Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-12-13
7 II E B U G L Z .
The HOpedalC Community.


The Hopedale Community, originally call
ed Frpiennl Community, No. l, was forned
ut Mendon, Massachusetts, January 90 1871,
by about thirty indiduals from different parts
of the State. in the course of that year they
purchased what was called the Jones Farm"
alias "The Dale" in Milford. their present
location. This estate they named lloPEDALE
Joining the word Hope TO its ancient
designation, as significant ofil great things
they hopcf for from very humble and I'M
propitiuus beginning. About the first of
April, 1919, n part OF the Members took pos
session of their Farm and commenced opera
tiouS, under MS many disadvantages rs can
well he imagined. Their present Domain,
including all the lands purchased at differ
pnt times, contains about 500 acres. Their
Village consists OF about 30 new dwelling
houses, three mechanic shops, with water
power, curpentering aud other machinery.
small chapel, used also for the purposes Of
education, and the old donicil, with the
bnrns aud out buildings much improved
There are now dec. |, 1851 ut Ilopcdnle
some thirty.six families, besides single per-
sons, youth and children, making in all a
population of about l7J souls.
IL is often asked, What are the pccunri-
Ties, mud what the advantages OF Tie Hope
dale Community? Its leading peculiarilies
are the following;
l. Il is n Church of Christ, $50 far ms amy
human organization Of prolrssed Christians,
within n particular locality, have the right to
claim Tint ttlr.) based on n simple dcrlara-
ton of faith Gin the religion OF Jesus Christ,
rs he taught and cXcmplllied il, according To
riie Scriptures Of the New Testament aud of
acknowledged sulicrtiOn to ull the moral
,I.. ~
he II mcnihcr, who docs not cordially assent
10 this comprehensive declaration. Having
given sufficient evidence OF trtltbfllncss in
making such profession, each individual is
left Ia Judge for him or herself with entire
freedom, what abstract doctrines are taught,
aud also what external religious rites are en-
joined in The Religion of Christ No precise
theological dognas, ordinances or ceremon-
les are prescribed or prohibited ln such mat
tcrs oil the members are free, with nuiiial
love md toeraliOn, to follow their own high
est convictions OF truth aud religious duty
nnswerablc only to the great Head Of the
true Church Universal. But in practical
Christianity this Church is precise and strict |
There its essentials are specific. Ii insists on /
supreme love to God aud nan-ihnt lOye /
which "workeih no III" TO friend or foe. II .
erjoins total abstinence from all Gud-con-
tenning words aud deeds; all unchasIiiy ; /
all Intoxicating beverages; all oairiaking;
all slavehOldling aud pro-slayery comproni- |
scs: all war and preparations for war; all /
capital and other vindictiye pnuishueuts all |
insureciionary, scdiious, mobocraiic aud /
personal violence against any government,
society, family or individual. From all vol
nntary participation in any anti Christian
government, under promise OF ungu1'fed
SnppoH-wlciher by doing military service,
commencing actions at law, holding office,
voting, petitioning for penal laws, aiding n
legal posse by injurious force, or asking pub |
lie interference for protection which can be
given only by such force; all resistance of
evil ieiM euil; in fine. from all things known
10 be sinful against God or human nature
This is its acknowledged obligatory right
eousness. 1t does not expect immediate aud
exact perfection OF its members, but holdsup
this practical Christian Standard that all may
do their utmost 10 reach it, and, NJ least, he
made sensible of their shortcomings. Such
nre the peculiarities of The llopedae Com
nuniiy, as n Church.
9. It is a Civil State miniature Christian
Repuhlc-eXstng iciihin, peacenly subject
10, aud tolerated By ihc Governments of Mas.
sachuseiis and the United States, but other
wise Commonwealth complete within itself.
Those Governments tax aud control lis pro-
perry, according to their own laws, returning
less 10 il tlIan they exact fiom it. 1t makes
Them no criminals to punish, no disorders to
reprcss, no paupers TO support, no burdens
10 bear. IL asks Ot them no corporate pow
crs, no military or penal protection. IL has
It's own Constitution, laws, regulations, and
municipal police its own Legislative, Judi
cial and Executive authorities; It's own
Educational system of operations; its own
method Of aid and relief; its own moral and
religious safeguards; its own fire insurance
and savings institutions; its own internal ar
rangenenis for the holding of property, the
management of industry. and the raising of
revenue: in fact, all the elements and organ
ic constituents of Christian Republic, on
miniature scale. There is no Red Repuhi.
canism in il, because il cschews blood yet
il is the Seeding oi the true Democratic aud
Socinl Republic, wherein neither caste, color,
sex nor ngc stnuds prescribed, hut every hui
man being shares Justly in "Lherty, Equality
and Fraternity" Such is The llopedulc
Community us Civil State.
3. IL is universal religious moral, phiiGn-
hrop'c and social reform Association. II is
Missionary Society, for tho PRONUNCIATION of
New Testament Christianity the reformation
of the nominal Church, aud tho conversion
Of the world. il is moral suasion Temper
nncc S"ricly Oh the reeiota basis. 1t is
Peace Society on the only imprcgnabe ionn-
'laIion Of Christian Non-Rcsistance. II is u
sound theoretical aud practical Womnn's
Rights Association. ltisn Charitable Socie-
~ tor the relief OF suffering humanity, tn the
extent of its humble ability. 1t is an Edu-
rational Society preparing TO act ah impor-
tant part IN the training of the young. 1t is
Socinlsic Community, successfully Gciu-
dlizing, MS well as promuIgaling Practical
Christian Soclaiism-ibe only kind Of Social
ism likely TO establish true social sinio on
Garth. The members of This Community nre
not under the necessity of importing from
abroad nny OF these valuable reforms, or