Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-01-07

The letter above referred to contained such
practical illustration of the corking Of his system,
as to shock the moral feeling Of community, and
to startle and alarm even some Of his young as
ciples; and he found il necessary to qualify and
disavow.
In letter dated April, 1888, to the edtrcss
Of the Advocate Of Moral Reiom"-who had
expressed adherence Of his doctines--he re-
models his religious belief aier this manner;
II believe, that In the heavenly state-which Is
the hope Of our calliug-ihe HOY Spirit takes the
place Of written law and arbitrary ceremonies in
regard 10 the intercourse Of he se1ns and ali otler
matters. do not believe that any have ohdiHsd to
that state that are now on earth"
This letter was published 10 the Perfection
ist," in January, 1888 and is, il will be seen,
4 bald and palpable contradiction, downright
untruth, and proved to be 30, not only by the
above extracts, but by almost every page OF his
paper to the present time.
lie uniformly INSERTS that the Kingdom OF God
began at the second coming" which was at the
time Of the destruction Of Jerusalem; that after
this time all true Christians, all Jelierers, were
in state Of spiritual resurrection that they
then actually entered the Kingdom Of God,' and
were not subject 10 any ldto; and In his account
Of himself in the "Perieciionist" Of March, lS45,
he said he had been in that "pertecf" state since
February, 1884; and he often repeats the came
declaration. In the Witness" Of Sept, 1888, in
answer to certain questions Of Rev. G. T. Tor
rey, he estimates the number Of the Perfection
lists TO be more than hundred; 30 that his
assertion, that he does mot believe any have
attained to that state" IS fatty coniradcted by
himself
In the very paper which contains his letter to
the Advocate Of Moral Reforms if 10 boast
Of the victims he had made--he publishes two
letters from females, avowing, unbushingly, their
spiritual resurrection, and freedom from the re-
straints of decency, as well as civil and moral
law. The frst is from Mrs ii. G. Green, who,
on the first appearance Of the Battle-Ax let
ter, turned Mr. Moves out Of doors She how
ever, became converted to the practical charms
of Perfectionism, and voluntarily yicL's herself
to them. She says, among other things:
al believe that erry thing ought to be under the
leading and guidance Of the Spirit and that eueTy
relation, so far Il has tendency to interfere with
that Spirit, has the curse Of God resting on IT, II
would give me pleasure TO that sister whom the
wrd calls your s1Js. hear that you passed under
sDHiefAng Of a form. hope Il contained nothing Of
the ingredients which composed the first marriage
ceremony ever pronounced upon woman, viz, Ewes
curse Thy desire shall bc to lhy husband, and he
shall rule over thee Nay ] am persuaded you
know what il is to live without being bound by any
ldr, and yet be the more firmly uniied'
The other was from Mrs r. Black, in the
course Of which she says:
Every one has got some Of the bond-wcman's
children clinging about them In some form other.
Sometimes think can discover one hanging about
me, but my cry h, Cast ont the bond-woman and
her children. Some Of them are, safety, prudence,
exPedency, dsocng, and the like. ] hate 'hem all"
Mr. Noyes, TO prove that be "repudiated" in
himself, as well rs others, all unreasonable DEL
icdcy" publishes letter, written, as he says, on
"what is commonly considered very delicate
occasion;' and intended as q practical erpiana-
hon Of the doctrines Of the Battle-Axe" letter.
Ii is addressed by him 10 young lady, and GER
tainly proposes novel and curious matrimonial
relation. The following is an extract from IL:
Beloved Sister--After n delibcraiion Of more
than year, in patient waiting and watching for in
dications Of the Lords will, am now permitted,
and indeed happily constrained by n combination
OF favorable circumstances propose to you part
nership, which will not call nGTiags, ill have
explained Il.
As believers, we are already one with each other,
and with all saints. This urinary and universal
union Is more radical, and Of course more mpor-
tant, than any partial aasd external partnerships;
and With refsrenee TO this is said There l. nei
in marriage in Heaven With reference to thIs.
also my offensive remarks in the BaitleAxe letter
written. With this view, we can enter into no
range Of gFooiions they iHifod in mafrfBao-
nal engagements BY The jastion Of his wuid desire
and expect, my yoke-fellow Will love all who love
God, whether they be male or female, with warmth
and strength OF affection unknown 10 earthly lovers
and freely II she STOOD in particular conneon
'riA mr. In fact, the object Of my conAexion will be,
not TO monopolize and enslave her heart or my own
but TO enlarge and establish both in the free loc-
ship Of God universal Jdnily II the external union
and companionship Of man and woman, in accord.
anee with these principles, is properly called mar
riags, know that marriage exists In heaven, and
have no scruple 10 offering you my heart and hand,
with an engagement 10 be married in due form, as
soon us God shall permit"
In the Witness" of March, 1899, he publish
es the "experience" Of Mary Freeman, who had
left her friends, at Newark, N. j., and was then
at Putney, among her kindred spirits" She
says:
:" l had never seen any person who protested to
have attained the secuity from falling aspay until
met j. II. Noyes, at Newark. Inow
consider my body the temple OF God, the work OF
his hands, and as such good, and dedicated to his
service. not only found il necessary to give up
my former experience, but likewise, my kindred ac-
cording to the flesh, my reputation yea my own life
also, to enter into the Kingdom Of God. l have
done soi Notwithstanding much opposition, left
my residence in Newark, and came among stran.
gers in the flesh, but found kindred spirits and i
nnso hot pcen icu uPoh hhds, as the enemy told me
should be, but upon the bread OF life
After residing with MIR Noyes about two years.
Mrs Freeman left on account Of some disagree
ment; and in order to discredit the revelations
she made of his conduct, he denounced her char
acter for veracity, as "very low among those
who knew her, at the time she left"
A volume might be made up, of extracts ike
the preceding. The female converts seemed 10
take pleasure in blazoning abroad their shame.
less doctrines, under the authority of multitude
Of Bible quotations, and the solemn mockery of
obedience to the promptings Of the Holy Spirit.
We have given enough to show the publicly
avowed principles and practices of these Per-
tectonists," at this early stage Of their existence
These principles were iniustriously dissent.
mated in all parts of the country, both by the
gratutous circulation of the paper, and the per
sonal preaching of Mr. Noyes; and many socie- |
ties formed The idea Of perfect holiness, of
being in 4 state where It is impossible TO sin.
where salvation is secured beyond peradycn- |
ture, is no doubt alluring and sweet; and il is |
not wonderful that many persons, credulous and |
or tempest-tost and shipwrecked |
upon the waves of controversial points of reli- |
gious doctrine, should fly for refuge TO this In.
iallible soul-preserver, in which every fear and |
every anxiety IS banished forever, and all the
passions hold jubilee. It is tempting bait 10
the anxious and inquiring mind; and, parnisbed
rs II is, with plausible passages of Scripture. no.
lurcs but little self-decention IN unala i, III