Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-08-16
THE RAPPITE COMMUNITY AT ECON
OMY,

The editor of the Pittsburgh Dispatch writes as
follows from the village of Economy, Beaver Co.,
(Pa.:)
This place was finished long ago. The commu-
nifty or society once numbered eight hundred souls;
they are now less than three hundred. From enc
third to one-half the houses are tenantlcss. Neat
comfortable dwellings, both brick and frame, are
''voiceless as the grave" Elsewhere in the town
all is still enough, indeed at most hours of the
day or night, save for strangers who come to re-
lieve the quietnde. After Q p. NJ. not a football is
to be heard, save when a traveller DROPS in from
the road or a locomotive snorts by with its rattle
and clatter. AT g A. NJ. all who hope to eat
Breakfast must be ready to sit down at the hotel
table. Those who are laggard will have a sound
scolding most surely from Joseph" the worthy
host, who occupies that troublesome post for his
share of duty as a member of the society, aided
as far as practicable by david" another excellent
little fellow, who, in addition to the duties of cut
ting tailor and barber for the whole community,
also helps Joseph at the tavern. The fashions do
not vary much, however, and probably David has
not an onerous post as tailor but l observe with
surprise that every grown male member of the
community is shaved. at least on Sabbath though
all wear w%hiskers, great or small.
|. The community seems to be pretty evenly divi.
ded, male and female; the latter almost as hearty
in appearance as the former, The society as you are
aware, first settled at Old Harmony, Butler county,
IL JC'O. JlhuliH luthlStlNco wv Il lGUm ilNiHl
Bile waters and markets, they removed thence,
about ten years afterwards, to New Harmony, on
the Wabash river, in Indiana. Here, owing to the
unhealthy climate, many died, and the communi.
ty again removed in lS24-'5 to their present loca,
ton; having remained at each Of the first places
chosen about ten years, and here, to the present
time, thirty-o6d years. George Rapp, their be-
loved leader fIom Germany, came here with them.
He had adopted a son, called Frederick, who also
came to this place, and died before his adopted
father. George Rapp died in the fall OF 1917, then
in his ninetieth year. He had preached more than
fifty years; had led his people in all their wander
iugs, from German to their last promised land
here; ind when all was settled hopefully, the com.
munity prospecting beyond its most sanguine ex.
pectations, he prepared to lay down his shepherds
crook, and, ~summoning his people ABOUND his win
dow ia the yard of his dwelling. he thence deliv
ered to them his last discourse; and, though of age
so advanced and on the graves verge, his voice
was yet strong enough to be heard halt a square
During the zane week he died, and lies buried
like all the rest, in the common lot, without ever
a hillock to show where he lies. Mr.. r. l.. Baker
a ve-y able and worthy man, succeeded in tp
spiritual and temporal leadership of the society
More recently. Mr.. llearici. the very inteIligen
treasurer Of the society, has been appointed Join
trustee with Mr.. Baker.
La the society, as is known, there is q perfec
equality in all respects; all are proprietors, a.
equal in rights and in Gignity; none are hirelings
The cook at the hotel, who for tbirty-odd years ga
occupied that post, David the tailor, barber, &c
and all, Of whatever occupation, stands alike re
spected. The people are all pleased and kind
nothing of austerity about them. except on Sunda
aud then they appear truly plain, degoat worship
pors-
We attended morning service in the nice COT
church yesterday. Mr.. Baker led the service,
with two old men sitting on either side Of him i
the pulpit. The choir had about twenty-four pc,
formers, male and female. Two planes were
lieu OF an organ: Miss Gertrude Rapp played on
Mr.. Heinrich the other; the music was rather IN,
RotOuOus. but fair. The services we're: First; IA,
sic, singing. &C.; then prayer; then a chapter, be
mon. singing. and prayer. For the FIRST prayer a
rose; during the succeeding services preachers au
audience sat, in the last prayer leaning forwatt
On entering the cirarch the mee and women eau
in by difereat doors, and took opposite sides
the house. On leaving. the men sat waiting till a
the women had gone out and the coast was clea'
} then the preacher led out, and the other male pc
pie followed. We omitted to say that, al the clos