Smyrna times., 1910-02-09
MONARCH OF A
RELIGIOUS SECT
New Community to be Started
Near Scranton, Pa.
PITTSBURC MAN THE HEAD

He VIII Have Power to Make and
Alter Rules When He Deems 1t Ne
eessary-AII Must Work For Conn.,
mon Interest.
Scranton, Pa, Feb. Z. - William
Schlingmann, of Pittsburg, will estab
lish a new religious community on
the Knight farm, in North Arlington,
near this city.
The tract, comprising 800 acres, has
been bought by Schlingmann for $11,-
200, and when the present lease ex-
pires on April 1 a group of free reli-
gionists who are associated with him
will take possession.
What Schlingmann describes as the
new commandment, Love ye one an
other" will form the base of all the
laws of the community, and the mem
bers will live as nearly as possible in
imitation of Christ. There is to be
nothing freakish in the community
life, however. No free love, no bare
foot dancing or walking and no hys-
terical religious ceremonies. The dwell
ers will till the soil, build houses,
manufacture their necessities and edu-
cate themselves and their children,
says Schlingmann, out of a common
fund to be created out of their earn
ings.
Schlingmann himself will be the
ruler of the settlement. AS high
trustee he shall have the power to
prescribe the rules for the government
of the community, to amend, alter or
repeal the same and to make what
ever additional laws he deems neces-
sary.
Despite this czar-like authority
Schlingmann declares that in estab-
fishing the settlement he is perform
ing duty to God. He quotes passages
from the Bible to prove that the mode
of living to be followed in the Provi-
dence community will be in accordance
with divine teachings
81 do not have to do this" he ex-
planned. 81 have enough of this world s
goods. and the establishing of the
community is a religious duty with
me. / am a Baptist, but l am not a
believer in denominational religion"
He stated that he accumulated his
money in the building contracting
business in Pittsburg. He is a small
wiry man, sixty-six years old, and the
father of large family.
by the favor of divine providence
ne explained, "the community will
flourish and expand 1t is to be found
ed upon the rock of Christian fellow
ship for the purpose of furnishing It's
members and their families with the
necessary lodging, food and raiment
required in living a plain life, and g
home in health and sickness.
after the decease of a member
these benefits will be continued to
ward his or her surviving family il
return for the labor to be rendered t.
the community by every male and fe
male member and their children Will,
physically able.
'Tne community will operate a gen
eral store and when a member need
clothing he will be given an order b,
the trustee for what he requires. |
will be the same with food and med
[AAE- uC NtA'lulNllNg VIII nave It's OMl
physician and dispensary and every
thing necessary for bodily welfare an
comfort will be provided. thus elm
mating the necessity for a weekly o
monthly wage.
"DrOnes will not be tolerated, ever
body being compelled to do his or he
share of the community work. Peopl
with checkered careers will find she
ter and comfort at the community. b,
cause the purpose of the founders wi
be TO make everybody who come
within their circles happy and col
tented"
There is to be a single house {
worship in the settlement. but the Sc
vices will be undenominational An
member who desires to come to Scral
ton or any nearby village to atten
services at a particular church may d
So. The liberties of the dwellers al
i" m sense restricted.
SchlingTnann admits that he has a
Focates in the project. but he refus,
to tell who they are. Although S2E
will be charged for each membersh
in the community. the receipts will n
go to any one person or group of DC
sons, he says. They will be turned
TO the common fund.