43

RELIGIQN.

We may divide the German population of Baltimore into
four distinct classes, i. e. Catholics, Protestants, Israelites
and Independents. The exact numerical strength of any of
these classes is impossible for us to establish, but may be near-
ly inferred from the relative multitude of houses of worship,
benevolent institutions, schools etc., and their capacity.

THE GERMAN CATHOLICS

Have in this city three churches completed, one of which, that
of St. Michael in East Lombard street, exceeds in capacity all
other churches of this city (the Cathedral not even excepted,)
and is estimated to hold over three thousand persons. Anoth-
er, that of St. James, on the corner of Aisquith and Eager
streets, is now under reconstruction and will be, if completed,
of not smaller compass. There is also a new church in pro-
cess of erection near the west end of the city, dedicated to St.
Martin, of nearly as huge dimensions, so that it safely may be
stated that the average capacity of these church buildings ex-
ceeds that of two thousand persons, There is also a large
convent attached to the St. James church, the nuns of which
devote themselves principally to the superintendence and edu-
cational duties of the German Catholic Orphans' Asylum in
Central Avenue.

Each Catholic congregation, moreover, supports a secular
school with religious instruction, and all these institutions
are large and in a flourishing condition. Benevolence is also
well cultivated toward the poor and suffering, and manifests
itself in several institutions of that kind. The precise num-
ber of priests, nuns, officers or teachers in the various estab-
lishments, we are not able to give, but we may state that it
is adequate to the demands.

Under the term ''German Protestants," we comprise all
Evangelical Christian denominations, without entering upon
sub-divisions according to their separate doctrines or creeds;
however, we may say that the German Reformed, Lutheran and
Methodist Episcopal predominate. Among them we have to
record 14 houses of worship which average about a compass
of about 800 members. Each of these churches also supports
a school with large attendance, and benevolent institutions
of various kinds, the most conspicuous of which is the Ger-
man Protestant Orphan Asylum.

The Israelites of German birth, form in Baltimore more
than nine-tenths of all the professors of the Mosaic creed in
this city. They worship in 4 synagogues, one of which call-
ing itself "reformed," stands in contradistinction from the
others which are supported by "orthodox" Jews. All of
them have schools connected with them and especially
flourishing beneficial societies and institutions.