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FOR THE RELIGIOUS MONITOR.

ECCLESIASTICAL STATISTICS.

In one of the late numbers of the Philadelphian there is an account of the supposed numbers attached by membership, or otherwise, to the different churches in the United States. In one or two instances there are mistakes which it may be worth while to correct. There are at least two denominations of Presbyterians whose numbers are rated six times less than they are represented in their annual reports. The ratio adopted is 1000 members and adherents to every preacher. The number assigned to the Associate and the Associate Reformed Presbyterians is 10,000 each. This calculation of course is founded 'on the supposition that there are ten preachers in each of these societies.

The number of preachers in the Associate church, according to the minutes of last year, is 72 ordained and licensed, which will give 72,000, instead of 10,000. The number of members in full communion is 11,504, reported from 104 congregations. From 39 there were no reports. The whole number of members will probably be about 15,000. If we suppose six additional hearers for every communicant, which is much less than the ratio sometimes adopted, the whole number of members and hearers would be something more than 100,000. It is probable however that even this is beyond the truth.-Our congregations are almost exclusively supported by actual members.→→ There are but three ministers settled in congregations whose numbers do not exceed an hundred; many of them exceed two and three, and a few exceed four hundred. The increase of ministers has never equalled the increase of the church; this may be the chief cause of the proportion of members being so much greater according to the number of preachers, than in some other churches. In some churches the number of preachers exceeds the demand for settlement. So that the number of preachers is not the most accurate guide for ascertaining the number of members. The Associate Reformed church, being divided into three separate Synods, it is not so easy to ascertain their number, it is probably about the same as that of the Associate church. The Reformed Presbyterians, whose numbers are probably about equal to one tenth of these two churches, are set down at 20,000, as if equal to both of them. Number can be no fair test of truth, but correct informa tion can do no harm. Yours, &c. J. F.

DEATH OF DR. ANDERSON.

It will be seen by the following extract of a letter from a correspondent, that the Secession church in the United States has lost a venerable and much esteemed father. In his day, many were his contentions for truth, and severe his conflicts with the enemies of the church; but "like a shock of corn fully ripe," in his old age, he has descended to the grave in peace, with scarce a struggle. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

"He attended a meeting of our Presbytery on Tuesday, the North Buffaloe, a distance of thirty miles from his own house. good health, and in Presbytery discovered his usual soundness and

6th ult. at

He was in

depth of

judgment on several points of importance to our public religious profession. In the evening, on his way home, he stopped at the house of a member of N. Buffaloe Session, and complained of nothing but the fatigue of travelling.— After early supper he went to bed, and when the elder who had attended Presbytery with him, came into the room, he spoke of being somewhat indisposed, particularly in his head. Shortly after (about 11 o'clock) he arose ; and, in a very little time, was heard to fall, as if with his whole weight, upon the floor. He was immediately found lying upon his back: the friends who came to his assistance think he breathed once or twice while they were raising him up but before light could be brought into the room, death had completely taken place.

His corpse was conveyed, on Thursday the 8th ult., to his dwelling house, and interred in the burying ground belonging to Service congregation.

It is expected that another member of Presbytery will send you some particulars concerning Dr. Anderson, which may form something like a biographical outline, and nothing more. It is to be hoped that none will attempt, until the present generation passes away, to draw his character, or set him forth with an assemblage of his labours, usefulness, and personal qualities; at least those who knew him best and esteemed him most, will not do so.Dr. Anderson desired the world to know nothing about himself, as a christian minister, but what may be known by reading his publications; and he was one of those men who do not need laborious praise to recommend them to the veneration and esteem of those to whom they are known."

T. A.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.-We have received two papers containing strictures on the observations of A. H. on the Correspondence lately carried on between the Associate Synod, and the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian church. As the writer of one of these papers has sent us his name, we shall give his paper a place in the Monitor in the order in which it was received. The name of the writer of the other paper, signed "A PRESBYTERIAN," is unknown to us; and if he will send us his name, his paper shall also be inserted. We think it reasonable that an editor should require the names of his correspondents, particularly when they write on controverted points; while at the same time we acknowledge the right of the correspondent to conceal his name from the public if he chooses, and we engage on our part to withhold a name whenever requested to do so.

CONTRIBUTORS TO THE MONITOR.-A. H.,-The writer of the "Signs of the Times,"-and F., are the three that have contributed the most to the pa ges of of the present volume of the RELIGIOUS MONITOR, and are each entitled to an elegantly bound copy, which will be sent to them the first opportunity.

NOTICE.-Several of our friends have spoken to us in relation to commencing articles in one volume and concluding them in another. This seems to be a necessary evil; we have endeavored to avoid it as far as practicable; but in some few instances it is unavoidable, unless, indeed, we should delay publishing six or eight months.

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