The New York Herald Newspaper, May 19, 1867, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1867.—TRIPLE SHEET. ‘THE NEW RADICAL PLATFORM. FREE LOVE AND FOURIERISM The Oneida Community and Its Branches. &e. &o. ke. THE NEW YORK BUSINESS BUREAU, New York Ageney was Founded— eiiine ore O. C’a—A Vinit to the Moffat Building—Levcer from no Aged Maiden Lady to Community—Eveving Meetings and How They are Conducted—Examples of Berean Exhortation, &e. In 1804, the Bereans having founded three societies, vic-—one in Lenox, Medison county, N. ¥., now num- borivg two hundred and ten members; one at Walling- ford, Conn., numbering at prosent forty-five members, and one at New Haven, Conp., which numbers ten members, opened an agency in New Yory city at 335 * Broadway (Moat Buflding), which now numbers ten members in full fellowship, with a considerable of somi- wlmitted or sympathizers. The Community now occu- pies room No, 9 of the building above designated, and carries on business under the mask of a buying agency, while tn reality playing the part of s depot for the croulation and sale of the peculiar pub- lications of the Community, and a pivot around which a system of proselytism in New York city revolves. The New York family supports three young men in @ course of study, showing over and above all expeuses a net profit of $1,222 95, as addition to the working capital of 1866; while the family at Lenox exhibits a profit of $17,396 86, and that of Wal- Lngford a defeit of $5,421 07. The sammary of last year, therefore, presents the following exhibit:— Farnings of Community at Lenox Earnings of New York Family... 6,421 Net profit for 1866....cvesesseeseees + $13,198 During the past year the net addition to the capital of the Bereans has been $3,500—more/money having Leen added by new members than has been withdrawn by seceders, ag the following comparison of inventories for the years 1866 and 1867 demonstyates Capital, January 1, 1367 Capital, January 1, 1363 Increase for the year... steeeees $15,366 The following table exhibits the net earnings of the Bereans for ten years, a3 shown by their annual in- ventory :— Total for ten years. $180,680 ‘The variation during the several years is atiributed by the members to a want of demand for their articles of manufacture. During the year 1866 nineteen members have been added, and seven have seceded; one birth has orourred, and two deaths—making an increase of eleven members in aggrecate. In 1866 the number of traps made by the Bereans was 195,000, and the number of travelling bags 683} dozen.—tue following table showing the sales in the two departments of industry :— Number of traps sold... Amount of sa Number of bags sold, dozen Amount of sales....1...... The Bereans avoid the epithet of free-lovers by in- sisting that the basis of their system is something which they term complex marriage—though the differ- ence between complex marriage and free-love is not 80 very apparent. Yo all intents and purposes the Bereans of New York and elsewhere live en famille, having no system of government except that of mutual criticisin, Which takes place at the dally evening meetings. It is Tegarded as a principle that the young of bota sexes should associate with persons older and more spiritual s—with those who have been long sub- ject to self-control. No. person, however, can be com- péiled to-receive attentions from one for whom she has & positive dislike, Personal interviews are usually to be solicited through the intervention of a third party, and exclusive affection of one for another. The object of the second provision is that ail matters may be brought under the supervision of the community, and under these provisious and upou these principles tho affairs of the complex marriage system are administered, Setf- control, argue the Communists, leads to the greatest happivess in love of all, and no propagation is per- mitted except upon consultation with the family and the consent of all part Applications for membership are very abundant, though no one is considered fitted for the duties of a Berean, who has not commended himself to member- ship by devotion to the cause and an acceptance of J. H. Noyes’ views on the subject of male continence, Per- sons may be virtually identified with them without, whother they come into formal connection with them or not Persons who actually join the community, having been after due criticism pronounced spiritually fitted for the community, put their names to the follow- ing docament as bond of agreement :— . er, all property be- » or her becomes the property of the com- munity. A record of we mated amount will be kep! and in ease of the subsequent withdrawal of t mewber the community, according to its practi More, will refund the property or an equi- ent amount, This practce, however, the admitted standson the vround, not of ob ency aud liberalicy; and the ume a to be trusted to the discretion of the community. any person re- mains a member his subsistence and education in the community are held as just equivaients for bis iabor, and no accounts are kept between him and the eommu: Bity, aod ne claim for wages is to be undersiood as ac cruing to biin in case of subsequent withdrawal. Having signed name to this document tho new con- vert, male or femalo, is admitted to thé dally evening social and critical mee'ings, at which affairs are ar- fanged and maitors specially pertaining to members and their relations are discussed—though the member is now expected to enter upon a scale of ascending fellowship. If a mae, the new member is €: wed tO accept the co- husband hip of some exceeding! somewhat ancient mother in t to accept the co-wifeship of and very spiritual minded {ather—thus being given opportunity to grow im grace and seifconirol untu Spiritually fitted to become the husband or wie of some gation, but of exp Gry goods house, Fouror five clerk: de seen soated at the several desks, w in one corner hazy eyes and sions and receives visitors. Here may be found Berean’'—a book of curious doginas, elabo: ability of the applicant, The geatieman sur with a gaze that seems to be critical, though q rather inquires with the eyo than audibiy asks y business; and an applicant or two for admission soavd near him, examining pamphiets and answering sometimes rather personal questions; while the quict, questioning eyés of the indiv dual at the desk scrutinize every expression as if mentally balancing the finess or uniliness of the cand ‘One after another the can~ didates are called aside and encouraged or dismissed ing to the decision of the superintending father of the family; aud, in rare instances, a candidae who may bave deen known as gravitating in the direction of Beroanism, or Sincerity, is per Organization im undertellowship, and lets for a robation before wansimission to Lenox or Wallingford. ‘be applications tor membership at the New York ‘agency often number throe or four Per day—most of whom are advised to study the dogmas of the Boreans, A, personal inter- vi with the superintendent leaves many also YF than they began; none aro admitted to more patbetic Gnion upon e first interview—though mitted it is only necessary to convince Manager of the utmost sincerity and eathusiasm im the Cause of communism and scieutiic propagation. Letiors of inquiry from parties in New York, and especially from unbappy maiden ladies, are num borless, and sometimes of singular quality and pertinence. Ibe following erway AD peepee tae general tone of these CommMunicatious and (ue mouves Which are uppermost fu the inquiry :— orn LETTER FROW ax OLD » Dade Sin—T would ike to know more ut ind am gathering from your publication. vv ne of community ive, wien Iuay possibly ve an advance verted family system and confuse: religlo Of the limes. glose orders a evil of society 4 {i Is—at least to the eabjec Ais the foot that old inside, eapecially tn cox ary acighioors are almost wh prived of aympathy aud sooiat Intersourse. eitber sifgie or married peopie, wholly devzived of and social intercourse of the opposite enx, which te patural and desi i safreaptet re fated tordrag outa ie rag on % poatient Ads oy discontented {i and eggreration to thelr reletiteen at ve presence taterferes ih others. ere facie which Pomnaot be gainsaid, and in the prevailing order oc aoc they an, haedhy Beinn ole nee the me dildeult; commualt, 4 magemsnia 00. thal ail aesnese bane Aioee your indi sable requi: fo human happiness, vis:—satis! ey pe peep tag ag intercourse freedom of person and religious opinion, if have se- cured these you have gone far beyond the fawilx goverment, A few words ia subject will obiige. Members when jected to spape: hegre are expected to give fics of a to ac. kuowiedge the criticism ia kindly terms, "ea! following. ts a copy of a note from @ rather recreant member at @ late meeting:— " Dar Sin—Sinoe my late ¢riticism I have over tlife. I find that @ spirit of egotism bee: verv strong in me, “I wish to be . dof that spirit, tnd for i t shall’ be abla to pr dee my heart ‘true com- to munity man, I confess a soft the spirit of ‘the Lord at times, emipiecaie ney oe Letters of the above import and almilar are read at the evening meetings, in which both males and females take and deliberations and personal confessions and experiences of all sorts fill up the remainder of the session, The evening << ton always, besides the father and mother of family, consists of a news reader, a letter reader, @ leader in musical exercises, and reporter, whose business it is to prepare a report for a Sally balteti, which 1 circulated exclusively among the members. The following is.a condensed report of a recent meet- ing of one of the lesser communities of Bereans. ‘the meeting was singularly motley in sentiment, and might serve as a reminder of the old fables of the Gnostics, 80 curiously was incongruity of expression applied to the most sacred topics: — GC, tuvite the presence of the community spirit and the whole resurrection body. We may consider this evening ag the celebration of the founding of a new Bibie family, Mrs. M.—I feel very hopeful of this enterprise. It sooms to me that we might cast aside every welght of distrust, jump aboard the cars and drive ahoad, I think things are going swiftly afid well. G. W. H.—I confess a public spirit; one that is de- voted to community interests, and that will pot be over- come by personal feelings and motives. Mrs. A.—I am thankful for the privilege of coming here. It isa pleasure to for | out Mr. Noyes’ plans so promptly, and | hope we shall by faithfulness continue tw meet his expectations. G, Campbell—My heart fs fully in sympathy with the current of inspiration that has commenced this movement. If we are in sympathy with God’s purpose we shall grow, and we cannot grow in any other way. Let us join in the purpose to make this a home of good spirits, Pe H.—I am thankful for such a home among brothers and sisters wno all have one interest, I telt to- day that we should grow strong in unity, and that we should come nearer to each other. I desire to give my- = wholly to God, and to serve him with my whole eart, The remarks were concluded by Mr. Cragin, who averred that Bible communism did not ignore family organization. Communism recognized brotherly love a8 purer and higher than family or sexual love. They were afamily more truly than were households of marriage, and love was their bond of anion, The religious dogmas of the Bereans, a compend of the opinions of the followers of the community faith, are io some measure reproductions of the old theory of Gosticlsm or perfectionism, in which license is mis taken or miscatied personal freedom. THE ONEIDA COMMUNITY. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALO. Habits of Everyday Life of the Free Lovers— iabor and Mauufactures—Blasphemous Quotation of the Bible to Sancfion Free Love—The Ten Commandments Abolished— Horrible Features of the System—Sketch of the Founder Of Free Love, &c. Aunaxy, N. Y., May 9, 1867. Isend you an account of the Oneida Community of Free Lovers. All that I write of their purposes and practical life they openly acknowledge in their conversa- tion and published professions, They make uo secret of their objects and manner of exiatence, LOCATION OF THE SETTLEMENT, In the central portion of the State, at the entrance of avalley, and four miles south of the town of Oneida, is the beautitully chosen spot where thoy settled nine- teen years ago, and where during nearly twenty years they bave quietly pursued their peculiar life, The dis- trict is fertile and well cultivated, and is watered by Oneida creck. Looking southward the view is up the valley, toward a range of highlands eight or ten milos distant, and the creek skirts the hills om the eastern side. The eastern portion of the district comprises a series of table Jands whereon the horticultural products of the community ere grown, The location more exactly is Lenox, Madson county, The number of membersis two hundred and ten, and the land owned by them consists of five hundred and thirty-nine acres, As stated in one of their publications their business is horticulture and manufactures, their theology perfectionism, and their sociology Bible communism. THY BUILDINGS of the community comprise several large wooden strac- tures. In the main one of these, and on ihe right of the eutrance, is the reception room, in which visitors are ushered when they come to the piace, Opposite is tho oilice where tho bookkeeping and business corres- pondence are transacted. It also serves ag tho mall room, and is the headquarters of the business agent, who makes two trips daily to the railway station at Oneida, Most of the purchases for the community are made by this agent, although the general purveyance is under the superintendence of » steward, tailor and a couple of the female members, The members generally have little concern ag to Gnancial matters, which are managed by a business directory, at whose sessions all are privileged to attend, criticise and suggest. On the left of the entrance is the library and reading room, the usual resort in the evenings and during the intervals of labor, which, by the way, goes on with the system and precision of clockwork. Above is the largo hall or as- sembly room. In tho vestibule is a small cabinet of curtosities, and near by is suspended a portrait of John H. Noyes, the founder of the system. The large hail is capable of seating six or seven hungred persons, and is used forthe usual evening gathering of the on- tire community, aud also as a class room for instrac- tion and for occasional dancing~an amusement not inconsistent with their tenets. It is also frequently used as a lecture soom, and was recently employed for {ns purpose a few weeks ago, when the community woro addressed by the Rav, W. A. Doolittle, a chaplain of the Western army, on the subject, “Incidents of the War.’’ The musical talont of the members nas been. cultivated, and an exceliont band organized, which gives oceasioual concerts ir the hall to audiences composed of ‘the society and the neighbors. This band nambers twenty-five pieces, and in summer time performs every day, after dinner, as an accompauiment to the incipient digestion of that meal, HORTICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES. Fruit culture ts a leading interest with the commun- ity. Their orebards aad vineyards cover about 60 acres. There are 1,000 apple troes, 1,000 pear trees aad 200 pium trees, The strawberry crop sometimes reaches 400 busbels and the grape harvest has amounted to 7,000 ibs, The growth of the community bas ite marks, like the rings of a tree, and is plainly traceable in the surround- ings. In front of the main stractures and on the road is the original little farmhouse in which the settlement Started in 1848. The other buildings, or a greater por- tion of them, were consiructed since, Somo dismance beyond, on the other side of the creek, is the large manu- facturing bu.lding and machine shop. A brick structure further on contains the laundry, traveliing-bag works, preserve room, dentist's room and chain room, Tne manufacture of rat aud mouse traps, constituting quite a feature in the industrial enterprises of the society, is car- ried on in tue large building previously mentioned. ‘The bara is built on the most approved model, and can accommodate seventy -tive head of cattle. Down the road, are some tenement houses in which are iodged the laborers and employos whose ser- vices are hi munity, The increase of their for their products required help. Tax COMMUNITY All the meinbers of the 7 live as one family im the central and main group of buildings, As they express it themselves, oue kitchen and 10g m propery fitted up and furnished with convenieaces with their fifty separate stoves and sete of is, The diet excludes the use of tea and coffce Meat im small quantities ts permitted. Otherwise the meals sonsist of milk, fraite, vegetables afd pasiry. There is no written constitution of the society or any set of laws to govern the members. In- discretion ia acts or conduct is tt of criticism it LJ all may tak ~ 4 faults are mui suggest: All are accu to this free criticism for the correc- tion of any evil, individual of public. A person who musbebaves invites this criticism. The family teil him tis faults, aod exert their powers of per opel to withdraw. The of Of attempting to hold persons or property in am exclusive So eeeeeny. reject cipal a, ae, mitt A voluntary withdrawal, and the party is so Children after the age of my A nod hyp are com- itted by their parents to the children’ The sumber of children in the comm has Deon “ au sul ‘one in wi toni The moner ‘Vidual distinction of mmily. (Sloss pight OF in the fal Each child is ta to 4 eae vomss 0s its mother. As the chi ‘come to ihe common table and learn or oupations of the and Gfteen they Hoye the community, The result of acknowledged as foilows:—1t to others; but to the j the fudject of Bk mative of Connecticet, ate ~gne e imbued fe lady, Free iove with aims and Jolved the somtaany at aside, the business ‘agée of where she died about a y pine oe seventh membership in | year. Tue tutor of Mr. "Noyes tn. tions’ for fare trankly cntoring College was Gerard Hatlook. Khe axe of fit. caused @ | toon he was After his emporary uncasiness of unssaaening: phllespengen'tire- Freie ie Me Bf, the the law, @ Ress in parents to 2 hich Scigtaaliy” tended a Ee un oe Jaded the plan | uutil during a revival athome ho wes el of all It guitethe mothers, because it | to a religious, of bis His home at them opportunities to wrn at, proper tunes {rom | this time was in oF), Vie, the spot destined to be ihe tending to of oulture and more general | starting point of now known as free love usefulness. It 9 for the children, because it se | #ystem. The year 1931 was a‘rovival time.” He de- cures to them who! ne care and judicious treatment, Deaibes his anmveesions as ae ous sickly over-fondness, It leases comm Al viction ity, because it cultivates @ ‘general interest in (edhe 4. ar ra pee pee age minster an one che rhea obi and so the family feeling on the bro! Ath monde Joy aud asa i ie ha AE es ual peace. study of the Seripiu: religious testimony in private Tn lodgin, ig arrangements the }, aud It is intended to increase the accommodations the community buildings #0 that om te tis oe her private use, for p' poses of devotion and self improv. even greater ‘than is enjoyed in the private =" EDUCATION. ‘The children and young peopie have schools in which the common branches are taggbh Both young men aad to pursue the classics and opportunity may be given for this, half of each day in the winter time is allowed to the young men wherein to study. Their idea of educa- have aroom sacred young women are encourage: bigher branches, That fall tion is that it should never sto} ‘siastically and effectively at all ages, one as much as during the winter, classes are formed for different studies and recitations, which include among them about all the members of the community, old us The time of recitation and of class mectings is 80 arranged as not to interfere with the regu- lar duties aod labors of each individual. The indusirial | !n interest is never lost sight of. The principal branch arithmetic, goography, gra:mmar, astropomy, and ov another, Hence, well as young,” phonography, ere thus taught, INDUSTRIAL LYE IN THE COMMUNITY, The disciples of communism hold that variety of occupation and opportaxity for intellectual culture are favorable to euergy in business rather than o:herw a doctrine which will fad many believers among +! adherents of the eight hour labor movement, And asa sequence, that what is lost by the transfer from manual to Intellectual occupaiion, and made up iu the freshness and gained. In the community, as managed, little time is By a mutual student, @ student takes his Each department of industrial is. tuoroughly organized, and the artificer is 80 instracted that he may devote bis knowledge in auy branch where it may be required. @ demand in the production of one article. A reluforce- ticular brauch of manufacture is thrown in and the supply furaished, The principal branches of industry are the manufacturing of traps and travelling bags, horticulture, fruit preserving, genoral farming, carpentry, shoe making, tailoring, laundry work aud general housework. The generat ebjects of the commuuity are summed up in sheir proppsition to ‘unite in their precincts the church, the university, the workshop—interests which they hold be vital to every nau, woman and child, and whose ad- vantages are brought tovevery individual in sach an of- ganization as theirs, instead of being left te be picked up as best they may in separate localities. FINANCIAL HISTORY —THE SUCCES® OF TH SYSTEM. That Fourierism, communism or free-ioviam, as the par- ticular system practised at Oneida is or may be var: named, is a success financially, I leave to the in of those who wiil consult the following figure ¢ tract them froma table patched by the Socioty, which their original capital, the ex. the infancy of the community, the yearly lost in such changes. the laborer ia engaged as place as a laborer, ment of labor in th family and t sets forth the amount peuses of growth since 1857, aud the ‘Tho exhibit opeus with the following statemeat:— ‘The Oneida community commenced business at its present location in 1648, but did wot adopt the practice of taking an- 7. OL the period betwoun th dates we can give but a brief and general account. community im the conrse of that period had branghes with common interests, scattered in several Stuces. fhe “Property Register,’ kept from the beginning, shows that the amount of property brow es, up to Sanit ‘The amount held at Oneida at Uuat date, as stated tn’ the tory, wus only $41,740. "The brauch com- ford ‘and elsewhere, as the nual inventories tll 1857. all the commun. first regular inye: munities at Putney, Wal seme time had property pertence, lack of established Sinking of the sloop. ahe publication of # free pal three umes a week, may as weil be summed if sou “strike oil.” forees at Oneida and uary, 1867, to the pr matters is record lected by Mr. a. W. Commuinty, ticians in the United States, The figures are as follows:— yiust INVENTORY, Jax. 1, 1857. ry Cash on hand and debts due to the Reat estate and persona! prope: Aggregate. . Deduct debs due frou the Commii iii Real estate and, oS pedis dete ie ft Net capital... 0+ Capival Jan, i, 1807, as siaved ab Increase of cap Add property Total Deduet individual deposits... Net earnings in 1857. . THIRD INVENTOR: Roal estate and personal property iued at the total assets uf the Associated Communities were $07,272, or $40,434 leas than the amount bro} einbers. In other words, between the years 18: Associated Communities suk (in round nunabers) $40,000, Various causes may be assigned for this, such as inex: usiness, persecutions and ex- tortions, che burning of the Community store at Oneida, ‘he ebecca Ford in the North river, the maintenauce of an expensive printing famfiy at Brooklyn, T, sometimes twice and evan up We sunk $40,000 in our own oducation, which is like sinking an oll-wellexpensive at first, but lucrative afer. wards In the previous to 1867 the Community abandoned the policy of working in scaitered detachments, and concentrated its ‘allingford, eut time, the progress of its mouey in the following statisties, carefully cot y. Carr trom the busuess books of tit which ‘have been kept under the montulr supervision’ and persevering admonitions of Mr. J. «. Franks, the first bookkeeper of the Tradesmen's Bauk, ii New York city, and one of the Best accountants and lati. property,......... Cash on baud and debs due to the Commun ‘awa from ine € Cash on hand and debts due the © Aggresate. Deduet devs dius ruin tive vommia'( Net capital...... Poy Capita canuats i, 1868, Increase ot capital... Deduct individual deposits. Add property withdrawn trom the cnmanity Net earnings in 1458 4 POURRH INVENTO Real esiate and personal property. |... the cofmaaity Cash on hand and debis due Ageregite......... Deductaedts,. 6. Net capital... Incresse of capital... Add property withdrawn Net earnings in 1860, Yuerit INV: Rea! estate and personal provert Cash on hand und debts due (he gamiity. tal. Net sts Capital , IBD. Increase of capital... Dedluct mdividval deposits Not earnings in 1360.. siete IN Real estate and personal Cash on hand aud deots due va pede devi act debts Net capital. .... Capital = 1, 1861. Increase .of capital... jot earnings in 1861........ Net corning vara 18 appear my nag ay 5 ‘Cash og band end debis due Ret ese Capital duu. i, id, Tnerease of capital ... Deduct tadiriduat deposi Net earnings tn 1962... RIGHTH U.S. and Bank Stock cw Capital January 1, 1563.. Increase of ca} : pital podiact dente dis tesa ii ainiaity ly, room | Sud public.” The year fel wee datiocaihed, revivals, New measui protracted meetin; evangelists had just entered ‘New England and the whole spirit of the péople was fermenting with religious excite. ment. The milleanium was supposed to ba very near. fully entered into the enthusiasm of the time; und secing ho reason why backsliding should be expected, or why the rertval SDF might uot be, mnintained in its full vigor per. manently, | dete: with all my inward strength to be ‘a young convert" in zeal and simplicity forever. My heart was (ixed on the milleanium, and I resofved to live or die for it, Four weeks after my conversion 1 went to Audover, aud Was adinitted to the Theological Seminary. From Andover he went to the Theological School at Yale. In 1833 he received di North agg each member may but shonid go ‘“enthu- took the pastorship of a church poy see — mae to New Haven, student he mn deeply impressed with anti-slavery views, He espoused the abolition cause with great warmth, aud exhibited practical nde arr} in lending all his efforts to the amelioration of the colored maa his own vicinity. Connecticut was then, as now, a democratic State, with rooted prejudices agaiust al! abolitionists, This, however, did not deter the young minister from enlisting zealously in the orga: ization of one of the firat anti-slavery societies in country. In 1884 he proclaimed the dostrine of saivation from sin, which is the religious belief of the socialists, who subsequently joined him and with Sarg be reel; ted and joined dvctrines, Hia religious theory of poriec- Uonism creates a worldly counterpart of the heavealy abode of mankind. In ordinary life, where mea aro continually pursuing individual, selfish objects, thera would be a want of harmony in the application of itis theory of salvation, Communism was, therefore, em- braced asthe appropriate worldly vehicle of perfection- ism. His socialism was only the outgrowth of his reli- gious ideas; for he has always contended that the estab- Nshment of the true relations of man to God was essen- tial and preliminary to ali efforts to organize socioty , Another class of perfoctionisis started about this ably excited by the preachings of Mr. they eventually disappeared. The socialists =, vice versa, ig more (uan imereasod capacity 80 ement, while Thus there may be um», Noyes; bat claim ‘that their failure lay in the attempt to practi their belief in the present state of society, His became @ conyert with him to the teachings of perle: tionism and atterward to those of communism and {ree love, In 1846 ho was the leader of a society at Putney, Vt., which subsequently removed to Oneida, and, with a tow believers then living, formed the community of that to } name. Personally Mr, Noyes has been described as follows :— Heigat five feet and eleven inches; very fair com- plexion; beard and hair originally red, the later some- ‘wna! whitened; head rather large, measuring twenty- thres and one-half inches, with high projecting fore- heat, resembiing that of Thomas Carlyle in some im- portant particulars, according to the recent testimony Of sn intimate iriend of that gentleman; the lower jaw shgatly projecting and rather broad; uh id finéy curved ; nose of medium size and si theayes bazel and sometimes almost black, with eye- brows welt developed and sustained by a series of good perceptive organs; head fully developed, especially tu the regions of the moral and reasoning fi nt pecuniary standing. Free love began with mankind, or tt ought t seording to the theory of its ditciples, Practically, towever, its origin dates oniy as far bak ag 1834, when %# founder, the Rev. J. H. Noyes, first discovered his heories as to the communisin of the soxes, It was not, however, until 1347 that it was first practised by anything like @ numerical goci- ety, The Rev. Mr. Noyes was so startied at the profundity of his discoveries that he hesiiated to proclaim or practise bis ideas until many yeurs later, During che interval he refused to make any innovations on the popular notions of morality, His theory be de- nominated pefectionism. He first obtained disciples among his own iriends and in his own family at Putney, Vt. His wife was among the first of his converis, the movement had an organ cailed the Spiritual Magazine, and in 1847 embraced about foriy mombers, In the Mmeantime the society had worked out ail the present monstrous theories of free love, theoretically and prac- tically, and step by step advanced from community of Feligions ideas to community of property, comasanity of persons and community of family. The jadignation of the peopie now interfered with their plans and com- peiled them to remove from Vermont, On the 26cb of November, 1847, the exiles emigrated to tne Oneida Valley, where, meautime, a movement had been set on foot ior the organization of a similar society. The sym- pathizing coreiigionists fraternized, and the prosent Oneida community was the resiit. in its intancy tnat body was likewise subjected to great annoyance. the moral senze of the jauabitants of ceutral New York was outraged at its immoral sentimeats and practices, and threats of legal proceedings if not of vivleuce were loudly sadulged in, The commun.ty, however, lived down all per: ition, They had cone to work in the most unob- trusive manner to practise their pecutiar faith, Taney labored zealguaiy on their farms and in their orchards, and by their industry and quiet habits disarmed the opposition which at first they aroused, so (hat at the Present Rime thelr goods and wares are eagerly sought yy tueir neighbors, aud their hubits of industry com- monded as a mode! for the rest of mankind. They have not been interfered with since. In the sectuded region which they bave chosen as their home they have in- creased and multipiied, not perhaps as much according to the bibiical way of so doing, as by accessions frou the outside world. Originally storting with a few acres, they now own as many hundreds, aud their otuer world- ly possessions have increased in like proportion, so that asa society they are comparatively wealtny. Numeri- cally the movement has met no very flatering success. Its practising members are limited to jess than three hundred ; out it bas many hundreds if not thousands of sympathizers who aro loth to give up their worldly goods to eater the communities and. practise their s-if-nega- tion as to the foities and frivolities of earth. The 20th of Februury, tue anniversary of the first settlement of the Oueida Community, is celebrated every year as a holiday, a ive or t in by the membera of ry 1, B57, was $107, 706. $5,592. "So that it tu by the wad 1857 the Hut in one the word agconat thus:— course of several years From the first of Jan. yaa iA THE WALLINGFORD COMMUNITY. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD. w Haven, May 10, 1367. Thirteen miles north of this city, on the old tarnpike leading to Hartford, aud about @ mile west of the village of Wallingford, is the settiemeat of free lovers known asthe Wallingford Comunity. Their farm is situated on tho Lill side mdway up the slope of Mount Tom, in view of some of the prettiest sconery of the Siate, Tho famous Hanging Hills loom up to the northward and Mount Carmel frowns down upon Mouat iom, while the eastern edge of thoir grounds is skirtod by the Quin- nipiac river—a stream of considerate beauty, In this picturesque spot the community was founded in the year 1851, when @ farmer named Allea became improssed with free love ideas and reaolved to tart a household, He made converts of his owm wife and children, aud from less than ten at first the movement soon increased to about forty, and has since remained pear that number, The exact number at present is forty-tve. There are many more women than men im this community, It received one or two accessions within as many years, and is soom to receive a family of tive persons, A man who has been working for them in the capacity of gardener was converted to their views some time ago and was put om a year's probation, He is still of the same opinion—in tact bis wife dresses already in the Bloomer costume, At the end of the specified time they will all be admitted to full memborship. The land belonging to this community comprises two hundred and twenty-eight acres, devoted in part to the ordinary crops for the use of the family and to the Growth of strawberries, grapes and all the various fruits, the canning of which is an important aud profitable department of industry, From a amall farm, originally, the sottioment has expanded to @ ciuster of buildings, one of which, ‘the principal mansion, was lately buiit, and is very Commodious. The wants of the community, however, are not as yet entirely supplied, and another large mansion is \o be erected. The dwolling house and ‘newspaper office—for they print a weekly paper—are sur- rounded by gardens, waiks and shrubbery, all neauly laid out, New England households are proverbial for q their cleanliness, but the order and néatness in this ft community are remarkable, The floors and woodwork are ever polished ; the workshops and sitting rooms are Patterns of order and arrangement; the most particular housewife could find no cause of complaint with the goneral noatness of everything, Financially, the Wallingford branch has not been as successfal as the Oneida people, But they are steadily earning money and continually increasing thelr facilities for earning more, Surveyors are now engaged in select- ing a site for » mildam on the Quinnipiac river, abreast of the community grounds, which, when constructed, will enabie them ‘0 go extensively into the manufacture of siik—a branch of industry very proftably pursued at Oneida, DAILY ROUTINE OF LiFe, ‘The free lovers believe in the salutary effects of early Tsing. ‘They are up with the sum, They do not all par- take of breakfast together, however, It is served for several hours. Those who go to the ficids and workshops eat firet, Later come the women and children, “The ged members are allowed to lie abed to a later hour, All ‘meet st dinner and at tra. Themen labor ten hours s day. Im the afternoon there isan hour devoted to re- creation, The women play croquet or stroll about the grounds. A bell sounds the hours of work and recres- tian, In the evening there te the usual family gathoring, at which business 1s discussed, perhaps ® hymn or a song fang, OF Books read. Thon comes rvutirement to bed. ‘The manner of selecting partgers for the wight ep escret ‘whtch they ware A seceding member declared that eee yy lot, the names being laid under the Plates at the testable, This, however, is positively denied by them. The sttraction of tempurary ailinities is probauly the rule, ‘THE SABBATH NOT SACABD, They wash and print on Sunday. hey do not believe in the sacred character of the day. The Sabbath, they say, was abolished with the commandments and the old Jewish laws. They do not perform Ree sga imed on the day. They print their paper and wash Tien becasse it is convenient to do so and does not in- tortere with the regular weok-day work, ‘THE HRALTH OF THE COMMUNITY, It must not bo imagined that the men are fanatical- looking individuals, or ascetics, wrapped up in their Monstrous belief, Qn the contrary, they are genie), happy and hearty, and apparently in the best heaith, Sickness ig almost unknown in the com- munity, Five graves reoord the total deaths in sixteen years out of an average of forty members, and Some of these were from chronic diseases con- tracted before the victims joined the movement In case of any bodily ailment the simplest remedios are used, such as the application of water, bathing and abstemiousness in fe They have a bathing house on the Quinnipiag” They use it frequently. A curious heigndor once saw a brother in puris naturalibus teach ing the sisters how to swim. An ill-natured pioce of gossip in the neighboriood says that one of the gay embers visited New York some time ego and cone tracied an unmentionable complaint, which was commu- aicated to the household nd Was ihe only malady that ever attacked them in their history. DIBT, ETO. Meat {s not habitually used, It is allowed to the aged io certain quantities, Spirituous liquors are interdicted, A little wine is permitted to the infirm, Tobacco is not used in any form, though the neighoors say that some of the old fellows occasionally judulge in a tly chew. Tea 4a also forbidden, A weak kind of coffee is used. Their meals consist of fruit, vegetables, milk and sometimes chicken, which seems not to be held in the category of meats, Fish, oysters and clams are eaten abundantly. THR PUBLICATION OFFICK 4s connected with the principal house or mansion, and, like every other portion of the building, is neat to a degree which would not be looked for im the region of ink and type, Jt has several kinds of presses and a caloric engine. The cases for the compositors are in an adjoining department, which is adorned with pictures of Horace Greeley, Faony Wright, Robert. Dale Owen and Fourier, The ‘compositors are principally females. Several pubiications jn advocacy of free love doctrines have been issued from this office, where also is printed The Circular, the reguiar organ of the Communities, a handsome quario of egbit pages, issued week!y, The circu- Jation of ths litte journal is quite iarge, its subscribers inostiy reside im the Northera States; but it has some in Europe, and some as {ar away asIudia. The neighbor- ing storekeepers of Wallingford and the adjacent villages dave the.r handbills, cards aud like work printed at the Comumunity oilice, which thus derives a further revenue for the mutual treasury. Every branch of industry that is cultivaied is thoroughiy done. The typos of this little olfice, situated midway up a mountain, and remote trom any town or city, ate capable of Handiwork of which their more wordly breturen of the craft would not be ashamed, RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND PRACTICES OF THE PREM LOVERS, What sect or denomination in Christendom does not found its belief in some poruon of the Bible? Of the thousand and one different faichs pro:essed by modern Christianity, where is the one which does not quote Scripturai authority? Free love or communism exception, The Bible is brought to bear to sanction iw creed in all its details, Tne only difference is the blasphemy of such a perversion of the holy writings. ‘The religious belief of the free lovers may be divided into two parts—first, the strictly religious; secondly, the socialistic, iu their practice, however, they com- bine both so intimately that they are inseparable. Taking the Bible and its teachings they maintain the Periection of mankiad as a result of the second coming of Christ, which they claim took piace within one generation from the time of his preseuce on earth, Matchow i, 21; Romans viii,, 3, 4 and othor texts which they quote dectare, they hold, the object ot the mission and sacrilice of Crist to have been tue saivation of his people, uot smerely or primarily trom the consequences of their sins, but trom their sins themselves, They divide salvation into two parts—forgiveness for past odences aud purification from the present, and believe that the jaiter was the primary aud the former the secondary object ot Christ’s mission. ‘Thoir system permits no dispute of their sacred character. They apply tue seventh chaptor of Paul as follows:—“The law iv our husband while we are in tte flesh, and the only off- spriug of tuis first marriage is sia, Christ is our husband when we are baptized unto him, and tne offspring of this second marriage is righteousness, We cannut have bouh husbands at once. Death to the law must procede mar- Tiage with Unrist. Accordingly we that believe are dead to wue law by baptism iato the death of Christ,” whieh is the first step o communism, for the sinner seeking salvation must forego worldly things aud give up indi- vidual interests. Tue property, real estate and goods held by the free lovers aro but means toan end. bey are but adjuncts of the woridly period of their eternal exigience. Freodom in love, the element of their belief which has given them their more poputar namy, 13 held as the car- dinal point of their religious practice. Mr. Noyes, tie founder of the system, in his pamphlet explaining the doctrine of salvation from sia, sums up this matier in the following words: Christ condensed all the requirements of the law and ret @ simple rule, “Wuatsoever ye would to yoll, do ye even so to them,” at, A oatd “te that loveth unother haia fuldlled the law: for this, Thow shalt not comuut adultery, ‘Thou shalt not kill, thou shats not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witiess, Thou not covet: and if there be any other commandment, tt ts briefly compre. hendea in this saylag, Lhou shat love th; as thyself. Love worketh uo to therefore love is the tulglling of the law.” x And again, “All the law is fulfilled in one even in this, chou shait love thy neigavor as thyself, 5:14. Tous the law, vieweu throush the new co instead of velng “exceeding broad,’” is as narrow as on6 little word, love, The questioa before the mind of one who seeks afte’ holiness, is not whether he cau duly observe all the ordinances of We Jewish or Caristian ritual, or waster he can immediately perform ail the good works wick may be conceived of ua resulting from the principle of tae law When it ts perfeciy developed in external action, put simply wheier he can Jove, 1 ko does this one thing the Word of God aushorizes iis conscience to be conteut, for “ove is the fulaliing ot the law.’ Marriage, therefore, which unites one man to one devotes the love of one individual solely to , 18 not a fultllinent of the requirements of holy Love for one singie person is idviairy, and not per- law. missabie in view of tue command to love one anotner, They believe that love is not a laiality to any one per- son. There is no romance in their composition, and tue fact is borne out by tue matter-of-fact way in which live, On the contrary, they boiieve in the coutrol, guid- auce and discipliue o: the aileciions. No mau gan love one woman, oF vice versz, and be a Christian, Perfec- tionisin requires @ universality of the passion. They hold that “‘the whole maiier of love and its expression should be subject to enligutened seli-couiroi, aad should be managed for tuc greatest good. In tue cou- Munitios it ws wader the special supervision of the fathers and motners, or, im other words, of the wisest and best mombers, and is often under discussion ia re ‘stood ta the communities, One is termed ‘the princi- ple of the ascending fellowsip.” It is regarded as better for the young of both sexes to agsociate in love with persons gider than themselves, and, if possible, wW.th tuose who are spiritual aud have been some time in the school of self-coutrol, and woo are thus abie to make love safe and edifying. This t# ouly another form of the popular principio of contrasia. Lt is well under. stood by paysiologists that it is undesirable for persons of similar Cuaruciers and temperaments 10 malo toge- ther, Communists uave discovered that it is not de- Sitable (ur two inexperienced and ‘persons to Tus into fellowship with each other,’ Heuce the young are i tue term may be usod, with tue old and tue old with the young in the more intimate retations of the free love family. Not toat suck Matcues are permauems; tuey are only bot fuPbiddon. The community of persons is as much @ part of com- we i aha ‘ati A preceding parag ‘anows religious belie: embraces sometuing of that of the Uuiverstists 80 to Lue upposite exireme and comoine Lathonc doctrine of faith. must believe (hat He ts, and that heis a rewarder of them that diligentiy Seek Him.’’ Which combined w.ta the promise that ‘whoever is born of God down not commit sin; for bis seed remaineth in him, and he cag. not sif, because he is bora of God,” coinpletes the: authority for the means and the attainment of everiact- ing happiness. Une peculiar point of thetr religious tenets is the belief ‘that their communities are the eartuly portion of the Kingdom of Heaven, with the gap of death oniy inter. Veuing. The saivation trom sin, eftected by Christ, makes thom ow pertect, ‘a8 perfect as tney will be bere ater. They only have worldly bodies and are dweliiag on the earth, but they etl form part of the community of Heaven, ‘The socialistic views of the free lovers are contained brieily 1 the following observauions of Mr. Noyes. We bore tind the authority for the holding of property in comm Christianity in ita full power saves from selfishness; Christians, therefore, cannoy have isolated, separated ine terse; aud eoinmunism, so thowe oaccept ihese premises, scesary consequcuce, Agal vist cal ‘eet uate with himeel.” ue i. iis bride Such Univn jo & common ritual division amoug believers, and im. i ng all interests, This ix com. tg scknewledged by ‘The churel state of communism, But nat Goa be doue om earth asit 19 in Beaven,” Is a ine Junction te iis followers to do what they can (or iis fulill. This leads to comm read of a or teat ORtpOuTing ot Une vevers that “thi ue soul; neliner said any of them oue heart and of ou 80 ut oF the things thai he possessed w. a} «hema ad jas is Own, but that a they Such is the logic of communi: or free | differs from Fourierism in the religibus ideas about ser Yation and ia the numerical extent of communities, The Freuch pailosopher advocated janstories of as many as 2, members. Taian system limits ‘the tamily te two or three hundred, because it deems The free ‘are Vory stringent as to their rules of memberahi, ite & number whi ip. Le have joined them who ve pemny-4 M4 if undergoes « change of opinion, Such persons Sirive tovold oversecsiving. Im thalr own languages, strive to avoid ‘They want only those who by ovhers, must be organization as ours, awativeness and phil discipline which takes oy them obedient to saleuce amd to God. ‘When, however, a member positively determines withdraw, and when alt hopes of restraining: bi given over, fulland good Infleed, by a rule of thi raw honorably and peaceabl Arocha goin, will who ci by rel ry Bat i by the contract they signed at roperty they put ta, or an Were to broparty. ae indigent. persons, r30n8 aed were minors a8 pete 5 St cultans onorably as above receive a ou & good outfit of cloik- of age, Those whe admission by claiming property of the Commnnity or pay for services, those Nnely abscond, and who after once withdrawing snd coming back shall withdraw the second time, are excepted from the for: wil be dealt with as to terms of foreg tions are set forth not as binding the Community under legal obligations, but simply as a declaration of the principles on which it wili generally act, reserving the hose who put in no and $100, if of age, or ing and $50 if not break their contract of natured consent 1s given fait a receive tm cos 38 Fis those : tHe concessions, and according te ; joing Tight, however, to vary from them in particular cases, Even the children of the Community are at liberty, om reaching the years of discretion, to Iéave, and cast their fortunes with the outside world. At least this is the public provession of the free lovers, The seceders within tho last five or ten years have bees comparatively few. The last instance was thas of @ man named the community with him. ills, whe took On loav: $5,000 inte that amount Was tendered him, He refused to receive it in currenoy, claiming that he lad put, $5,000 in gold into the goneral fund. lo was given the equivalent in gold after some dispute, He then demanded the interest on the money for she time they had it in their passeasion, and threatened @ law suit if this last claim was donied. After some further discussion the community agroad te pay the demand rather than invoke the notoriety and annoyance which their peculiaritiea would give them as pares to a public law suit, The applications for membership have not been very numerous of late years. Tue community say that many Of these come from women. THEIR VIBWS ADOUT MARRIAGE. Thoir opinions about tho marriage relation are founded on various texts of the Bibie, which thoy freely quote, ‘They hotd that in the Kingdom of Heaven the institu- tion which assigns the exclusive poasossion of Women to one man does not exist, because it ts said im Matt, 22, “Ia the resurrection they neither mary mor are given in marriage,” =pecial companionships founded affinities may exist But there 18 no exciusiveness. The law of mar- riage is no more binding than the ancient iaws of the Jews. The abolishment of the marriage system is im- voived in Paul's dé®trine of the end of ordinances. The Sabbath is abolished in the same way. in special come, ‘and the sabbath are now unn is mapplicable, sation and every mode of intercourse to pairs, A mam eae talk only to his wife aad the wife ouly to her hus THE They iMlustrate ing proposition:— Suppose a man A is married to a woman B, and a man In Christ the nuion of the whole four is Orst in importance, and the union of the pairs second It is not enough that the dual unit A B, and C to D, C to a woman D. ary. ha.ure that the man of each pair should face the womaa of ihe other. GEOMETRY OF FREE LO} views of marriage by the follow. Phystologically they deem mi jows:—1. It duces the natural vices of and = atinginess or provision the age of fourteon. remedy. Other. The true mean is free love. WOMAN'S RIGHTS AND DUTIES Free love asseris the right of woman to be relieved from the drudgery of her stated as thi their services interchang hou selo! ineals, sewing duties of and prevented irom taking part business departments to ti cate nature, The labor ia thi strawberry grouuds is done to @ great extent by women in the summer time. called ihe curse of child-bearing also affords her time te instruct herve,f im the various Dranches of education equally with ber brethren who have ae whatever to exclusiveness in attainiag kaowledge, jection of maternity is regarded as unnatural. It inilicted on womankind a8 @ curse by the Almighty. Eve became a mother, but i+ was alter the fail of mankind. Free love admits that God made provision for propagation by the original pair, and exprossed But after the taken advantage change of labor, design that they should multipiy. God said to the woman, “I wi sorrow and thy " whence it in the original state, conception would have been paratively infrequent. THE SUNJROT OF PROCRBATION. Tho free lovers wish to elevate propagation toa science culture, The sub- ficiently jowledge, however, day Co ascertain some ds. to controling propagation: tney condor plan recommended o Owen, and do tToanco," which i in fact apart of ole religions stost jaence,”” which 19 a ious re is publichod as one of the ad of ‘comntpanity anor Saab like that of horge Ject 1s one about which they are not ta worldly ken ened. As species, us branches. y berty he is taken in hand by the instructed and disciplined in the doctrine and continence, The young rw old men, breeding they may be able et ao rule for their proper guidan: or flo youth are thus avoided. Young bo come together until thoroug! ere are fathers and daughters, mothers an@ sons aa@ hare ana ecg cep pepeareds, ” in the free love household, Theonuectea with ench other by any ties of or Kin. Tam un to may whothor they do or do not live iacestuous intercourse, For tue ot haman netere it is 10 be hoped tuey do there is nothing in the doctrities of tree love Prevents or even forbids it, By the principte of tinence ree ferred to above the free lovers ciim that sexual inter- course is placed on the same footing with other forms of intercou: such a8 conversation, bak i hands, embracing, &¢. in their own feu in the world te marniage ecessary. Soth may be de- fended on the ground of sanction by the decalog Marr.age in pairs bears the same relation to universal marriago of Chriat’s churca that one day in seven does to the eternal sabbath. Life they compare There is duality in it, but tbat dualfiy is not opposed te an interchange of parivers. It is not an inevitable re Quisite that the same maa should keep the same partner throughout the festivity. The dance goes on as well without gach a prubibition. Hence the argument of the origival duality of mankind, of the duality of the sexes Such aa analogy would restrict oomver- to a dance Aw married to arriage prodactive of great evils, They suin up their charges against it as fol- provokes to secret adultes heart, 2 It ties together onmatch sunders maiched natures, 4. It gives to sexual appetite only ascanty and monotonous allowance, and eo pro- verty, coutrac.ion of taste, makes no ‘the sexual appotite at the very time when that appetite is strongest, By the custom of the world marriage in the average of cases takes piace about the age of twenty-four, wheroas "oedema commences abou Complex marriage, as they their system, out of obedience to a regard for publie opinioa which has lately influenced them, is the grand Not that marriage is not useful, tuey say. le the outside, selfish world, it 1s of the greatest necessity. Shakerismm is the ono oxtreme of wrong, marriage the , actual or of the natures, 3. i lousy. 5. life and to be rem- equal of man in industria! pursuits, Hence io the commuuities labor is not coniined to the moa aione, Where the women can be usefully employed of to hp ae the always where she may superintend or assist in the usual Cleanliness, preparation of the like, she in the manufacturing and gardens, vineyards an@ the Her relief from what ie soot inferred that, (Com. se sicaloats aaend tsa a tbe procreation from call of courte 7 i