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~ 78 ~ TH E PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN.
I 0111' second general object is to " Wilhs tlll1ll ....
, th e vices, allol reform the disorders ofthe prelf" .'
e nt soe lnl stat e." \ Ve feel thut lew us wo are
insuluted, dep end ent for bread, hemmed in by
lIIighty influ ences of both Church lind State;
necess itat ed to s trug gle under di sud vnntageous
eco nomies, hound hnnd nud fbor in the
trnm e work o r socie ty , fett ered hy its corrupt
c us to ms, met e ve ry wh ere hy . its nmxims, and
o hlige ol to ed uca te our ch ildren ill th e midst of
irs ev il exruuples- e- it is next to impossible for
us u- iumpluuuly to uccoruplish this ohj ect. '
Ve en u do something, we ca n do mitch, e ve n
us we IIOW lire ; hilt we bel iev e we could effect
a' vnst deul mor e in Fruternul COlll ln u nities . A
living exumple of re! orlu-:- ull c ity se t on n
hill "- is IIOW demanded, to convince th e uubelievi
ug world that it is best lind sa fest to do
ri ght. ' Vhat is th e universal sk epticism which
e ve ry wher e rep els pnre religiou, morality 1II111
ph ilunthropy? unbeli ef in th e real , exce llency
o r ri ght e on ~ ness , lind in its inher ent tendency
10 promote th e good of man in time liS wnll 1I:' f
fl e1' 1lit, lJ" The Inn guage from llloSt 1lI0lllbs is
o::: r-" O yes,\' e ry fille- very goud- graud principles-
if th ey eOli ld ollly be praeticed; bnt
lh ey arn impracticable in th e pr es ellt sta te of
th e wodd j 110 lIIall ean ca r l'y th elll OU1, mill
liv e II1110ng lIIen. Christialls have to rnallllge
IIlIIlters jll st lil< e all th e rest ul Ihe
world . 1'(, rhapR the day w ill nrive when
th cse thing s ('. all' he praeticed, hnt we fear it is
afiu' ol!: " It is quite unavailing to meet Ihis
ske p tie islll witlUllel'l; words ; we mu st meet
lIud cou fillllld it with delllollsirutioll. Allo to
eflee t delll oll stratioll , we lIIilSt get nnt nf 0111'
prcsellt pAsitioll illll' th e tru e 011 1'. ' Ve canllflt
run wilh so 1IIIIIIy clogs upollollr allkl es. ' Ve ,
ur e hidd ell to mllke hriek Wit~ lOlIt stmw. So ·
ei ety 1Jl lari( e will 1I0t move wilh U~; it only
opposes alld hinders us; J et , . if we Cllnllol cllrry
nut on r g lo rinus prin':, iples, s in;: l e hllnde( l
under 1111 o ur disUlh'alllllges, : lIl1ll1gnill st tllU'
Whol e combilled IIlass th at e ithe r oppose 01'
dOllht, it seelllS to he tak ell for grullted that
th ose pri ; iciples lire illlpracli cahle. " Give / Ile
a fl ~ It'rullll or IllY lever," said Arl'llilllides, ' 111111
I will lIlo ~ e the world ." Give us II filil'
e llll1lee, we SllV, : lIl1f we wilt reli'rlll the wholll
s()~~ d Sla le. 1\ t leas t we willtl'Y.
0 11 1' th ird ge ne ra l ohj eet is , " to secure to 0111"
pos tcrity Ihe I> l essill :.( s ' of " llIo re s llluta ry phys.
ielll, inte llec tlla l 1I11d IIIora I education." At
pr esent th e pl ' ysi clll ecluea lion of ehihlren, Itt
lelL' t 1I111 0n ,~ liS conllllon I.... eopll', is lefi almost
Wholly 10 e ha nce. \ V lYcallllot ~ ay IIIl1ch 11101' 0'
of tl le ir moral eclllclItio ll . IlI tellecllIlIl cd llcation
- llIls reeeiv ed ' lhe prill eipal 1It1 ~: nlion , hotb
of legisl nlOl's and parelJls. Bllt thi s is irregll111
1', d efi, clive , lIl1d iu ge ne ra l ve l'.\' fitr / i'oln IICcQ.
lllplis l! illg ils I'roft s , ed . ellds. We , want SO llt~
tl, ill;.( l', eti'er,~ sornetl'ii iJg-\~ ery . l ll1C'i'e nt in ils
del ail s, ( lI'O,: esses, '" 111 res II Its. \ V e W: llittO'
se e 011 1' e ui ld ren's hod ies st l'lJng 111111 henhhy.
Iheir 1IIIIIIIs Ilexi erolls in Ih e desplltch of hlls i ·
lIe" S, thdl' Illinds well sllln, d wi th IIseful
Iw owledge th eir heRrts fiBed with divine prilie
ip leH, 1II111' their 1II0ml e ha rllcte rs IInhlemish ed .
Henlth , Iw owledge and goodll ess a re lIecessal'Y
to th e 1' 1111 idell we elllertaill ofa well ed llca ted
yOllth. There II1I1St he a helt p. l · WilY 10 e,) I1 cute
youth, th all the prevailing ,- IIII1! ill OUl"
COllllllunioll we slmll. be abl e hoth \ 0 fillli llllli
pllrsue it. Our tortl~ geueral ohj, eet is, " to es tahlish
II lUore alll'l1cll\' e, ec ono ll llea l, and pro dll
ctive systell1 of illdustry." By good COlll"
plin y, pl ensalll w ell- eolllr ~\' e, l. workshops.
fiel, ls nlld ga rde ns, COII\' l'llIent IIl1plc" lenlS,
e n li" hwned IIIcth od s of ti'pe ra tio ll, a proper
I list~ i h llli4) l 1 of lilli e IJetweell , IKlere llt ocell( lll'
tioll s, IIl1d 1\ e hoice of purSllits, it" will he UI>
d iftieult ach iev eill ent to rendel' illfillstry lit ollce
hOllornh! e nlltl lI:! reellul e. If honornhlll alld
agreenhl e, it wilYhe allraetive. I t is now too '
o fte n repul si\'(~ alld tediolls. Ther e is little to
render it othe rwise. ' By lIvniling o u rse h'cs uf
lite se n' ices of trIOse It, u on g U$ \": 10 are best
info:' llIed nlf( I mo st sl, ilfnl' in pl anlling ami 111' rlll",
iu " bu siu ess, by the hell' of ill/ illY Illhor
sn v ~ l g" II I: icltiu es, aurl hy ", ellns of a hundred
oll ll'r advanla" es nnattaiuahle ex ce pt illsuclt II
cOlllhina tiou, " we cnllllOt fHil to render 0111' in,
Iu strv hi gltly eco nolllir a l lIud productive. We
; hll il he IIble to pl'udnce a grea t tll'/ Il more
tltnl i we now 110 , witlt mu ch ' less of wcaring
e ffec t to th e hody or li iiud, lind consl'quently
s lta ll re win Illore power to promote the goOl!
of IIl! 1uldnd lit hll'ge.
O ur fifJh ge ne ra l object is , " 10 fiteilit ate the
hOlll st acquisition of intli" idnlll property fOI"
lallllahi ll purpose~," In ' tlois \ Vo differ from
tlte S ltnke rs, and from nil those Socinlists s()
cn lll'll, who IIlnl; e the illdtvidnal tlepelHlent Oil
Ih,) mass oftheir. assol'inles ( o r too One il, pel' lillI'S.
o n th e will 01 lhefew who govern that
mnss) for th eir: foo, l, clothing, IIn, 1 other perso
na l c o n ve n ie nc ie~. ' Vo unite 0111' property
for certain " 1' I" at purposes, hUI hold it illllividually
in ue; oliahle shureI'. ' fhe whole of this
Joint S lo,: k Propert)' is pledg ed, first, for the
l'omforlahle Ill/ linteuunce ofllll our Inembers.
aud of tlH: ir widows and orphans so long ns
Ihey COlifo rm to our gen eml rilles IInri r « : gula o.'
tions; seeOllll il', for tire thorough ed ucllllo n of
alllllll' e ltild re li a nti yOllth ; thirdly, 101' the re-lief
IIntl proper uursing ofull ouy s iek ; l, olll'tl\ -
Iy . / ill' th e susta ining of nllnel~ essnry hterary
lu: d rel F'ious privileges IImong us ; , fili ltly , fOl'
th e prol~ llll gnti ou of ollr princi'pl es IIhroad ns
m" y he judged OUI' dllty j sixthly, lire payment
orthe pllh lw tax es nssl'sserlu[ lon us; alld, finnl-.
lv, for tlefrnving all illl: id l'ntlli expell ses, which
, illly he nec essary to !, eep ourl: lIuJsnlul huild-
PREAM UI, F..
Five gen eral ohjec ts a re here pr esented, as
til e leadillg 1II0ti ves whi eh prom1' 1 LIS to unit e
in th e lo rlll lltiuu of th e F l'Ilte rlla l COlll n, u nion .
First, we se ck ': m or e eflh'lUa lly 10 illu strate
th e virtu es, nnd pronlol e th e e llds or pnre reli gion,
nlOml ily, lind pl, il ulllh ropy." Pllre reli ·
gion requires perfect love 10 ~ o d - t he sOIl I's
ulldivided lIllec tiu il lor tile Right, tile True,
: lIld tJ} e Good,- n I: olllplet e IIbsorption of th e
human into th e div ille will. Pure 1II0mlil\' requires
an e ll lig h ltJI lI~ d reg nrtl to th e ri gh t~ lind
th e happiness of fellow heill gs ; n pr uloulld,
deep se ated , ilt. 1lllutahlc prillciple ot hell evo ·
len ce, truth lind justi ce in the lwurt; all tl urI
. un conqnerahle detennination to do ri ght hy
olhers, wh ether lhey do right 01' wrong. I'nre
philalllhropy requires UIUII to ue th e friend and
hrother oflllan, in a ll th e g rea t illterest s uf the
ra ce for t illl e a lld e te rnity ,- to he a devoted
lover, symp" th ize r, helper lind hen efilCtor of
hlllllallity, in all ils hl'Ullch es, in all its 101' Wiles,
a nd in ull its des tilri es- witl'out rest ric tionto
an y geographical, 1I1l1ional, com plex io na
l, political, pnrtizlIn, o r sectllriull lilies. SlI ch
a reli gion, murlliity, IIn, 1 philalllhrop y are jimdamental
in th e LA w, th e PROPHETS, nnd Ih e
GOSPEL. ' 1' 0 illu strllte rilOre efle clUa llv Il, eir
suhlim e virtu es is o ur hlllllble aim. \ Ve see
men reli gious "": reli gi on s" enough in SOllie respecls
; uut how few ex emp lily II pure alld UIldtjiled
reli gi oll ? H ow, lew lov e God li, r hi s
OWII illlrinsic perlection'< I sake! 1I0w few
se r ve hilll alii! c leu ve 10 hilll liS th e suprelll e
a nd o n ly Good? H ow few ulldouhtin gly trn st
in Ih e lIIaj esty of his rig hteo lls nlJss, rev eal " d
' hy. J eBUs , Vii r. j.. lr""" tl ....- ottly · certaiuel'rot" " tiiill
nl! ain st a ll dlln ger? Clln it nOI- he otherwise ?
' Ve IIII1 St : ul vlln ce. " Ve mu st allempt sOllle thing
nobler than ordinary relig ious attainments.
\ V e see men lIIornl, in sOllie thillgs 1I0tahly
~ n o rn l ; hut how lew ure th er e whose 1IlOmlity
' r ests o n the roek or principle? How is 1110rality
' ci, ' cunlscrihcd,/ diluted , und aeCOlllmo ·
d nted to temporary eon ve ll ienelJ? How lik e
th e ~ h a ll\ e l io n is it IIltHle to' c hange its hu es
wi th e \' e ry e ha nge o r pla clJa nd c irums l llnce ?
Where ar e th ose wh o nr c inll exih ly dct ermilled
to treat th eil' fellow crelltnres justly, Ilindly,
and mer eifitlh', wh eth el' so tr eat ed in retul'l1 01'
not? And w- Imt / I low · hom moralitv is tlillt
whieh j s e ve i' sllyi ng- o:: T" I will l ov~ you, if
you will lo ve n, e- I will he YOlu' fr iend, if you
will be 1Iline -': 1 will be just to yon, if )' on will
he just to me- I will he killd to you, if yOIl
will be Idnd 10 me; hill if you hate n, e, I will
hate yon- if you injure IlIe, I will iujlll'e )' OU
- if yoo lire my e ne lllY I will be yon rs- if
you revil e me, t will revile you- if' yo u lire
se lfish, cl'III'lund unprill cipled, [ will tak e care
to rl'scmhle you! A neryet how lIl: my, e ve n
' of Ihe pr ofesseilly good, ~ cn rce ly nspire nli er. 1I
/ lIo rllli ty mor e divino tl, nu tl, i s ? Cu nno t
things he' othe rwise ? S IIllII we resl contenteeJ
with ' this worldly and ca rn a l / llo ralit)~? No;
" Ve mll st advan ce.
Anf! philanthropy, what shall w- e say ofit. s
fru ilS, liS secn in th e li\' es of mult itudes who
c lnim to he th e lo vers IIl1d fri ends of th eir
kind ? ' H ow Illuny of lh e reputed amiuhle ulHI
sylllpath eti c hnv e no teal ' S to s he d ~ a " e li) r th e
nnfortunale of th eit ' o wn fUllJilv, th ei r own
ei rde in soc iety, th eir own party: their own re ·
ligious sect, 01' the ir own eOillplexion? ' T o
th em how do all othe rs seem ns lJIer e anilTJul ~,
ve!! e tabl es, nay StOlW8, that llIay he bruised,
beaten , mill g ro nnd 10 po\ yd er wi thout a sen ·
sation of pain? Bow lew / ll'e the.'!, whose lov e
, is ex pa ns ive enoug h to e Jl. l hoso lll all whoJl. l
God hath ' mad e of th e some hlood ; whose
heaven - h orn 8y rnpath ies prompt th em ge ne rous
ly to weep wilh hllmimity wh ere\' er it
weep s. a nd to rej oice with it wh erev er it re joiees
? vVe nspil'll 10 th e illn stration of s llc h
a philanthropy. " Ve press forward tl1 its atta
inment, lenning on th e ui'lIJ of God's an ·
nointed Son, who lived Illd , li ed lor all.
H er e th en is th e foundation of our sllper ·
8tl'lletll re- o:: T" pure reli gion, morality, philall'
throp y. T o tl, i s lir st grand ol lject we hold
all th e rest. s nho n lina te and s u " se r v il' n t ~ , ' I: his'
is pn: mury; 1he other s am hUI secondary. ' fhe
kiugd om of God and hi s righ teousH ess tak e
pr ecedeuee of nil o the r ai ms and int er ests. L
etnot the IInc irenmc: ised ~ o u l, thut di sr eg arrl s
this fo undation, II/ in!, to feel at ht/' llle with us
in rearin g np o nr socia l fi, hric.
OF
he able r esp ectiug a locntlon fOI' this COIlUlIII- I th em, for th ey know 1I0t what th ey do !" This
niry ; respecting the form nnd cons rruc tlou of ex pos itio n is addressed to th e humble, th e can huildin
gs; respecting th c iurerual economy of did , th e honest hearted, whose bosoms throb
soc ia l communities, hospirul s, und large houtrl- . with uu uu ernhl e yeumiugs for a purer, holi er,
ing establ islun ents ; re sp ecting ngriculture, happien s tnte of'hu rnn n so ciety. To all s uc h
muuufactures und educutiou; and respecting we meekly commend o u r new plan ofa PI'UC -
any other matt ers lik ely to promot e th e pros - tical Christian Communion, with these uec orn-perlty
of our enterp rise , , ~ -~ panying e x plunuilo ns. ' Ve do not ask th em
7. To pu rchase s uc h hook s alill tr eatises to erubmce auy thing ou our U' PJ'P, reCOII ' tJIIHl'
( no t exceed ing th e co st often dollars) on ag- dutinu , but to rnrul , pond er, und jlldge 101'
ricultu re , manufhctu re s, ed uc a tion a url oth er them selves, If th ey CUll cousci enrlon sly up-snbjecrs,
ns th ey deem pnrtieuturly n ecessa ry. prove, we sh all rejoice ; if th ey dissent and co n -
8. To calla meeting of th e Commuuity'and demn, we can patiently heal' it. No on e will
report their doings as soon as c irc u ms tuuce s be unreasonabl e eno ug h to ex pect us, in so
will in th eir o pin io n wnrrnnt. small a space us th e on e here occ upied, to
VOled , That th e following nnmed members, meet nll th e qu esriou s lind o bjec tions whieh
do co ns t itu te sa id Conunltt ee, viz.- Adin Bill: IUlly arise in different minds co uceru ing OUI'
lou , Narh uu Harris, \ V III , II. Fi sh, Henry enterprise. ' Ve cunnot now 110 mo re rhnn
Lilley, David R. Lamson , Daniel S . WhilJley, pr esent a tol erable ex pos it io n of' th e outlin es
and Geo, \ V. Stacy. ' nnd pr ominent points . ' Vilh thi s it is hOI,,',, 1
Vot ed, That th e sum of on e hundred dol- th efiiendly lind well diBl'lIsed will he sa rls fi-lar
s htl appropriated to th e u se of th e Provis- I'd. Hereaft er th e mor e mluure detnil s will he
ionul Commiuee for the purposes of th eirap- duly ex plaine d 111111 illu s trated, us oc cusio u muy
poin tm ellt. . - requ ire, We pr oc eed the n 10 th e
VOled, Tll3t the Joint SlOek S nhsci'ijiiio u
T erllls of this COlllmu nity shnll ue in th ejol'lll
following, to witt.
SUBSCRII'TIO:,/
TO TilE
JOINT STOCK PROI'RIETORS Il Il'
REGI ~' r ER.
Nan; es.
Plnce ol" Nati\' it v.
Birth. •
Admission .
Culling:
}' IRST lIIEE'rI NG.
' At a regnlar meet ing of the memherl\ of
l~ rutel" llal COllJmnnitv No. 1. holden in Men don,
MIISS., Jun. 28, i84I ; David R. Lamson
acting as Presid ent, and Adin Bailon as S ecr etary,
the following vot es , were passed unll ni-mously.
'
Voted,- ThRt th e choice of onr' regnl! ll' o fficial
servllnts be deferre,! for the pres eIII; and
that a P rov isional C ommittee ofse ven memllers
be chosen, with the following spe cia l i n~ t l'llc-tlOns
ami pow e rs, viz. : • -
1. To procure s uil.: lb le Recor, 1 lind Account
Books', or so many as may for th e pres ·
ent be found necessary , and canse the Con-stitution
to be properly ins cribed. .
2. To rec eiv e subseriptions to the ConstitutiOIl,
and to the J oillt Stocll.
3. To rece ive a nd account for auy money s
which may Ill' pRid into th e Trea!, ury.
4 . T o prep ar e a , suita b le exposition of the
ConstitlltilJl.). '
5. T o c a n~ e 500 copies of the Con stitution
and Expositi on to be primed in th e P rocti cal
Christillll, a n, 1 an eq ua l numher in the 1' 01' 111 of
a tra ct o r pnrnphlct . '
6. ' T o colle c t such information as they 1II11y
thing'. und particular matter of concern uray
be under the ov ersight of the lntendunt to
whom the sallie mo st naturally belongs. AIIlI
the sever al Intendnnts sha ll he consid ered respon
sihle for th e ord erly mnuagoment, and
good eondition o f th eir respective , d epartments.
' '
. S ec. 5. The Executive Council , through
the Presid ent, s ha ll muk e II cl ear, d et ailed Report
of th e s tan ding' of their Community in a ll
its departments, III least once u year, and as
much oftener as the members may by vot e
· d e ln llnd . .
S ec. 6. It shall be th e duty of the S ecretary
to IICt as Clerk of th e Community, th e Board
ofTrustees, und tire E xecutive Council, lind
to . keep full, fHir,' well- ordered - Records of all
th eir proceedings, lind ' of 1111 other mutters
properly corning within his province.
Sec. 7. It shull be tile dntv of th e Auditor to
examine lind att est 1111 pecuniary account s
kept by th e Community, and to guard its fi ·
nan cial st a tistic s, ifpnssible , from error.
S ec. 8. The proller duties of Treasnrer, as
well as of ge ne l'lll PlII'v eyor utilI Accouutant
of the COllllllunity, shall he perf'ormer! by th e
Inteudant of Finance aQd Exchunge. H e
shall receive, safely keep, ancljllstly account ( or,
a'll moneys ac crning to the Commuuity, 111111
pay tll ein OUt, uuder suc ll reguiations'lls IIIlIy
fi'olll time to time be ordained. He sh alilleep
1111 his accollnts iu th e mo~ t IIpproverl method,
and in snch a lorlll and state. that hi s Books
may at all tim ~ s ex hil) il the true finRn cill1
standing of til e Community in its several fund s
allli interests.
S ec. D. No official Eervant, managel', foreman,
ov erseer, director, 01' ageut ofa Commu ·
nity shall , evor rcc ei\' e lIuy salary, or other
l: olllpensation whatsoev er, ex'ce edi ng th e es tnblished
n il e of" wlIges allowed to the memo
bel'S at Inrge.
FRATERNAL COl\ ll\ IlJNITY NO. I. .
lu confonnilY to the Cons ti tntio n; IlIlo ) ltod,
ort! Hined , alld ratified hy tile lIIemhers of Frn ·
ternal Community No. I, we th e IIIlIl crsi ~ n ell
do se verally _ s llhscr ihe to th e Joint ' Stock
Properly ofsaid COllllllunitY, lInd promise to pay
into th e Treasury thereof, in c nr ren t mon ey
or so me acceptahle equivnlent, lit 0: Il' el,\ r lies t
conveni ence Rfte r demand, th e SUIllS desigimted
lind co \' e r illg th e shllres IIO! l · d o ppos ite onr
re ~ l'ective names : th e sni d J oilll S toc k I) rop-
ARTICLE XII. I . e rty, 111111 e \' e rv sha re th ereof to he lorev er
S ec. 1. It sh all be the settled poli cy, and II hoiden eo ntrolied reg ulRterl suhje" ted privi- ,
fu~ dnlJl~ lllal pri! l c! ple, with ev cry Comlllulli · leg ed ~ nel entit leel; in Itll re~ pecl s st l'i~ t ly nc-ty
Ill , tillS ~ SSO~ lUlIOII , ne ver.' o contruc t any conlillg to th e provisions lind spe c ifica tions of
deht 01' obhgatlon of s ilre lys illp out uf the pal e sa id Co ns titu tion.
of its own . membership, nor within, that pole N: uues.
beyond tempornry occasional necessity in th e S nms.
lIlanagem ent of its , int ernalllffairs. Nor ~ h n ll No, Shares.
the goods 01' producti ons of any COlllmllll ity P lnce and Date.
eve r be sold on credit to the surrounding' VOled, Tl'. nt this meeting h'lnow. lli ssolv eil,
wol'lrl. . D . R. L alll son, 1' r es't.
Sec, 2. AllllIoney s to 11ll e~ pen ile d fill' land, Adin Ball ou . Sec'ry'
stock, goods,. or an y ot~ l er uhJect, hy th eTru s · " At a meeting of th e Provi sion lll COlllmittee,
tees, Ex e~' ulJve COIIIIClt , 01' Int en~ lan ~ s of uny sll hse qllllll tly holden, Ailin Ball ou was chose n
Community, s holl fir st be nppl'Opnateil by vot e a sub- commi ttee to draft, prepare lor th e pr ess,
ltlJercofRt so me r egular meetlllg. ulHl puhlish lin exposItion olthe Co ns titlll ion ;
ARTICLE xiII. whieh is her ewith l'e spectfn lly laid hcl i, r e tlie
- Anma tters of sOl'iolls co ntrov!! rsy, 1I1' isin g public. .
' iu BIlY ~ o, m m u ll i ty of'this AS'ioci~ lI t i 9- l~ ia lL1. Je ----------= i;;' ~ -':..-=
t1' ied Rnd deterClliu ed, ill the! irst - iw, lrlllce, hy. n-..' .. ~ e- XPOS I T J O N .
mlllllul council, amI III' 0n fitilu re th ereof, jinal - Tn th eir humhle ntte mpl to es tah lish a new
ly, by a Jury- of t\ velve illlpal: tial members. and hett er soeia l s tllte, th e 11I!, lIIher s of th e
ARTICI, E XIV. Frnternal Coml/ l lln ion an xi ou ~ l y d, ' sire that
Ever Community in this Ass oeilltion lIllly th eir f1' i en d s , and th e \ Vhol p; e: lIltiid pu. hlic
. t , Y I t bl' ' I sucl B\' e- I I' · \ V~ Rill ' ~ h o enuc un, es II IS I I ~ ., e ~ , In ld c lea rly ll, nVd e' rIstllnd th ei'r \' leWS, f, eehngs
anrl R e' Illations. not inconsistent with th e an, I ~ u!' p o s es: . 1I 1Ont co u rllllg nOIOl'lcty , 01'
genemI gSpl" l'l t un,' 1 0IIJ' ec t 0f th ' IS Co, ls. t'ItUt'Ion prac! JclIi: v! (, onceallllent, th ey would cOllll• llend
liS may be / iOUlII! necessary t0 ' It S good OI · · uI er' · " th emselv es frankly to' e, very mali's consc. ience
I 1 Ie III Ihe Sight of God. ' I hey arc e nde llvol'lng 10
am geneI'D we ur e. pla ce tlielll sei ves in a tr ue socin l pos itiou , in
ARTICLE X\'. which , with th e lellst hindrllll{: e lind th c grea t-
The Coustitution of this Commuuion lIlay es t effec t, they nl ~ y perforlll all th eir rl'l lItiv e
be nltered, 01' um ended, by a vot e of three- J dntil · s. Alier long nlHI pati eut inqniry , disfourths
ofllll its member s specially co n ve ned ' c nss ion nnd deliheration , th ey h< 1v e ng're(' u o n
for ' that pUl'()( Ise, e ithe l' in th e ir re sp cc ti\ ' c Ih e pilln of as sociatiou lind eoop erlltion se t
Communities or in gen eral Conference ; pr o- / ilrth in th eir Const itu tio n. They 11I111; e no
vided alwa)' s, that e ve ry such nlt eJ'lltion or pr et en sion s to iuf'a! lihility,' lind holilthelll seiv es
nm endment s holl be proposeo in writill g, lind lit lih erty 10 recci\' e uny lIew light, 01' to ad opt
publicly announced to the members, 01 Icast IIny illlprovcmellt, whie, h ex pe rie nc e, ohse rva ,
thirty days precediug th e time of it~ regulnr tion , or future hell er inf ol'll, utionlllny (' omcon
sideration. ' mend to th eil' judgment. Bllt us ut p l'l~ s ent
, Now th er efore, in solemu flltificatioll of thi s eu lig hte lJl;'! anrl directed, th ~ s is th e nle lh od
Constitution in 1111 its Articles nud S ecli on ~, wher eh y th ev have resol \' ed to prollio te th e
" nnd for th e formation of Fmtel'llal Commuui · g lory 1;' GI; d , Rndthe welfare of llIank ind, ty
No'. ] I we hnv e se ve ra lly cllused our nUllles Tlleir reli an ce is pla ced , u ot on th e wi sdom o r
10 he hereuntft annuexel! in a gen eral th e mi ght of man, hUI on th l1 nil errilll-[ guid -
, ance alltl g na rd ia ns hip of dUll Infiuite FlIIlle r,
wll o never lilrsnkes hi s , Iulilirl c lltld re n, nor
ccases to do good even to til e uuthankful and
evi l.
Til ey nre too well ac q ua in tcd witll th e nil :..
llIr e o f' things, to IJrcsullle that tll eil' enterpr ise
however filvol'ed of Goel, will esca pll the tri al s
", lricll hnve heset every r iglrt eo' is a tte mpt to
reform 111111 rerleem man, s ince tile fonllliation
of Ih e worl, 1. Hnmun nature Irns hep- n commi
tting sni cid e fi'olll th e day of ils tir~ t trqrlsl:
res sio n tiJlth e pr esent time. In th e maS3 it
IllIs he llll hlind 10 its own good, regllrdl ess of
ils own trn e ilOilOI', a nd ho stil e to its g rea tes t.
hen efllctor. It has s nee re d nt th e i n ~ ti!
lllion s 01 divine wisdom, sc, offe d at wh ol esOllie
admonition, gloried in its OWII shume,
and mllrrlercd its S avio rs. Ridicule lin, I co ntempt
ar e th a most tolemble . llla lli fest: ll. io ns of
opposition, wh ich th e memuers of till S Co mIIllIni
on Irave 10 ex pe c t. Nor will tliey he
wh olly di sappointed 1lI malignant. c n l'se~, alii)
Ilo,' vnright perseculion. But co unting th e cost,
th eir minds nr c lIIade \) 1' to llnd nre , 10 forb ear,
to ' fur " i\' e alltlmt lTlay he sa id or donl1l1gainst
th em.'" T hey kn ow in Whom Ihey ha ve tl'llst erl
; 111111 th ey know th a t th ey seek OilIy tile
we lliu'e of th e whol e hnman mce. They have
filith- u ' s ll'Onl! and ahidi. ng / idlh, in tire s n ~ ~
cess of th ei r effilrts , lInd in tire tillulirill inph of
holiness o ve r nil s ill. ' 1' 0 th ose th er efore, who
d enl mllinl y in sneers a llfl taunts, allt llO th ose
wh o a i'e rendy to SlOp the ir en rs lIllII rnn in
wl'llth npon the vi ctims of thci r pr ej'lIli(' e, we
have oll ly t his to reply , OJ""" F a lhc r fo rgi \' e
I 0111' second general object is to " Wilhs tlll1ll ....
, th e vices, allol reform the disorders ofthe prelf" .'
e nt soe lnl stat e." \ Ve feel thut lew us wo are
insuluted, dep end ent for bread, hemmed in by
lIIighty influ ences of both Church lind State;
necess itat ed to s trug gle under di sud vnntageous
eco nomies, hound hnnd nud fbor in the
trnm e work o r socie ty , fett ered hy its corrupt
c us to ms, met e ve ry wh ere hy . its nmxims, and
o hlige ol to ed uca te our ch ildren ill th e midst of
irs ev il exruuples- e- it is next to impossible for
us u- iumpluuuly to uccoruplish this ohj ect. '
Ve en u do something, we ca n do mitch, e ve n
us we IIOW lire ; hilt we bel iev e we could effect
a' vnst deul mor e in Fruternul COlll ln u nities . A
living exumple of re! orlu-:- ull c ity se t on n
hill "- is IIOW demanded, to convince th e uubelievi
ug world that it is best lind sa fest to do
ri ght. ' Vhat is th e universal sk epticism which
e ve ry wher e rep els pnre religiou, morality 1II111
ph ilunthropy? unbeli ef in th e real , exce llency
o r ri ght e on ~ ness , lind in its inher ent tendency
10 promote th e good of man in time liS wnll 1I:' f
fl e1' 1lit, lJ" The Inn guage from llloSt 1lI0lllbs is
o::: r-" O yes,\' e ry fille- very goud- graud principles-
if th ey eOli ld ollly be praeticed; bnt
lh ey arn impracticable in th e pr es ellt sta te of
th e wodd j 110 lIIall ean ca r l'y th elll OU1, mill
liv e II1110ng lIIen. Christialls have to rnallllge
IIlIIlters jll st lil< e all th e rest ul Ihe
world . 1'(, rhapR the day w ill nrive when
th cse thing s ('. all' he praeticed, hnt we fear it is
afiu' ol!: " It is quite unavailing to meet Ihis
ske p tie islll witlUllel'l; words ; we mu st meet
lIud cou fillllld it with delllollsirutioll. Allo to
eflee t delll oll stratioll , we lIIilSt get nnt nf 0111'
prcsellt pAsitioll illll' th e tru e 011 1'. ' Ve canllflt
run wilh so 1IIIIIIy clogs upollollr allkl es. ' Ve ,
ur e hidd ell to mllke hriek Wit~ lOlIt stmw. So ·
ei ety 1Jl lari( e will 1I0t move wilh U~; it only
opposes alld hinders us; J et , . if we Cllnllol cllrry
nut on r g lo rinus prin':, iples, s in;: l e hllnde( l
under 1111 o ur disUlh'alllllges, : lIl1ll1gnill st tllU'
Whol e combilled IIlass th at e ithe r oppose 01'
dOllht, it seelllS to he tak ell for grullted that
th ose pri ; iciples lire illlpracli cahle. " Give / Ile
a fl ~ It'rullll or IllY lever," said Arl'llilllides, ' 111111
I will lIlo ~ e the world ." Give us II filil'
e llll1lee, we SllV, : lIl1f we wilt reli'rlll the wholll
s()~~ d Sla le. 1\ t leas t we willtl'Y.
0 11 1' th ird ge ne ra l ohj eet is , " to secure to 0111"
pos tcrity Ihe I> l essill :.( s ' of " llIo re s llluta ry phys.
ielll, inte llec tlla l 1I11d IIIora I education." At
pr esent th e pl ' ysi clll ecluea lion of ehihlren, Itt
lelL' t 1I111 0n ,~ liS conllllon I.... eopll', is lefi almost
Wholly 10 e ha nce. \ V lYcallllot ~ ay IIIl1ch 11101' 0'
of tl le ir moral eclllclItio ll . IlI tellecllIlIl cd llcation
- llIls reeeiv ed ' lhe prill eipal 1It1 ~: nlion , hotb
of legisl nlOl's and parelJls. Bllt thi s is irregll111
1', d efi, clive , lIl1d iu ge ne ra l ve l'.\' fitr / i'oln IICcQ.
lllplis l! illg ils I'roft s , ed . ellds. We , want SO llt~
tl, ill;.( l', eti'er,~ sornetl'ii iJg-\~ ery . l ll1C'i'e nt in ils
del ail s, ( lI'O,: esses, '" 111 res II Its. \ V e W: llittO'
se e 011 1' e ui ld ren's hod ies st l'lJng 111111 henhhy.
Iheir 1IIIIIIIs Ilexi erolls in Ih e desplltch of hlls i ·
lIe" S, thdl' Illinds well sllln, d wi th IIseful
Iw owledge th eir heRrts fiBed with divine prilie
ip leH, 1II111' their 1II0ml e ha rllcte rs IInhlemish ed .
Henlth , Iw owledge and goodll ess a re lIecessal'Y
to th e 1' 1111 idell we elllertaill ofa well ed llca ted
yOllth. There II1I1St he a helt p. l · WilY 10 e,) I1 cute
youth, th all the prevailing ,- IIII1! ill OUl"
COllllllunioll we slmll. be abl e hoth \ 0 fillli llllli
pllrsue it. Our tortl~ geueral ohj, eet is, " to es tahlish
II lUore alll'l1cll\' e, ec ono ll llea l, and pro dll
ctive systell1 of illdustry." By good COlll"
plin y, pl ensalll w ell- eolllr ~\' e, l. workshops.
fiel, ls nlld ga rde ns, COII\' l'llIent IIl1plc" lenlS,
e n li" hwned IIIcth od s of ti'pe ra tio ll, a proper
I list~ i h llli4) l 1 of lilli e IJetweell , IKlere llt ocell( lll'
tioll s, IIl1d 1\ e hoice of purSllits, it" will he UI>
d iftieult ach iev eill ent to rendel' illfillstry lit ollce
hOllornh! e nlltl lI:! reellul e. If honornhlll alld
agreenhl e, it wilYhe allraetive. I t is now too '
o fte n repul si\'(~ alld tediolls. Ther e is little to
render it othe rwise. ' By lIvniling o u rse h'cs uf
lite se n' ices of trIOse It, u on g U$ \": 10 are best
info:' llIed nlf( I mo st sl, ilfnl' in pl anlling ami 111' rlll",
iu " bu siu ess, by the hell' of ill/ illY Illhor
sn v ~ l g" II I: icltiu es, aurl hy ", ellns of a hundred
oll ll'r advanla" es nnattaiuahle ex ce pt illsuclt II
cOlllhina tiou, " we cnllllOt fHil to render 0111' in,
Iu strv hi gltly eco nolllir a l lIud productive. We
; hll il he IIble to pl'udnce a grea t tll'/ Il more
tltnl i we now 110 , witlt mu ch ' less of wcaring
e ffec t to th e hody or li iiud, lind consl'quently
s lta ll re win Illore power to promote the goOl!
of IIl! 1uldnd lit hll'ge.
O ur fifJh ge ne ra l object is , " 10 fiteilit ate the
hOlll st acquisition of intli" idnlll property fOI"
lallllahi ll purpose~," In ' tlois \ Vo differ from
tlte S ltnke rs, and from nil those Socinlists s()
cn lll'll, who IIlnl; e the illdtvidnal tlepelHlent Oil
Ih,) mass oftheir. assol'inles ( o r too One il, pel' lillI'S.
o n th e will 01 lhefew who govern that
mnss) for th eir: foo, l, clothing, IIn, 1 other perso
na l c o n ve n ie nc ie~. ' Vo unite 0111' property
for certain " 1' I" at purposes, hUI hold it illllividually
in ue; oliahle shureI'. ' fhe whole of this
Joint S lo,: k Propert)' is pledg ed, first, for the
l'omforlahle Ill/ linteuunce ofllll our Inembers.
aud of tlH: ir widows and orphans so long ns
Ihey COlifo rm to our gen eml rilles IInri r « : gula o.'
tions; seeOllll il', for tire thorough ed ucllllo n of
alllllll' e ltild re li a nti yOllth ; thirdly, 101' the re-lief
IIntl proper uursing ofull ouy s iek ; l, olll'tl\ -
Iy . / ill' th e susta ining of nllnel~ essnry hterary
lu: d rel F'ious privileges IImong us ; , fili ltly , fOl'
th e prol~ llll gnti ou of ollr princi'pl es IIhroad ns
m" y he judged OUI' dllty j sixthly, lire payment
orthe pllh lw tax es nssl'sserlu[ lon us; alld, finnl-.
lv, for tlefrnving all illl: id l'ntlli expell ses, which
, illly he nec essary to !, eep ourl: lIuJsnlul huild-
PREAM UI, F..
Five gen eral ohjec ts a re here pr esented, as
til e leadillg 1II0ti ves whi eh prom1' 1 LIS to unit e
in th e lo rlll lltiuu of th e F l'Ilte rlla l COlll n, u nion .
First, we se ck ': m or e eflh'lUa lly 10 illu strate
th e virtu es, nnd pronlol e th e e llds or pnre reli gion,
nlOml ily, lind pl, il ulllh ropy." Pllre reli ·
gion requires perfect love 10 ~ o d - t he sOIl I's
ulldivided lIllec tiu il lor tile Right, tile True,
: lIld tJ} e Good,- n I: olllplet e IIbsorption of th e
human into th e div ille will. Pure 1II0mlil\' requires
an e ll lig h ltJI lI~ d reg nrtl to th e ri gh t~ lind
th e happiness of fellow heill gs ; n pr uloulld,
deep se ated , ilt. 1lllutahlc prillciple ot hell evo ·
len ce, truth lind justi ce in the lwurt; all tl urI
. un conqnerahle detennination to do ri ght hy
olhers, wh ether lhey do right 01' wrong. I'nre
philalllhropy requires UIUII to ue th e friend and
hrother oflllan, in a ll th e g rea t illterest s uf the
ra ce for t illl e a lld e te rnity ,- to he a devoted
lover, symp" th ize r, helper lind hen efilCtor of
hlllllallity, in all ils hl'Ullch es, in all its 101' Wiles,
a nd in ull its des tilri es- witl'out rest ric tionto
an y geographical, 1I1l1ional, com plex io na
l, political, pnrtizlIn, o r sectllriull lilies. SlI ch
a reli gion, murlliity, IIn, 1 philalllhrop y are jimdamental
in th e LA w, th e PROPHETS, nnd Ih e
GOSPEL. ' 1' 0 illu strllte rilOre efle clUa llv Il, eir
suhlim e virtu es is o ur hlllllble aim. \ Ve see
men reli gious "": reli gi on s" enough in SOllie respecls
; uut how few ex emp lily II pure alld UIldtjiled
reli gi oll ? H ow, lew lov e God li, r hi s
OWII illlrinsic perlection'< I sake! 1I0w few
se r ve hilll alii! c leu ve 10 hilll liS th e suprelll e
a nd o n ly Good? H ow few ulldouhtin gly trn st
in Ih e lIIaj esty of his rig hteo lls nlJss, rev eal " d
' hy. J eBUs , Vii r. j.. lr""" tl ....- ottly · certaiuel'rot" " tiiill
nl! ain st a ll dlln ger? Clln it nOI- he otherwise ?
' Ve IIII1 St : ul vlln ce. " Ve mu st allempt sOllle thing
nobler than ordinary relig ious attainments.
\ V e see men lIIornl, in sOllie thillgs 1I0tahly
~ n o rn l ; hut how lew ure th er e whose 1IlOmlity
' r ests o n the roek or principle? How is 1110rality
' ci, ' cunlscrihcd,/ diluted , und aeCOlllmo ·
d nted to temporary eon ve ll ienelJ? How lik e
th e ~ h a ll\ e l io n is it IIltHle to' c hange its hu es
wi th e \' e ry e ha nge o r pla clJa nd c irums l llnce ?
Where ar e th ose wh o nr c inll exih ly dct ermilled
to treat th eil' fellow crelltnres justly, Ilindly,
and mer eifitlh', wh eth el' so tr eat ed in retul'l1 01'
not? And w- Imt / I low · hom moralitv is tlillt
whieh j s e ve i' sllyi ng- o:: T" I will l ov~ you, if
you will lo ve n, e- I will he YOlu' fr iend, if you
will be 1Iline -': 1 will be just to yon, if )' on will
he just to me- I will he killd to you, if yOIl
will be Idnd 10 me; hill if you hate n, e, I will
hate yon- if you injure IlIe, I will iujlll'e )' OU
- if yoo lire my e ne lllY I will be yon rs- if
you revil e me, t will revile you- if' yo u lire
se lfish, cl'III'lund unprill cipled, [ will tak e care
to rl'scmhle you! A neryet how lIl: my, e ve n
' of Ihe pr ofesseilly good, ~ cn rce ly nspire nli er. 1I
/ lIo rllli ty mor e divino tl, nu tl, i s ? Cu nno t
things he' othe rwise ? S IIllII we resl contenteeJ
with ' this worldly and ca rn a l / llo ralit)~? No;
" Ve mll st advan ce.
Anf! philanthropy, what shall w- e say ofit. s
fru ilS, liS secn in th e li\' es of mult itudes who
c lnim to he th e lo vers IIl1d fri ends of th eir
kind ? ' H ow Illuny of lh e reputed amiuhle ulHI
sylllpath eti c hnv e no teal ' S to s he d ~ a " e li) r th e
nnfortunale of th eit ' o wn fUllJilv, th ei r own
ei rde in soc iety, th eir own party: their own re ·
ligious sect, 01' the ir own eOillplexion? ' T o
th em how do all othe rs seem ns lJIer e anilTJul ~,
ve!! e tabl es, nay StOlW8, that llIay he bruised,
beaten , mill g ro nnd 10 po\ yd er wi thout a sen ·
sation of pain? Bow lew / ll'e the.'!, whose lov e
, is ex pa ns ive enoug h to e Jl. l hoso lll all whoJl. l
God hath ' mad e of th e some hlood ; whose
heaven - h orn 8y rnpath ies prompt th em ge ne rous
ly to weep wilh hllmimity wh ere\' er it
weep s. a nd to rej oice with it wh erev er it re joiees
? vVe nspil'll 10 th e illn stration of s llc h
a philanthropy. " Ve press forward tl1 its atta
inment, lenning on th e ui'lIJ of God's an ·
nointed Son, who lived Illd , li ed lor all.
H er e th en is th e foundation of our sllper ·
8tl'lletll re- o:: T" pure reli gion, morality, philall'
throp y. T o tl, i s lir st grand ol lject we hold
all th e rest. s nho n lina te and s u " se r v il' n t ~ , ' I: his'
is pn: mury; 1he other s am hUI secondary. ' fhe
kiugd om of God and hi s righ teousH ess tak e
pr ecedeuee of nil o the r ai ms and int er ests. L
etnot the IInc irenmc: ised ~ o u l, thut di sr eg arrl s
this fo undation, II/ in!, to feel at ht/' llle with us
in rearin g np o nr socia l fi, hric.
OF
he able r esp ectiug a locntlon fOI' this COIlUlIII- I th em, for th ey know 1I0t what th ey do !" This
niry ; respecting the form nnd cons rruc tlou of ex pos itio n is addressed to th e humble, th e can huildin
gs; respecting th c iurerual economy of did , th e honest hearted, whose bosoms throb
soc ia l communities, hospirul s, und large houtrl- . with uu uu ernhl e yeumiugs for a purer, holi er,
ing establ islun ents ; re sp ecting ngriculture, happien s tnte of'hu rnn n so ciety. To all s uc h
muuufactures und educutiou; and respecting we meekly commend o u r new plan ofa PI'UC -
any other matt ers lik ely to promot e th e pros - tical Christian Communion, with these uec orn-perlty
of our enterp rise , , ~ -~ panying e x plunuilo ns. ' Ve do not ask th em
7. To pu rchase s uc h hook s alill tr eatises to erubmce auy thing ou our U' PJ'P, reCOII ' tJIIHl'
( no t exceed ing th e co st often dollars) on ag- dutinu , but to rnrul , pond er, und jlldge 101'
ricultu re , manufhctu re s, ed uc a tion a url oth er them selves, If th ey CUll cousci enrlon sly up-snbjecrs,
ns th ey deem pnrtieuturly n ecessa ry. prove, we sh all rejoice ; if th ey dissent and co n -
8. To calla meeting of th e Commuuity'and demn, we can patiently heal' it. No on e will
report their doings as soon as c irc u ms tuuce s be unreasonabl e eno ug h to ex pect us, in so
will in th eir o pin io n wnrrnnt. small a space us th e on e here occ upied, to
VOled , That th e following nnmed members, meet nll th e qu esriou s lind o bjec tions whieh
do co ns t itu te sa id Conunltt ee, viz.- Adin Bill: IUlly arise in different minds co uceru ing OUI'
lou , Narh uu Harris, \ V III , II. Fi sh, Henry enterprise. ' Ve cunnot now 110 mo re rhnn
Lilley, David R. Lamson , Daniel S . WhilJley, pr esent a tol erable ex pos it io n of' th e outlin es
and Geo, \ V. Stacy. ' nnd pr ominent points . ' Vilh thi s it is hOI,,',, 1
Vot ed, That th e sum of on e hundred dol- th efiiendly lind well diBl'lIsed will he sa rls fi-lar
s htl appropriated to th e u se of th e Provis- I'd. Hereaft er th e mor e mluure detnil s will he
ionul Commiuee for the purposes of th eirap- duly ex plaine d 111111 illu s trated, us oc cusio u muy
poin tm ellt. . - requ ire, We pr oc eed the n 10 th e
VOled, Tll3t the Joint SlOek S nhsci'ijiiio u
T erllls of this COlllmu nity shnll ue in th ejol'lll
following, to witt.
SUBSCRII'TIO:,/
TO TilE
JOINT STOCK PROI'RIETORS Il Il'
REGI ~' r ER.
Nan; es.
Plnce ol" Nati\' it v.
Birth. •
Admission .
Culling:
}' IRST lIIEE'rI NG.
' At a regnlar meet ing of the memherl\ of
l~ rutel" llal COllJmnnitv No. 1. holden in Men don,
MIISS., Jun. 28, i84I ; David R. Lamson
acting as Presid ent, and Adin Bailon as S ecr etary,
the following vot es , were passed unll ni-mously.
'
Voted,- ThRt th e choice of onr' regnl! ll' o fficial
servllnts be deferre,! for the pres eIII; and
that a P rov isional C ommittee ofse ven memllers
be chosen, with the following spe cia l i n~ t l'llc-tlOns
ami pow e rs, viz. : • -
1. To procure s uil.: lb le Recor, 1 lind Account
Books', or so many as may for th e pres ·
ent be found necessary , and canse the Con-stitution
to be properly ins cribed. .
2. To rec eiv e subseriptions to the ConstitutiOIl,
and to the J oillt Stocll.
3. To rece ive a nd account for auy money s
which may Ill' pRid into th e Trea!, ury.
4 . T o prep ar e a , suita b le exposition of the
ConstitlltilJl.). '
5. T o c a n~ e 500 copies of the Con stitution
and Expositi on to be primed in th e P rocti cal
Christillll, a n, 1 an eq ua l numher in the 1' 01' 111 of
a tra ct o r pnrnphlct . '
6. ' T o colle c t such information as they 1II11y
thing'. und particular matter of concern uray
be under the ov ersight of the lntendunt to
whom the sallie mo st naturally belongs. AIIlI
the sever al Intendnnts sha ll he consid ered respon
sihle for th e ord erly mnuagoment, and
good eondition o f th eir respective , d epartments.
' '
. S ec. 5. The Executive Council , through
the Presid ent, s ha ll muk e II cl ear, d et ailed Report
of th e s tan ding' of their Community in a ll
its departments, III least once u year, and as
much oftener as the members may by vot e
· d e ln llnd . .
S ec. 6. It shall be th e duty of the S ecretary
to IICt as Clerk of th e Community, th e Board
ofTrustees, und tire E xecutive Council, lind
to . keep full, fHir,' well- ordered - Records of all
th eir proceedings, lind ' of 1111 other mutters
properly corning within his province.
Sec. 7. It shull be tile dntv of th e Auditor to
examine lind att est 1111 pecuniary account s
kept by th e Community, and to guard its fi ·
nan cial st a tistic s, ifpnssible , from error.
S ec. 8. The proller duties of Treasnrer, as
well as of ge ne l'lll PlII'v eyor utilI Accouutant
of the COllllllunity, shall he perf'ormer! by th e
Inteudant of Finance aQd Exchunge. H e
shall receive, safely keep, ancljllstly account ( or,
a'll moneys ac crning to the Commuuity, 111111
pay tll ein OUt, uuder suc ll reguiations'lls IIIlIy
fi'olll time to time be ordained. He sh alilleep
1111 his accollnts iu th e mo~ t IIpproverl method,
and in snch a lorlll and state. that hi s Books
may at all tim ~ s ex hil) il the true finRn cill1
standing of til e Community in its several fund s
allli interests.
S ec. D. No official Eervant, managel', foreman,
ov erseer, director, 01' ageut ofa Commu ·
nity shall , evor rcc ei\' e lIuy salary, or other
l: olllpensation whatsoev er, ex'ce edi ng th e es tnblished
n il e of" wlIges allowed to the memo
bel'S at Inrge.
FRATERNAL COl\ ll\ IlJNITY NO. I. .
lu confonnilY to the Cons ti tntio n; IlIlo ) ltod,
ort! Hined , alld ratified hy tile lIIemhers of Frn ·
ternal Community No. I, we th e IIIlIl crsi ~ n ell
do se verally _ s llhscr ihe to th e Joint ' Stock
Properly ofsaid COllllllunitY, lInd promise to pay
into th e Treasury thereof, in c nr ren t mon ey
or so me acceptahle equivnlent, lit 0: Il' el,\ r lies t
conveni ence Rfte r demand, th e SUIllS desigimted
lind co \' e r illg th e shllres IIO! l · d o ppos ite onr
re ~ l'ective names : th e sni d J oilll S toc k I) rop-
ARTICLE XII. I . e rty, 111111 e \' e rv sha re th ereof to he lorev er
S ec. 1. It sh all be the settled poli cy, and II hoiden eo ntrolied reg ulRterl suhje" ted privi- ,
fu~ dnlJl~ lllal pri! l c! ple, with ev cry Comlllulli · leg ed ~ nel entit leel; in Itll re~ pecl s st l'i~ t ly nc-ty
Ill , tillS ~ SSO~ lUlIOII , ne ver.' o contruc t any conlillg to th e provisions lind spe c ifica tions of
deht 01' obhgatlon of s ilre lys illp out uf the pal e sa id Co ns titu tion.
of its own . membership, nor within, that pole N: uues.
beyond tempornry occasional necessity in th e S nms.
lIlanagem ent of its , int ernalllffairs. Nor ~ h n ll No, Shares.
the goods 01' producti ons of any COlllmllll ity P lnce and Date.
eve r be sold on credit to the surrounding' VOled, Tl'. nt this meeting h'lnow. lli ssolv eil,
wol'lrl. . D . R. L alll son, 1' r es't.
Sec, 2. AllllIoney s to 11ll e~ pen ile d fill' land, Adin Ball ou . Sec'ry'
stock, goods,. or an y ot~ l er uhJect, hy th eTru s · " At a meeting of th e Provi sion lll COlllmittee,
tees, Ex e~' ulJve COIIIIClt , 01' Int en~ lan ~ s of uny sll hse qllllll tly holden, Ailin Ball ou was chose n
Community, s holl fir st be nppl'Opnateil by vot e a sub- commi ttee to draft, prepare lor th e pr ess,
ltlJercofRt so me r egular meetlllg. ulHl puhlish lin exposItion olthe Co ns titlll ion ;
ARTICLE xiII. whieh is her ewith l'e spectfn lly laid hcl i, r e tlie
- Anma tters of sOl'iolls co ntrov!! rsy, 1I1' isin g public. .
' iu BIlY ~ o, m m u ll i ty of'this AS'ioci~ lI t i 9- l~ ia lL1. Je ----------= i;;' ~ -':..-=
t1' ied Rnd deterClliu ed, ill the! irst - iw, lrlllce, hy. n-..' .. ~ e- XPOS I T J O N .
mlllllul council, amI III' 0n fitilu re th ereof, jinal - Tn th eir humhle ntte mpl to es tah lish a new
ly, by a Jury- of t\ velve illlpal: tial members. and hett er soeia l s tllte, th e 11I!, lIIher s of th e
ARTICI, E XIV. Frnternal Coml/ l lln ion an xi ou ~ l y d, ' sire that
Ever Community in this Ass oeilltion lIllly th eir f1' i en d s , and th e \ Vhol p; e: lIltiid pu. hlic
. t , Y I t bl' ' I sucl B\' e- I I' · \ V~ Rill ' ~ h o enuc un, es II IS I I ~ ., e ~ , In ld c lea rly ll, nVd e' rIstllnd th ei'r \' leWS, f, eehngs
anrl R e' Illations. not inconsistent with th e an, I ~ u!' p o s es: . 1I 1Ont co u rllllg nOIOl'lcty , 01'
genemI gSpl" l'l t un,' 1 0IIJ' ec t 0f th ' IS Co, ls. t'ItUt'Ion prac! JclIi: v! (, onceallllent, th ey would cOllll• llend
liS may be / iOUlII! necessary t0 ' It S good OI · · uI er' · " th emselv es frankly to' e, very mali's consc. ience
I 1 Ie III Ihe Sight of God. ' I hey arc e nde llvol'lng 10
am geneI'D we ur e. pla ce tlielll sei ves in a tr ue socin l pos itiou , in
ARTICLE X\'. which , with th e lellst hindrllll{: e lind th c grea t-
The Coustitution of this Commuuion lIlay es t effec t, they nl ~ y perforlll all th eir rl'l lItiv e
be nltered, 01' um ended, by a vot e of three- J dntil · s. Alier long nlHI pati eut inqniry , disfourths
ofllll its member s specially co n ve ned ' c nss ion nnd deliheration , th ey h< 1v e ng're(' u o n
for ' that pUl'()( Ise, e ithe l' in th e ir re sp cc ti\ ' c Ih e pilln of as sociatiou lind eoop erlltion se t
Communities or in gen eral Conference ; pr o- / ilrth in th eir Const itu tio n. They 11I111; e no
vided alwa)' s, that e ve ry such nlt eJ'lltion or pr et en sion s to iuf'a! lihility,' lind holilthelll seiv es
nm endment s holl be proposeo in writill g, lind lit lih erty 10 recci\' e uny lIew light, 01' to ad opt
publicly announced to the members, 01 Icast IIny illlprovcmellt, whie, h ex pe rie nc e, ohse rva ,
thirty days precediug th e time of it~ regulnr tion , or future hell er inf ol'll, utionlllny (' omcon
sideration. ' mend to th eil' judgment. Bllt us ut p l'l~ s ent
, Now th er efore, in solemu flltificatioll of thi s eu lig hte lJl;'! anrl directed, th ~ s is th e nle lh od
Constitution in 1111 its Articles nud S ecli on ~, wher eh y th ev have resol \' ed to prollio te th e
" nnd for th e formation of Fmtel'llal Commuui · g lory 1;' GI; d , Rndthe welfare of llIank ind, ty
No'. ] I we hnv e se ve ra lly cllused our nUllles Tlleir reli an ce is pla ced , u ot on th e wi sdom o r
10 he hereuntft annuexel! in a gen eral th e mi ght of man, hUI on th l1 nil errilll-[ guid -
, ance alltl g na rd ia ns hip of dUll Infiuite FlIIlle r,
wll o never lilrsnkes hi s , Iulilirl c lltld re n, nor
ccases to do good even to til e uuthankful and
evi l.
Til ey nre too well ac q ua in tcd witll th e nil :..
llIr e o f' things, to IJrcsullle that tll eil' enterpr ise
however filvol'ed of Goel, will esca pll the tri al s
", lricll hnve heset every r iglrt eo' is a tte mpt to
reform 111111 rerleem man, s ince tile fonllliation
of Ih e worl, 1. Hnmun nature Irns hep- n commi
tting sni cid e fi'olll th e day of ils tir~ t trqrlsl:
res sio n tiJlth e pr esent time. In th e maS3 it
IllIs he llll hlind 10 its own good, regllrdl ess of
ils own trn e ilOilOI', a nd ho stil e to its g rea tes t.
hen efllctor. It has s nee re d nt th e i n ~ ti!
lllion s 01 divine wisdom, sc, offe d at wh ol esOllie
admonition, gloried in its OWII shume,
and mllrrlercd its S avio rs. Ridicule lin, I co ntempt
ar e th a most tolemble . llla lli fest: ll. io ns of
opposition, wh ich th e memuers of till S Co mIIllIni
on Irave 10 ex pe c t. Nor will tliey he
wh olly di sappointed 1lI malignant. c n l'se~, alii)
Ilo,' vnright perseculion. But co unting th e cost,
th eir minds nr c lIIade \) 1' to llnd nre , 10 forb ear,
to ' fur " i\' e alltlmt lTlay he sa id or donl1l1gainst
th em.'" T hey kn ow in Whom Ihey ha ve tl'llst erl
; 111111 th ey know th a t th ey seek OilIy tile
we lliu'e of th e whol e hnman mce. They have
filith- u ' s ll'Onl! and ahidi. ng / idlh, in tire s n ~ ~
cess of th ei r effilrts , lInd in tire tillulirill inph of
holiness o ve r nil s ill. ' 1' 0 th ose th er efore, who
d enl mllinl y in sneers a llfl taunts, allt llO th ose
wh o a i'e rendy to SlOp the ir en rs lIllII rnn in
wl'llth npon the vi ctims of thci r pr ej'lIli(' e, we
have oll ly t his to reply , OJ""" F a lhc r fo rgi \' e
Page 78 of Volume 1 from The Practical Christian 1840-1841
Creator
Ballou, Adin
Date
1840
Identifier
Files
Collection
Citation
Ballou, Adin, “Page078,” Digital Commonwealth , accessed May 22, 2013, http://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/items/show/531.
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