Early in his life he was an ardent participant in the Saint-Simonian movement, a group of utopian socialists who believed in world peace fostered by greater communication and trade, and who preached the coming of a female messiah. Naturally, they believed in rights for women that were far ahead of their time. They also believed that music held a central place in promoting harmony, understanding and peace, and musicians were much honored by them. One of their projects was to promote building a canal at the isthmus of Suez because they felt that the increased trade would produce mutual understanding. Again, they were decades ahead of their time. David wrote hymns for the group and choral pieces, until the Saint-Simonian movement was eventually banned by the French government which did not like their socialist tendencies.