New-York daily tribune., 1843-09-01
THE TRIBUNE.
The ConsOeiate Family Life.
Communicated for The y ,v.YorI; Tribune.

To y. BROOKE ot CdEtdfd, OfHo'
DsAR SIR: Having pcrused your several letters
in the newspapers, and finding moreover gene
ral invitation to correspondence from persons
who feel prepared to cooperate in the work OF re-
form upon principles akin to those you have
there set forth. | take this public means of CON-
muning with one who seems to DC really ccsrouS
of aiding entire human regeneration.
After many years passed in admiration OF
better order in human society with a constant
expectation that some beginning would shortly
he made, and a continued reliance that some
marty would make it, the idea has gradually
ganed possession Of my mind, that IL is not right
thus to lingcr for the leadings Of other men, but
that each should at once proceed 10 live out the
proposed life to the utmost possible extent AS
sred that the most potent mnderancc TO good
ness abides in the soul itself; next IN the body
thirdly in the house and family; and, IN the
fourth degree only in our ncighbors, or IN society
at Iarre, | have daily found less and less reason
to complain of public institutions, Or OF The dla
toriiness of rclormcrs and gcnctic minds.
Animated by pure reform principles, or rather
by pure creative spirit, / have not hcsitated to
withdraw as far and as fast as hopeful prudence
dictated, from the practices and principles Of the
old World And, acting upon The conviction that
whatever others might do, or leave undone; how
ever others might fail in their realization of their
ideal good |, at least, should advance. have
accordingly arrived in that region where per-
ceye you theoretically, and hope actually dwell.
agree with you that it would be well 70 cross
the ocean Of life from the narrow island of selfish
ness TO the broad continent Of universal love at
one dash; but the winds arc not always Tropti-
ous and steam is only recent invention. |
cannot vet boast Of a years emancipation from
Old England One free step leads to another;
and the third must as necessarily precede the
fourth, as the second was before the third.
A Bronson Alcotls visit to England last year,
opened to me some of the superior conditions for
a pure life, which this country offers compared to
the land of my nativity, and that of your an
ccstors. Ny love for purity and goodness was
sufficiently strong, it seems TO loosen me from
position as regards pccuniary incomcc, aticc-
tomato friends and mental liberty, which millions
there and thousands here might envy. 1t has
happened, however, that of the many persons
with whom Mr.. AIcott hoped to act in junction
and concert, not is yet fully liberated by Pro-
yidcnce to that end. SO that instead of forming
eliS III ttScr CJllCI pISC, VIC arc ClL W DC LliC
prlncpa! actors in promoting an iGca less in OK
tent, but greater in intent, than any yet presented
TO our observation.
All our preliminary transactions may not have
been so clear and clean as you and we DESIRE
but we have not parayzcd future good by OK
cuscs of place or time. BY never doing any act
below our intentions of principle at the moment,
are aided TO clearer insight and oticr inspira-
,l,o,
In humble confidence, has drawn to us several
practical coadlutors, and opened many inquiries
by letter for a statement of our principles and
modes of life. We cannot perhaps turn our re-
plies TO better account than TO transcribc some
portions of them for your information, and. VIC
trust, for yo,r sincere satisfaction.
You must be aware, however, that written
words cannot do much toward the calculation OF
principles comprchcnding all human relationships,
and claiming an origin profound as mans inmost
Consciousness of the evcr-prcsent Living Spirit.
A dwelling together, concert in soul, and a
consortlng in body, is position ncediul to entire
understanding, which VIC hope at no distant day
to attain with yourself, and many other sincere
friends. We have not yet drawn out any pre-or-
daned plan of daily operations, as we arc I'M
pressed with the conviction that by a faithful re-
Aa'C ON UC SpTlL WHICH dCtudtcS# us VIC dIC
sure OF attaining to clear revelations of daily
PRACTICAL duties they 10 be daily done by us.
Where the Spirit Of Love and Wisdom abounds
literal forms are needless, rksome or hindcrativc:
Where the spirit is lacking no preconccvcd rules
can compensate.
10 us 1t appears not so much that improved
circumstances arc 10 mclloratc mankind, as that
improved mon will originate the superior cond!-
IONS Tor themselves and others. Upon the HUI
man VIII, and not upon circumstances. as some
philosophers assert, rest the function, power, and
uu'y OF generating a better social state. The hui
man beings in whom the Eternal Spirit has as
cendcd from low animal delights or mere humane
aNectons, TO a state OF spiritual chastity and m
taiuon arc IN themselves q divine atmosphere,
uley are superior circumstances and arc constant
N u endeayorlng TO create, as well as 10 modify,
I'LL olaer conditions. so that these also shall more
ana more conducc TO the like consciousness III
others.
Hence our perseverance in efforts to attain
simplicity IN diet, PLAN garments, pure bathing,
ensnhed dwellings, open conduct, gentle be
AsVlor, kindly sympathcs, serene minds These
and the several other particulars nccdful TO the
Iue end OF mans residence on earth, may be de-
aagnated the Family Life. Happiness, though not
'he direct object III human energy, may be ac-
eePted as the continuation OF rccttuCc. and this
Is no otherwise attainablc than in the HOLY Fam.
y. The Family, III It's highest divincst sense. is
'heretorc Our true position, our sacred earthly
aestlny. 1t comprehcnds every divine, every
humane relation consistent with universal good.
alid all Others ii rejects, It disdains all animal
setlsualities.
Lett be admitted as the cmbosoming Of the
most vital, and only creative of all human acts,
and VIC are convinced of The absorbing Importance
81 Family Life. The next age depends much
'or lis character, lis modification, its happiness
~ Parents IN this generation, as they have dc
pended on Their parents By the relative opposition
U cOncIrrnncL, Ilirinc VIII