The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-02-26
A NEW RELIGIOUS SECT OF 20.
zz EEGSTzES'ES

We have had some startling accounts of the
progress of polygamy among the Mormons of
Utah, bat their practices seem 70 be propricty
itself, compared to those which prevail among a
society which calls itself '.Pcrfectionists," and
claims to be religious and christian The PC
culiarity of the system of the PcrFectonists. is
that all the laws, both human and divine. that
are designed to regulate the marriage relation,
are set aside and denounced, while the unre-
strained indulgence of the human passions is
praotised, not merely as the means TO present
enjoyment, but Of grace or help to hoF-
aess. The founder of the Society is 4 graduate
of New England College, student in two
theological seminaries, ard now the editor of a
paper. published in New York, to sustain and
adxGss,ts his doctrines.
The center of this sect is in the town OF Le-
nox. Madison County, n. Y, where about $50
men. Kemen, and children live together in one
house, Hith no distinction OF property, family,
or authority Each one does what seems good
in his own eyes. The Bible is their nominal
constitution, and how csriously they must fol-
how its teachings is evident from the fact. that
they disavow al separate or individual right in
properly, wives, or children Literally. they
have 'tall these things in common" But the sect
is by ~ means confined 50 Oneida and Madison
Counties In New York and Brooklyn, and in
Newark, NJ, and in many other PLACES, there
are groups OF practical members. 5 aoi.1se
Thc New York Observer, in notice of the
In Utah. among the aIormons the distinction
of husband and wife is rigidly maintained, and
nen-interventon insisted upon even at the peril
of life. But IN the Oneida Association, and in
the boarding houses established on similar prin-
cipes IA this vicinity, these distinctions are
teriyy abolished, and the freest RIGHTEOUSNESS
prac Used as the highest depelopement of holi-
1Icss: >We, have been furnished With large
number Of certificates signed, By females of TINS
community, stating that at first they were fear
ful they were not doing right, but the longer
theyii;tye pra ctsed on the system here pursued,
the liolier they are TO grow. On the prin-
ciple, we suppose, that where there is no law
therc is no trnsgression, they have abrogated
nH,authonty but iacination, and they never sin,
becslEse they never do anything bat what they
like. The reader may be amused 1.-THE prac-
teal operation of the association atLenox, as
4 we findit detailed in one of their reports. la-s
Thssak iidren are trained in generals nursery,
and q il is found to be altogether a more COM
fortabie task to take care of six in the way,
than it had been to wait on one III ordinary Cir
cumstanses.' 2 ST The only drawback theo ope-
ration was the temporary distress of the moth.
ers in giving up their little oues to the care oi
othera.slich made occasion for. azome melo-
dramatic scenes; but the wounds were soon
4 healed, and the mothers learned to Falue their
4 own freedom and opportunity of education, and
4 the improved condition OF their children, more
Z thanrshe luxury of a sicily maternal tender
I nessS5 This is the language of the report
! The. way they sleep is curious. One large
reom IS set apart for II dormitory, and each bed
iseneompassed by sort of square tent; so that
one stove warns the whole space, and las the
Iipriuciples and habits OF the Association are
more -ep'egarious than usual, the sacrifice aoi
prigacygis small affair." l.9 g euic - If1
1 The women found that much time spent
| ini dressing their hair, so they looked into
pau.s theory of long hair, and says this report
| .tiie discovery was made that Pauls ianguage
Iexpressly points out the object for which wo-
4 Iaan should wear long hair, and that object IL
not ornament but covering In athis light u
WAS Immediately manifest that the long hairlod
rcmen. 90 it ras usual!y wcrr, ooiied a1o