The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-22

The death OF Barthclemy Prosper Enfantin, the
celebrated chiefofthe 50. Simonians is announced
as having taken place at Paris on the lst Of Sep
tember, Of apoplexy. NJ. Enfantn, generally
known by the name of Pcre EnfautIn, on account
Of his prominence as a leader Of the ST. Simonian
sect, was born in Paris February 8, 1896, and was
consequently sixty. eight years old at the time Of
his death. His father was q respectable bunker
in Paris, and at the usual age young Eutantin
became n member Of the Polytechnic School,
from Which he was dismissed in the spring OF
1914, for having fired on The Allied troops after
their entrance into the city. He subsequently
engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in 1921 was
carrying on business in ST.. Petersburg.
Returning to France in 1923, he became a con-
vert to the system Of St. Simon, and upon the
death Of ts founder In 1879 was acknowledged
as the leading prophet and apostle Of the new
dispeusaton. His influence tended 20 impress
the industrial movement Of St. Simon with
peculiar religious character, which was deemed
fantastic by bis opponents, and which wls ccr-
taiuly revolutionary and aggressive. In COuuCC-
ton with VI. Bazard and with NJ. Michel Chevl-
lier, who has since acquired such wide fame as
uuhliCist, he organized system Of prOsclytism
which at that time produced no small effect on
public opinion in France. A schism nc length
took place among the leaders, and Enidntin was
deserted by the industrial and political section of
the school.
lie was a bold and original thinker, of strong
ideal tendencies and addicted to subtle and ian-
ciful spccuIatiuns. In his view, the influence Of
woman was 10 play no important part in the new
social movement, and the sphere Of love and
affection should be relieved from the restraints
Of legislation, and subjected 70 the control of the
re igious sentiment embodied in the Office OF
priest or confessOr, whose authority shoud be
fiji al in matters Of affection. Although his sin
gular theories were yehemcntly attacked by his
former associates, they made considerable pro
gress in France, and even attracted attention in
the principal European capitals
His movement at length fell under the su'pi-
cion of the Government, aud his meetings we're
ordered to be discontinued in 1882 lie then
Withdrew with number of his followers to an
estate belonging 70 him near MenilmOnant, in
the vicinity OF Paris, where they established
community for manual labor and religious SER
vices, over which Enfantin presided. After
short residence in this place, he was summoned
in the summer Of 1882 before the Government.
His trial lasted two days, and he was sentenced
to a years Imprisonment but was set free after
detention Of a few months. From this time,
although not renounciug his convictions or
his hopes, he devoted himself mostly 10
practical affairs, engaging in agricultural pur-
suits, and taking charge of post office in the
neghboThOod of Lyons. In lSil he was appointed
a member Of the scientific board for Algeria. From
lS4j to lS4S he was director of line Of railroad
between Paris and Lyons, and subsequently re-
ceived acCmmission in another DEPARTMENT. of the
| same service. In 1859 he published work
| entitled "The knowledge of Man and Religious
Physiology in which he presents his social
| and religious theories, with new illustrations
| and arguments, but substantially retaining
their original character. NJ. Enfantin will
| occupy a place in the intellectual history OF
| the age as a courageous and uncOmprOmis-
| ing innovator, an enthusiastic dreamer of social
| Utopia which should do justice to the nobest in
stincts Of humanity, and with little reverence for
| the established precedents and traditions Of the
| past. He had the sense TO learn from experience
| the lessons of wisdom, and to succumb gracefully
to the Jaw Of gradual progress, which torbids the
| life was given TO the management Of material
| interests, and with rs much energy and success
| as if he had never been dreamer Of dav-dreams
| but always a yotary of mammon.-N. Y. Tribune