The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-07

are naaceahie: no preacher, because they
oro narfact Music sounds In their halls.
Tber rest ON Sunday without regarding the
a., sacred. They neither baptize nor
nar,ake of the sacrament, pray, ciaini-
H., that their lives are continual worship.
Thav are seceders from the so-caiiea
orthodox churches Of New England, ana
take the Bible for their guide. They ma'p-
tain perfect order and obedience to rules,
entrusting the management OF affairs. 10
the most capable, and their material sue
cess is astonishing.
These communists claim to be the sue
cessors of the apostles to whom was pro-
missed the speedy second advent Of Christ.
They say Christ did reappear after the de-
struction Of Jerusalem, when there was
Judgment in the spiritual world and the
final kingdom In the heavens began. To
use the cant Of these people, which strongly
resembles the general incomprehensible
twaddle of the enthusiasts, we quote the
following:
"They believe that their community is
an outgrowth of faith in and confession
of Christ as an indwelling saviour from
sin, which is an inspired and vital relation
with Christ on earth, and that they are IN
direct communication with the Heavenly
Church. Their idea is best expressed IN
Romans. chapter X, verses 4 to 10: 'for
Christ is the end of the law for righteous
ness to every one that believeth, &c. They
are the duplicate representation OF the
Heavenly Church, and their element oil
communicationii perfectly holy inspira-
ton with God and Heaven, which Is the
power by which Gods Kingdom Is 10
reign"
They consider association is the means
of securing salvation of the soul and body,
and by body they mean that death will ul-
timately pass away in this world, and men
live forever. They believe in personal
uncreated Devil, and two kinds of men:
one foreordained to be damned, and one to
be saved that the object of Christ's death
was that he might perfect himself in all
human sympathies, and through death de-
stroy the power of the Devil, who, by ma
ture, leads all men captive, &c.
OF course these people throw around
their sexual relations the garb OF religion.
They say that the church, the school, the
family, are one in community. The rela-
ton of the sexes is second in Importance
to reconciling God to man. "Religion
first, sexual morality second" 4" Holiness
must 90 before free love-" "Adam and
Eve, at the beginning, were in open and
fearless spiritual fellowship with Cod"
Here is some more characterization:
Glove in the sexes, separated from the
curse of propagation, develops beauty and
vigor. Perfect vitality and equilibrium
arise from contact and amity. All that is
required for renewed life is an interchange
of magnetic influences. Final supremacy
over nature lies in the full subsection OF
ones body to intelligent will. This rela-
ton is worship. Love is the reward OF
labor in community, every one will draw
love as he is worthy" &c. This will do.
These communists endeavor to set at
| naught all the natural feelings-all the
attachments of kindred and the tender re-
lations in life. They essay to prevent pro-
creation. 1t is assumed to be aduty OF the
old to educate the young. Old men take
care of the young girls, and old women OF
the young men. Young persons are not
| allowed to walk out together; glances
and signals and smiles between them are
contraband. This monstrous order of So
ciety of course could not be blessed with
many children. Only twenty-five have
been born in the community in ten years.
Children find no sympathies. Even the
mother has to restrain and crush out
mothers solicitude. Such feelings are
not allowed by the communists. The chill
dren have an apartment to themselves,
where they are nursed by the women by
turns, the mother only being allowed to
90 to the nursery when she does not show
too much affection. At this time there
was only one baby seen by the visitor who
wrote the notice from which we sketch.
Each man is the husband of every wo.
man-each woman the wife Of every man
Husband and wife have no meaning. There
are no wedding ceremonies, for there are
no weddings. Nor are young persons
mates. A young man must mate with
woman older and more experienced thar
he: a young woman with man older anc
more experienced than she. This inter
course is called the descending fellow
ship" and is more sacred than marriage
If question of propriety arise, it is refer
red to leading members of two or three
When two take fancy to one lady, the
one first asking is preferred, or the lady
may refuse either.
The following is description of the
fashions among the ladies':
The skirts of the ladies' dresses como
Just below the knee. These are Boomers
The pantaloons are of the same pattern a.
the dress. They looked like smart clerks
in frock coats. A woman somewhat ad
vanced appears brisk and young. One
fleshy, and weighing from one hundred ano
fifty to two hundred pounds, would moi
look tall. All wear short hair.
In reply to the question how they liked
the life they led, some of the women an
swered, every much"
The communists are Industrious. They
work ten hours day. The ladies devote
themselves attentively to their labor with
ewes cast down. General conduct is regu
lated by criticism. The visitor who de.
scribes these people heard a criticism one
night in the assembly-room. One "Ho
mer" was under discussion. "Now," sale
one member, Homer does not appear t
have the right spirit. He is too abrup
and harsh, and the other day he was dis
respectful to Mr.. Bolls. / think the love
of Christ is faint in his heart. He ought
to try and govern himself. There are
many good qualities in him, and for these
| admire him very much. His natura
character is amiable." Yes" said an
other, "I have noticed these things il
Homer for some time. l am afraid he il
not having a fellowship with Jesus. He
cannot enjoy religion while he is so unre
| conciled Sill I love Homer. There |!