New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-14
A REMARKABLE CHURCH.

UNION-UNIFORMIrY OF THEOLOGICAL nhiNiHr
NEITHER DEMANDED NOR ExPECrED-A mEDLEi
OF sPIRIrUALIsrs MATERrAI4srs AND fohMEh
ORTHODOX CHURCH MEMBERs-iiS Li'i We 'i'
listers AND TOPICS DISCUSSED.
To the Editor Of The tribune
SIR. About a generation ago an epidemic OF
Socialism ran through various parts OF the United states
The famous Broos Farm Boston. from which Haw-
tborne took Of his Bhthedae Romance Is wen
known illustration. But 1t is not perhaps generally
known that elsewhere throughout the country were
originated many similar movements less known OF
course as they had less celebrated parcipators, put
none the less interesting who happens to stuoe
upon their remains. The associations or communities
themselves have almost wholly disappeared, Out Vney
have frequently been the progenitors OF remarA"oo
children, and not few towns in NewEng ana very
many traces Of their influence be SEEN either IN SUI
ex sting customs is more common IN the genera
intellectual and moral which pcryades the whoe SO
cIety of the place.
A COMMUNITY THAT FELL To PIECES.
little more than 80 years "a community under
the name OF The Association of Education ana lhuus-
trv purchased large Of land in the town ofNorth-
smpton Mass, began once more the establishment
Of the Kingdom OF Heaven Earth. In a sheltered
valley of this tract OF land on the edge OF small
stream stood a large, Unlocking brick building now
part OF cotton factory. built originally for the manu-
facture OF sewing silk OF this building the community
took possessiOn nearly ali the members living within
its walls, in large happy family, and continuing
the manufacture OF sewing-silS, while few OF the
members lived outside. carrying farming, and others
experimental in the raising OF mulberry trees Tor SILK
worms very few years only, not more than fOur OF
nve the association lasted. TLen the serpent OF more
properly "A number serpentS, the form OF various
dissensions entered the garden, aud the community
went 10 pieces. When consider how brief was its
hfe 10 is astonishing 10 learn how widely spread now
are the nerves influence which proceeded from this
assOcat TIlking with the half :ozen elderly mem
bers stu nnger the spot, they Will tell you OF
other stlll-liTIng members scattered from New
York 70 California. Noted clergymen in metro
pOtan pupiIs we-known physicians. teachers. bank
ers were once members or children of members OF the
association, and not few celebrated names once be-
lOugcd little boys who slept IN the loft OF the old
community building. The casual visitor today would
learn nothing OF THESE things. The thriving manuiac-
turing village Of Florence now covers the land of the
former association. cotton factory, silk factory
sewing machine factory, ana other like establishments
combine give the general appearance OF the Ordinary
factory village OF New-England. IL is village OF the
town Of Northampton (Beechers Norwood ~. the
tlicky-seted part of the town being about p miles
distant and appropratng 70 itself naturally the name
al the township. Northampton, the scene Of the
lauOrs Of Jonathan Etwaris, Is typical New-Engldnd
town every respect. 1t is proud OF its arisocracy
proud Of its intelligence proud OF its traditions, and
proud Puritan theology Its little neighbOr,
10 which 1t presents strong contrast IN many
specis is be feared. very much ike thorn in
The side of said and respectable elder sister Taking
a hOJsecar in front Of the old d" Edwards Church."
short ride between OF noble elms places he main
part OF the town behind Us; crossing open meadow
and slowly climbing long, steep grade TO a level plain.
We abreast OK the shops Of the Florence Sewing
Machine Company. Then, for the first time, notice
some distance in .Ivnt Of Us, admirably situated
fork Of the road, and apparently blocking the way so
that II unavodaby attracts attention, large, fneloOk
ing brick building. As approach, wellproportioned
iowe. with bell and clock, noble porch and vestibue
ARE distinctive features and still nearer approach
We read, OrOwnstOne tablet across the front wall,
the name-Cosman Hail. Enter the village from almost
any direction aud this building first attracts attention
n he prominent object there Indeed II would
Rttrac. attention anywhere. am told, good author
It's exception perhaps of the Opera House
a, Psed this is OF the finest and most noticeable
buildings Western Massachusetts, while internally IL
i, fitted 40 IN stye which surpasses anything in the
ne-hhoriug city OF Springfield. Tlat which makes it
more remarkable il the apparent Loneliness Of the situa
AN ORIGINAL CLASS OF THINKERS LEFT.
when the old community broke up. number OF the
members remained on spot and engaged in various
occupations Being generally persons Of marked though
eccentric individuality. II is their leavcn which has
eavened the now hOurishinG village which has gradu
ally grown up around them. On the principle That
''biras Of a feather flock together" there probably
came into the place, by natural attraction. unusual
number Of persons OF similar temperameuts 10 those
already there Despisers Of conventional manners and
conventional ideas thoroughly convinced that they
were right and rest OF the world all wrong they
have always been inclined 70 take extreme positions on
d political social. and theological questions Uulver-
sa.Iv Aboitiouists. they asylum 70 all runaway
slaves and unusual number of cOOred people,
portion the population Is still 70 be found there.
Absolute social democrats and ready recipients
OF new Ideds, all reformers pretended
formers have been welcomed and listened In tact.
H.... 4Nt
whom have talked that Floreuce was one time a
sort Of stumping ground Ior a.! people with in
their Jonnets" who could hnd hearers anywhere
else chronological lecturers. ab0OHist orators
peTduce h1ranEuers, sOciasc -eormcrs ransce uden-
talsts. materaLsts. spirulLsts-au made vel
come thanked. and pad alike for proft or mpos-
ton. But wisdom has come By much experience and
though the people ready ever 10 receive new
idea OF listen speaker, there probably few
places 0uack preteuder Of any kind would be
sooner recognized his true value than II this little
village.
Icannot earn that there has ever me slightest
attempt or desire. practi ally the former
miennlll dream. Tie failure 10 have been too
complete. But ABOUT ten Twelve years a society
was regularly organized which elsewhere would be
called religious society church, but just what 20 call
TO- without offending OF It's members, really do
Dot know Some consistent come-Outcrs have always
objected 70 the OF the word "shurch" others have
conscientious scrupes against emplOylnS the word
religion coutcndius that long been
eated with superstition free from taint AL how
ever have sl-ued following article agreement.
upon which the organization Is based and winch may
be taken as the Theological religious creed OF the
present society:
Respecting each other aud in al the risht o. intel
Iect aud conscience BE free and holding % 10 Do le
duty o. every one 70 keep LIS md ana Ie4tt az al
W sci - no theological condition Of membership. ana
neither demand u1r expect uniformity OF coctIlua be-