New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-02-10
Religion i'm Association.

years wishes to propose few questions to you.
The column on Association, in The Tribune, has
generally been passed unread by me until very
lately, as presenting subject ia which never
expected to have any practical interest. A GER
tain circumstance has lately led to pay some
more attention to it; and as it is now TOO late TO
examine the whole ground, ga the numbers are
destroyed, and as my inquiries NAV call for some
information that may not be contained in thsse
numbers were they at hand, hope you will de-
vote few paragraphs to the purpose of furnishing
me the information ] wish to obtain. think 1
recollect that building called Church is to con-
stirute part of the Village, or whatever else it
may be called which is to be the homestead OF
Association. l wish to know what is to be the
textbook for the dscourses in the Church Will
there be more than one Church. allowed in the es-
Enlistment In other words, should there be
any dissenters, will they be allowed Church as
well as the established one already built Or,
will Fourierism secure uniformity of views in re-
| lisieus matters? Once more-Does the theory of
Fourier admit neral bias to evil, in human
ture, independently Of education, or does he pre-
dictate the stability of his foundations on the be-
lief that all moral turpitude is casual and acc
dental-the result of bad systems of education
and to be all eradcated by adopting and carving
out to its perfection the one be proposes to-
tally disevow any intention to lead you to anything
like Theological Disqusition. All | wish is an
affirmative or negative answer, as you understand
the subject. My apology for troubling youis-The
subject Of FourieIism is now assuming practical
shape and, think YOU will allow, that most of
my questions, if not all Of them, are in the high
est sense practical ones. Enquirer.
Anscer to the Foregoing.
1t would probably be sufficient reply to the
earlier questions of our correspondent, if we
ly stated that Association all the religious prir
ileges and liberties auhich nor erist rou1d be
preserved in0iolate. The Presbyterians, Baptists,
Catholics, Unitarians, persons of whatever faith,
might attend the nearest church of their own order
and contribute to its support just as atPresent The
existence Of Association would interPose no sort Of
obstacle to any Religious culture but would afford
far greater facilities all, in the providing first,
commodous Chapel or Lecture Room, in which
Religious services would at all times be attended
without regard to the cemency or incemescy Of
the weather, and from which none would be pre-
eluded by distance or lack of conveyance; Sec
ondly, a comprehensive library, afording all
the best works in defence, enforcement or expo
sition of the doctrines of Revelation thirdly, all
the means of Social Religious incubation now
sought through the medium Of Sunday Schools,
Bible Glasses, &C. with very great and obvious ad
,ntages in regard to the easy converting of those
who sought Religious culture in company and the
ready consultation of authorities on all disputed or
doubtful points. Wherever the Associated System
should differ from the present. it would present an
obvious and decided superiority.
As to Public Worship. about which our friend
queries, every member would of course be free to
follow his convictions. 1t would be perfectly
feasible to have three more different Religious
services in the Chapel on the same Sunday if mem
bers of SO many different persuasens chose to have
Divine worship conducted by clergyman of their
own denomination on that day; TO say nothing Of
the abundant facilities for holding meetings in
other spacious apartments The hours allotted TO
each could easily be arranged by the Council to
the perfect satisfaction of all. Some persons
would attend only the services of their own sect
others their own and those of some or all beside.
Perfect Liberty founded on Enlightenment would
lead to neither Bigotry Indifference, but to the
broadcast Christian Charity. Often the members
Especially those Of the sects fewest in numbers)
many sects, agreeing on all essential points OF
faith, would unite in conducting and attending
worship, perhaps in maintaining IL, having their
favorite preachers in rotation After a time, doubt
less, the mere force of sympathy would attract
men TO unite with an Association in which their
own faith predominated was largely prevalent,
in order to enjoy the congenia society and the
for in
the end each Association may become what the
Christian Church primarily was. (Acts H. a., A,
45) But the Association, as such, would pre-
scribe no creed or form Of worship, nor compel
any man contribute to the support of any, being
based on the principle of perfect Freedom in mat
tiers of faith. The doctrine of Association atfrms
Faith in God and Hope for Man, but does not as
sumo to a Religion, to take the place OF
Religion, eny more than Township does
People imagine enormously that an Industrial
Association,-an Association for the purpose of
prosecuting various branches of Agriculture and
Manufactures. and for ehsctiag great economies
in domestic labor, in buying and selling, &c, caN-
not be established without interfering with Rei-
gion. Association will interfere neither directly
nor indirectly, nor in any shape or manner with
the sentiments, views and opinions of People on
Religious matters this is not at all It's object:
its object is to render Industry honorable and Ar
rRAcTrE-to introduce great Economies-and
secure agreeable, healthy and productive Occupa-
tions to all, that poverty, degrading dapenden-
cy, harassng anxieties, and other social evils,
which Cypress the great majority, may be swept
yUe baIo rtarA