Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-08-05
AN AGNOs1Ic CHURCH. /"
A Glance at the Free Thinkers Colony in
Northern Aroostook.


The cooperative free thinkers col
ony in upper Aroostook Il coming on
finely, SO Mr.. Arthur Hilton. of the Fort
Fairfield agnostie church" asserts. Mr..
Hilton is secretary of the local Free
Thinkers Association, the only society OF
the sort in Maine, and is at the mead OF
the unique movement that is just now at
tracing so much attention in TINS Sec
ton.
Not long ago he conceived this develop
ment OF the BeIlamy idea and securing
the addresses OF prominent free thinkers
In various sections of the United States.
he entered into extended correspondence.
The replies have been SO many and en-
couraging that now all that remains to
set the unique scheme of is 10 perfect an
organization and call in the volunteers.
The subscribers to the scheme are located
In Massachusetts, Montana, Tennessee
aud other states, and all write enthusi-
asilcaiiy. Many are persons of means,
and. 10 judge from the letters, all are OF
unusual intelligence. In all there are
about % who have been picked from the
many applicants. I hese have been Sc
lccted with great care, for the success
of the colony. of course. depends upon
the men who start it,.
II have chosen only those whom
think Will be industrious and thorough
ly conSenial,' says Mr.. Hilton. "A few
drones or a crank would tangle matters
fearfully."
The next step will be to purchase a
township in some fertile section of mort h
ern Aroostook. There are many desirable
locations available. and of these one will
be selected that offers good agricultural
and water power facilities. The idea is
to make the settlement entirely coopera-
tive so far as labor and finance are con-
cerned. Though the project is wholly un-
der the auspices of the free thinkers Mr.
Hilton says that 1t is not absolutely es-
sentiai that every man shall be of that
shade Of belief. But it is wisely consid-
cred that people of that Stripe will CO.
operate more tremendously, and for that
reason orthodoxy in any form will not be
welcomed.
This movement is considered to be the
most novel project that has developed ir
Maine community since the Jonesport
pilgrims went to Palestine.
The Fort Fairfield agnostic church is
responsible for this new scheme and th..
church, by the way, had a very inter-
eSting origin.
Not long ago a handsome building was
erected In Fort Fairfield as a Salvation
Army barracks 1t has a stecple Il neat
facade and in the rear of the auditorium
are rooms for family. But the devoted
ana energetic captain who erected the
barracks fell sick and was recalled from
the field Before he left. he secured $500
OF ex-seiectman Richard Baker with
winch To pay off the debt on the building
ana purchase tickets to New York
III lay the matter before Gen Booth
on my arrival in the city" said the cap
tain. and he'll certainly redeem the
mortgage. for the building is worth more
than $210.''
But the captain became very i'll on the
voyage to New York. When he arrived
there he Was carried in an insensible con-
dition to the hospital and died there n
Few days later. He had no opportunity
OF informing the general of the Fort Fair
heid situation. and so the building came
INTO Mr.. Bakers hands through a fore
closure. Now Mr.. Baker has been for
years openly and professedly an agnostic.
ana so quite naturally he couldn't con.
tinue the work of the Salvation army.
As the building was SO temptingly
suited for public assemblies Mr.. Baker
forthwith started movement that came
near CONFUSING Fort Fairfield society.
ne rededicated the barracks as 'I.iberty
hai organized a congenial band. ana
thus the only free thinkers CHURCH in
Maine came into being
me village churches shiyered and
irowned, and a chill little breeze of or
thodox opposition set To blowing. Bur
me zeal of the new society was only
TANNED thereby, and now the free think |
crs nave an active membership of so |
some or the most prominent and wealthy
business men in the place are in the So |
ciety. ~ |
Each applicant is required to sign This |
arilcie OF faith. and this only: II be- |
iieve the moral law is the highest law IF |
the universe" -" Va
These are the officers: President Rich |
=, nv =. baker agnostie, vice president. |
george n. Baxter. liberal free thinLar.
secretary. Arthur Hilton. agnostic: treas.
arer. Frank Grant. spiritualist.
weekly meetings or forums are ba,d
ana there is always a large atten,,,nns
FIRST a chapter from some ieadine rraa
thinker Is read. an address, prepared NV
some member, follows, and a general ana
',Neiy discussion winds up the symnnsi-
The freest discussion is Welcomes, ,na
very man may take any stand on anv
~ anu pc sure Of a respectable hear
- s. Inurchmen. even, are heartily VOL
.' "ns 10 come and confound the Little
-. pahy II they can. Anarchist. social
ana =. any other list is patiently lis
ehea 10. All the members are deem road
rs IN order that they may be readv e.
u. NJ ever recurring wordy wranel.s
ne nrst structure that will he ereotaa
y u. the cooperative community will he
'tperty nan. Mr.. Hilton saws maj
sn nsn me community is completely or.
oh.o ior the start there will he abou,
'wIhen IN the project
IN mrs. community house will accom-
''utte the settlers. but as the scheme
.sseoPs each brand of belief ind,laj 80 |
ials' or what-not, will have snac,oI
ulIters. The benefits of this arrana"
nent are apparent. Suggestions with IL
se,co.ned from all, but the viii ~ 80.
-, IS to rule. The exact name ~ .
=. ~ ne community has not vet been .ls.G
49,. ~, settled upon. but the For, Fair,ai,l
araih iavors "Free-Topia ..-Bostan