USA > New York > Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 1 > Part 33
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On the 13th of Nov. 1847, the Legislature abolished the office of County Superintendent,-al- though the act was strongly resisted by many of the best friends of education in the State.7 During the same session Teachers' Institutes, which had existed for several years as voluntary associa- tions, were legally established.8
On the 26th of March, 1849, an act was passed establishing free schools throughout the State. By the conditions of this act the rate bill system was abolished, and the whole expense of the schools beyond the State appropriation was made a tax upon the property of the district. This act was submitted to a vote of the people and was sustained by a majority of 3 to 1. In consequence of the inequality of the laws in regard to taxes, it was found that the Free School system did not work well in practice. Remonstrances poured in upon the next Legislature from all parts of the
1 These commissioners, appointed by Gov. Tompkins, were Jedediah Peck, John Murray. jr., Samuel Russel, Roger Skin- ner, and Samuel Macomb. The principal features of this bill were,- 1. $50.000 was annually to be divided among the counties of the State.
2. The Boards of Supervisors were obliged to raise an equal sumi, to be distributed among the towns and districts.
3. Three commissioners were to be appointed in cach town to superintend the schools and examine teachers.
4. Three trustees were to be elected in each district to engage teachers and otherwise provide for the local uccessities of the school.
5. The whole system was to be placed under the charge of a State Superintendent.
2 In 1912 the office of School Commissioner was created, and from 3 to 6 school inspectors were annually elected in each town. with the same powers aud duties as school commissiou- erA. Bills were introduced from time to time to place the whole system again under the charge of a distinctive officer, to pro- vide for more efficient supervision of schools. to secure more competent teachers. and to establish a seminary for the instruc- tion of teachers; but they all failed of receiving the necessary support. In 1828 the number of inspectors was reduced to 3. The laws that were passed corrected the most obvious abuses ; but no great step was taken in advance until 1838.
& frasinna Hall Academy in Kings co., Montgomery Aca- deiny, Drange co., Kinderhook. St. Lawrence, Fairfield, Oxford, Canandaigua, and Middlebury Academies, were the institutions iu which this department Was established.
4 On the 13th of April of this year, the foundations of the District School Library were laid by "an act anthorizing the taxable inhabitants of the several school districts to impose a tax not exceeding so for the first year and $10 for each suc- cording year. for the purchase of a district library, consisting of such books as they shall in their district meeting direct." " bis bill was ably advocated in the Senate by Col. Young. of Sa- rate ga. and the Hon. Levi Beardsley, of Otsego; and its friends were indebted for its success to the untiring exertions and ex- fensive influence of James Wadsworth. of Geneseo. By act of in's 9, 1851. the law was modified, giving to supervisors of towns a discretionary power of levying a tax for library pur-
In 1-3 an net was passed requiring $55,000 of the school moders to be distributed among the school districts and ex- pended hy the trustees in the purchase of suitable books for district libraries, and the resine for the payment of the wages of duty qualified teachers. An equal amount was also required to be raised by taxation on the several counties and towns and applied to the same purposes.
The first definite proposition to establish district libraries was made by A. C. Flagg, in his report of 1820.
5 Iu 1839, Jolin C. Spencer, Superintendent of Schools, recom- mended a plan of conuty supervision. which " was urged upon the department and the Legislature; and under the strong re- commendation of the Superintendent, backed by the exer tious of several of the most eminent friends of popular education,- among.wimm may be enumerated the Hon. Jabez D. Hammond, who as early as 1835 had given to the public the details of a plan essentially similar; the Rev. Dr. WIntehouse, ot Roch- ester ; Francis Dwight, Esq., editor of the District School Jour- ual, tben of Geueva ; Professor Potter, of Umion College; and James Wadsworth, Esq., of Geneseo,-this project became, in 1841, by the nearly unauimous action of the Legislature, incor- porated with our system of common schools."-Randall's Com- num School System, p. 44.
6 The establishment of a Normal School for the professional education of teachers was strongly advocated by several super- intendente, and had been a lavorite measure of many distin- guisbed friends of the cause for many years. The bill for the establishment of the Normal School was introduced March 22, 1844, by Hon. Calvin T. Hurlbnrd, of St. Lawrence, The bill, as passed, appropriated $9,600 for the first year, and $10,000 per year for five years, for the support of the school, under the di- rection of the State Superintendent and Regents of the Uni- versity. The Superintendeut of Schools, (Samuel Youug.) Rev. Alonzo Potter, Rev. W. II. Campbell, Hon. Gideon Hawley, and Francis Dwight, Esq., were appointed an executive couimittee to attend to the interests of the school. The committee pro- ceeded to organize the school by the appointment of David F. Page, Principal; Frederick I. Ilsley, Teacher of Music; aud J. B. Iloward, Teacher of Drawing. Only 29 pupils were in at- tendance the first day; but the number speedily increased to 100, and since that time the school has becu au umuterrupted success.
7 This office had become very unpopular in some sections of the State, in consequence of appointments having been Ire- quently made by the Board of Supervisors upon political con- siderations merely, without the least regard to the qualitica- tions of the appointees. Under the supervision of the County Superintendents the schools had progressed more rapidly than ever before, in the same period: and after the abolishment of that office they steadily retrograded for several years.
8 The first Teachers' Institute in the State was held at Ithaca, Tompkins co., April 4, 1843. under the direction of James S. Denman, County Superintendent. Immediately afterward, in- stitntes were held in other comities; and in a few years they became a fixed institution. In Is47 they were recognized by the Legislature, and appropriations were made for their sup- port.
138
NEW YORK STATE GAZETTEER.
State ; and in 1850 the law was again submitted to a vote of the people and again sustained, -though by a decreased majority. In April, 1851, the Free School Act was repealed and the rate bill system was reinstated.1
During the session of 1853 a law was passed allowing Union Free Schools to be established under certain conditions.2 On the 30th of March, 1854, the office of Superintendent of Public In- struetion was created,-thus substantially restoring the original system of general supervision.3 Ou the 13th of April, 1855, a law was passed allowing the Regents of the University to designate certain academies in the several counties in which a teachers' class might be taught free, the State allowing $10 for each pupil so taught, to a number not exceeding 20 iu each academy.
1 At the time of the repeal of the Free School act a provision was made for raising $800,000 annually by a State tax, which in many of the rural districts practically made freo schools. This tax was afterward made a ? mill tax upon all the property of the State. producing a somt somewhat larger in the aggregate, and one increasing with the wealth and wants of the State.
2 The law for the creation of Union Free Schools was a recug- nition of the free school principle aud an important step iu the progress of education.
8 While the School Department was a subordinate branch of the Department of State, it was impossible to give to it that character and efficiency necessary to the best interests and wel- fare of the schools. Since the change, every department of edu- cation has felt a new impulse and has been constantly iniprov- ing. The administration of the schools has been ninch more perfect, the reports have been more regular and reliable, and the standard of teaching has materially advanced.
School Statisties from the Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for 1859.ª
No. of school-
houses.
No. of dis-
tricks.
No. of truch-
ers employed.
No. of chil- dren between 4 und 21.
No. of vol- umes in dis- trict library.
Apportionment of State moneys for 1859.
Total receipts.
Total expenses.
Albany.
170
169
243
39,559
27,018
$34.755.46
$122,068.91
$124.673.51
Allegany
252
259
262
16,411
20,196
18.443.07
28,818.51
32.258.36
Broonie
211
214
221
13,510
17.314
15,680.38
24,123.23
27,523.65
Cattaraugus
253
255
255
16,121
20,859
17,569.93
27,601.80
33,362.17
Cayuga.
248
247
278
19,438
45.109
21,647.28
48.535.41
59,294.50
Chautauqua.
305
307
318
19,935
33,260
22.937.75
40,785.66
45.440.26
Chemung.
114
116
127
10.641
11.571
10,727.03
19.119.92
20.558.93
Chenango
274
277
286
14,747
31.941
18,622.61
29.341.34
32.506.47
Clinton
182
182
189
18,327
18.203
16.448.91
23,529.05
26.198.33
Columbia
187
188
199
16,503
21.719
17,196.20
34,767.59
36.898.14
Cortland.
182
182
183
9.254
18.588
11,586.07
17,255.54
20.937.05
Delaware
332
337
337
15.696
28.075
19.703.21
28,757.16
35,603.46
Dutchess
213
217
247
21.446
33,915
22.672.83
46,222.93
61.889.61
Frie
3:26
327
497
50.773
45.445
49,449.52
138.417.98
197,465.83
Essex
180
187
152
11.400
17,393
12.252.49
19,337.32
21.271.35
Franklin
156
157
156
11.299
11,868
11.126.18
15.637.73
20,802.87
Fulton.
110
111
113
10.551
12.308
9.236.79
14.102.19
18,713.68
Genesee.
146
151
151
10,644
17,842
12.312.75
23.487.48
28,726.57
Greene
163
164
172
11,689
21,051
12.793.84
22,016.69
27.027.04
Hamilton
28
33
29
1,046
1,454
1.515.11
2,105.87
2.364.82
llerkimer
193
199
203
14.136
24,676
15.765.92
27.365.25
33.533.20
Jefferson.
373
375
398
25.757
41,536
28,164.96
49,185.46
58.063.32
Kings
47
47
355
50,772
37,529
68.798.02
246.461.75
230,577.21
Lewis ..
176
178
179
10,358
15.628
11,580.04
17.348.67
19.408.54
Livingston
193
196
207
14.055
28,040
15,664.48
26,652.77
34,072.68
Madison
238
239
254
15.654
30.445
18.430.01
31.594.17
34.847.48
Monroe
244
244
336
34.370
36,518
34,972.62
112.104.41
107.4$0.57
120
126
129
12.033
18.048
11.649.24
23.430.67
23.430.67
95
95
1,350
200.000
4,000
207.332 95
951,178.40
951.178.40
171
163
197
18,051
23.764
18.105.71
37,950.86
37.950.86
397
408
45S
38.455
54.588
41.891.72
72.376.15
72.376.15
Onondaga
296
309
32.478
44.978
33.261.15
80,114.54
80.114.54
Ontario.
2017
204
2:24
15.375
27.248
17,391.78
36.443.60
36.443.60
Orange
184
179
201
21.651
32.929
21.434.10
53,077.70
53.077.70
Orleans
134
132
143
10.514
16,082
11.302.71
19.239.56
19.239.56
Os wego.
298
297
344
27.248
31,341
28,152.0S
72.476.06
72.476.06
Otrego
319
020
320
18.027
35.009
21.994.4S
32.171.15
32.171.15
Queens
75
76
111
17.058
23.023
15.251.77
42.506.25
42.506.25
Rensselaer
199
210
273
28.372
30.382
28,962.54
14,029.12
14.029.12
Richmond
24
24
39
8,133
7.025
6.617.81
16.871.53
16.871.53
Rockland.
39
41
43
6,939
9.365
6.311.17
12,295.09
12.295.09
St. Lawrence.
464
482
31.219
42.898
33.173.93
58,331.45
58,331.45
Saratoga
257
230
245
18,145
31.228
19.624.40
34.620.32
34,626.32
Schenectady
63
68
83
7,281
9,537
7.394.20
17,979.08
17,979.08
Schoharie
203
203
204
12.024
22.578
14.505.51
21.844.73
21.844.73
Schuyler ..
112
112
112
7,108
13.092
7.912.37
13.528 71
13.528.71
Staten.
350
355
354
15,192
23.999
15.123.09
38.755.50
38.755.50
Tinga ...
159
159
166
10.574
17.872
11.737.21
19.027.40
19.027.49
Tompkins.
105
165
183
11.993
21.088
13.272.59
24.285.06
21.2>5.00
Ulster ..
219
223
231
25.758
32,632
24.249.37
43.763.04
43.708.04
Warr.n
130
132
123
7,812
9,896
8.852 63
12.953.75
14.003.50
Washington.
239
241
247
16,296
30.743
18.526.59
31.963.60
:0.001.24
Wayne.
219
219
252
17,052
26.240
19.301.57
37,833.48
44.994.11
Westchester
159
14%
211
27.738
31.803
26.908.02
84.645.40
95.156.04
Wyoming
191
189
197
12.072
25.114
13.924.49
21,756.20
27.714.76
Yated.
106
106
110
7,536
12,170
8,263.32
19.089.09
16.417.96
Total
11.50
11.617
14.280
1.240,176
1.44>.113
$1.316,007.18
$3.277,255.14
: $3.792.945.79
SCheCIL ..
104
102
117
25.717
32,010
26.672.33
42.912.11
42,912.11
Suffolk
148
150
161
12,280
12.519
12.004.20
19.228.58
19.2:5.55
Sullivan
159
16S
163
5,489
9.064
5.319.28
9.103.17
9,103.17
Putnam
65
65
New York
Niagara
Oncida.
297
24.109.69
10,164
16.347
9.968.53
24,109.69
Montgomery
" The above Table embraces returns from Jan. I to Oct. 1, 1858, except the last column, which is for the year 1507.
139
CHURCHES.
The office of School Commissioner was ereated by law April 12, 1856, and by the same act the office of Town Superintendent was abolished. This substantially reinstated the office of County Superintendent, the abolishment of which in 1847 was so disastrous to the interests of education.1 On the 15th of March, 1856, an aet was passed directing that the school laws should be digested and codified.2 By aet of April 12, 1858, the school year was changed so as to commence Oct. 1, and the annual distriet school meetings were directed to be held ou the sceond Tuesday of October.
Mercantile Colleges, especially adapted to instruction in opening, conducting, and closing business accounts of every kind, and an elucidation of the laws and customs that have been esta- blished concerning them, have within a few years been opened in most of our cities. They de- pend entirely upon individual enterprise for support, and instruction is usually given by oral illus- trations, lectures, and examples.3
CHURCHES.
THE various church organizations in the State are independent of each other and are supported entirely by private contributions. The aggregate amount of church property in the State, and the amount annually raised for religious purposes, is immense. The following is a list of the different denominations, arranged in alphabetical order :-
The African Methodist Episcopal (Zion) Church was formed in 1820. The State of New York forms one conference, having in 1852 1,928 members.
The American Swedenborgian Association was formed in 1857, and has its office in New York City. A Printing and Publishing Society of this denomination, formed iu 1850, collceted in the year ending in 1858 $3,108.25. It owns the stereotype plates of all the theological writings of Swedenborg.
The Anti Mission or Old School Baptist, in 1855, had in the State 18 churches and 1,101 members.
The Associate Presbyterian Church, in 1855, had 26 churches and 3,926 members, and The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 38 churches and 5,634 mem- bers. These two denominations united in May, 1858, under the name of The United Pres- byterians.
The Baptist Church has in the United States 565 associations, 11,600 churches, 7,141 ordained ministers, 1,025 licentiates, and 923,198 members. Of these 43 associations, 812 churches, 738 ordained ministers, 90 licentiates, and 84,266 members are in New York. Its general Benevo- lent Associations are the "American Baptist Missionary Union," " American Baptist Publication Society," " American Baptist Historical Society," "American Baptist Home Mission Society," "American and Foreign Bible Society," " American Baptist Foreign Mission Society," "Southern Baptist Convention," 1845, and "Southern Baptist Publication Society," 1847. 't has in this State 2 colleges and 2 theological seminaries, and has 5 periodicals devoted to its interests.4
1 The School Commissioners have generally succeeded in awakening a new interest in their respective districts by per- sonally visiting the schools and teachers. by encouraging the formation of teachers' associations and institutes, and by re- quiring a higher standard of qualification on the part of teachers. The schools under their supervision are steadily improving.
2 The expense of this codification of the school laws was de- frayed from the library fund.
3 These institutions are almost indispensalde in every mer- cantile community. They afford instruction upon every depart- ment of business accounts, and incidentally new methods of conducting business generally. Courses of lectures are usually given. in which are unfolded the laws relating to all business matters, and a vast amount of information is given relating to all departments of commercial transactions. The most exten- sivo of theve colleges are those of Bryant & Stratton. 7 in mm- ber. of which 3 are in this State,-1 at Buffalo, 1 at Albany, and 1 at New York,-Eastman's Colleges, at Rochester and Oswego. and Bassett's College, at Syracuse. There are various other Institutions of the kind in the State, of good local repute, and | City
of great value to the villages and towns in which they are es- tablished.
4 The Missionary Union was formed in 1814: its receipts for 1857-58 were $97.808.77. It has 19 missions. su missionaries, and over 300 churches. The headquarters of the Society are at Boston. The Baptist Publication Society was formed in 1824, and has its depository at Philadelphia. It supports 53 colper- teurs, and its receipts for 1857-58 were SeLeSAP. The Imer- icon Baptist Home Missionary Society was formed in 1832. and has its office in New York. It employ, 99 russionaries and supplies about 250 stations. Its receipts for Is57-as were $52.093.33. The American and Foreign Bidde Senty, formed in 1838. has its office at. New York, Its receuds for 1857-58 were $55.049.98. Madison University. at Hamilton, and the University of Rochester are Baptist institutions: wool attached toreach is a theological seminary. The papers published by thus denomi- nation are,-The New York Examiner. New York Chronicle, American Baptist, i newspapers.) and the Home Mission Record, aud Mothers Journal, (magazines,' all published in New York
140
NEW YORK STATE GAZETTEER.
The Christian Connexion' divide the State into the New York Eastern, New York Central, New York Western, Northern, Black River, and Tioga Christian Conferences, each having distinet boundaries. They have in the U. S. and Canada over 1,500 ministers and 335 commu- nieants. The census reports 85 churches in this State and 9,825 persons usually attending them.
The Congregational Churches of the Union number about 2,900, with 2,400 ministers and 240,000 members. Of these, 425 churches, 400 ministers, and 25,000 members are elaimed within the State of New York.2
The Congregational Methodistss were first composed of seceders from the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1820. They have 3 churches in the State.
The Disciples of Christ have in the Union over 1,700 churches, 1,100 ministers, and 130,000 members.4 In New York they reported, in 1855, 28 churches and 2,015 members. The New York State Convention embraces, besides the State, parts of Connecticut and Vermont.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church embraces 35 synods in the U. S., of which 25 are connected with a general synod. It numbers 1,083 ministers and 1,920 congregations,5 and has of general societies the Parent Educational, Home Missionary, Foreign Missionary, Church Extension, Lutheran Historical, and Lutheran Publication, for the purposes indicated by their respective titles. It has within this State a Theological Seminary and Academy at Hartwick, Otsego county, and Martin Luther College, with a theological department, at Buffalo.
The Free Will Baptist Church in the U. S. has 28 yearly and 129 quarterly meetings, 1189 churches, 957 ordained and 164 licensed preachers, and 55,209 communicants.6 This State comprises 5 whole yearly meetings and parts of 2 others. As no attention is paid to State lines
The Fifty-First Annual Report of the Baptist Missionary Convention of the State of New York (Oct. 1858) gives the fol- lowing statistics of this denomination in New York. The dates of organization are from the Baptist Almanac :-
ASSOCIATIONS.
Organized.
Churches.
Ordained
Ministers.
Members.
Black River.
1808
32
35
2.958
Broome & Tioga.
1$23
25
19
2.755
Buffalo ..
1815
21
21
2,512
Canistro River
1835
10
9
381
Cattaraugus.
1×35
23
18
1.534
Caynga
1800
19
17
2,106
Hartwick Synod
1830
25
33
Franckean Synod
1838
24
30
Synod of Buffalo.
1839
16
16
Of these the last two are not connected with the General Synod.
These synods have no definite boundaries. but overlap each other, and in some instances extend into neighboring States.
The Kirchliches Informatorium and Historische Zeitblatt, of Buffalo, and Der Lutherische Herold, of New York, are the official organs of this denomination.
6 The Free Will Baptist Register for 1859 gives the following statistics. To those extending partly into neighboring States a star is prefixed; and those entirely out of the State are in Italics.
ANNUAL. MEETINGS.
QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
Churches.
Ordained
Preachers.
Licensed
Preachers,
Communi-
cants.
Ilolland Pur- clase
Cattaraugus, Catta- rangns Center,
43
43
7
2,170
Otsego
1795
17
16
1.398
Bensselaerville
1799
12
11
1.372
Saratoga.
1815
23
25
3.258
Genesce.
Rochester, Monroe, I'nion, Wayne,
38
30
3
1,666
Stephentown ..
1832
12
10
1.139
Stenhen
1817
19
21
2.149
St. Lawrence.
IS13
23
20
I'nion
1×10
15
15
2.242
Washington Union
1$34
23
19
3.6211
WayIn ...
1834
16
13
1.725
Worcester
1830
17
12
1.286
Yates
1542
8
S04
I Otherwise named " Unitarian Baptists." They originated between 1793 and 1801. in seressjons front Baptists. Methodists. And Presbyterian«. Each church i- independent in government ; and full statistics are not accessibile.
2 The General Association of New York includes the Oneida, Black River, Essex, St. Lawrence. Western New York, Long
Island, New York & Brooklyn, Ontario, Susquehanna, Albany, and Puritan of Wyoming & Allegany Associations. The Ameri- can Congregational Union has for one of its objects the aid of feeble churches. In the year ending in 1858 it expended $6.154.05 for this purpose.
8 Otherwise known as "Stilwellites."
+ Sometimes known as " Campbellites," from Rev. Alexander Campbell, the founder .- For d: Hoyt's Quod. Reg., 1852, p. 253. 6 From the Lutheran Almanac, 1859. The synods embraced in New York are as follows :-
SYNODS.
When formed.
Ministers.
Congre- gations.
New York Ministerian
1785
59
55
Chemung River.
1842
20
17
1.856
Chenango.
1832
29
21
2.571
Cortland
1527
19
18
2.188
Deposit
1854
15
11
992
Erie
1847
19
13
1.344
Franklin
1811
17
12
1.702
Genesce
1511
17
16
1.908
Genesee River
1828
15
13
1.435
Harmony
1838
20
16
1,868
Hudson River North
1851
29
21
4.985
Hudson River South ...
1951
41
57
9.013
Lake George
1800
11
646
Livingston
1$12
10
693
Madison.
1808
19
1S
2.290
Mohawk River
1837
10
9
731
Monroe
1827
24
19
3.056
New York
1791
35
33
5,532
Niagara
1×24
14
12
1.563
Oneida
1820
23
26
2.549
Onomlaga.
1822
21
17
1.866
Ontarlo.
1814
19
19
1.544
Orleans
1843
11
9
1.061
Oswego
1832
16
13
1.670
Chantanqua Frie, *French Creek, and Genesee ..
Freedom ....
*! )wrgro,
Gibson.
3
S
1.262
*New York And.
Yates and Stenbon. *Potter Co.Brad-
22
10
246
St. Lawrence,
Lawrence. Jeferson. f MeDonough. Che- )
16
7
3
48%
Union
mango. Visolie . .. Whitestown.
12
13
3
$26
Central N. Y
laver. *hero. f
Lake Georger ....
10
36
2 2.163
20
19
1.738
Essex & Champlain
1834
14
7
1.079
Dutchess
1834
10 8
Seneca
1821
15
13 1.797 -
*Susquehanna ...
Spufford, *Wal- ton ..
Penn.
ford and Time, -Tuscarora.
Rensse-
i
141
CHURCHES.
in these divisions, the exact numbers in the State cannot be determined from the reports. Its general institutions are 3 mission societies, an anti-slavery society, a biblical school and insti- tution at New Hampton, N. H., and a seminary in this State.
The Friends or Quakers have, since 1827, becu divided into 2 distinct branches, known as " Hicksite" and "Orthodox." The Hicksites have a general meeting for the United States and Canada, which is divided into 6 yearly, 33 quarterly, and 138 monthly meetings in the U. S., and 2 half-yearly and 6 monthly meetings in Canada. This State is embraced within the New York and the Genesee yearly meetings, the former of which extends into New Jersey and the latter into Canada. There are of the New York yearly meeting in this State 7 quarterly and 31 monthly meetings ; of the Genesee yearly meeting 2 quarterly and 8 monthly meetings.
The Orthodox Friends divide the United States and Cauada into 8 yearly, 1 half-yearly, 65 quarterly, and 222 monthly meetings. The New York yearly meeting comprises 1 half-yearly, 15 quarterly, and 43 monthly meetings, of which 9 entire and a part of 1 other quarterly and 28 monthly meetings are within the State, the remainder being in adjoining States and Canada.1
The German Methodists2 originated in the year 1800, and number about 20,000. They have in New York about 15 churches and 3,000 members.
The Mennonites have in the Union 300 churches and 36,280 members: of these, 6 churches and 442 members were reported in Western N. Y. in 1855.
The Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States was divided in 1844 into the Church North and the Church South, forming two independent organizations, differing only upon the question of slavery. The Church North embraces 49 annual conferences, 5,365 traveling, 769 superannuated, and 7,169 local preachers, and 820,514 members and probationers. The total number of preachers in both divisions is 20,644, and of members 1,476,291. This State embraces 5 entire and parts of 4 other conferences, which are subdivided into districts and eir- euits, each with definite boundaries. The Sunday School Union of the M. E. Church North re- ports 11,229 schools, 120,421 officers and teachers, 639,120 scholars, and 2,054,253 volumes in S. S. libraries. Its Tract Society has auxiliarics in each conference, and distributes large quantities of tracts and a small paper called " The Good News." Its Missionary Society supports 44 foreign mis- sionarics and 76 helpers, and 302 missionaries and 214 helpers among the Indians and foreign populations. Its " Book Concern" carries on an amount of publication equaled by that of few private firms in the country, including books, papers, and magazines. This denomination las within the State 1 college and 10 seminaries, in connection with annual conferences.8
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