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


ing photography under the tuition OF lawyer large
class Of young ladies' and gentlemen reading Shake
speare under the leadership OF lady, and another large
OF ladies gentlemen called the adult class. the
members OF which discuss ali kinds OF social and theo
logical questions especially the latter The teacher
chairman OF this ast class Is gentleman whose philos
ophy evidently borders closely materalism, and
think most church members would probably call him
nfdel To casual visitor the most striking feature
OF the school ~ a negative one-tbe absence Of any
prayer benediction in form.
In the afternoon meeting. however, find the real
society. Here all its pecuaries in full force
As seated awaiting the beginning OF the exercises,
cannot said that the congregation presents any
terna popularity 10 distinguish 1t from the average
New England audience. Quiet. orderly, wide-awake,
well-dressed. "emnently respectable in every par
cuar 1t might be deposited any Evangelical church.
and would perfectly in keeping with the surround
ings. But a knowledge OF the persons present would
develop many curious facts. Here. for instance, Is
whte-haired venerable looking man 1.-THE father OF
Judge and Of college professOr) who is most enthu
siastc believer in modern Spirituasm. Near him. on
the of seats, is another white-haired, good
looking who is also advocate OF the same faith
while, sandwiched between the two, is gray-bearded
man, a between a merchant and poet in appear
ance utterly the idea of the existence Of airy
spirits whatever ancient or mOdern-a thorOugh-going
materalist. 1t is curious whose philosophy
is far apart sit together take part together
the exercises and apparently enjoy together the
same discourses. 1 informed that IN II years of
membership in society there has been no jar
on account OF difference of opinion. but that the prv
eges all equally respected. But 1t would be
great mistake suppose that tie congregation is made
up only Sprtuasts and Materiaists. We're this the
case IL would hardly be worth writing about. In fac
these are in minority. Uuitarians, Unversalist and
Thests sprinked about; Methodsts. Baptsts, and
orthodox Congregationasts frequently to be found
present and quite recently, am told IL was remarked
that all the orthodox deacoas in the place were III at
tendance at special service or course the regular
members of the Society none Of them thoroughly
evangelical In reply my inquiry whether there
any such in regular attendance told Of one lady
who had come steadily years but She IL was
charably supposed, must be slightly insane quite
largely, however the present members have been Tor
merly connected with Evangelical churches ana nave
been accommodated for various neresies OF belief or
the older members this true with hardly an exception
SOCIETY OF THE UNORTHODoX.
Many were thus east OUT ont 30 odd years ago
ar more when Anti-Slayery sentiments first began to
invade the quiet OF the churches Largely OF course
they were members OF the orthodox Congregational
churches Massachusetts, and Connecticut, but many
were Baptsts-the President OF the Society is an ex
artist deacon-others Quakers some OF the
Church OF England a few Roman Catholics, and one
couple at least were brought up by and away FROM
the Shakers Eccentric characters abound, quite as
matter OF course. brisk STRENGTHENING old gentle
man is fanatic the subject OF tobacco The remotest
alusiOn in public meeting is sure to bring
the old man to his feet with a ready fling against the
weed Another rather curious character is man who
was imprisoned in Kentucky for Il saars, for assist
ing fugitive slave. When released by the comil;S u
the Northern Army ne naturally gravitated Florence.
where he opened bakers shop one OF the leaders of
the Society is vegetarian, who for many years has
tasted meat tea, coffee alcoholic drink of any
kind His children have been brought up III harmony
with the Of vegetaranism and IN ms house
hold is dispensed charming hospitality, which not
sprtua! is certainly not animal These and other ec-
centric characters of do not represent the aver
age member the Society WHO'S, for all the world, just
ike the average member OF any other society.
The officiating minister enters and takes his seat IN
the desk any church, and mere We note at once
peculiarly. He mag be the regular minister OF the So
ciev, a .rom any part of he country The
regular minister OF the Society. resident speaker,
he is called does speak regularly; formerly he did
not speak than One-quarer or onehal the tline
lately proportion has been Increased 10 about
three-fourhs The remaining SUNDAYS are gwen 10 any
person who has or who is supposed TO have something
70 saw which the Society may desire hear Although
the speakers are engaged by an Executive Committee
chosen annually. yet intimation from any member
that he or would Ike 70 hear certain person Is
usually sufficient the presence of that person.
provided he Is willing TO come. In connection with ths
cannot 30 than give an extract from puoshed
r4port Of the Executive Committee OF few years aSO
During the past year resilient minister has Occu-
pied the desk twenty sundays Inc S0relY has also
been favored Win the services VI ING loio"'Ns 'P
ca r Fos. J. V Bike james P Lyman L. Klbun,
Frederic Fronclm. John Svary A. Bronson colt HenY g.
night Fra1c y A1r';i I5 p RsI. W ,l1o FTe-sor
Horace >.syer. Wm. Wells Bowr yonn T. Sargent Wm a. BIZ
D. A. Wassou william Denton. 'lah P Quincy Sthe H"icy
OLYMPIA Brosu Joseph B. Marvin, JelLne A. E WIN l. JeA-
HIs, and John 3. Beach.
II Will he noticed at that there are very few Oh
scre names IN the list, while OF them BE-
long 70 the really great men and Of America.
The average speaking which regular attendants listen
is certainly far above the average OF our ordinary
churches in intellectual quality AZ least II VIII be
noted also that only portion Of the above names belong
~ ordained ministers.
RESIDENT MINISTERS, MEN AND WOMEN.
The first RESIDENT pea6,r OF the Society, Cnas c.
Burlrigh who occupied that position for many years,
was never ordained minister at all Brother Oh the
poet VIM H. Bureigh, educated for a LAWYER. man OF
remarkably logical mind, ready speaker and good
scholar forsook aw early years to join the anti
slavery movement and became one of the pioneer
leaders OF the Abotiouists coming TO Florence first to
sneak on his fayOrite subject. man OF strong SYM
paties thoroughly respected by all who know him, he
might nevertheless well head the list oil eccentric char
acters TO he here. By his sloveny inatenton to
the requirements Of civilized dress he has doubtless
done much TO inure his influence, and increase local
prejudice against the Society. He adds to this miSfor
tune another eccenr.city in the style Of his
hair which he parts IN the middle and allows 70 flow
down his shoulders in profIisiOn OF Tnslets which
many a young belle might envy. As he is tall, large
man, his appearance times IL singularly striking
When washed and dressed, 10 ~ claimed BY his friends
that ne presents remarkable resemblance 10 some Of
the old pictures Christ, and his enemies OF course,
accuse hun OF apng the resemblance. A year ago Mr..
Bureigh went West. and is preaching for an indie
pendent society ia Bloomington, H. Associated with
Mr.. Burleigh for year assistant resident speaker,
who. before ner wear was out lost her heart Ia young