United Methodi.st Free Church, an English branch of the Methodists which was formed in 1857, when the Wesleyan Methodist Association and the larger portion of Wesleyan Reformers amalgamated. The origin of this Church dates back to 1827, when
See Simpson, Cyclop, of Methodism, s. v. See Meth-
ODISJI, 8.
United Nestorians. See Chaldeans; Nes-
TORIAXS.
United Original Seceders. See rEESDYXE-
RiAN Churches, 5.
United Presbyterian Church, The genea- logical descent of the existing body may be best ex- hibited bj' the following pedigree [see Presbyterian Churches, 2, 14] :
SECESSION OR ASSOCIATE SYNOD,
Sepakated fkom tue Soottisu Estaulibu.ment,
A.D. 1733.
Burghers, A.D. 1746.
I
Antiburghers, A.D. 1746.
I
01d-li?ht Burghers, A.D. 1709.
New-light Burghers, A.D. 1799.
Relief Separated fi-om Scottish Establish- ment, A.D. 1753.
United Secession, A.D. 1S20.
Morisonians, A.D, 1S41. United PVesbyteriaus, A.D. 1847.
— New-light Antiburghers, I A.D. 1806,
I
Protesters, A.D. 1820.
Part joined the Scottish Estal)lish- nieut, A,D. 1S39.
Original A.D,
Old-light Antiburghers, or Constitutional Associated Pres- bytery, A,D, 1806.
trouble arose in Leeds in reference to the introduction of an organ into Brunswick Chapel. This resulted in the organization of the Protestant Jlethodists, who had a separate existence until 1836, when they became merged in the denomination formed in that year, and known subsequently as the W'esleyan Methodist Asso- ciation. The immediate occasion of the formation of the latter bodv was the determination of the conference
Bnrghers, = Original Seceders
.1839. I representing Associate
I Svuodof A.D. 1733.
United Original Seceders, A.D. 1840. A large portion joined the Free Kirk, 1852,
United Secession Church, The, was formed in Scotland in 1820 by a reunion of the Associate (or Bur- ghers) and the General Associate (or Antiburghers) Syn- od. In 1847 it was united to the present United Pres- byterian Church.
United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Apreahing, the name given to themselves by the Shakers (q, v.).
UNITED STATES
651
UNITED STATES
United States of America is the full title of the principal nation oa the Western continent, occupy- ing the whole central portion of North America. See AstKKicA. In this article we propose to treat our coun- try only in its general religious aspects, leaving its oth- er features to the secular cyclopasdias. For the relig- ious beliefs and customs of the aborigines, see Indians (North American).
I. Church Histor)/. — 1. Religious Character of the Original Settlers. — New England was originally settled by the Puritans (q. v.) from England. These were a l)and of dissenters from the fiiith and practice of the Established Church of England who were persecuted for their dissent and granted no rest in their own land. Accordingly they decided to leave their own country for one that would permit them liberty of conscience in religious worship, and, after one unsuccessful attempt at departure, finally set out from the coast of Lincoln- shire in tlie spring of 1608 for Holland. They reached Amsterdam in safety, where they passed one winter; and then removed to Leyden. Here they enjoj^ed that religious liberty for which they were seeking ; but tliey were in a strange land, among a strange people, who used .a strange language. The love of country was still warm in their hearts notwithstanding their perse- cution at home, and during the ten years they remain- ed in Holland they became thoroughly anxious to re- turn to the allegiance of their mother count^^^ With this desire in their hearts, they sent John Carver and Robert Cushman to England to ask permission of the government for the Pilgrims at Leyden to settle in America. After some hesitation on the part of the king and the ministry, they obtained from the former an informal promise that he would not disturb them in America if they should decide to go there. Arrange- ments were completed for their removal to America, and they landed on Plymouth Rock on Monday, Dec. H (old style), 1G20. Their arrival occurred in the dead of winter, and they were obliged during the long and severe season that followed to undergo great priva- tion and suffering. Diseases engendered by the rigors of the climate swept away one half of their number. But the spirit Avhich had brought the Pilgrim Fathers to New England caused them to remain undaunted by opposition, from whatever source. These were a vigor- ous and determined people, with strong convictions on all questions of morals and religion. They took posses- sion of the new country and held it. They increased in number and gro/dually extended their borders over our present New England, and became as zealous for their religion as had been the English government be- fore they left England. If the Church was not under the control of the State, the State was under the control of the Church; for a man could not hold office except he were a member of the Church ; and religion laj^ at the basis of their political system. Notwithstanding their own bitter experience in their old home, they were intolerant of all dissent in their new abode, and they sometimes ran to great extremes of fanaticism against so-called heretics. Puritanism, however, has exerted a powerful influence for good in the develop- ment of American institutions by holding out sternly for the right in government as well as in private life.
Rhode Island was settled originally bj' the Baptists, followers of Roger Williams (q. v.). In 1G36, along with a few companions, Roger Williams, seeking for a refuge beyond the limits of the Plymouth colony, founded Providence Plantation, and made it a resort for all the distressed and persecuted of whatever name or faith. Notwithstanding this liberality on the part of tlie founder, the colony was settled chiefly by those of the Baptist communion.