Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 15.djvu/820

 NOTES ON THE RECENT CENSUS OF RELIGIOUS

BODIES

GEORGE A. COE Union Theological Seminary

Census Bulletin loj is a summary of the statistics of religious bodies for "continental United States" at the end of 1906. Changes are therefore indicated, not for the usual ten-year period, but for the 16 years from 1890. Out of many items of general sociological interest that are either stated in or deducible from this Bulletin, I select a few for brief description.

1. Of the twelve denominations that have ceased to exist during the 16 years, one-half were communistic. Only 22 local communistic religious groups survive out of 32 reported in 1890. Of these 22 groups, 15 belong to the denomination of Shakers, and 7 to that of the Amana Society. The total membership of communistic religious organizations has declined from 4,049 to 2,272. The Shakers have decreased from 1,728 to 516, but the Amana Society has slightly increased, namely, from 1,600 to

1,756.

2. Group- forming has been somewhat active. As against 12 denominations that have become extinct, and four that have disappeared through consolidation with other denominations, division of denominations has added 13 to the total, immigration has added 11, and 29 new denominations have been formed. There has been a rapid increase of independent congregations. From 155 in 1890, the number has advanced to 1,079, ^" increase of 596 per cent, as against a general increase in the number of local organizations of only 28.5 per cent.

3. The membership of religious bodies has increased consid- erably faster than the population. The increase of population is, in round numbers, 34 per cent.; that of members of religious organizations, 60 per cent., and that of the property of local re-

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