circumstances. Under patronage of the Presbyterians.
ILLINOIS.--_Illinois College_, near Jacksonville, commenced as
a preparatory school in 1830, and has made rapid progress. Large funds
for its endowment have been recently provided in the Eastern States. The
number of students about 80.
_Shurtleff College of Alton, Illinois_, was commenced under the efforts
of Baptists at Alton in 1832, as a preparatory institution;--chartered
as a college in February, 1835, and has been recently named in honor of
a liberal patron, Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff, of Boston, Mass., who has
presented the institution with $10,000. It has 60 students, and its
prospects are encouraging. _McKendreean College_ has been chartered, a
building erected, and a school commenced at Lebanon. It is connected
with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Charters have been recently granted
for other colleges in this State, and measures adopted to bring some of
them into existence. The Rev. Philander Chase, whose persevering labors
brought into existence and successful operation, Kenyon college in Ohio,
and who is now bishop of Illinois, is at present in England, where, by
recent advices, he has obtained $50,000 to invest in Illinois lands, and
to establish a college for the interests of the Episcopal church.
MISSOURI.--The Roman Catholics have two institutions of a
collegiate character, established in this State, _St. Mary's College_,
in Perry county, was established by Bishop Du Bourg, in 1822. It has
6,000 volumes in the library. Including the _nunnery_, and school for
females, a seminary for the education of _priests_, a preparatory, and a
primary school, the number of teachers and students are about 300.
_St. Louis University_ was founded in 1829, and is conducted by the
Fathers of the society of Jesuits. The edifice is 130 feet, by 40, of 4
stories, including the basement, and is situated on elevated and
pleasant ground, on the confines of the city.
For the Protestants, the following institutions have been established.
_Columbia College_, adjacent to Columbia, Boon county. The institution
opened in 1835, under encouraging circumstances. _Marion College_ is in
a delightful tract of country, a prairie region, in the western part of
Michigan county,--and has between 80 and 100 students. It is connected
with the Presbyterian interests. The project as developed by some of its
founders, is an immense one, including English, scientific, classical,
theological, medical, agricultural, and law departments,--all to be
sustained by manual labor, and the proceeds of extensive farms.
Doubtless, by prudent and persevering efforts, a respectable college may
be brought into successful operation. A _college_ at St. Charles, has
been founded, principally by the liberality of George Collier, a
merchant of St. Louis, and two or three other gentlemen, and a
classical and scientific school has been commenced.
ARKANSAS.--Efforts are making to establish a college by
Presbyterian agency, at Cane Hill, in this newly formed State. Two or
three collegiate institutions will soon be needed in this region.
KENTUCKY.--_Transylvania University_, at Lexington, is the
oldest collegiate institution in the West. It was commenced, by a grant
of 8,000 acres of land by the legislature of Virginia, in 1783, and was
then called "Transylvania Seminary." The "Kentucky Academy" was founded
in 1794, and both institutions were united and incorporated in 1798,
under the present name. It has classical, medical, law, and preparatory
departments,--and including each, from 300 to 400 students.
_Center College_, at Danville, was founded by the Presbyterian church,
in 1818, for which the synod of Kentucky pledged $20,000. Number of
students about 100. _Augusta College_ was founded in 1822, by the Ohio
and Kentucky conferences of the Methodist Episcopal church. It adopted
collegiate regulations in 1828. Number of students in the collegiate,
academical and primary departments, about 200.
_Cumberland College_ was incorporated in 1824, and is established at
Princeton, in the western part of the State. It is under the patronage
and jurisdiction of the Cumberland Presbyterians. A farm, including a
tract of 5,000 acres of land, with workshops, furnish facilities for
manual labor. It has about 80 students.
_St. Joseph's College_ is a Roman Catholic institution, at Bardstown,
with college buildings sufficient to accommodate 200 students, and
valued at $60,000. It commenced with 4 students in 1820. In 1833 there
were in the collegiate and preparatory departments, 120 students. The
St. Thomas and St. Mary Seminaries are also under the charge of Roman
Catholic priests, the one in Nelson county, four miles from Bardstown,
and the other in Washington county.
A college was founded by the Baptists at Georgetown in 1830, but from
untoward circumstances, is probably relinquished by the denomination.
TENNESSEE.--The _University of Nashville_ is a prominent
institution. The laboratory is one of the finest in the United States,
and the mineralogical cabinet, not exceeded, and this department, as
well as every other in the college, is superintended with much talent.
The number of students is about 100. _Greenville_, _Knoxville_ and
_Washington_ colleges are in East Tennessee. _Jackson College_ is about
to be removed from its present site, and located at Columbia. $25,000
have been subscribed for the purpose. A Presbyterian Theological
Seminary is at Maryville.
MISSISSIPPI.--_Jefferson College_ is at Washington, six miles
from Natchez. It has not flourished as a college, and is now said to be
conducted somewhat on the principle of a military academy. _Oakland
College_ has been recently founded by Presbyterians, and bids fair to
exert a beneficial influence upon religion and morals, much needed in
that State. The Baptist denomination are taking measures to establish a
collegiate institution in that State.
LOUISIANA.--Has a college at Jackson, in the eastern part of
the State, The Roman Catholics have a college at New Orleans.
There is a respectable collegiate institution, under the fostering care
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Lagrange, in the north-western
part of ALABAMA.
Academies have been established in various parts of the West, for both
sexes, and there are female seminaries of character and standing at
Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Granville, Louisville, Lexington, Nashville, and
many other places. Several more colleges, and a large number of minor
institutions, will be needed very shortly to supply the demands for
education in the West. The public mind is awake to the subject of
education, and much has already been done, though a greater work has yet
to be accomplished to supply the wants of the West in literary
institutions.
An annual convention is held in Cincinnati, on the first Monday in
October, denominated the "_Western Institute and College of
Professional Teachers_." Its object, according to the constitution, is,
"to promote by every laudable means, the diffusion of knowledge in
regard to education, and especially by aiming at the elevation of the
character of teachers, who shall have adopted instruction as their
regular profession." The first meeting was held in 1831, under the
auspices of the "Academic Institute," a previously existing institution,
but of more limited operations. The second convention, in 1832, framed a
constitution and chose officers, since which time regular meetings have
been held by delegates or individuals from various parts of the West,
and a volume of Transactions of 300 or 400 pages published annually.
II. THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS.
The _Western Theological Seminary_ at Alleghany town, opposite
Pittsburg, is under the jurisdiction of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church. It commenced operations in 1829. At _Canonsburg_ is
a seminary belonging to the Associate church, of which Dr. Ramsey is
Professor. The Associate Reformed church have a theological school in
Pittsburg, under charge of the Rev. John T. Pressly D. D. The Baptist
denomination are now engaged in establishing a manual labor academy in
the vicinity of Pittsburg, for both ministerial and general education.
The theological departments of Oberlin, Granville, and other collegiate
institutions, have been noticed already. _Lane Seminary_, near
Cincinnati, was founded in 1830, by Messrs. E. & W. A. Lane, merchants,
of New Orleans, who made a very liberal offer of aid. Its location is
excellent, two and a half miles from Cincinnati, at Walnut Hills, and is
under the charge of the Rev. Dr. Beecher, and a body of professors.
Number of students about 40. The _Hanover Institution_ in Indiana, has
been noticed already. In the theological department are three professors
and 12 students. The Baptists in this State are about establishing a
manual labor seminary for ministerial and general education.
A valuable property has been purchased, adjoining Covington, Ky.,
opposite Cincinnati, and measures have been put in train to found a
theological seminary by the Baptist denomination. The executive
committee of the "_Western Baptist Education Society_," have this object
in charge. The "_Alton Theological Seminary_," located at Upper Alton,
Illinois, is under an organization distinct from that of _Shurtleff
College_, already noticed. This institution has 50 acres of valuable
land, and a stone edifice of respectable size, occupied at present in
joint concern with the college, and a valuable library of several
hundred volumes. Its organization has been but recently effected. Rev.
L. Colby, is professor, with 8 students. Other institutions, having
theological education, either in whole or in part, their object, are in
contemplation.
Two remarks, by way of explanation are here necessary. 1. Most of the
colleges and theological schools of the Western Valley have facilities
for manual labor, or are making that provision. In several, some of the
students pay half, and even the whole of their expenses, by their own
efforts. Public sentiment is awake to this subject, and is gaining
ground. 2. In enumerating the students, the members of the preparatory
departments are included, many of whom do not expect to pass through a
regular collegiate course. The circumstances and wants of the country,
from its rapid growth, seem to require the appendage of a large
preparatory department to every college.
It may be well to observe here, that a great and increasing demand
exists in all the Western States, and especially those bordering on the
Mississippi, for teachers of primary schools. Hundreds and thousands of
moral, intelligent, and pious persons, male and female, would meet with
encouragement and success in this department of labor. It is altogether
unnecessary for such persons to write to their friends, to make
inquiries whether there are openings, &c. If they come from the older
States with the proper recommendations as to character and
qualifications, they will not fail to meet with employment in almost any
quarter to which they may direct their course. There is not a county in
Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, or Indiana, where persons would not meet
with constant employment in teaching, and especially where teachers in
Sabbath schools are needed. Persons desirous of such a field, of humble,
yet useful labor, should come here with the fixed purpose to mix with,
and conform to the usages of the Western population, to avoid
fastidiousness, and to submit to the plain, frank, social, and
hospitable manners of the people.
III. DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUMS.
There are two institutions of this description in the West,--one at
Columbus, Ohio; the other at Danville, Ky. The one in Ohio contains
about 50 pupils.
IV. MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
The medical department in Transylvania University, Kentucky, has six
professors, and usually about 200 students to attend the lectures. Fees
for an entire course, with matriculation and library, $110. Two medical
institutions of respectable standing exist in Cincinnati,--one connected
with the Miami university, the other with Cincinnati college.
The _Ohio Reformed Medical School_, was established at Worthington, 9
miles north of Columbus, in 1830. No specified time is required for
study, but when a student will pass examination, he is licensed to
practice.
V. LAW SCHOOLS.
The law department of Transylvania University, is under the charge of
two able professors, who hear recitations and deliver lectures. The
average number of students is about 40.
A law school was established at Cincinnati, in 1833, with four
professors,--Messrs. John C. Wright, John M. Goodenow, Edward King, and
Timothy Walker. The bar, the institution, and the city have recently
sustained a severe loss in the decease of Mr. King.
VI. BENEVOLENT AND RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
To enumerate and give particulars of all these, would make a volume. We
can but barely call the attention of the reader to some of the more
prominent organizations, amongst the different Christian denominations
in this great Valley, for doing good.
The _Foreign Missionary Society of the Valley of the Mississippi_, is a
prominent auxiliary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions. Its seat is Cincinnati, but by agencies and branches, it
operates throughout the Valley. The Report of November, 1835, states
that _eighteen thousand six hundred and fifty eight dollars_ had been
received into the treasury the preceding year. An edition of 3000 copies
of the Missionary Herald is republished in Cincinnati, for circulation
in the West.
The _Western Education Society_, connected with the American Education
Society, has also its seat of operations at Cincinnati. Auxiliaries
also exist in most of the Western States. 71 beneficiaries were under
its charge at the last anniversary.
The _American Tract Society_ has auxiliaries and agencies in most of the
Western States. The operations of the _American Bible Society_, through
its numerous auxiliaries, is felt to the remotest parts of the West.
The _American Sunday School Union_ has recently established a central
agency in Cincinnati, and is preparing to renew, and greatly enlarge its
very important efforts for the benefit of the rising generation in the
West.
A series of very interesting anniversaries are held in Cincinnati, the
first week in November, when all the great objects of Christian effort
receive a renewed impulse.
The _American Home Missionary Society_ has more than 200 missionaries,
laboring in the States, west of the mountains. In 1835, they assisted
217 Presbyterian ministers in this field.
The _Temperance Effort_ has not been neglected, and an interesting
change is going forward, in a quiet and noiseless way, in the habits of
the people, in reference to the use of intoxicating liquors. It is to be
hoped that more prompt and vigorous efforts will be made to promote this
cause, but even now, there are many thousands, who abstain from the use
of spiritous liquors, without any formal pledge.
The _Methodist Episcopal Church_, in addition to their regular system of
circuits, are extending the influence of their denomination on the
frontiers, by missionary operations, and their labors are prospered.
The _Baptist denomination_ have made some important movements in the
Western Valley within the last three years. Their Home Mission Society
has nearly 100 missionaries in the West. In November, 1833, the
"_General Convention of Western Baptists_," was organized by more than
100 ministers and brethren, assembled from various parts of the West. It
is not an ecclesiastical body, claiming jurisdiction either over
churches or ministers, nor is it strictly a missionary body. Its
business, according to the constitution, is "to promote by all lawful
means, the following objects, to wit:--Missions both foreign and
domestic;--ministerial education, for such as may have first been
licensed by the churches; Sunday schools, including Bible classes;
religious periodicals; tract and temperance societies, as well as all
others warranted by Christ in the gospel."
At its second session, in 1834, the "_Western Baptist Education
Society_" was formed. Its object is "the education of those who give
evidence to the churches of which they are members, that God designs
them for the ministry." The executive committee are charged temporarily,
with establishing the Central Theological Seminary, already mentioned,
at Covington, Ky.
Many other interesting associations for humane, philanthropic, and
religious purposes exist in the Valley, which are necessarily omitted.
VII. THE PERIODICAL PRESS.
The number of different periodicals published in the Valley of the
Mississippi, must exceed 400, of which 12 or 15 are daily papers. There
are 25 weekly periodicals in Mississippi, 116 in Ohio, 38 in Indiana, 19
in Illinois, 17 in Missouri, 3 and probably more, in Arkansas, 2 at
least in Wisconsin Territory. The _Western Monthly Magazine_, edited by
James Hall, Esq., and published at Cincinnati is well known. The
_Western Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences_, edited by Daniel
Drake, M. D., Professor of Theory and Practice of Medicine in the
Cincinnati College, is published quarterly, in Cincinnati. There are a
number of religious weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly periodicals,
devoted to the interests of the principal denominations through the
Valley. There are known to be at least one in Western Virginia, 2 in
Western Pennsylvania, 7 in Ohio, 4 in Kentucky, 4 in Tennessee, 2 in
Illinois, 2 in Missouri, and one in New Orleans. Supposing the average
number of copies of Western periodicals equalled 750, this, estimating
the different periodicals at 400, would give 300,000. We see no marked
and essential difference in the talent, with which the editorial press
is conducted, betwixt the Eastern and Western States. The limits of
this work will not allow me to add further evidence that our Western
population is not all "illiterate," and that "not more than one person
in ten can read," than the following epitome of the issues, of one of
the publishing houses in Cincinnati, as exhibited in the Cincinnati
Journal:
"_Western Enterprise._--The enterprise of the West is not generally
appreciated. As a specimen, we have procured from Messrs. Corey &
Webster the following LIST OF BOOKS published by them within
the last three years. These books, with the exception of the Life of
Black-Hawk, are of sterling value.
The Western Primer, 60,000; Webster's Spelling Book, 600,000; the
Primary Reader, 7,500; the Elementary Reader, 37,000; Western Reader,
16,000; Webster's History of the United States, 4000; Miss Beecher's
Geography, 15,000; Pocket Testament, 6,500; Watts' and Select Hymns,
8000; Dr. Beecher's Lectures on Scepticism, three editions, 1000 each;
Prof. Stowe's Introduction to the Study of the Bible, 1500; the
Christian Lyre, 2000; Mitchell's Chemistry, 1000; Eberle on the Diseases
of Children, 2000; Ditto Notes of Practice, 1500; Young Lady's Assistant
in Drawing, 1000;, Munsell's Map, 3,500; Chase's Statutes of Ohio, three
volumes, 1000; Hammond's Reports, 6th vol. 500; total, _seven hundred
and seventy eight thousand two hundred and fifty!!!_ Probably some of
the many other publishers in the city have got out nearly or quite as
many books. Truly, we are a book-making and book-reading nation."
VIII. RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
In exhibiting the following statistics, entire correctness is not
attempted. In some of the States, the latest reports have been had,--in
others, the author has taken data of two or three years date. Of the
numbers of some of the numerous sects existing, the opinions of
individuals have been the chief data he could obtain.
1. _Baptists._
----------------------+-----------+------------+---------------
| Churches. | Ministers. | Communicants.
----------------------+-----------+------------+---------------
Western Pennsylvania, | 50 | 30 | 2,569
Western Virginia, | 89 | 48 | 3,306
Ohio, | 332 | 175 | 13,926
Michigan, | 60 | 30 | 1,700
Indiana, | 320 | 175 | 15,000
Illinois, | 240 | 163 | 6,741
Missouri, | 180 | 115 | 6,990
Arkansas, | 25 | 18 | 700
Louisiana, | 20 | 12 | 1,000
Mississippi, | 100 | 46 | 4,000
North Alabama, | 125 | 53 | 5,700
Tennessee, | 348 | 292 | 22,868
Kentucky, | 558 | 296 | 38,817
Total, 2447 churches, 1353 ministers, and 123,317 communicants.
_Periodicals._--The _Cross and Journal_, weekly, and _Baptist Advocate_,
monthly, at Cincinnati;--the _Baptist Banner_, weekly, at Shelbyville,
Ky.;--the _Baptist_, a large monthly quarto, at Nashville, Ten.;--the
_Pioneer_, semi-monthly, at Rock Spring, but shortly to be enlarged,
removed to Upper Alton, and published weekly;--and the _Witness_, a
small quarto, published weekly at Pittsburg.
2. _Methodists_, (_Episcopal._) This denomination is divided into
Conferences, which are not arranged exactly with the boundaries of the
States. A large book and printing-office is established at Cincinnati,
where all the society's publications are kept for sale. Another
depository is kept at Nashville.
-----------------------+---------+--------+--------+--------+------------
|Circuit |White |Colored.|Indians.|Total number
Conferences. |Preachers|members.| | |of members.
|&c. | | | |
-----------------------+---------+--------+--------+--------+------------
Mississippi, | 55 | 6,358 | 2,622 | 727 | 9,707
Alabama, (one District,| | | | |
in the Valley,) | 16 | 3,051 | 492 | | 3,543
Pittsburg, | 156 | 40,155 | 296 | | 40,451
Ohio, | 204 | 62,686 | 544 | 217 | 63,447
Missouri, (including | | | | |
Arkansas,) | 57 | 7,948 | 1,061 | 889 | 9,898
Kentucky, | 100 | 25,777 | 5,592 | | 31,369
Illinois, | 61 | 15,038 | 59 | | 15,097
Indiana, | 70 | 24,984 | 229 | | 25,213
Holston, | 62 | 21,559 | 2,478 | | 24,031
Tennessee, | 120 | 29,794 | 5,043 | 508 | 35,345
+---------+--------+--------+--------+------------
Total, | 901 |237,350 | 18,416 | 2,341 | 258,101
Allowing two _local_ to one _circuit_ preacher, which is rather under
than over the proportion, would make 1802, which, added to the number of
those whose names are on the Minutes of the Conferences, would make 2703
Methodist Episcopal ministers of the gospel in the Valley of the
Mississippi. The Pittsburg Conference Journal, Western Christian
Advocate, and Western Methodist, are their periodicals.
3. _Methodist Protestants._--There are two conferences of this
denomination in the West,--the Pittsburg, and Ohio conferences, and
their circuits, preaching stations and members extend through the States
north of the Ohio river, with a few stations and churches south.
_Pittsburg Conference_ has 28 circuits, and 85 local preachers and
licentiates, 25 circuits, 4 stations, and 2 mission circuits, with 6,902
members in society.
_Ohio Conference_, has 28 circuit, 90 local preachers, 22 circuits, 3
stations, 3 missionary circuits, and 3667 members. The Methodist
Correspondent, a neat semi-monthly quarto periodical, published at
Zanesville, Ohio, is devoted to their interests.
4. _Presbyterians._--The following table (with the exception of
Illinois) is constructed from the returns to the General Assembly in
1834,--the Minutes of 1835, we understand, have not been printed.
------------------+-----------+------------+---------------
States and parts. | Churches. | Ministers. | Communicants.
------------------+-----------+------------+---------------
W. Pennsylvania | | |
and W. Va. | 212 | 135 | 22,687
Michigan, | 32 | 20 | 1,397
Ohio, | 400 | 255 | 27,821
Indiana, | 99 | 55 | 4,339
Illinois, | 71 | 50 | 2,000
Missouri, | 33 | 29 | 1,549
Arkansas, | 12 | 9 | 390
Kentucky, | 120 | 83 | 8,378
Tennessee, | 121 | 90 | 9,926
North Alabama, | 15 | 12 | 725
Mississippi, | 33 | 24 | 761
Total, 56 Presbyteries, 1,148 churches, 753 ministers, and 79,973
communicants.
_Periodicals._--The _Cincinnati Journal and Western Luminary_, published
at Cincinnati;--_Christian Herald_, at Pittsburg;--_Ohio Observer_, at
Hudson, Ohio;--_Western Presbyterian Herald_, at Louisville, Ky.;--_New
Orleans Observer_, at New Orleans;--and _St. Louis Observer_, at St.
Louis, Mo.,--all weekly;--and the _Missionary Herald_, republished at
Cincinnati, monthly.
5. _Cumberland Presbyterians._--This sect originated from the
Presbyterian church in 1804, in Kentucky, but did not increase much till
1810, or 12. They are spread through most of the Western States, and
have 34 Presbyteries, 7 Synods, and one General Assembly. The Minutes of
their General Assembly, now before me, are not sufficiently definite to
give the number of congregations. These probably exceed 300. An
intelligent member of that denomination states the number of ordained
preachers to be 300, licentiates, 100, candidates for the ministry, 150,
and communicants, 50,000.
_Periodicals._--The _Cumberland Presbyterian_ is a weekly paper,
published at Nashville, Tenn. Another has been recently started at
Pittsburg.
6. _Congregationalists._--In Ohio, especially in the northern part, are
a number of Congregational churches and some ministers, as there are in
Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. There are 2 or 3 ministers, 12 or 15
congregations, and about 500 communicants in Illinois, who are organized
into an association in Illinois.
7. _Protestant Episcopal Church._--This denomination has 7 Diocesses in
the Western or south-western States, exclusive of Western Pennsylvania,
and Western Virginia, which belong to the Diocesses of those States. They
are, Ohio,--Michigan,--Illinois,--Kentucky,--Tennessee,--Mississippi, and
Indiana, and Missouri. There are about 75 or 80 ministers, and twice as
many churches in the West. Provision has been made in part, for the
endowment of the theological seminary at Gambier, O., in England, and
Bishop McIlvaine has obtained about $12,600, to be appropriated in the
erection of a gothic edifice to be called "Bexley Hall," with three
stories, and accommodations for fifty students. A weekly periodical is
issued at the same place to support the interests of the denomination.
8. _German Lutherans._--We have no data to give the statistics of this
denomination. There is a Synod in Ohio, another in Western Pennsylvania,
and perhaps others. There are probably 50 or 60 ministers in the West,
and 150 congregations.
9. _German Reformed Church._--There are 80 congregations in Ohio, 20 in
Indiana, and probably 50 others in the West, with 40 or 50 ministers.
10. The _Tunkers_, or _Dunkards_, have 40 or 50 churches, and about half
as many ministers in the Western States.
11. The _Shakers_ have villages in several places in Ohio, and Kentucky,
but are losing ground.
12. The _Mormons_ have a large community at Kirkland, Ohio, where, under
the direction of their prophet, Joseph Smith, they are building a vast
temple. They have probably 200 preachers, and as many congregations in
the West, and still make proselytes.
13. _Christian Sect_, or _Newlights_, have become to a considerable
extent amalgamated with the "_Reformers_," or "_Campbellites_." I have
not data on which to construct a tabular view of this sect,--but from
general information, estimate the number of their "bishops," and
"proclaimers," at 300, and their communicants at 10,000 or 12,000. They
have three or four monthly periodicals.
Alexander Campbell, who may be justly considered the leader of this
sect, (though they disclaim the term _sect_,) is a learned, talented,
and voluminous writer. He conducts their leading periodical, the
_Millennial Harbinger_.
14. The "_United Brethren in Christ_," are a pious, moral and exemplary
sect, chiefly in Ohio, but scattered somewhat in other Western States.
They are mostly of German descent, and in their doctrinal principles and
usages, very much resemble the Methodists. They have about 300 ministers
in the West, and publish the _Religious Telescope_, a large weekly
paper, of evangelical principles, and well conducted. It is printed at
Circleville, Ohio.
15. _Reformed Presbyterians_, or _Covenanters_, have 20 or 30 churches,
and as many ministers, but are much dispersed through the Northern
Valley.
16. The _Associate Church_, or _Seceders_, are more numerous than the
Covenanters.
17. The _Associate Reformed Church_. The Western Synod of this body
still exists as a separate denomination. Their theological school, at
Pittsburg, has already been noticed. I know not their numbers, but
suppose they exceed considerably the _Associate Church_.
18. The _Friends_ or _Quakers_, have a number of societies in Western
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, &c.
19. The _Unitarians_ have societies and ministers at Pittsburg,
Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, and probably in other places.
There are many other sects and fragments in the West. The Valley of the
Mississippi, like all new countries, is a wide and fertile field for the
propagation of error, as it is for the display of truth.
IX. ROMAN CATHOLICS.
The number of Papal Diocesses in the Valley, including the one at
Mobile, is _seven_, of each of which a very brief sketch will be given,
commencing with,
1. _Detroit_, including Michigan and the North-Western Territory,--1
bishop, with sub-officers, 18 priests, and as many chapels. At Detroit
and vicinity, for 2 or 3 miles, including the French, Irish and
Germans, Roman Catholic families make up one third of the population;
probably 3,500, of all ages. At Ann Arbor, and in the towns of Webster,
Scio, Northfield, Lima and Dexter are many. At and near Bert rand on the
St. Joseph's river, adjoining Indiana, they have a school established
and an Indian mission. Including the fur traders, and Indians, they may
be estimated at 10,000 in this Diocess.[12]
2. _Cincinnati._--A large cathedral has been built in this place, and 15
or 520 chapels in the Diocess. Ten years ago, the late bishop Fenwick
could not count up 500. The emigration of foreigners, and the laborers
on the Ohio canals, and not a little success in proselyting, account for
the increase. There are 25 congregations, and 18 priests. A literary
institution, called the _Athenaeum_, is established at Cincinnati, where
the students are required to attend the forms of worship, and the
Superior inspects all their letters. St. Peter's Orphan Asylum is under
charge of 4 "Sisters of Charity." The number of Catholics in Cincinnati
is variously estimated, the medium of which is 6000, and as many more
dispersed through the State.
3. _Bardstown._--This includes the State of Kentucky, and has a bishop,
with the usual subordinates, 27 congregations, and 33 priests, 11 of
whom reside at Bardstown. A convent of 6 Jesuit priests at Lebanon;
another of 5 Dominicans, called St. Rose, in Washington county; the
college at Bardstown, already noticed, and St. Mary's Seminary in
Washington county, for the education of priests. Of _female_
institutions, there are the _Female Academy of Nazareth_ at Bardstown,
conducted by the "Sisters of Charity," and superintended by the bishop
and professors of St. Joseph's college,--150 pupils; the female academy
of Loretto, Washington county, with accommodation for 100 boarders, and
directed by the "_Sisters of Mary at the foot of the cross_." This order
have six other places for country schools, and are said to be 135 in
number. The _Convent of Holy Mary_, and the _Monastery of St.
Magdalene_, at St. Rose, Washington county, by Dominican nuns, 15 in
number, and in 1831, 30 pupils. The Catholics have a female academy at
Lexington with 100 pupils.
I have no data to show the Roman Catholic population of this State, but
it is by no means proportionate to the formidable machinery here
exhibited. All this array of colleges, seminaries, monasteries, convents
and nunneries is for the work of proselyting, and if they are not
successful, it only shows that the current of popular sentiment sets
strongly in another direction.
4. _Vincennes._--This is a new Diocess, recently carved out of Indiana
and Illinois by the authority of an old gentleman, who lives in the
city of Rome! It includes a dozen chapels, 4 or 5 priests, the St.
Claire convent at Vincennes, with several other appendages. The Roman
Catholic population of this State is not numerous, probably not
exceeding 3000. Illinois has about 5000, a part of which is under the
jurisdiction of St. Louis Diocess. In Illinois there are 10 churches,
and 6 priests, a part of which are included in the Diocess of Indiana. A
convent of nuns of the "_Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary_," at
Kaskaskia, who conduct a female school, with a few boarders and about 30
or 40 day scholars.
5. _St. Louis._--This Diocess includes 18 congregations and 19 priests,
with the following appendages:
1. _St. Louis University_, already noticed, with 6 priests for
instructors, and 150 students, of which, about 80 are boarders. The
rules require their attendance on morning and evening prayers, the
catechism, and divine service on Sundays and holidays. 2. St. Mary's
College, also noticed in our description of colleges. 3. Noviciate for
_Jesuits under St. Stanislaus_, in St. Louis county. Of female
institutions there are,--1. Convent of the "_Ladies of the Sacred
Heart_," at St. Louis; 2. another of the same description, and their
noviciate, at Florrissant;--3. another of the same order at St.
Charles;--4. a female academy at Carondalet, six miles below St. Louis,
by the "_Sisters of Charity_;"--5. a convent and academy of the
"_Sisters of Loretto_," at New Madrid;--6. a convent and female academy
at Frederickstown, under supervision of a priest;--7. a convent and
female academy of the "_Sisters of Loretto_," in Perry county. The Roman
Catholic population in Missouri does not exceed 15,000. Their pupils, of
both sexes, may be estimated at 700. To the above may be added the
hospital, and the asylum for boys, in St. Louis, under the management of
the Sisters of Charity.
Roman Catholic teachers, usually foreigners, disperse themselves through
the country, and engage in teaching primary schools; availing themselves
of intercourse with the families of their employers to instruct them in
the dogmas of their religion. The greatest success that has attended the
efforts of the priests in converting others, has been during the
prevalence of the cholera, and especially after collapse and
insensibility had seized the person! We know of more than 60 Roman
Catholics who have been converted to the faith of Christ and joined
Christian churches within 3 or 4 years past, in this State.
6. _New Orleans._--The Roman Catholics in Louisiana are numerous,
probably including one third of the population. Relatively, Protestants
are increasing, as a large proportion of the emigration from the other
States, who care any thing about religion, are Protestants. There are
26 congregations, and 27 priests with several convents, female
seminaries, asylums, &c.
7. _Mobile._--A splendid cathedral has been commenced here. This Diocess
extends into Florida.
FOOTNOTES:
[12] The reader will note that our estimates of Roman Catholics include
the whole family of every age. Whereas, our statistics of Protestant
denominations included only communicants.