Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-02-16
A New Religious Sect Of PoIygns
AsaiNfS.

We had some startling accounts Of tho
progress OF polygamy among the Nor
mons Of Utah, but their practices seem 10
he propriety itself, compared to thosd
which prevail among society, which
calls itself "Perfcotionists." and Claims 10
be religious and christian. The pcculiart.
~ Of the system Of the Perfectionis,s. 10
that all laws, both human and divine. THAI
are designed to regulate tho marriage res
lation are set aside and denounced. whil5
the unre.traincd Indulgence Of the hulnah
passions is practised, not merely as tho
means To present enjoyment. but as means
Of gfacc o. hclps fohoiiacss The ioundcf
OF the Societyis is graduate of'a New Eng
land College, n student in two theological
seminaries, and now the editor ola paper,
published IN New York, to sustain and al.
vocatc his doctrines.
The centre Of this sect is in the town Of
Lenox. Madison county, n. T., where a.
bout l50 men, women and chilJvnn 1.-Two
together in one house; with no Distinction
OF property. fnmily or authority. Each
one does what seems good in his own eyes,
The Bible is their nominal constitution,
and how curously they must follow its
teachings, is evident from the fact. that they
dsavow all separate or individual rgh, IN
property, wives or children" Literally,
they have all these things common But
the sect is by no means confined ~ Onci.
da and Madison counties. In New York
and Brooklyn, and in Newark. N } :. and
in many other places. there are groups a
practical members.
The New York Observer, in notice ol
the propagondists. says.
In Utah among the Mormons, tho dis.
linciou ofhusband and wife is rigidy maina
tanned, and non-intcrecntion i, ssi d upon
oven al the peril of life. But in the Onci.
Ja Associations, and in the boarding houses
established on similar principles IN this
vicinity. these distinctions are utterly n
holished, and the irccst icenliousness prac.
Used as the highest Developments of boli.
ness. Wo have been furnished with 4
large number Of certificates signed by r..
males Of this community. stating that at
first they were fearful, they were not doing
right, but the longer they have pructiscd
on the system here pursued, tho hoef
they are sure they grow. On the princ.
pie, we suppose, that where there is no
law there is no trnnsgression, they have alb.
rogatcd all authority but inclination. and
they never sin, because they never do any
thing but what they like. The reader
may be amused at the practical opcrnion
Of the association at Lcnox, as we find il
detailed in one of their reports, which says.
"Thc children are trained In general
nursery, and it is found TO be altogether =
more comfortable task 10 take care Of six
in the new way than il had been to wait on
one in ordinary circumstances The only
| drawback wns the temporary distress Of
the mothers il giving up their little ones
to the care ofothers, vi hich made occasion
for some melo-drnmntic scenes, but tho
wounds were soon healed, and The M Tiers
learned 10 value their own freedom and
opportunity Of education, and the improv-
ed condition of their children more than
the luxury Of sickIy material tenderness.
The Nay they sleep is curious. Ono
large room is set apnrt for doutory. and
each bed is cnconpassed by sort Of
square tent, SO that one stove warns the
whole space, and "as tho principles and
| habits Of the association are more gregari.
ousc than usual, the sacrifice Of privacy 10
"A small affair"