1930

44

What we call the German Independents, are composed of
persons not belonging to any of the above named religions
societies and of what is called "Rationalists." All these, on
account of diversity of opinion, are not used to congregate for
religious purposes, and as they, therefore, do not manifest
that unity of action which characterizes the professors of a
common creed, we cannot record either houses of worship or
other institutions of theirs of a religious character, neverthe-
less they support not less than eight independent schools,
some very large and of high standing, and it is undeniable
that they are liberal contributors towards benevolent enter-
prises, literature, arts, etc.

The exact numerical proportion of these four classes we
could not establish, but it will not be far from the truth if
we assume that of the entire German born population of Bal-
timore, 28 per cent, are Catholic, about 25 per cent. Protes-
tants, about 17 per cent. Israelites, and about 30 per cent
Independents. In connection with this statement, it is hardly
necessary to mention, that, as the Catholics have the smallest
number of churches and schools, they of course, have the
largest congrations and average attendance of pupils; and
again the Protestants, the largest number of the former and
the smallest average of the latter.

Proceeding to

EDUCATION,

We have to report in this city

Not less than 5 schools of German Catholics,
" " " 12 " " Protestants,
" " " 4 " " Israelites,
" " " 8 " " Independents,
The aggregate of which, i. e., 29 schools, is certainly credit-
able to the German element, especially if the circumstance is
taken into consideration, that on account of the excellency
of our English grammer and High-schools, and their gratui-
tous tuition, many German parents prefer these to their own.
Quite a number of the German schools enjoy a superior
reputation and begin to be patronized by Americans. The
two largest of these are the Independent Institution of Prof.
F. Knapp, with from 700 to 800 pupils and the "Zion School"
of the Rev. H. Scherb, under the control of the Evangelical
Association on North Gay street, with from 500 to 600 scho-
lars. Both of these institutions embrace in their instruction,
beyond the elementary branches, higher mathematics, cal-
isthenics and the ornamental branches of drawing, music, etc.
Besides these schools enumerated, there exist evening
classes and private tuition in families in great number, and it
may be said that even among Americans, the instruction in
music, drawing, calisthenics and gymnastics, etc., is nearly
exclusively in the hands of German teachers, and that the