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THE PRAG1' lCAL CHRI STIAK. "' 179
is convenientnow, hut what ill best on the
whole. A ll ex perie nce. iund ull history provesthat
great errors and wrongs, once sanctioned
or even co nse nted to bv those who seek the
, h ig hest gO( II I, do from' the very countenance
, thus afforded them increase, multiply and
strengthen , thus freq ue ntly , by a s low lind imperceptibl
e pr ocess, underruining and destrov -
in grhe noblest insrinnlous. •
' T hus II Couuuuuity one- tenth of whose
members, with th e tacit approbntion of th e
rest , sho u ld tak e pnrt in poli tic s, g o to law,
light in se lf defence, eng llge in militnry affair s,
or enlist iu warlike ex ped itions, would s tand '
ten cha nces to on e of becoming ultimately II
political clan, a castle, or at least an avaricious
corporatism, The increase of suc h Couununities
would e ithe r a wuIIIJ II th € j ealousi es, nnd
drawn ( loWII th'e venueance of th e surround ing
world, or, if s u~ cess fll l on a I.! l'eut scale,
wonld end in th e most formid abl e of despotism
s . If th ey perished, th e innocent wl> nld
go d01\' n with Ihe g nilty int o a llish on ored
g1' llve. Bill COllllnllnities having II ~ niform
consistent morlll c llllrac tc r, like thut roqllire! 1
in onr Decla l'lltion , would be hol y, hnl'lnl ess,
and slIlutllry umong men . Tiley \ You III he
light and " lilt to th e world, and th eir indefinite '
mult iplicati oll wonld int rodnce th e long pre ·
Ilict ed e rn of IInil ' ersnl peace lind happiness
on em'tli. S nc h COlll lllun ities, thongh , e.' 1: .
posed to sOllie injnries, depred ations and out ·
rug es, would be ten times mor e likely to es ·
cnpe political aud warli. l< e \' ioIClll: e tha n those
of an oppos ittl churae te r. '
S in'ce, th er efilre, sOllie test of re ligion al1,1
morals is inJisp en sabl e 10 ti, e eSlllhlishme nt
und perHlnn ent prosp eri ty of o ur Co mlll ll1l i ·
ties, th e on ly qu esti on , is whnt s ha ll tllRt test
he? We ': on sci entioll sly heli e\' e we ha~' e set
np 11 tfll e and safil on e ; which th oll gh it IlIny
letard o ur in crea se alld slIccess ror II tim e will
in Ihe end he found heulth and life to th e As ·
soc iutio n.
ART IC I, E lit.
This a rt l, elc is perhaps s llffie iently exp lic it
und se lf ex plana tory withom eOlll ll1Clll .
AHTICI , E IV.
This urtl cle ' eOlllemplutcs Co mmun itie s in
Iheir s ettl cd , well es tahlishe rl s tille. It pre~ c
r ihe s that th ey s hull appl'Oximate that s la te all
filst as · n ay he fOllnd pr lll: t iclIhle. \ Vh en th ey
hllve rcach ed it, neal'ly all Iheil' llIemlters will
dwell to geth er on th eir resrIPcli\' e COlrtlllun ily
dOlllllin s. The Inn lIs, Hahitati on s, 111/ 11 all
hui ldi ll: Zs wh lltsoe \, el' will he owncd aud co n ·
tl'Oliell ~ olely hy th e COlllmu nity within whose
') jln, its th ey nrc pr; cscribe'!. This is diffi~ rent
fr olll the pilln fir st proposell ; i, IJ. tlw plan of _
sepa ra te eOllllges a nd es tates. ' This p illn WIIS
uhnndnned npon reflecti on- willm it WIlS eo n s
ute ll' '' wntlrchuITg1Js"" iV'OiiJin; o / linde hy ' fire
' nHI t1ood.- snl e IIl1d romoval. le/ o: aJ il1t crfi~ r cnc n
Ii- om withollt , deatllTtiid h e i ~ hi p , uUI!. econo.
mi es & e. By th e pr esent p lan IIll1ny ' mis ·
chiefs amI e vi ls lll'e nvo ide d IIl1d pr e\' clll ed.
As Ill( rieullllre is to he th e hasis of ollr in ·
dnstrial op erat ions, and us ev ery thing is 10 he
lIIana/ f ed ill th e most o rdc r ly lIIalll ll! r in thi"
as well as the ot her ll eparl m e lll ~, ir IIl1ly Ite
llllt ici pat f'd tltllt tlte domnill ofa w, dl es: aloli, ltell
COUlIlJUUilY will no t ollly prod lice ill grea t
allllll , llIIlI: e th e n.." e"'; III- i.: s a lld el) lIIlill'ls of
liti:, !' HIl tha r it will ex hi hit .. lIeh lJeal lrl'!. s III1lI
ox.: elle lll:) · a.. lire now se ldo m helle l,!. \ V ell
d ir'ect ed efli'rts will he c: ontinnnlly Illude hy n
s tro llg fon: e o f wnrklll ell I1I1r1 er in telli g.: m'
mnllll ger", to earry e l'e ry th in ~ 111' to : I hi gh
del( l'IJCof perlee tion . , O rde~, hellut y IlIlel li'r ·
t ility can scarcely fitil to he th e resllit. W hi lo
II ' GOlllrnn nity is fo.. mi ng , lind preparing i t~
Hahitati oll s , th in / fs / lm sthe Irtan aged nCl'. ord ·
inj:( 10 th e necess ities or tlte elise . A few filln ·
ilies , and slIc h hands as can be prolilably en, ·
ployed, mll Sl commence op eration s. They
mll st he hoarilcd and pnid " in s llc h a mannC/'
as flJr Ihe time hein/{ e irc ll lIIstlinees Irwy reo
qllire. Meanlimc, oth er s of th e Commllnity
will p" rs" e th eir hllsill ess e lse \ vhe re, econoIllis
illl; their IIJenliS and ' prerarill l\' to j oin th e ir
hret hrell whe lle ver th ere is 1' 00m nnd suituble
e ll, p loyment liJr th elll. Thus nil coufns ion
and disappoillllnOnt will he uvoid erl, till ill pro ·
cess of time th e whole co rnpliny hav e re81: hen
th eir 10l: ati oll. SOllle ha ve inlR:( ille, 1 thllt n
COllllllu nity o f tw o or Ihrei~ hunrlred mu st, us
Il mlltter of course , locute ull ' al once, lind Ihe
wOllll er ha s !, eclI whllt th ey were to do with
tlwm seh · es. SlIeh notiolls ari se rrom II wnut
of I: rins ille rut io ll , a lld of e xp lanntiou, liS 10 th e
" ntnrlll unrl uecessnl'Y meth o, l" f estahlish ing a
Co n/ lllullitv. No on e will sc u le 011 th e Com ·
lIlullity do:. illlill till he 01' s he is prl) l'icled w ith
~ he lter, s llstnina llce a nd s u itable employ me llt.
Let thi s IlInlt el' he \\' 1: 11 IIIId er sloorl , lind th ere,
will he lIeither wou\ Je r nor difficulty .
AR'l' ICI, E \'.
This IIl't iel e , lecl " rlls thHt it sh nll he th e duty
lind Ihe I'r i\' il e~ e o f all IlIt; m hers . o f o ur' COllI'
muu ioll, nlld of th eir fillllily d ependellr s, un ·
' less a hso lute ly il" ' lIpneitate, l, to perfOl'l1l 11
rea sollahle IImOUIll of product ive lab or, & c. Idlen
ess in : thMe who are IIhle 10 purslle , m
hOlles t l' II' ployme nt is not to he en co llI · uge rl or'
tol eral ed IIlIIong us. The rkh lind th e poor,
th e lellnlf'd ! lIlol ' the unlellruerl, th e gllllt ltll\ lan
,11111 tl", yeomnn, th e mietr es s nnd th e maid,
nre expected to he reHsOli uh ly illclulltrioll s ill
so me tbin:;. To this clld it is made th e d illy
o f en" h Co nll l1 l1 nity 10 pr ov i( le s uitable e ll"
" f oymellt to r all- s tll'h ern plo)' n lellt, if pos ~ i blc,
us i ~ 1II0, t uc; rccab lc to th em. W ho ill
mutual good will to enc h oth er. It ma y be
snid that th er e lire good nnrl pure mel) wh o rej
ecj the christiun revel ati on. ' Ve do not un dertnke
to se ll le thi s point, But thi s mu ch we
are sure of- Ihllt no suc h good lind pure men,
reje cting Christ , WIt co ns istent ly, or will even
desire to be united with our Communities . lf
s uch approl' e c f. Co rnmuui ties, th ey will form
o ne on th eir own model o r: persons wh o syml'"
thize with them ill th eir r~ ligions norions. cWith
all suc h pel'sons, and 1111 su ch Communiti
es , we shull live in pea ce, e ndeuvo rlmr to
do th em good nnd not e \' i l - for e ver. " Uut
th e ir Rock is not ils our Rock j" and we cannot
hon estly, heartily and conscientionsly entel'
into an nssocintlon wi th them so inrimute
as th at which h il ~ d stogelh er th e members of
thi s Communion. To us C hristie n ity , howev er
mi sunderstood for nges hy th e grent muss
of its prof essor a, is a reli giou, and th e only religiou,
wlri ch meet s the wunt s of louman nat
llre. No o, the r co me s lip to it; no other cu n
go he}' ond it. It s ~ p i l' i t IIl1d principles lIim at
universu l res to ra tio n rllllll pe.. reeti on, prescribe
th e , proeeS>', provide th e meuns, ulIIl IInd evi at ·
iugly tend to th e l: on sunl/ nation. Henl" e we
ad opt u test whidl exc lude's th e deniers ' lind
rej ecters o r Christ.
Dill we deem it equlllly nec essary to onr
pellce nnll well ilr e, ulld to tite ~ n e c ess of our
gre a t ellle rprisc, 10 exehllle t, hose wh o, whilc
th ey pro fi~ ss the relig ion o r Christ, eit he r deny .
th ey th eir o hl: gntioll to 1' l'IIctil: e his plain pre .
ce pts , or co ns tru e those pr " cepts ioto II Ju stili.
ca tion o r ut least illt o nil IIlIowallee o f 1I 0tori ·
ou s inilJuities , vices , a lld aho lll illa tions. AlIlollg
th es e wc, i" c l" de nil wa rs anll lightillgs hetWI~
en llIankilld, wh ether ns illllil'idnuis 0.. nil tions;
nil s luve. llOld ing, man. stealing, se lling.
, blly illg 0011 imhl'lIlillg; all fralld, knu very,
s la llde.. lind personal ahuse ; 11 11 rashi onuhle
lieenliollsn ess , debnllch ery a nd polh'iti ons,
wherehy e hustity is J11 l/ l er mined : Iud \' i olllted
; ull oath takill g, implecati'on s IlIld e llrsings;
1111 llIallulitcturillg , hllying. selling Ullrl denling
oot of intoxi cllting' liqll ors as a mere drillk- so
ge ne ra lly pmctice d to th e , ev ident pr olll otion of
drunkenness 1II1d maniliJ/ d I: rim es j all mu st er ·
illg , trainiog, lind nlUorellvreing willi Ilerlllly
weapolls, io ol'lle r to lIelJllire the arl ' O f- wa r;
nil law- suiting, ofii ce - holding, \, f) tin g,~ un, 1 o th ·
e.. participations iu ti, e olllchinl'ry o f IIl1ti ·
, chr istia n gnv ernmellt s, wherehy a mllll is ob ·
lig ed 10 hiod himsclrtn d isohey Gh rist in SOn iC
things , be tilrc he can Ion allowe, 1 to do right in
oth ers; alllol'e o r do Jllinio n, se U: will, higlllt'}',
eo ve to us llcSS, Ilypocrisy , profanity, idl ell esn ess
lind IInrllly lI ~ e or th e ton l( lIe ; and all lo'ller ·
ies, l! am cs of chalice, I, ettin g', i, llmornl ljlllll se ·
rnelllS , uIII eo rrupt illg a~ se lllhia ges: These
g rea t ev ils lire sa nctio ' lI) l\ or wioked at, ulld
e~ tI: H~';' , u. 1 1')< " I 1. 1. :. " . I..+: l) Ot ro. d )' o f the
~ o ealled IIl1lJ' 1l! uod ,.,' specrahl e o r Ibe wol'l. f ,
IOIlI hy t h oll ~ lInd s wh o Inai lltaill th eil' sta nd illg
in th e lIolllinul chllreh of C hl'isl. Nay, Ihosc
gig- untie llloorniou tion,:, \ Var awl S lavcry, li re
upheld lIy th e specillll' lead ing, a lld IIl1 l1o eless
IIpolo~ i e s nr rlOll lIy I'rofc" s' lIl IlJioisl, e rs of th e
gos pe l, e ve n 1: II, illc nt docto rs IIl1d dil'ill es.
W e ca n n~ t nwu y w ilh all thi s j we prc.' · lest
agui llst it ; we 1lI0 ~ t do so me th ing In rem o ve
so great u reproach 111' 011 chrisliaoity. T o
thi s end we comh ille in n Fraleronl COlllmlllIioll.
Gall we then o pen th e do nI' ulld im'i re
per son s, howcv er ilononib le or aminhle in th e
o pinion of th e wndd, 10 IIl1ite with liS in a
wo rk to r whi ch th ey ha ve 110 hellrt , a nd which
th cy wOllld 1I0t filii 10 hinrl er lind o hs tl'llet
hoth ~ hy pl'l'cept 1II1d e Xllll1ple? COllimo ll
!' Imse lorhi ds, lind GOlI lilrhi. ls. : low cau
people walk togethe r ill thi s illtillla ~ y I\' ithollt
he in;.! Il~ re ell on fimrlnm entals ? A1111 how
can th ilY he lI;.! I'ecd wilhollt IIIl nnoler'sr lln, rlin~
of ellch o'th er's principles and se nt illll'III"? And
how ca n tlll' rlJ he a ' th oroll l( h lind f'li, ' nn ·
derstanding, with olltn recorderl expression of
th es e priti'cipl cs lind ~ e n t i ll1e n t s? H en ce th e
nec ess ity und propriety o f ! lnr Declamtory
T est.
\ Ve ha ve ca lled th is T est a so rt ofCon fes ·
s ion and Cove llllnl.. It is II bri ef eon ti) s~ io n or
filith in th e Ghristinn Reli / fion, lind of persoll'
nl obli gilli oll to oh ey its ro~ qnirem ~ nt s-! o oh ey ,
them generalll/.' nccorolill /; 10, th e rlictllt .. s or
trnth illl, l II g. oo, 1 cOllsc ie nc e, but e.~ p ecially
to ob ey tllem in the particnlars ex plic it ly Ilta t ·
e'l. It is n- Covenllnl or proillise on th c part
£ If th ose wh o nllsent to it th llt th ey will ellrnes t,
Iy enriPlIvo r hy Ihe help of God, to walk in
I: onfornii t. l' to their IwknowlCl! gllll ohlig'ati on s ,
nnll Ih at wh en c!," r th ey filii, Ih ey will [ not jus till'
thc lllse h'es ; hilt bumhly ' end nre rep ro or.
rep ent, seek rlivin e pardon, an ll refor ill. I f .
the v do thi s. th eir hcarts alld c harac te r will
cOIit in na lly improv e IIntil the perl i, et tillY. I f
Ihey walk otherwi!! c, anll nnt o n ly do what
th ey nckllowled g'e to he evil, hilt SllIhh ol'lll y
pnrsist th er ein , th ey will pr ol' ( j lin nffi" lce lind
II sco nr: ze hoth to lit clll selv f> s and th eir br eth ·
ren , , w ho in Ihe Illst resort Illilst d isowlI th em .
Still it will he sa irl thllt we are too exch" ivethllt
we dem'mll too mn ch ill 0111' test'- 1I1l11
th lll we sh all ' repel Illllny worthy, Inarn ·
el l, nnd hon orahl e pcrllon s, who cOll ld he o r
/ rrell! s'e/' I' ice to us, a lld who but fill' : 0 111' r igor ·
OilS notions. WQuid he glad ! l> unile wi:. h ns. \
V e wnnt t, helll Il/ llong IB; it reqlli res mil ch
se lf. d enillito clo withollt tb em j hill W d , IIl U ~ t
not se t a pri ce nn wh a t we rleelll fuilCla rllen tul
principles. , \ Ve Illus t for sako a ll rllth er th an
C hrist, whom we ca llnot se pa ra te from th o
principles 01 liis rel igiun . W c look forward
in to Ihc future a mI ctJIIsidc r, not merely I,>: hat
hers . This mu st be done bv the vo ic e of two
til ird s ofal i th e member s present lind nCIin g,
E verywote. m ust be passed hy this nUlllber. Sen
arti cle X. se c. 5. In se c tio n 4th o r th e
present a rt ic le it is provided that uny person
muy cea se to he a memb er Iii any time, by
se nding iu II written n otice io th e S ecretury or
hi s Or her Connnunity decluriug " su ch int en tion.
Thus a per son mny wi sh to quit the
Co rrnnuniou altogeth er , or to unite withsome
other Commu nity , which hns heen 01' is ubo ut
to he formed. 111 all suc h cases, with 0 1' wirh o
ut giving' any rea son s, th ere is perfect liberty
to depart. 011(' object is to retain 110 o ne
muong IlS who is 1I0t contented. \ V e ' th el'elor
e mnke it ens y lind honorable for any mernher
to leav e whenever so di sposed. A ( I" es ·
lion ma y arise her e' eonceruing the di sp oslriou
which a ruemher int ending to le~\' e a COlliIII
lin ity shall make of his or her stock, TIIi ~
is a nswere d by ref er en c.. to th e 71h and 8 th
sections of arlicl e III. The rnelllher im ending
to Ilep llrt will offer his or her s hares ! i, r sllle,
fir st t~ snch fellow lIIemhel'S liS aI''' most lik e ·
Iy to purchllse, Ifllone will I? uy, the CO' II ·
mllllity must tuk e th em lit th e pllr valli e, Ull ·
le.. s ahsolutelv 1I111lhie lo r w, mt of fund s- in
whieh lasl CllSe, th ey mny he 80ld wh erel'l~ r a
pllrchuser CIlII be fOlllld , It is pr esllln etl thllt
lIIemhers illtetHling to leave will ende nvor lo
arrunge and aceolllrllodllte th es e mutter s in
s llc h a mllnn er Ihat rew se r io n ~ diffi clllties will
e ver III ise. ," V her e th ere is so /{ reat II liberty,
alldll tolel'llhle dispositioll to do right, uo g rent
trouhl e will he eXl'e rie uced.
This urti cle pr escrihes in sec tion 5th, thnt
an y ullworth y member. hllVillg proved illcor ·
ri l:! ihle, may I", disowned. It can hardly he .
IIl1lieipute'd thllt slwh c nse~ will oC': I1r. Y et
it lIIuy Ilill be pos8illie fiJI' liS wholly to avoill
Ihem. In MI, ite' or oill' test which is cxeeed ·
illgly repnlsiv e to th e cllrna l mimI, ill 8pil e of
th e stron l( inflllences whi ch llIUSt. prevllil in all
0111' COllllllllllilies in rnvOl' of righleousn ess, in
.. pir e or th e liloo'rly'w e gi\' e to the discontented
10 depll!'!, 1II1d ill spill' of th e mo St filirhfnl, pll ·
li lllll , persev erillj! nnd IIffec tiona te etiOl'l8 to
reeillilll lind reform th e erring" which we lire
houlld to elllTY to th e ' fill'lhest verge of chllrily,
Ih er e ulllY he lin\\' lind th eu a " lise iu which
WI) sha ll he hlltiled, und ohlige, 11 to " pn ~ IIWIlY
thm wio'ke d per son Ihull 1I1ll0Ug ns" hy II sol ·
e llln d isownill g VOle . This will nev er he don e
hUI in cllses so de eid e, lly Inllrk ed lind illcnrll'
hie, thllt it hecot/ l es sillrul ill us to prcserve
fell owsh ip. ,
Seclio/ l 6th is s lItiie ie llt ly explicit withont
l'OllIIlJ ent. S ecti on 7th pllll: es nil meillhers on
a fuoting of persollfll cquality . AII hecollle
IlIemhe rs loy th e " lilli e test of worth, lind the
~ l lI lIe pro cess of lllhoi ~ si on. Hll vin g heco me
I n c: II L UJ.~ , thf'y..;., hIU:. c., Jl1! " It' S'nne r;,.,! It to \' U!. e.~,
the Sllllle eligibili ty to ofiiee; a et~ orolillg III 1111flllt
allli lirn ess, th e S'" lle a llo wa llce of wa ges
P"" hOllr fill' lah or, lInd th e SUllIe privileges ill 1111
l'eMpel · ! s. No IIlilltil e Willis of di stilleti oll nre
hlli lt. llp helweell IIIl1le ' 11111 fimmle, while lllld
I~ ol oretl, gHl, tlelll llll 111111 y" omell , professilln ul
l\ lld IlllprofessinUlll c lasses, th e rich ' l/ llli pnOl',
ti le titl ed a ll" IIl1titled , Ihe hil( h . hnrlland lo\\' ·
hoi'll . \ V olh old with th e poet Ihllt
.. \ Vorth 1Il1l!, es, the lIIan" and wllnt of it the fellow."
One 111:\ v ex pe l lllloth er in ph vse: ial
s tre ng th, in tai ellt ", ill ' ~ llill , 01 ' in IIptitlllie ror
1" II'ti clllllr hranc: hes ofhll sin c,,~, sc ience, a rl , 01'
of! il: i, iJ fillll: ti on'~. A ril: llt I,,,, irt alld go oll
se nse i, n nil tl", memher_, will not only conscnt,
hut he ' lI/: rio1ts , that e rid l s hollid fill rhe , p lllce
for which he 01' she is "" apted . whether ' lit ' he
Ilenol 01' th e filOt of j he c lllss, anll th e 1II0r e es ·
11I'C: l8l1y . s inee wilh us th e greatest, 1II0st tal ·
e nted, IIIHI skill. lIl hecome th e servnnts lind
Imlp ers of ' dli, withollt any pecuniary 01' othe r
aol\' lII'ta ges whatsoever O\' e l' th e hunlbl est . The
mi ghtiest. can c: olllpel UO ob edi en ce hy
ph ysieal \' iol ell ce, lIl1d th e wi sest , tholl l,( h ph ysically
weak as a chilli, is the or~ an of God, whose
( lollnse ls hnv e 1111 th e for ee of law. anI' gnv ·
e r nllle nt is essentia lly DIVI NE. administ er c, 1 ill
f1urt I! ireclly by the KI NG of ki ilgs, a 1111 in
IlfIrl ihte rmed illte ly through human or gan s. It
is therefore one of righteousness, peace und
j oy.
THE TEST.
It lIeems to he nee essa ey that we sho uId not
pUSSl'lVel' U, is , with out IIlllore particulal'nolke
of its gen eral e ha rac le l' lind delails. It may
he eonsirlere d as IIIH , pitome of Ihe do culllent
known ltlllong 0111' rrien ds hy th e titl e , " Stall'
d ard of Itl'actical Christinnity." Ther e' arQ
those wh olll we hi /{ hly respect, who ohj ect
entire ly to aU relh! ioll s tellts a", 1 moral pled g.
es whllt soe\' er . \ V e are cons trlline rl to di ssent
fi' 011l these fi'ieilll s ( HI thi s point. ' Ve do not
, Iesire tocoll6ne our henevolence, justice, or
mercy within uny narrower limits lhlln th ose of
onr comlllo n 1lIlIIlallity. \ V e hold ourl'elv ell
hounll to ! O\' e and lin ~ ood to llll, as we lIIay
hll\' e o p pc rttln ity. Nc: itl le r 110 we d esire to
he th e fin al judges of ollr fellow creatll res,
to IIssign thelll either to heavell 01' hell. This
is lh e su le pr .. m/ o: ative of tite ALL PER~ · E CT.
Nor yet 110 we wi ~ h to se t up as e,*, e! ll ia l
mere spol\ ulati\' e dogmas, abollt which th e
trllly e nlig hte ue d IInoi holy muy honestl y IIis ·
IIgre e. ' I') en ce our c: rce d has he en made C O III~
prehensive e lloug h to cmh l'lIee ! ill who s incere.
Iy he lieve in th e reli gi oll of J esus Christ, ancl
lIe1mowleelge tl , mllse h'c" bounden snbjec ts of
its Inornl ohligtions. \ V e Imt\' e our mem ·
bel'S to selli e th e detail s of c hri s tian do ctrine
ror tlwmsel I'CS, in the re\' Cl'ence of God , IIIHI
ARTICLE 1/.
, ' T h is is nn imporlunt ' a rtic le. It prescribes '
, fohllt membership ill the Associatiolls at lurge
- sha ll he IIl: qllil'ed ' JIll. 1J hy lIdm1l< sioll into some
' olle of its locnl cOlllmllllitics . Thiseollsti
· tutes 1IlI, lhlltl ' admltted. Illembert; ofthe/{ ell er-'
~ l l Fraternlll Colrtlllllnion, IIlu l e nti tlell th elll to
s it ' a lld llc t in all its ~ en el'lIl lIl11etingll; It pr e ·
scrihes II religious allli morn I test- a ~ Ol · t , of
Confessioll IIl1d Covelllllll, to which all III liSt
," e lihe ra l!:' ly and cordially IIsserlt who become
' 0 1' remain membe rs. It pr escribes th e age or
, eig htee n yenr",. aflthe enr lies t at whieh perSOliS
Clll l Iiecome memhel · s. This heing- tlll'ee
ye a rs IIl1der the age of m(/ jQrity, liS fixed hy
th e c ivil law, the qu cs li oll ml\ Y arise whether
it: i s illlended to e tlco u rnge minors to joill th e
, Com mllnio n, ~' V i t h o u t the COllsent or th eil' pa~'
ents or ~ ullrilinns? Cerrnillly 1I0t. . JVe 011 ·
Iy prov ide rOi' cllses wh er, e th ere is no s lll' h
: jmpe d illltllll , ulI( l e~ pecillil y ( 01' 0111' OWII yo uth,
who, if e l! l, c llted as we illlelld Ihe y shllll he.
: v, ill he / IIore compet ent to IICt th e pal- t lind
Lelll' th e l" l, sponsihilities of memhers lit e i~ h t ·
eell, tlmn persons ge lle rully arc ut tw ellty o ne .
' The reader will uot co n fi' '' nd memhel'ship
willI resid ence or inhahituncy. 1' 0 he all in ·
' ma te, dell endent, - resillenl, 01' inhahitllnt ill II
' Commllnity is one thillg j to he II member is
lInoth e; · . Pel'song of e\' el'Y nge lIlay he COli ·
1lecl el! with melllher s or II Coillm ull ity as
, c hihlr c n 0" t1cpenrlellls of their fum ilies. hIlt
cnn not act liS tllemhers wilhollt the pre~ erihed
qnaliliClllions . , 1t will llll perceived also, th at
lid; iiee Lion prescribes th e I'otillg ill of melll '
iugs in u good condition: Beyond - this eac h
individual is the ab solute di s poser of his or IWI'
own properly. Beyond this till profits nr e £ Ii · ,
vided among the: memher", lIccol'lting to capital
in vested nnd labor performed, us spec ified in
Articl e VIIf. Each member rnuy hon orably
le ave th e community lit uny time hy corurnu ni
cuting a written' notice to the sec re tnry ; in
wh ich case he or s he is en titled 10 rec eive th e
pur vnlne of his or her shnres in cash. And
all the members may make suc h a lise or dispOMul
of their money , not eo ntra ry to ex pres s /
com pac t, as th ey severa l ly judge expedient. Their
ussociates muy advise, reason with, und '
ad ilion ish them, us to the right use of'their. pecun
iary menus- c- as to th e quantity, quality 01'"
Iashiou of their clothin/{- or li S to tile amount
they shall expend in visiting uhroad. or in char ily
uud 111m!!, or for uny other ohject; hut furrher
thnn this th ey cunnot control them. \ Ve ~
think this right alit! pos session of indivirluul
property illliispensable to u due Ilegree of per ·
sonlll ilill epellilelll: e- und a great sufegnllrd
llgllinst th e sl ellirhy IIpprollches of hnlllan des ·
Jlotisll1. If tl, o se who have lcnst of tllis pr op ·
erly III'Cp); u : ed heyolHI th e reach of WUIII " and
eve n e llj oy great litemry ulld religious p.. il · i ·
j e ~ es, we thillk no 11Il1' I1l hilt .. lllch go od will
cOllie of IIl1owing' oll, e.. s to hold IInri dispose or
wlillt ev er th ey may Ilcquire fiJ.. Iundahle pur-,
pose... And we hel ie ve thllt the facilities 111111
eco nomics or a Fl'llt e.. nlll COlllnlUlli: y will he
,," c h, th ! lt very 1II.' l1r1y nil its Illembors clln IIC~
lI i .. e all ulllple compet ellee. They will he
llhle to 110 ' this hOllestly ; not hy depressing or
Ilegl' lIt1ing others; nol loy tllk in~ advulltage,
,' ither oftlle i... nec essiti es o r misfo.. lII11 es. As
l h" y l'IIise others, th ey will tllllrl iseives ri, e;
1111,1 thus, ill the true so cilll stllt e, il will b! Jeolll e
~' o l n pa " lIi i v e l y ellsy to do whllt is now so diffi ,
oCllh - i. e . to love our lIe; 1; hhol' liS ollrs elf- to '
' pFUll lo te tlle good of ellch nlld of 1111 hy th e
t; ume I"' oc es s.
" Shollid these liv e gen eral " hjeets he snc ·
ces sfillly plll'sued, we call 1lIIl'tily cOllce i\' e of
th e c ha llges whil'h mll st nltimalely tilk e
pl'lI'e ill M~ ei ety . The es luhlis l" III'" 1 of oll e
Cll1 l1 ll1 l1 l1 ily w111 slll'I : eed unother, till Iwlllli e
l: onntrie .., all" ~~ rehlliis we oU/ fht 1I0t 10 , hesi ·
la te . say ing th e wltole fiH't' of th e gloloe, will he
rlotl!' 11 wilh peaceI'llI IlIld I", ppy Iwbita/ iolls.
Theil'healthf,, 1 : jIHb''' lry will 8ul" IIIe lIIod heall .
li( y , the ' e a rth wl Jidl rCI, ei ve.. th eir du: errlll
ilW"" I, a III I a gOllelOll s hll shandry . he repaid
with " 1I 1" JI'ahllu tlu III pl'lldtl cts o f all that lIlan
or IJeu,.; t . JIIay IIeod . \ Vur . opp.... 8SiOIl, int erll'
pcrance, dehallchel'y, alld te n thouslIllll illite ·
lill \' i " e~ 1I0W prevalent will g rad lla lly llisa ·
" C< lr; lIl1llmall retnrll I I; Iris primeval Edell,
\ Vlllltev er 11111)' I, e til e ~ S8l1e , we will lI" pe
,,", 1Inlt" r fi ... III len ~ t tlte II lUlyillg COJlsc i_ olls,
:"""" ' 4. t- '' i '' i~ l< t ; w tumi,. p, s•• a IJd_ bcDe\' oICllt
,, " d~, , \
We lIIay now jll'Oece d to 1I0tice th e Consti ·
t lltio ll II10re iu detnil.
, ART ICL E I.
' 1\. 1' tllil', it '\',. i! l11ieperceiYCd tll llt a eonred er ·
tillll o f distinct; illdeplmd ent Commnnities is
cOlltempla ted. The Fralernal Gor'nlllllnion.
. prop erl. l' so culled, is a gellel: al association of
i lld ivid ua ls, allopting ,," tl ai: tin~ 1II111t: r this
C ons litlJl io n. This get\ l~ ral _ H811oc iatioll, as
. , ~ lIl' I I, 11I111lilS , tlO members, unll exe rc ises no
, powe r" of government, e? lcept fi~ r the re gnJII'
I! on of its meetings fi- om tlOW tl> time. It mny
pas!' resolllliolis e!, pressive orits . opinions IIl1d
<, OIu'ietjOlls" or send Ollt advisol'Y e r i~ tlcs, rc-cOlll
lrtllllolling - sneh me8llures m; are deemed
~ a l ll l nry ; hilt its nllthority e x teJ;]( I ~ "" filrthe r.
III e ve rylhing hes id es allering " I' ," ne llfl- illg rhe
COlls ritllli() n, each local Communily e xe rc ises
withill ilself nil the sac illl IlOwers r! ghls and
' imll lll llities of Ii christ ian COllllno nw elllt ll ,
Tlli ~ iJocul ; i tlilepoHldellc e IWlder a b" C ~ l el'lll
c on r.. demc}' is beli el' ed to e~ l lrt h i lle gl'ea le r
~ I , l v a ll t ll ges , and 10 olll'ia le mo re Ilifficnlries
11111 11 allY olher arl'UlIgem ent w11ich could have
' been proposed.
THE PRAG1' lCAL CHRI STIAK. "' 179
is convenientnow, hut what ill best on the
whole. A ll ex perie nce. iund ull history provesthat
great errors and wrongs, once sanctioned
or even co nse nted to bv those who seek the
, h ig hest gO( II I, do from' the very countenance
, thus afforded them increase, multiply and
strengthen , thus freq ue ntly , by a s low lind imperceptibl
e pr ocess, underruining and destrov -
in grhe noblest insrinnlous. •
' T hus II Couuuuuity one- tenth of whose
members, with th e tacit approbntion of th e
rest , sho u ld tak e pnrt in poli tic s, g o to law,
light in se lf defence, eng llge in militnry affair s,
or enlist iu warlike ex ped itions, would s tand '
ten cha nces to on e of becoming ultimately II
political clan, a castle, or at least an avaricious
corporatism, The increase of suc h Couununities
would e ithe r a wuIIIJ II th € j ealousi es, nnd
drawn ( loWII th'e venueance of th e surround ing
world, or, if s u~ cess fll l on a I.! l'eut scale,
wonld end in th e most formid abl e of despotism
s . If th ey perished, th e innocent wl> nld
go d01\' n with Ihe g nilty int o a llish on ored
g1' llve. Bill COllllnllnities having II ~ niform
consistent morlll c llllrac tc r, like thut roqllire! 1
in onr Decla l'lltion , would be hol y, hnl'lnl ess,
and slIlutllry umong men . Tiley \ You III he
light and " lilt to th e world, and th eir indefinite '
mult iplicati oll wonld int rodnce th e long pre ·
Ilict ed e rn of IInil ' ersnl peace lind happiness
on em'tli. S nc h COlll lllun ities, thongh , e.' 1: .
posed to sOllie injnries, depred ations and out ·
rug es, would be ten times mor e likely to es ·
cnpe political aud warli. l< e \' ioIClll: e tha n those
of an oppos ittl churae te r. '
S in'ce, th er efilre, sOllie test of re ligion al1,1
morals is inJisp en sabl e 10 ti, e eSlllhlishme nt
und perHlnn ent prosp eri ty of o ur Co mlll ll1l i ·
ties, th e on ly qu esti on , is whnt s ha ll tllRt test
he? We ': on sci entioll sly heli e\' e we ha~' e set
np 11 tfll e and safil on e ; which th oll gh it IlIny
letard o ur in crea se alld slIccess ror II tim e will
in Ihe end he found heulth and life to th e As ·
soc iutio n.
ART IC I, E lit.
This a rt l, elc is perhaps s llffie iently exp lic it
und se lf ex plana tory withom eOlll ll1Clll .
AHTICI , E IV.
This urtl cle ' eOlllemplutcs Co mmun itie s in
Iheir s ettl cd , well es tahlishe rl s tille. It pre~ c
r ihe s that th ey s hull appl'Oximate that s la te all
filst as · n ay he fOllnd pr lll: t iclIhle. \ Vh en th ey
hllve rcach ed it, neal'ly all Iheil' llIemlters will
dwell to geth er on th eir resrIPcli\' e COlrtlllun ily
dOlllllin s. The Inn lIs, Hahitati on s, 111/ 11 all
hui ldi ll: Zs wh lltsoe \, el' will he owncd aud co n ·
tl'Oliell ~ olely hy th e COlllmu nity within whose
') jln, its th ey nrc pr; cscribe'!. This is diffi~ rent
fr olll the pilln fir st proposell ; i, IJ. tlw plan of _
sepa ra te eOllllges a nd es tates. ' This p illn WIIS
uhnndnned npon reflecti on- willm it WIlS eo n s
ute ll' '' wntlrchuITg1Js"" iV'OiiJin; o / linde hy ' fire
' nHI t1ood.- snl e IIl1d romoval. le/ o: aJ il1t crfi~ r cnc n
Ii- om withollt , deatllTtiid h e i ~ hi p , uUI!. econo.
mi es & e. By th e pr esent p lan IIll1ny ' mis ·
chiefs amI e vi ls lll'e nvo ide d IIl1d pr e\' clll ed.
As Ill( rieullllre is to he th e hasis of ollr in ·
dnstrial op erat ions, and us ev ery thing is 10 he
lIIana/ f ed ill th e most o rdc r ly lIIalll ll! r in thi"
as well as the ot her ll eparl m e lll ~, ir IIl1ly Ite
llllt ici pat f'd tltllt tlte domnill ofa w, dl es: aloli, ltell
COUlIlJUUilY will no t ollly prod lice ill grea t
allllll , llIIlI: e th e n.." e"'; III- i.: s a lld el) lIIlill'ls of
liti:, !' HIl tha r it will ex hi hit .. lIeh lJeal lrl'!. s III1lI
ox.: elle lll:) · a.. lire now se ldo m helle l,!. \ V ell
d ir'ect ed efli'rts will he c: ontinnnlly Illude hy n
s tro llg fon: e o f wnrklll ell I1I1r1 er in telli g.: m'
mnllll ger", to earry e l'e ry th in ~ 111' to : I hi gh
del( l'IJCof perlee tion . , O rde~, hellut y IlIlel li'r ·
t ility can scarcely fitil to he th e resllit. W hi lo
II ' GOlllrnn nity is fo.. mi ng , lind preparing i t~
Hahitati oll s , th in / fs / lm sthe Irtan aged nCl'. ord ·
inj:( 10 th e necess ities or tlte elise . A few filln ·
ilies , and slIc h hands as can be prolilably en, ·
ployed, mll Sl commence op eration s. They
mll st he hoarilcd and pnid " in s llc h a mannC/'
as flJr Ihe time hein/{ e irc ll lIIstlinees Irwy reo
qllire. Meanlimc, oth er s of th e Commllnity
will p" rs" e th eir hllsill ess e lse \ vhe re, econoIllis
illl; their IIJenliS and ' prerarill l\' to j oin th e ir
hret hrell whe lle ver th ere is 1' 00m nnd suituble
e ll, p loyment liJr th elll. Thus nil coufns ion
and disappoillllnOnt will he uvoid erl, till ill pro ·
cess of time th e whole co rnpliny hav e re81: hen
th eir 10l: ati oll. SOllle ha ve inlR:( ille, 1 thllt n
COllllllu nity o f tw o or Ihrei~ hunrlred mu st, us
Il mlltter of course , locute ull ' al once, lind Ihe
wOllll er ha s !, eclI whllt th ey were to do with
tlwm seh · es. SlIeh notiolls ari se rrom II wnut
of I: rins ille rut io ll , a lld of e xp lanntiou, liS 10 th e
" ntnrlll unrl uecessnl'Y meth o, l" f estahlish ing a
Co n/ lllullitv. No on e will sc u le 011 th e Com ·
lIlullity do:. illlill till he 01' s he is prl) l'icled w ith
~ he lter, s llstnina llce a nd s u itable employ me llt.
Let thi s IlInlt el' he \\' 1: 11 IIIId er sloorl , lind th ere,
will he lIeither wou\ Je r nor difficulty .
AR'l' ICI, E \'.
This IIl't iel e , lecl " rlls thHt it sh nll he th e duty
lind Ihe I'r i\' il e~ e o f all IlIt; m hers . o f o ur' COllI'
muu ioll, nlld of th eir fillllily d ependellr s, un ·
' less a hso lute ly il" ' lIpneitate, l, to perfOl'l1l 11
rea sollahle IImOUIll of product ive lab or, & c. Idlen
ess in : thMe who are IIhle 10 purslle , m
hOlles t l' II' ployme nt is not to he en co llI · uge rl or'
tol eral ed IIlIIong us. The rkh lind th e poor,
th e lellnlf'd ! lIlol ' the unlellruerl, th e gllllt ltll\ lan
,11111 tl", yeomnn, th e mietr es s nnd th e maid,
nre expected to he reHsOli uh ly illclulltrioll s ill
so me tbin:;. To this clld it is made th e d illy
o f en" h Co nll l1 l1 nity 10 pr ov i( le s uitable e ll"
" f oymellt to r all- s tll'h ern plo)' n lellt, if pos ~ i blc,
us i ~ 1II0, t uc; rccab lc to th em. W ho ill
mutual good will to enc h oth er. It ma y be
snid that th er e lire good nnrl pure mel) wh o rej
ecj the christiun revel ati on. ' Ve do not un dertnke
to se ll le thi s point, But thi s mu ch we
are sure of- Ihllt no suc h good lind pure men,
reje cting Christ , WIt co ns istent ly, or will even
desire to be united with our Communities . lf
s uch approl' e c f. Co rnmuui ties, th ey will form
o ne on th eir own model o r: persons wh o syml'"
thize with them ill th eir r~ ligions norions. cWith
all suc h pel'sons, and 1111 su ch Communiti
es , we shull live in pea ce, e ndeuvo rlmr to
do th em good nnd not e \' i l - for e ver. " Uut
th e ir Rock is not ils our Rock j" and we cannot
hon estly, heartily and conscientionsly entel'
into an nssocintlon wi th them so inrimute
as th at which h il ~ d stogelh er th e members of
thi s Communion. To us C hristie n ity , howev er
mi sunderstood for nges hy th e grent muss
of its prof essor a, is a reli giou, and th e only religiou,
wlri ch meet s the wunt s of louman nat
llre. No o, the r co me s lip to it; no other cu n
go he}' ond it. It s ~ p i l' i t IIl1d principles lIim at
universu l res to ra tio n rllllll pe.. reeti on, prescribe
th e , proeeS>', provide th e meuns, ulIIl IInd evi at ·
iugly tend to th e l: on sunl/ nation. Henl" e we
ad opt u test whidl exc lude's th e deniers ' lind
rej ecters o r Christ.
Dill we deem it equlllly nec essary to onr
pellce nnll well ilr e, ulld to tite ~ n e c ess of our
gre a t ellle rprisc, 10 exehllle t, hose wh o, whilc
th ey pro fi~ ss the relig ion o r Christ, eit he r deny .
th ey th eir o hl: gntioll to 1' l'IIctil: e his plain pre .
ce pts , or co ns tru e those pr " cepts ioto II Ju stili.
ca tion o r ut least illt o nil IIlIowallee o f 1I 0tori ·
ou s inilJuities , vices , a lld aho lll illa tions. AlIlollg
th es e wc, i" c l" de nil wa rs anll lightillgs hetWI~
en llIankilld, wh ether ns illllil'idnuis 0.. nil tions;
nil s luve. llOld ing, man. stealing, se lling.
, blly illg 0011 imhl'lIlillg; all fralld, knu very,
s la llde.. lind personal ahuse ; 11 11 rashi onuhle
lieenliollsn ess , debnllch ery a nd polh'iti ons,
wherehy e hustity is J11 l/ l er mined : Iud \' i olllted
; ull oath takill g, implecati'on s IlIld e llrsings;
1111 llIallulitcturillg , hllying. selling Ullrl denling
oot of intoxi cllting' liqll ors as a mere drillk- so
ge ne ra lly pmctice d to th e , ev ident pr olll otion of
drunkenness 1II1d maniliJ/ d I: rim es j all mu st er ·
illg , trainiog, lind nlUorellvreing willi Ilerlllly
weapolls, io ol'lle r to lIelJllire the arl ' O f- wa r;
nil law- suiting, ofii ce - holding, \, f) tin g,~ un, 1 o th ·
e.. participations iu ti, e olllchinl'ry o f IIl1ti ·
, chr istia n gnv ernmellt s, wherehy a mllll is ob ·
lig ed 10 hiod himsclrtn d isohey Gh rist in SOn iC
things , be tilrc he can Ion allowe, 1 to do right in
oth ers; alllol'e o r do Jllinio n, se U: will, higlllt'}',
eo ve to us llcSS, Ilypocrisy , profanity, idl ell esn ess
lind IInrllly lI ~ e or th e ton l( lIe ; and all lo'ller ·
ies, l! am cs of chalice, I, ettin g', i, llmornl ljlllll se ·
rnelllS , uIII eo rrupt illg a~ se lllhia ges: These
g rea t ev ils lire sa nctio ' lI) l\ or wioked at, ulld
e~ tI: H~';' , u. 1 1')< " I 1. 1. :. " . I..+: l) Ot ro. d )' o f the
~ o ealled IIl1lJ' 1l! uod ,.,' specrahl e o r Ibe wol'l. f ,
IOIlI hy t h oll ~ lInd s wh o Inai lltaill th eil' sta nd illg
in th e lIolllinul chllreh of C hl'isl. Nay, Ihosc
gig- untie llloorniou tion,:, \ Var awl S lavcry, li re
upheld lIy th e specillll' lead ing, a lld IIl1 l1o eless
IIpolo~ i e s nr rlOll lIy I'rofc" s' lIl IlJioisl, e rs of th e
gos pe l, e ve n 1: II, illc nt docto rs IIl1d dil'ill es.
W e ca n n~ t nwu y w ilh all thi s j we prc.' · lest
agui llst it ; we 1lI0 ~ t do so me th ing In rem o ve
so great u reproach 111' 011 chrisliaoity. T o
thi s end we comh ille in n Fraleronl COlllmlllIioll.
Gall we then o pen th e do nI' ulld im'i re
per son s, howcv er ilononib le or aminhle in th e
o pinion of th e wndd, 10 IIl1ite with liS in a
wo rk to r whi ch th ey ha ve 110 hellrt , a nd which
th cy wOllld 1I0t filii 10 hinrl er lind o hs tl'llet
hoth ~ hy pl'l'cept 1II1d e Xllll1ple? COllimo ll
!' Imse lorhi ds, lind GOlI lilrhi. ls. : low cau
people walk togethe r ill thi s illtillla ~ y I\' ithollt
he in;.! Il~ re ell on fimrlnm entals ? A1111 how
can th ilY he lI;.! I'ecd wilhollt IIIl nnoler'sr lln, rlin~
of ellch o'th er's principles and se nt illll'III"? And
how ca n tlll' rlJ he a ' th oroll l( h lind f'li, ' nn ·
derstanding, with olltn recorderl expression of
th es e priti'cipl cs lind ~ e n t i ll1e n t s? H en ce th e
nec ess ity und propriety o f ! lnr Declamtory
T est.
\ Ve ha ve ca lled th is T est a so rt ofCon fes ·
s ion and Cove llllnl.. It is II bri ef eon ti) s~ io n or
filith in th e Ghristinn Reli / fion, lind of persoll'
nl obli gilli oll to oh ey its ro~ qnirem ~ nt s-! o oh ey ,
them generalll/.' nccorolill /; 10, th e rlictllt .. s or
trnth illl, l II g. oo, 1 cOllsc ie nc e, but e.~ p ecially
to ob ey tllem in the particnlars ex plic it ly Ilta t ·
e'l. It is n- Covenllnl or proillise on th c part
£ If th ose wh o nllsent to it th llt th ey will ellrnes t,
Iy enriPlIvo r hy Ihe help of God, to walk in
I: onfornii t. l' to their IwknowlCl! gllll ohlig'ati on s ,
nnll Ih at wh en c!," r th ey filii, Ih ey will [ not jus till'
thc lllse h'es ; hilt bumhly ' end nre rep ro or.
rep ent, seek rlivin e pardon, an ll refor ill. I f .
the v do thi s. th eir hcarts alld c harac te r will
cOIit in na lly improv e IIntil the perl i, et tillY. I f
Ihey walk otherwi!! c, anll nnt o n ly do what
th ey nckllowled g'e to he evil, hilt SllIhh ol'lll y
pnrsist th er ein , th ey will pr ol' ( j lin nffi" lce lind
II sco nr: ze hoth to lit clll selv f> s and th eir br eth ·
ren , , w ho in Ihe Illst resort Illilst d isowlI th em .
Still it will he sa irl thllt we are too exch" ivethllt
we dem'mll too mn ch ill 0111' test'- 1I1l11
th lll we sh all ' repel Illllny worthy, Inarn ·
el l, nnd hon orahl e pcrllon s, who cOll ld he o r
/ rrell! s'e/' I' ice to us, a lld who but fill' : 0 111' r igor ·
OilS notions. WQuid he glad ! l> unile wi:. h ns. \
V e wnnt t, helll Il/ llong IB; it reqlli res mil ch
se lf. d enillito clo withollt tb em j hill W d , IIl U ~ t
not se t a pri ce nn wh a t we rleelll fuilCla rllen tul
principles. , \ Ve Illus t for sako a ll rllth er th an
C hrist, whom we ca llnot se pa ra te from th o
principles 01 liis rel igiun . W c look forward
in to Ihc future a mI ctJIIsidc r, not merely I,>: hat
hers . This mu st be done bv the vo ic e of two
til ird s ofal i th e member s present lind nCIin g,
E verywote. m ust be passed hy this nUlllber. Sen
arti cle X. se c. 5. In se c tio n 4th o r th e
present a rt ic le it is provided that uny person
muy cea se to he a memb er Iii any time, by
se nding iu II written n otice io th e S ecretury or
hi s Or her Connnunity decluriug " su ch int en tion.
Thus a per son mny wi sh to quit the
Co rrnnuniou altogeth er , or to unite withsome
other Commu nity , which hns heen 01' is ubo ut
to he formed. 111 all suc h cases, with 0 1' wirh o
ut giving' any rea son s, th ere is perfect liberty
to depart. 011(' object is to retain 110 o ne
muong IlS who is 1I0t contented. \ V e ' th el'elor
e mnke it ens y lind honorable for any mernher
to leav e whenever so di sposed. A ( I" es ·
lion ma y arise her e' eonceruing the di sp oslriou
which a ruemher int ending to le~\' e a COlliIII
lin ity shall make of his or her stock, TIIi ~
is a nswere d by ref er en c.. to th e 71h and 8 th
sections of arlicl e III. The rnelllher im ending
to Ilep llrt will offer his or her s hares ! i, r sllle,
fir st t~ snch fellow lIIemhel'S liS aI''' most lik e ·
Iy to purchllse, Ifllone will I? uy, the CO' II ·
mllllity must tuk e th em lit th e pllr valli e, Ull ·
le.. s ahsolutelv 1I111lhie lo r w, mt of fund s- in
whieh lasl CllSe, th ey mny he 80ld wh erel'l~ r a
pllrchuser CIlII be fOlllld , It is pr esllln etl thllt
lIIemhers illtetHling to leave will ende nvor lo
arrunge and aceolllrllodllte th es e mutter s in
s llc h a mllnn er Ihat rew se r io n ~ diffi clllties will
e ver III ise. ," V her e th ere is so /{ reat II liberty,
alldll tolel'llhle dispositioll to do right, uo g rent
trouhl e will he eXl'e rie uced.
This urti cle pr escrihes in sec tion 5th, thnt
an y ullworth y member. hllVillg proved illcor ·
ri l:! ihle, may I", disowned. It can hardly he .
IIl1lieipute'd thllt slwh c nse~ will oC': I1r. Y et
it lIIuy Ilill be pos8illie fiJI' liS wholly to avoill
Ihem. In MI, ite' or oill' test which is cxeeed ·
illgly repnlsiv e to th e cllrna l mimI, ill 8pil e of
th e stron l( inflllences whi ch llIUSt. prevllil in all
0111' COllllllllllilies in rnvOl' of righleousn ess, in
.. pir e or th e liloo'rly'w e gi\' e to the discontented
10 depll!'!, 1II1d ill spill' of th e mo St filirhfnl, pll ·
li lllll , persev erillj! nnd IIffec tiona te etiOl'l8 to
reeillilll lind reform th e erring" which we lire
houlld to elllTY to th e ' fill'lhest verge of chllrily,
Ih er e ulllY he lin\\' lind th eu a " lise iu which
WI) sha ll he hlltiled, und ohlige, 11 to " pn ~ IIWIlY
thm wio'ke d per son Ihull 1I1ll0Ug ns" hy II sol ·
e llln d isownill g VOle . This will nev er he don e
hUI in cllses so de eid e, lly Inllrk ed lind illcnrll'
hie, thllt it hecot/ l es sillrul ill us to prcserve
fell owsh ip. ,
Seclio/ l 6th is s lItiie ie llt ly explicit withont
l'OllIIlJ ent. S ecti on 7th pllll: es nil meillhers on
a fuoting of persollfll cquality . AII hecollle
IlIemhe rs loy th e " lilli e test of worth, lind the
~ l lI lIe pro cess of lllhoi ~ si on. Hll vin g heco me
I n c: II L UJ.~ , thf'y..;., hIU:. c., Jl1! " It' S'nne r;,.,! It to \' U!. e.~,
the Sllllle eligibili ty to ofiiee; a et~ orolillg III 1111flllt
allli lirn ess, th e S'" lle a llo wa llce of wa ges
P"" hOllr fill' lah or, lInd th e SUllIe privileges ill 1111
l'eMpel · ! s. No IIlilltil e Willis of di stilleti oll nre
hlli lt. llp helweell IIIl1le ' 11111 fimmle, while lllld
I~ ol oretl, gHl, tlelll llll 111111 y" omell , professilln ul
l\ lld IlllprofessinUlll c lasses, th e rich ' l/ llli pnOl',
ti le titl ed a ll" IIl1titled , Ihe hil( h . hnrlland lo\\' ·
hoi'll . \ V olh old with th e poet Ihllt
.. \ Vorth 1Il1l!, es, the lIIan" and wllnt of it the fellow."
One 111:\ v ex pe l lllloth er in ph vse: ial
s tre ng th, in tai ellt ", ill ' ~ llill , 01 ' in IIptitlllie ror
1" II'ti clllllr hranc: hes ofhll sin c,,~, sc ience, a rl , 01'
of! il: i, iJ fillll: ti on'~. A ril: llt I,,,, irt alld go oll
se nse i, n nil tl", memher_, will not only conscnt,
hut he ' lI/: rio1ts , that e rid l s hollid fill rhe , p lllce
for which he 01' she is "" apted . whether ' lit ' he
Ilenol 01' th e filOt of j he c lllss, anll th e 1II0r e es ·
11I'C: l8l1y . s inee wilh us th e greatest, 1II0st tal ·
e nted, IIIHI skill. lIl hecome th e servnnts lind
Imlp ers of ' dli, withollt any pecuniary 01' othe r
aol\' lII'ta ges whatsoever O\' e l' th e hunlbl est . The
mi ghtiest. can c: olllpel UO ob edi en ce hy
ph ysieal \' iol ell ce, lIl1d th e wi sest , tholl l,( h ph ysically
weak as a chilli, is the or~ an of God, whose
( lollnse ls hnv e 1111 th e for ee of law. anI' gnv ·
e r nllle nt is essentia lly DIVI NE. administ er c, 1 ill
f1urt I! ireclly by the KI NG of ki ilgs, a 1111 in
IlfIrl ihte rmed illte ly through human or gan s. It
is therefore one of righteousness, peace und
j oy.
THE TEST.
It lIeems to he nee essa ey that we sho uId not
pUSSl'lVel' U, is , with out IIlllore particulal'nolke
of its gen eral e ha rac le l' lind delails. It may
he eonsirlere d as IIIH , pitome of Ihe do culllent
known ltlllong 0111' rrien ds hy th e titl e , " Stall'
d ard of Itl'actical Christinnity." Ther e' arQ
those wh olll we hi /{ hly respect, who ohj ect
entire ly to aU relh! ioll s tellts a", 1 moral pled g.
es whllt soe\' er . \ V e are cons trlline rl to di ssent
fi' 011l these fi'ieilll s ( HI thi s point. ' Ve do not
, Iesire tocoll6ne our henevolence, justice, or
mercy within uny narrower limits lhlln th ose of
onr comlllo n 1lIlIIlallity. \ V e hold ourl'elv ell
hounll to ! O\' e and lin ~ ood to llll, as we lIIay
hll\' e o p pc rttln ity. Nc: itl le r 110 we d esire to
he th e fin al judges of ollr fellow creatll res,
to IIssign thelll either to heavell 01' hell. This
is lh e su le pr .. m/ o: ative of tite ALL PER~ · E CT.
Nor yet 110 we wi ~ h to se t up as e,*, e! ll ia l
mere spol\ ulati\' e dogmas, abollt which th e
trllly e nlig hte ue d IInoi holy muy honestl y IIis ·
IIgre e. ' I') en ce our c: rce d has he en made C O III~
prehensive e lloug h to cmh l'lIee ! ill who s incere.
Iy he lieve in th e reli gi oll of J esus Christ, ancl
lIe1mowleelge tl , mllse h'c" bounden snbjec ts of
its Inornl ohligtions. \ V e Imt\' e our mem ·
bel'S to selli e th e detail s of c hri s tian do ctrine
ror tlwmsel I'CS, in the re\' Cl'ence of God , IIIHI
ARTICLE 1/.
, ' T h is is nn imporlunt ' a rtic le. It prescribes '
, fohllt membership ill the Associatiolls at lurge
- sha ll he IIl: qllil'ed ' JIll. 1J hy lIdm1l< sioll into some
' olle of its locnl cOlllmllllitics . Thiseollsti
· tutes 1IlI, lhlltl ' admltted. Illembert; ofthe/{ ell er-'
~ l l Fraternlll Colrtlllllnion, IIlu l e nti tlell th elll to
s it ' a lld llc t in all its ~ en el'lIl lIl11etingll; It pr e ·
scrihes II religious allli morn I test- a ~ Ol · t , of
Confessioll IIl1d Covelllllll, to which all III liSt
," e lihe ra l!:' ly and cordially IIsserlt who become
' 0 1' remain membe rs. It pr escribes th e age or
, eig htee n yenr",. aflthe enr lies t at whieh perSOliS
Clll l Iiecome memhel · s. This heing- tlll'ee
ye a rs IIl1der the age of m(/ jQrity, liS fixed hy
th e c ivil law, the qu cs li oll ml\ Y arise whether
it: i s illlended to e tlco u rnge minors to joill th e
, Com mllnio n, ~' V i t h o u t the COllsent or th eil' pa~'
ents or ~ ullrilinns? Cerrnillly 1I0t. . JVe 011 ·
Iy prov ide rOi' cllses wh er, e th ere is no s lll' h
: jmpe d illltllll , ulI( l e~ pecillil y ( 01' 0111' OWII yo uth,
who, if e l! l, c llted as we illlelld Ihe y shllll he.
: v, ill he / IIore compet ent to IICt th e pal- t lind
Lelll' th e l" l, sponsihilities of memhers lit e i~ h t ·
eell, tlmn persons ge lle rully arc ut tw ellty o ne .
' The reader will uot co n fi' '' nd memhel'ship
willI resid ence or inhahituncy. 1' 0 he all in ·
' ma te, dell endent, - resillenl, 01' inhahitllnt ill II
' Commllnity is one thillg j to he II member is
lInoth e; · . Pel'song of e\' el'Y nge lIlay he COli ·
1lecl el! with melllher s or II Coillm ull ity as
, c hihlr c n 0" t1cpenrlellls of their fum ilies. hIlt
cnn not act liS tllemhers wilhollt the pre~ erihed
qnaliliClllions . , 1t will llll perceived also, th at
lid; iiee Lion prescribes th e I'otillg ill of melll '
iugs in u good condition: Beyond - this eac h
individual is the ab solute di s poser of his or IWI'
own properly. Beyond this till profits nr e £ Ii · ,
vided among the: memher", lIccol'lting to capital
in vested nnd labor performed, us spec ified in
Articl e VIIf. Each member rnuy hon orably
le ave th e community lit uny time hy corurnu ni
cuting a written' notice to the sec re tnry ; in
wh ich case he or s he is en titled 10 rec eive th e
pur vnlne of his or her shnres in cash. And
all the members may make suc h a lise or dispOMul
of their money , not eo ntra ry to ex pres s /
com pac t, as th ey severa l ly judge expedient. Their
ussociates muy advise, reason with, und '
ad ilion ish them, us to the right use of'their. pecun
iary menus- c- as to th e quantity, quality 01'"
Iashiou of their clothin/{- or li S to tile amount
they shall expend in visiting uhroad. or in char ily
uud 111m!!, or for uny other ohject; hut furrher
thnn this th ey cunnot control them. \ Ve ~
think this right alit! pos session of indivirluul
property illliispensable to u due Ilegree of per ·
sonlll ilill epellilelll: e- und a great sufegnllrd
llgllinst th e sl ellirhy IIpprollches of hnlllan des ·
Jlotisll1. If tl, o se who have lcnst of tllis pr op ·
erly III'Cp); u : ed heyolHI th e reach of WUIII " and
eve n e llj oy great litemry ulld religious p.. il · i ·
j e ~ es, we thillk no 11Il1' I1l hilt .. lllch go od will
cOllie of IIl1owing' oll, e.. s to hold IInri dispose or
wlillt ev er th ey may Ilcquire fiJ.. Iundahle pur-,
pose... And we hel ie ve thllt the facilities 111111
eco nomics or a Fl'llt e.. nlll COlllnlUlli: y will he
,," c h, th ! lt very 1II.' l1r1y nil its Illembors clln IIC~
lI i .. e all ulllple compet ellee. They will he
llhle to 110 ' this hOllestly ; not hy depressing or
Ilegl' lIt1ing others; nol loy tllk in~ advulltage,
,' ither oftlle i... nec essiti es o r misfo.. lII11 es. As
l h" y l'IIise others, th ey will tllllrl iseives ri, e;
1111,1 thus, ill the true so cilll stllt e, il will b! Jeolll e
~' o l n pa " lIi i v e l y ellsy to do whllt is now so diffi ,
oCllh - i. e . to love our lIe; 1; hhol' liS ollrs elf- to '
' pFUll lo te tlle good of ellch nlld of 1111 hy th e
t; ume I"' oc es s.
" Shollid these liv e gen eral " hjeets he snc ·
ces sfillly plll'sued, we call 1lIIl'tily cOllce i\' e of
th e c ha llges whil'h mll st nltimalely tilk e
pl'lI'e ill M~ ei ety . The es luhlis l" III'" 1 of oll e
Cll1 l1 ll1 l1 l1 ily w111 slll'I : eed unother, till Iwlllli e
l: onntrie .., all" ~~ rehlliis we oU/ fht 1I0t 10 , hesi ·
la te . say ing th e wltole fiH't' of th e gloloe, will he
rlotl!' 11 wilh peaceI'llI IlIld I", ppy Iwbita/ iolls.
Theil'healthf,, 1 : jIHb''' lry will 8ul" IIIe lIIod heall .
li( y , the ' e a rth wl Jidl rCI, ei ve.. th eir du: errlll
ilW"" I, a III I a gOllelOll s hll shandry . he repaid
with " 1I 1" JI'ahllu tlu III pl'lldtl cts o f all that lIlan
or IJeu,.; t . JIIay IIeod . \ Vur . opp.... 8SiOIl, int erll'
pcrance, dehallchel'y, alld te n thouslIllll illite ·
lill \' i " e~ 1I0W prevalent will g rad lla lly llisa ·
" C< lr; lIl1llmall retnrll I I; Iris primeval Edell,
\ Vlllltev er 11111)' I, e til e ~ S8l1e , we will lI" pe
,,", 1Inlt" r fi ... III len ~ t tlte II lUlyillg COJlsc i_ olls,
:"""" ' 4. t- '' i '' i~ l< t ; w tumi,. p, s•• a IJd_ bcDe\' oICllt
,, " d~, , \
We lIIay now jll'Oece d to 1I0tice th e Consti ·
t lltio ll II10re iu detnil.
, ART ICL E I.
' 1\. 1' tllil', it '\',. i! l11ieperceiYCd tll llt a eonred er ·
tillll o f distinct; illdeplmd ent Commnnities is
cOlltempla ted. The Fralernal Gor'nlllllnion.
. prop erl. l' so culled, is a gellel: al association of
i lld ivid ua ls, allopting ,," tl ai: tin~ 1II111t: r this
C ons litlJl io n. This get\ l~ ral _ H811oc iatioll, as
. , ~ lIl' I I, 11I111lilS , tlO members, unll exe rc ises no
, powe r" of government, e? lcept fi~ r the re gnJII'
I! on of its meetings fi- om tlOW tl> time. It mny
pas!' resolllliolis e!, pressive orits . opinions IIl1d
<, OIu'ietjOlls" or send Ollt advisol'Y e r i~ tlcs, rc-cOlll
lrtllllolling - sneh me8llures m; are deemed
~ a l ll l nry ; hilt its nllthority e x teJ;]( I ~ "" filrthe r.
III e ve rylhing hes id es allering " I' ," ne llfl- illg rhe
COlls ritllli() n, each local Communily e xe rc ises
withill ilself nil the sac illl IlOwers r! ghls and
' imll lll llities of Ii christ ian COllllno nw elllt ll ,
Tlli ~ iJocul ; i tlilepoHldellc e IWlder a b" C ~ l el'lll
c on r.. demc}' is beli el' ed to e~ l lrt h i lle gl'ea le r
~ I , l v a ll t ll ges , and 10 olll'ia le mo re Ilifficnlries
11111 11 allY olher arl'UlIgem ent w11ich could have
' been proposed.
Page 79 of Volume 1 from The Practical Christian 1840-1841
Creator
Ballou, Adin
Date
1840
Identifier
Files
Collection
Citation
Ballou, Adin, “Page079,” Digital Commonwealth , accessed May 21, 2013, http://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/items/show/534.
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