The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-15
RELIGIOUS sECrs AND CUSTOMS.
Yormcnism, the oneida Communists
and Holy Rollers.
From the Chicago Times-Herald.


From the Chicago Herald.
If the history of Central New York Is
ever written fully one-half the space
ought to be devoted to a number of GU
rious sects and religious communities that
have played more or less important part
in the complex story of American life and
development. 1t is now just seventy years
since the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith,
found the golden plates of the Latter-Day
Saints in hollow of a hill in Wayne
county. With them was found the "Urim
and Thummim," the wonderful stone
spectacles, by which the prophet was en-
abled to translate. In 1880 the Book OF
Mormon was printed, and Joseph Smith
began to preach the new religion. In
little time he succeeded in gathering
large congregation and arousing the act
i've ability of his neighbors. His reputa-
ton in Palmyra, his home was none Of
the best. He was nicknamed RIP Van
Wrinkle" because his convivial habits and
general shiftlessness were not unlike the
traits of Irving's hero of the Catskills.
The persecution of his neighbors finally
forced the fanatic to abandon his home,
and with his wife, three dogs and con-
genial company of proselytes he removed
to the little village of Fayette, in Seneca
county. In his new environments great
change was wrought in the eXpounder Of
the word of Mormon. From an idle, dis
solute fellow, the butt of the villagers
jests and jokes, he became an earnest,
tireless worker in behalf of the religion
whose tenets he claimed to have discov-
cred through divine revelation His
preaching attracted the respectable farm
ers of the adjacent counties. and within
Ef,sff IA rrrae Of hn hnq nf n
large and prosperous community; and to
the credit Of the Mormons be it said that
they conducted themselves in a manner
that was beyond a hint of reproach. Po-
lygamy was not a factor at that time in
the faith, and from a moral and social
standpoint, IL was a model community.
The rise Of Mormonism was marked by
an almost inexpHcable fervor of frenzy,
which became subdued as the religion was
morenrmly established. With the final re-
moval Of the Mormons to Nauvoo, ILL.,, the
excitement died in the east.
No sooner had the Mormons left New
York state than a new religious sect
sprung into existence. This was the Onei-
da community, founded by John Hum
phrey Noyes, a scholar lawyer and theo.-
ogian. and an enthusiastic expounder of
communistic theories. The principal the
illogical doctrine of Noyes and Of the Onei-
ia communists was that the second coming
of Christ is already past having taken
place about the year 20 A. D. In connection
with the destruction Of Jerusalem by the
Romans; and from this they argued that
the primitive church Is now alive and ac-
cesslble. They looked forward to a third
coming of Christ, and expected that the
final and general judgment Of the world
would then take place. All property was
held In common, and the education and
subsistence afforded TO the members was
considered a Just equivalent for their labor.
The social organization embraced also
scheme OF 'pantagamy," or complex mar
riage. which gave such offense TO their
nelghbors that Il led TO the dissolution or
the community IN 1851 Noyes was forced
to fee 10 Canada. and, with the abandon
ment OF the obnoxious social features the
society on Oneida creek, IN Madison coun-
tv,doteriorated into state o. desuetude. on
Jan. I. 1881. the property Of the community
was divided. and the members were incor-
porated under the laws OF New York state
as a Joint stock company, IN
which capacity they have since
carried on tho business OF the
Ola community u a. no longer a pure
ly religious body, amd the Social relations
az the sexes are such that even Anthony
Cometocls has expressed bis approval
A now religious scct known ms the Holy
poucra has taken root on the shores OF
Cnrnndnirua lake, ana the story OF the
rise OF this now religion ia strangely out
OF place IN this end OF the nineteenth cen-
turv. Hell is the chief tenant Of the Holy
Rollers helicf-a hell OF sputtoring brim-
stone and flames that etcrnaly torture.
bat never consume the bodies of tho
damned. To this he'll IL destined overs
one who does not accept the faith. Their
creed cmbodloa doctrines which were con-
Fnieuoua nfy years ago M O. creed
that converts hy fears and the writer has
sgen a number " young women in various