Christianity

the religion of Jesus Christ. It may be said to have been founded at his death by the dispersal and preaching of his disciples. Although the doctrines of Christianity are derived from the Hebrews, the Hebrews refuse to be reckoned as Christians. Christianity took root in Asia Minor, Greece, Rome, and northern Africa. As contrasted with Mohammedanism, Buddhism, and other great religions, it is now the prevailing religious faith of all Europe, Turkey expected, Armenia, the Coptic people including Abyssinia, Australia and the surrounding islands, and both Americas. The Russians have carried Christianity into northern Asia; the English have carried it to India; missionaries have carried it everywhere. There are said to be at least 1,000,000 Christians in the Chinese Empire. The African colonies of the various European powers are, in large part, Christian.

The present branches of Christianity are as follows:

Total . . . . . 477,080,158

Dr. Zeller, director of the German Statistical Bureau, writing in 1910, claimed 537,940,000 persons for Christianity; about one-third of the world's total population.

Christianity may be regarded as a religion and as a civilization. In the latter respect it differs very considerably from the precepts of Christ. Christ enjoined peace. Christians are noted for conquest and fighting. Regarded as a civilization, rather than as a religion, it may be said to have followed the flags of the nations of Europe ever since the day of Charlemagne.

The following shows the membership of the leading denominations in the United States in 1908: