The New York herald., 1879-02-15
Episcopal and Presbyterian Bishops and
Priests in War Paint.
A RELIGIOUS CRUSADE.
No Quarter To Be Shown the Fol-
lowers of Noyes.
THEORIES OF MARRIAGE.
"a System of Organized Fanati-
cism and Lust"
[pY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEnA1p.1

by TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.1
SYRACUSE, Feb. IA, 1878.
movement was organized in this city to-day
which for its object the eradication of the Oneida
Community The head and front Of the crusade is DR..
j. W. Mears, Of Hamilton College The first steps were
taken at meeting held at the Syracuse University
this afternoon In response to CALL in which refer
ence is made to the great wrong done society by
the institution known the Oneida Community.
from it's deadly opposition to the principles of
morality. about fifteen ministers of the Gospel re-
sponded to the invitation. Among these were Bishop
Huntington of the Episcopal diocese of Central New
York; Bishop Peck of the Methodist Church; Chan
cellor Haven, of the University; DR.. Mears.
of Hamilton Colleges Rev. James Porter,
of Brooklyn, Congregatonalist. Rev. Ovid Miner and
nearly all the local clergymen Of the various denom-
nations. The movement has been developing for
long time. Dr. Mears started before the Utica Pres
bytery year ago. and was appointed chairman Of o
committee to collect information to the practices
Of the Community.
CHURCH DENUNCIATIONs.
At simultaneous meetings Of the General Asso
citation Of the Congregational Church and q Synod
Of the Presbyterian Church, held at Oswego
last October, resolutions denouncing the Com
munity were passed. The Presbyterians called
1t "pernicous institution. which rests substan-
TALLY on system Of organized fanaticism and
lust" Bishop Huntington. in his last Len
ten pastoral letter. condemned the Com
munity in good round terms. Outside
of this the movement has slumbered until to-day
when it assumed something like formidable aspect
Each person who entered the University to day
handed copy Of the american Socialist, the Commu-
nifty organ, which bristed with editorial and other
articles of nature calculated to create favorable
sentiment. small boy stood at the door to make
the distribution. Its editor, William A. Kinds,
also present. notebook in hand. The assembled
divines read the Socialist until Chancellor Haven
called the Conference to order. On his motion
Bishop Huntington chosen chairman. Bishop
Peck offered prayer appropriate to the occasion. Dr.
Mears asked to read the CALL with which request
he complied. closing with a statement that it
not expected desired that others than those who
had been invited by letter should be present This
was directed at the reporters, who were there in
large force. all the New York papers being repre-
sented. The gentlemen Of the press retired in good
order. After the doors closed and guard
placed thereat the meeting proceeded to business.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL.
Exclusive as were the council they failed to rid
the meeting Of the presence of member of the
Oneida Community who was there in the guise Of o
delegate. Editor Kinds left the room with the ro-
portcrs. The interlcper not discovered.
although the precaution was taken to call for the
name residence and faith of every person
present After the call Of the roll the chair
called Professor Mears to state what facts in
his possession in regard to the Community. Pro-
lessor Mears alluded to the first action taken
time ago by the Synod Of which he O member
with respect to this local evil and to the resolutions
that passed at later date by the State Baptist
Association. in harmony with the action of the Synod
Professor Mears then gave brief sketch Of tho rise
and progress of the institution. The movement was
headed by Noyes. graduate of a college.
EVERY A HUSBAND TO FRIENDS WIPE.
He based his theory ON the second chapter of Acts,
where it is stated that the early Christians had
property in common; but Noyes diverged from the
Scriptural view by holding community Of persons
ss we'll as of good. Noyes in college, was a bright
student and promised to be useful man. His COM
munstic movement started at Poultney. VT, in
lS47 The people rose against it and Noyes was
obliged to fee. He came to this section about
thirty years ago. 1 may say that these people
good citizens, orderly and cleanly in the manner
In which they conduct their homes. similar COM
munity started at Wallngford, Conn.,, but il
tailed. 1t did not contain the elements of success
that the Oneida Community does. In the Oneida
Community men and women live together in a sort
Of concupiscence. No woman has a husband of her
OWE. and no man has wife of his They de-
"they neither marry given in marriage"
They not allowed the right of choice. II they
violate this rule and show any particular attachment
for one another they are criticised for doing.
Noycs has great influence among them. Their insti-
tuition is the outgrowth of vile passion. person
going through this community nothing there to
offend. All is secret Our students who visit the
place say that the men look passaby
well. but that the women havc a de-
jected look, and how such women can
be the mothers of excellent stock of men is ono of
the problems which the 1t udents discuss. Three or
four years ago n similar community was started in
the Northeastern part of this State The Oneida
Community has its location in the very centre of
The State. dill not know but that we were TO have
The State clothed with these communities That
northern Community, however, has been sold ont
whatever be done ought to be done in New York
ss II was in Vermont for the sake of the morals Of
the State.
QUERIES ANSWERS.
Chancellor Haven asked whether the women ever
leave their precinct? The answer was mot much
at ALL" Dr. Fowler asked whether Professor Mears
thought the leaders in the Community sincere
In comparison with the Mormon lcadersf lie replied.
"T presume they Noycs says the Community
would be failure without the present method Of
social intercourse"
DR.. FowLEn--1s IL dying out2
Professor MEAns-It shows signs OF It. Pro-
fessor Mears added that they are educating their
young men so as to perpetuate their institution.
One or more have been at Yale College The total
value Of their property is about s50O0OO s6Oo0Oo
according to their estimate.
Bishop Huntington said 'this Is not IN isolated
community. 1t should be shown in the light. There
Is an impure emanation from IT, Young people go
shcre and return with these impure thoughts and
associations IN their minds"
FouL BLOT
At this point Dr. Porter, of Hamilton. read letter
from Congressman Baker In which the writer states
that IL is disgrace to the United States that Nor.
mon delegate should be admitted to Congress from
Utah. and that IL is disgrace TO New York that such
community this is allowed TO exist in the state.
The speaker held that this system is q foul blot ON
civilization.
Bishop Peck indorscd the view given that tho
sxigcncies of this particular time demand that we