and organizer, gathering scattered members together and ministering to pastorless organizations, the Reformed Church of Holland raised nearly $60,000, the interest of which was devoted to the erection of churches and schoolhouses and the support of ministers. Help was also received for the education of youth from a society in London.

In 1793 the" cœtus" became a synod and the Reformed German Church an entirely independent body. There are now 8 synods, 6 of which are English and 2 German. The Eastern Synod embraces II classes; that of Ohio, 6; that of the Northwest, 10; that of Pittsburg, 5; that of the Potomac, 9; the German Synod of the East, 5; the Central Synod, 4; and the Synod of the Interior, 5.

Below the synods are classes, corresponding to presbyteries in the Presbyterian churches, and above the synods is a general synod, which is the supreme legislative and judicial body of the church. It meets once every three years, and was organized in 1863.

Like the Reformed (Dutch) Church, the Reformed (German) Church is Calvinistic in doctrine. Its symbol is the Heidelberg Catechism, which is also accepted by the former body. In substance the Heidelberg Catechism is Augustinian, says Prof. T. G. Apple, respecting the doctrines of natural depravity and salvation by free grace alone; but it does not, like some other Calvinistic symbols, teach a decree of reprobation as well as a decree of election. The Reformed Church has a liturgical system of worship, but its use is optional with congregations.

The Reformed (German) Church (it dropped the word "German" from its title in 1869) has fifty-five classes. It is represented in twenty-eight States and in the District of Columbia, and has many congregations in foreign mission

fields.

Half its organizations and considerably more than half its communicants are in the State of Pennsylvania. It is also particularly strong in the State of Ohio, Maryland ranking third. The total value of its church property is $7,975,583. Its 1510 organizations own 1304 edifices, with an average value of $6115. for 6504.

seating capacity of 410 and an average There are 61 halls, with accommodations

This body is a branch of an organization of the same name in Holland. In 1835 there was a secession from the Reformed Church of Holland of ministers and others who were dissatisfied with the prevailing tone of the doctrinal teaching of the State church and with some features of its government. This was the origin of the Christian ReIt has been represented in In 1882 its numbers were in

formed Church of Holland.

this country many years. creased by a secession of ministers and members of the particular synod of Chicago, Reformed (Dutch) Church, because of the refusal of the general synod of the latter body to denounce freemasonry and to make connection with that order a subject of church discipline. Finding the position of the Christian Reformed Church more to their mind, they united with it. In 1889 the church was still further increased by the accession of a number of con

gregations belonging to the True Reformed Church, organized in 1822 by a number of ministers who had seceded from the Reformed Dutch Church.

The Christian Reformed Church has seven classes and one synod. Connected with the classes are 99 organizations, with 106 edifices, valued at $428,500, and 12,470 communicants. More than half of the latter are to be found in the State of Michigan. The average value of the church edifices is $4042, and the average seating capacity 318. There are 4 halls, with accommodations for 200 persons.