THE gospel of Jesus Christ was first introduced into Europe by the apostle Paul, as recorded in the book of Acts. Other apostles also visited Europe, and before the end of the first century, there were churches established in Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, and Germany. Before the first advent of Christ, idolatry bore sway in all these countries; perhaps no more so than exists at the present time, but it has assumed a different form. Then it was the actual bowing down to idols; now the idols exist in the heart. The progress of Christianity steadily advanced from the days of the apostles until every nation, to a greater or less extent, felt its influence. Then came divisions, and different religious bodies established themselves. The first of these was the Greek Church, which has such a hold upon Russia, and though one in faith, it is divided into several independent communions. The Protestant churches of Europe may be doctrinally divided into two great groups,—the Lutherans, who maintain the platform of the great reformer whose name they bear, and the Reformed or Calvinistic churches, which, in some respects, have separated farther from Rome than did the followers of Luther. Politically there are three great classes,—State churches, and free churches enjoying State endowments, and free churches which, either from necessity or choice, are entirely independent. In latter years Baptists and certain other denominations have existed to some extent. In fact in every nation there are some who are called seceders, and are known by various titles, who have accepted some truth tending to awaken on the part of the people an interest and inquiry in religious matters. In these things we may clearly see the providence of God in breaking up set forms and thus preparing the way for the introduction of the truths pertaining to the last days. It is a fact worthy of notice that many of the older denominations at the present day are tending strongly to Catholicism, and many of the nations themselves are courting the favor of the Pope of Rome. There is a strong religious and political influence favoring the re-establishment of not only the forms of the Catholic Church but Popery itself. The following concerning the religions of the different nations of Europe, we take from The Gospel in All Lands, thinking it may be of interest to our brethren who are interested in the European work. "The Austrian Director of Statistics, Dr. Brachelli, gave in 1883 a summary of religious statistics of Europe, as follows: 156,040,000 Roman Catholics; 81,500,000 members of the Oriental churches; 79,450,000 Protestants; 5,984,000 Jews; 6,445,000 Moslems; 447,000 other sects and no religion; a total of 331,019,000. "Under the division of Roman Catholics are included 140,000 Old Catholics and Jansenists. The Protestants include 54,240,000 Lutherans and Reformed; 18,880,000 Anglicans; 3,510,000 Methodists; 120,000 Unitarians and Socinians; 2,700,000 other sects. The Orientals include 80,367,000 members of the Greek Church; 1,019,000 of Eastern sects; 124,000 Armenians. "The Roman Catholic and Protestant membership in the principal countries is divided about as follows:—| NATIONS. |
ROMAN CATHOLICS. |
PROTESTANTS. |
|---|
| Russia, |
8,500,000 |
2,950,000 |
| Germany, |
16,232,651 |
28,331,152 |
| Austria-Hungary, |
29,542,000 |
3,622,000 |
| France, |
29,201,703 |
692,800 |
| Great Britain and Ireland |
6,100,000 |
30,000,000 |
| Italy, |
26,658,679 |
62,000 |
| Spain, |
16,900,000 |
30,000 |
| Turkey in Europe, |
427,045 |
1,000 |
| Sweden and Norway, |
1,100 |
6,368,244 |
| Belgium, |
5,764,958 |
20,000 |
| Roumania, |
114,200 |
13,800 |
| Netherlands, |
1,639,137 |
2,469,814 |
| Portugal, |
4,160,000 |
500 |
| Switzerland, |
1,160,782 |
1,667,109 |
| Greece, |
18,000 |
2,000 |
| Denmark, |
2,985 |
1,966,000 |
| Servia, |
5,000 |
500 |
| Montenegro, |
4,000 |
|