The republic., 1851-08-09
AgapemonIfes.

AgapemonIfes.
There is a new organization of philosophers
in England who have lately attracted conside-
rable attention, not so much from the novelty of
their principles, which have been common
enough in all ages of the world, but from the
circumstance of their organizing themselves
into sect, and establishing kind of monas-
tic institution which they call the AGAPEMoNE,
where they live under the guidance of head
or chief, who pretends t. a certain spiritual re-
lationship to his disciples, and who is called by
them ''My Lord" The principles of the sect
are common enough; but, from the nature of
their organization, they are not likely ever to
have very large number of members in their
community. They profess to be governed in
the movement by a spirit of love, and form
family in which males and females live toge-
ther as in ordinary families. Their great aim
is to enjoy themselves, and extract from this
fieeting world all the pleasure they can with as
little effort as possible. Unlike Mrs. Chick,
they do not believe in the policy of making an
effort except to promote their own enjoyment.
They toll not, neither do they spin, but live on
the incomes from their vested funds; they ride
out in fine weather, but are careful to avoid all
the turmoil and hurry skurry Of this sweating
world. They are probably aware that some
body must toll and moil, or they could hardly
live non producing life but they eschew toll
themselves, and regard it as irreligious and un-
becoming their refined natures. They live in
a hive where there are none but drones, and
partake of honey which they refuse to gather.
Among the members of the .Agapemone are
said to be several clergymen of the Church of
England half pay officers of the army and navy,
and other persons connected with the State.
who are sure of an income without being com
PEELED to work.
We have, in this country, good many poti-
cal Agapemonites, men who pail the advanta-
ges that conferred by our political Institutions,
but who think that politics are beneath their Dig
nifty; who are the first TO exclaim against any ca
lamity brought upon the nation by political mis-
management, but the last to do any thing to
avert the evils which they must suffer from.
Nothing is more common than to meet men of
business in our large towns who boast that
" they never meddle with politics." and who
think it meritorous to neglect public affairs and
attend to their own private business. There
are many intelligent men, the preservation of
whose property, and whose daily incomes, de-
pend upon the discreet administration of public |
affairs, who neglect even to vote for the candi-
dates Of the party to which they belong, and
who talk grandly about keeping aloof from "dirty |
politics" Like the Agapemonites, they forget
that somebody must do the work which they will |
not, and that by the toll and moil, the labor and
caresofmanaging the machineryofpartie which
they regard as below their dignity, were not
performed by somebody, their dignity would
soon be subjected to a good many indignities.
If a man knows SO little of public affairs and
public men that he is unable to choose between
the two parties that are contending for power,
let him ask advice Of his most reliable friend
and act accordingly.
There are some men who, like ST. SIMON |
STYLITEs on his solitary pillar, fold their |
hands upon their breasts, and imagine they are
doing an act acceptable to God by looking up
to him and doing nothing, while the world
moves on beneath them, and who, if they take
no part in the worlds labors, do not claim any |
share of its enioyments. But these ascetics
are not of the class of Agapemonites who will
do nothing themselves, but insist on having
the largest share of the earnings of others.
There are many of these easy y-going people
who seem to regard the world as if it were
created for their peculiar enjoyment, who are
not content with the common privilege Of en-
joying the benefit of the laws which they have
had no hand in making, but who claim share
of the party honors and profits which they have
never helped to secure, and who strangely
consider their neglect of the highest duties of
citizen particularly bright feather in their
cap.