Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-16

found by the Harmonists in everything
but clothes. The society's wagons go
through the streets every morning gratu-
itously supplying each household with
meat, bread, milk, vegetables and groceries
of the best quality.
The government of this little kingdom is
strictly patriarchal. Elder Henrici, its abb
solute ruler, is kind father to all. Save
in the matter of celibacy, every inhabitant
of Economy must strictly conform to all the
rules of the society. All are required to at
tend church twice each Sabbath. Anyone
found out of bed after 9 o'clock on any
night of the week is Immediately banished
from the town, and all must rise at that
poetic and lyric hour, "5 o'clock in the
morning" Beside three of the squarest
possible meals daily, free lunch is served
to the whole community at 9 A. M. and P.
M, when a pint of wine is meted out to
every man, woman and child.
Though the Harmonists have come to toll
crate married people, they are bitterly op-
posed to having any courting done upon
their land. They require all the fathers
and mothers in their employ to keep strict
watch and ward over their sons and
daughters that the sexes may be kept as far
apart as possible. A young man and woman
seen out walking together, or jointly en-
gagged in any harmless pastime, would be
Immediately required to leave Economy.
NO CoURTING ALLOWED.
To render it impossible for young men
and women to walk together in the evening
without observation, Elder Henrici placed, a
lantern in every family and issued decree
that any female having occasion to 60 upon
the street after dark should light and carry
it with her. The introduction of natural
gas has now rendered this unnecessary, as it
burns in great jets at every corner, and trans
forms night into day.
Many methods are employed to keep the
young folks out of mischief All not other
wise employed are required to avail them
selves of the gratuitous education furnished
in German and English by competent teach
ers maintained by the society in its new and
thoroughly modern schoolhouse. The young
workmen who compose the military band,
are taught twice week by bandmaster
from Pittsburg. Father Henrici, who is an
accomplished musician. teaches singing
class of so young pupils every evening. On
certain days of each week all the women
and girls assemble at an immense steam
laundry and do the washing for the whole
community.
Music formed the principal part of this
mornings church service. The military
band occupied gallery specially construct
ed for it at the west end of the church and
rendered large number of classical selec-
tions Of sacred character, assisted by two or
gans played by Mr.. Henrici and Miss Ger
trude Rapp, the granddaughter of the foun-
der of the community, and still a member
of it at the advanced age Of SO years. In
discourse which drew tears from all present,
Father Henrici reviewed the "a years of the
society's existence, and reiterated the firm
belief, which is one of the fundamental doc
trines of the Harmonists, that Christ's sec
ond coming will take place before the last
member of their society shall have passed
away. He further stated that when that
glorious event occurs all the Harmonists'
vast possessions will be laid at the feet of
the Master to be disposed Of as He shall
deem best.
A ROYAL BANQUET.
AT the termination of the religious serv-
ices all present repaired to the great ban
quoting hall, again marching in most
quaint procession through the quiet streets
to the music of the band. The viands under
which the festive board groaned to-day
made up in substantially and abundance
what they lacked in variety and delicacy.
Rice soup, made from German formula
which these good people brought with them
from Wurtemberg in 1905; sauerkraut.
''schnitz," or stewed dried apples, which
they regard as the choicest of delicacies,
as being preferable to any canned or pre-
served fruit; roast beef, lamb, mutton and
veal, cheese and small ginger cakes, made
up the bill of fare, which was washed down
by copious draughts of rare old wine, much
of the latter being of the vintage of 1S47-
the year in which Founder George Rapp
died.
After the banquet came another procession
and another church service, and after that
again another banquet. Thus was cele-
brated the eighty-fourth anniversary of the
founding of the Harmony Society.
1t is worthy of note that this most singu-
lar people firmly believe that at His second
coming Christ will establish upon Mount
Sinai, in Palestine, visible, personal
kingdom, and that from His throne upon
that great mountain He will judge and rule
the world. They keep complete supply of
every requisite for the transportation of
their community to the Holy Land when
Christ shall come again.