The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-09-23
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.
THE HOPEDALE COMMUNITY.

The Hopedale Community, originally called
Fraternal Community No l. was formed at
Mendon, Massachusetts, January %, 1871, by
about thirty individuals from different parts OF
the State. In the course of that year they pur-
chased what was called the "JOnes Farm
alias The Dale" in Milford, their present To-
cation This estate they named HoPEDALE--
joining the word Hope" to its ancient desig-
nation, rs significant of the great things they
| hoped for from very humble and unproptious
beginning. About the first of April 1912, a
part of the members took possession of their
farm, and commenced operations under as
many disadvantages as can well be imagined.
Their present domain, including all the lands
purchased at different times, contains about
500 acres Their village consists of about
thirty new dwellings three mechanic shops,
with water-power, carpentering, and other ma
chinery, a small chapel-used also for the pur-
poses of education-and the old d0micil, with
the barns and out-buildings much improved
There are now May, 1882 at Hopedale some
forty families besides single persons, youth and
children--making in all population of about
200 souls
1t is often asked, What are the peculiarities,
and what the advantages of The Hopedale
Community. Its leading pecularities are the
following
/. 1t is Church of Christ, $50 far as any
human organization of professed Christians,
within particular locality, have the right to
claim that title based on simple declaration
of faith ain the religion of Jesus Christ, rs he
taught and exemplifed it, according to the
Scriptures of the New Testament and of ac-
knowledged subsection to all the moral oblga-
tons of that religion No person can be a
member, who does not cordially assent to this
comprehensive declaration. Having given suf-
fcient evidence of truthfulness in making such
profession, each individual is left to Judge for
him or herself, with entire freedom, what
abstract doctrines are taught and also what
external religious rites are enioincd in the
religion of Christ. No precise theological
dogmas, ordinances, or ceremonies. are pre-
scrubbed or prohib,ted. In such matters all the
members are free, with mutual love and toler-
alton, to follow their own highest convictions
of truth and religious duty--answerab only
to the great Head of the true Church Uniyer-
sal. But in practical Christianity this Church
is precise and strict There its essentials are
specific 1t insists on supreme love to God and
man-that love which "worketh no i'll TO
friend or foe 1t eDjoins total abstinence from
all God-contemnng words and deeds: all I'M
chastity; all intoxicating beverages; all oath
taking all slayeholding and pro-slavery COM
promises; all war, and preparations for war
all capital and other vindictive punishments;
all nsurrectionary, seditious mobocratic, and
personal violence, against any government, 80
ciety, family, or individual; from all voluntary
participation in any anti-Christian Govern
ment, under promise Of unqualified support
whether by doing military service common
cling actions at law holding Office, voting peti-
tonDg for penal laws, aiding q legal posse by
injurious force OF asking public interference
for protection which can be given only by such
force all resistance Of evil NTH epl in fine,
from all things known 70 be sinful against God
or human nature. This is its acknowledged OBJ
ligatory righteousness. 1t does not expect i'm
mediate and exact perfection Of its members,
but holds up this practical Christian Standard,
that all may do their utmost To reach it. and,
at least, be made sensible of their short-com-
ings Such are the peculiarities Of the Hope
dale Community, as Church.
2. IL is Civil State n miniature Christian
Republic--existing within peacesbly subject
10, and tolerated by the Governments Of Mas
saehusetts and the United States, bat other |
wise Commonwealth complete within itself
Those Governments tax and control its prop
erty, according to their own laws, returning
less 10 it than they exact from it. Ii makes
them no criminals to punish, no disorders to
repress, no paupcrs TO support, no burdens TO
bear. II asks OF them no corporate powers no
military or penal protection. 1t has its own
Constitution, laws regulations and municipal
police; its own legislative Judiciary, and ex-
ecutive authorizes its 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 arrangements for the holding Of prop
erty, the management Of industry, and the
raising Of revenue--in fact, all the elements
and organic constituents OF Christian Repub-
lic, on miniature scale There is no Red Re-
Duhlicanism In IL bocausa Il oschaWa blood