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This digital edition is part of the Syracuse University Library's Oneida Community Collection.
Contained in a binder, the typescripts, journal entries, and excerpts from Community publications comprise the intial efforts of George Wallinford Noyes to write a biography of the founder, John Humphrey Noyes, and a history of the Oneida Community. The work is incomplete. The binder contains chapters numbered 4 to 6 by the compiler, and covers the early days, the Wallingford Community "Epoch"," and the breakup of the Oneida Community.
In an undated note at the beginning of the binder, JRL [John R. Lord?] writes:
"To me the important part of George's two volumes are the pages in volume two giving a very complete account of the harmonious way in which the Community discussed freely and finally arrived at a plan to disolve and rearrange as a stock corporation.
The discussion was only in the small [Towner] group.
The meetings held in the Hall are reported fully in the pages for July, August, and September 1880 in the latter part of Volume 2.
JRL"
Volume 1 is assumed to be lost .
Vol. IV, 1855 - 1863
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Vol. V, 1864 - 1878
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Vol. VI, 1880 |
The names of eighteen men and as many women were drawn out last night as partners for today's washing. Mr. R. volunteered to start the fires and make necessary preparations. By half-past four this morning the company were gathered in the long washroom engaged in the various processes of rubbing, wringing and rinsing, by which the soiled clothes of our 180 members are made to come out white and new. Darkness and tempest without, but cheerful lights and a merry hum within. In two hours the breakfast bell rings, and all adjourn to the diningroom, where we washers have the post of honor.
After breakfast, one-half hour still by candle light for the bible-game. All assemble in the parlor. Our study is five chapters in the book of Numbers. Then away to the different departments of work, to the woods, to the barn, to the shops, the mill and that printing-office. The mingling of the sexes in labor is more and more encouraged in view of its great practical benefit. At quarter before 12 M. the bell rings for a return. At 12 precisely, dinner. At one the bell rings, and Mr. R. and Mrs. W. appear in the parlor with piles of carpet-bag material. This is the hour for the carpet-bag bee, and few are willing to be absent. The room is soon filled, the doors are opened for ventilation, and a hundred needles are put in operation by old and young men and women, the children waiting upon his with threaded needles, and some forming a braiding group in one end of the room. Too o-clock, a song is given, and those whose work is abroad or at the shops leave, the rest continuing another hour. Supper gathers all again at a quarter-past five, and at half-past six the classes meet at their various rooms for study and recitation. There are ten classes including, I believe, all the adults and youth of the Community, and the studies which have called them voluntarily together are as follows: 3 in Greek, 2 in grammar, 1 in history, 1 in spelling, 1 in arithmetic, 1 in natural sciences, 1 in French. Three-fourths of an hour is given to this exercise. Business consultations by the heads of different departments follow, and arrangements are made for the industry of to-morrow. At half-past seven commences the evening gathering in the parlor: correspondence, newspaper reports, business reports, general conversation and religious testimony occupy the evening.
It is customary during this season to appoint "bees" for specific jobs nearly every morning at 5 o'clock, and no part of the day is more pleasantly spent than this gregarious hour before breakfast. Any one who has the responsibility of a job may mention it the evening before with an invitation to a general bee, and the red rising of the sun next morning greets us in the field. One morning this week it was the kitchen group, which invited to a bee in the meadows for gathering cowslips for dinner: another time the farmers called for the filling up of a ditch where drain tiles have been laid: a third morning the carpenters headed a party for cleaning the litter of a new building. These spontaneous labor-sorties, lasting but an hour in the purest and sweetest of morning air, with the sparkling dew, and the flowers and birds to accompany, are as attractive as they are effective.
We have had a financial report this evening. The showing was on the whole cheering. Oneida has gradually reduced her debts this summer, and the present prospect is that the remaining debts will be met promptly and without difficulty. Mr. Noyes remarked that he did not want to be relieved from the pressure necessary to make us economical and industrious...
Mr. Thayer reported that we had received for vegetables this season up to the present time $1034.00 besides $30 or $40 trusted out. Mr. Carr reported that the profits of the silk trade since last April has amounted to $1025.00. Mr. Burnham reported that 1854 and some odd pounds of cheese had been made this season.
Mr. Carr guarantees, with twenty men appropriated to peddling for the months of October and November, to clear $1000.00. He considered himself very safe in making this pledge. It was alluded to, but left for after-thought. The business will undoubtedly bee prosecuted vigorously for the next two or three months.
Mr. Newhouse reported about $300.00 worth of traps on hand. He had a project for two men to go to Brown's Tract and trap during the month of October. He is sanguine that $200.00 can be realized from such an expedition. Game is reported plentiful and furs are high. G.W. Noyes said he would vote for the bill if presented.
Speaking of pleasant weather Mr. Noyes said he felt better and better through the day, and toward night would begin to feel tipsy jolly.
For supper a truly sumptuous blackberry short cake; enough of it; nothing else on the table but water.
In the kitchen persons are busily engaged in various kinds of work, and still all goes on with ease and quietness. Lady Burnham is in the archway laying down cucumbers with Mr. Burnham to assist. Mr. Pitt and Margaret are cooking plums and putting them up in glass jars. Miss Burgess is spreading corn to dry. A group of little boys and girls are shelling peas for dinner. The kitchen company are paring apples for puddings, making bread etc. Messrs. Campbell and Barron are heating the oven and seeing to things in general. Charles Joslyn and Mrs. Abbott are putting the clothes to soak preparatory to washing. Several spoke of having a good time in their work today.
Mrs. Norton and Mrs. Abbott put on their last quilt this morning in the large tent-room. A pleasant company having been busily engaged there throughout the day. At half-past four tea was prepared for the party of 22, including Messrs. Noyes and Burt, who were seated one at each end of the table. Mr. Noyes made some happy remarks about having a tea party, and thanked God for a good family feeling. He thought our experience the past year had shown a great improvement in happiness. We had had some rough work to do, but it was only a proof-sheet to be corrected, and he would predict a better one to come. The criticisms that were going on indicated deeper earnestness and consequent improvement.
A fashion of little private tea-parties is having quite a run in the Community, and there is truly a sparkle of inspiration in them. This evening the milkers have had a supper. There were present about 25, including all the officials of the dairy department and barn. The table was set at the dairy house, and the repast consisted of milk, pop-robin, butter cheese, custard, bread, pie and cake: milk being the staple article and entering into all the compounds. It was a sweet, white meal. The health of Mr. Lawton, the chief manager of the barn, was drunk, to which he responded with some appropriate remarks on the condition of his department, its prosperity, and comparative attractiveness, which was ascribed partly to the fact that the milking had been elevated into one of the respectable businesses of the Community, J.H.N. and others whose presence always ensures enthusiasm and genial influences having engaged in it with heart and zest through the season. Our milking department affords an encouraging example of what can be done to make a repulsive business agreeable.
Agreeably to a suggestion by Mr. Noyes a party was given this evening for the benefit of the boys who got up the cows and drove them to pasture last summer and fall. The boys chose partners, being made free to follow their hearts; they chose mostly adults. The tables were set in the school-room. It was a pleasant sight, and the occasion seemed to be highly enjoyed by all. The following memorial was posted conspicuously in the room, and was finally read and drunk for a toast:
Honor to the Youthful Heroes, who, in loyal obedience to the Association, used last fall to quit their beds in the dark hours of the morning, and with lantern in hand, sometimes alone and sometimes through storm and mud, go to the distant pastures and gather the cows, encountering discomforts, not to say dangers, worthy of the courage of pretty stout men.
Coffee and doughnuts for dinner today. Supper in the parlor. Thee parlor meals are quite popular. In place of classes this evening we are to have a lecture by Alfred Barron on the subject of marl. Mr. Burt has commenced preparation for a trip-hammer in the trap-shop.
I don't know what the good folks up-stairs in the printing-office think of the clatter we make down here: but I take leave to say to them that I, for one, enjoy it mightily. It suits me in various moods of the imagination. For instance, yesterday, which was Sunday, the ring of our six anvils in the morning sounded like the cheerful call of church-bells, and reminded me of the morning chimes we used to hear booming from the Trinity steeple. And then to-day, Sunday associations having given place to the more chivalrous feeling of week-day enterprise, I enjoyed in the midst of swinging hammers, flights of fire, and noisy confusion the excitement and sublimity of battle. We had the rattle of small hammers at the vices for pistol shots, the steady clank of the anvils for the rolling fire of musketry, and now and then the thunder of the trip-hammer for a big battery of cannon. Thank God for a place in the front rank of this work-battle! Have patience with our noise, friends upstairs! While you are writing for us, we are fighting for you.
A FORGEMAN.
The Printing Department had a supper on the occasion of the closing of the volume. The trap manufacturers and all other operators in the building were invited. A table was set nearly the length of the office. Bread and butter, citron preserve and frosted cake were had for eatables, and pure Java for drink. After partaking of the repast the following toasts were offered:
Our Trap Shop Associates. "We've a liking for their striking." The Lord be with them in the great work battle, and let their motto be: "Strike." Let every nerve and sinew tell on ages, tell for God!
A Free, Religious, Daily Press devoted to the sovereignty of Jesus Christ.
John H. Noyes, Founder of the Free Press, Christ's visible leader of the Resurrection Army, and Champion of the truth.
Our fellow-soldiers at Putney, Wallingford, and Newark.
A committee was appointed to see about fixing up the Burt house and grounds. It is proposed to have Mr. Aiken open up a shop there and take in work from our neighbors. It was thought best to make the place as attractive as we reasonably could, in view of appropriating it for the shoe, dentist, and tailoring departments.
We have finished the wrought iron gears for our spring rollers. They work well. We shall now be able to get our traps along faster. Orders for traps begin again to come in.
Our preserved tomatoes in cans and jars have been tested in the neighboring cities, and are liked. Preparations are being made for enlarging this business the coming season. Mr. Pitt is now on a tour of inquiry and inspection with a view to gathering the best information in all that relates to raising and preserving fruit. Preparations for building a fruit house are in progress.
We have a new institution this spring for facilitating business - a Central Board composed of about 15 members selected from all the different departments, who meet twice a week precisely at 11 o'clock A.M., and close the session at noon.
An order was received for 1000 traps from a Milwaukee dealer. The farmers are afraid the trap-shop will have to retain all its hands through the summer.
Weekly financial reports show that the income of the Community now exceeds its expenses in a satisfactory ratio.
Eight peddlers start out this week, taking with them nearly $2000 worth of silk. Some go as far as St. Louis, Milwaukee and Cincinnati.
es, others had what they considered little private earnings: he only wished to divert what might be spent for private pleasure into a fund for Community use. This revealed a state of things which it was thought required some purification. It is natural, as our business extends and we multiply points of contact with the world, that the spirit of the world about money should leak in, and we need double vigilance to escape its contamination. The Community principle is that all our acquisitiveness should be turned toward filling the public treasury, and it was thought that even the boys could learn to appreciate this motive to industry. Finally the idea of a music-fund or any such side operation was given up, and it was proposed to pass around the plate and collect what pocket-money should be voluntarily offered, so bringing our talk to a practical conclusion. The proposition was received enthusiastically: and while the plate was passing and some whose pieces were laid elsewhere were going out and returning, there was an animated scene. All tongues seemed.
We have had it in contemplation for a year or two to buy a fount of music type, but the state of treasury has not hitherto seemed to warrant an appropriation for this purpose. Two or three months ago some one who was interested proposed a contribution-box should be kept to catch all the old shillings and sixpences which might find their way into private pockets. One night lately attention was called to the music fund; it was slowly making up and the treasurer hoped it would not be forgotten by any who had stray bits. This gave rise to conversation about the propriety of the proceeding; whether it was not recognizing the principle of private property, and whether it was not a simple farce, taking out of one pocket and putting into another. The one who started the subject said that it was not in his heart to recognize anything but the Community principle, but he was aware that it was quite common for members to carry pocket-money; boys got it by selling muskrat skins, peddlers and those who did business with the world had change in their purs-let loose, as on the day of Pentecost, and a happy, fraternal feeling flowed in. To the surprise of all the collection amounted to more than forty dollars.
A dinner was given to our young men today. It was John Hutchins' birthday, Daniel Abbott came of age a few days ago, and others will soon. The dinner consisted of Java coffee, biscuit and butter, custard pie, and some excellent crackers made by Mr. Nash. One o'clock was the hour. At half-past two we had a dance. On the whole quite an affair.
The subject of retrenchment was brought up, as we have about $2000 to pay out within the next fortnight. Mr. N. said a committee should be appointed to investigate and put their finger on the spot where retrenchment could be made. General exhortations did not do much good. For his part he thought we were not extravagant in our food - were not eating ourselves "out of house and home." But very likely an opportunity for retrenchment would be found in the dress department. Without criticising the present company he thought the women were 200 years behind the men in exercising good sense in their dress; and he did not think the men were fully civilized yet. There was some criticism of the women for buying ribbons and many such things. Notwithstanding considerable joking about whale bone, garters etc., there was criticism of the spirit that would follow fashion . . .
Mr. Kinsley thought there might be improvement in respect to giving presents. If the present was something that was really needed, there might be no objection; but all had birthdays, and one wanted a present as much as another. Often those appreciated and needed most got the least. Thus the giving of presents caused temptations to evil-thinking.
The subject of private parties was talked over. Mr. Noyes said he was afraid that in these some were omitted while others were invited often. The discussion led to the general party today, and it was thought best to give up the private parties.
What do you say?
4 P.M.: I have just returned from the trap-shop, where I have conversed with Messrs. Newhouse, Burt, Kinsley and others about chain-making at Wallingford, and it pleases them much. The machinery and tools necessary can be made here with little expense. We shall not have much to do but to fix up a room for a few small forges and vices. The women and boyes make all the chains here. The profit on them is greater than on the traps. All this, Charlotte, is the result of your remarks on the subject of indoor employment in your last Journal.
Jan. 28: Last evening I brought forward the subject of chain-making at Wallingford in the general meeting, and it received a very hearty approval. Mr. Noyes is in favor of having us start it immediately.
(In October 1857 Noyes visited Wallingford. He spent most of the day working in the chain-shop. Many of the women worked there by turns.)
I have thought a great deal since being here about more indoor employment for our Wallingford family. How different it is here in that respect: The trap-shop furnishes constant employment for all who apply there for work. Last evening, while sitting beside J.H.N. in Harriet's room, he remarked that possibly we might carry on the manufacture of trap-chains at Wallingford. The making of chains is now quite a branch of the trap business, and it does not require any power. The smallest chain is sold for $1.00 per dozen, or 8 cents per chain, and the stock for one does not cost over 1 1/2 cents. The expense for freight from Wallingford to Oneida would be but a trifle on a chain. There is but little or no doubt that the demand for traps will soon reach 50,000 a year, and chains will be wanted for not less than 30,0000 of them. At a net profit of 6 cents per chain, 30,000 chains would pay us $1800.00 for our labor. It is very easy, simple work, and all the boys and girls could work at it.
Left today Mr. J.J.FRANKS, who has been our visitor for a few days past Himself an experienced book-keeper in a leading New York bank and an enthusiast in his business, he has from the time of his first acquaintance with the Community been assiduous in his endeavors to introduce a perfect system of account-keeping among us. Our communal relations not rendering it altogether essential that any rigid accounts should be kept except with the outside world, we have shown more indifference to his wishes in this respect than we should have otherwise done. But our present book-keeper being also an enthusiast in figures, and having been brought to appreciate the superior system practised by Mr. Franks, an attempt will be made to introduce it as far as practicable.
In the evening meeting a new list of both men and women for the boot-blacking business were called for, and a long list was forthcoming. There were some more women than men, however.
Banquet in the trap-shop. G.W. Hamilton (foreman) master of ceremonies: guests, all that have worked in the shop this winter, the number not less than sixty men, women, boys and girls. The table was set in the shop, with a bench of drills and vices on one side, a punch machine, grindstone and drops on the other, a ponderous rolling machine near the head, furnaces and forges in the background. It was tastily arranged, the spotless linen and the lustrous white of the dishes contrasting well with the surrounding dinginess. After a dance in the loft the company sat down to the repast. It was simple compared with a banquet abroad, but the sumptuous compared with our ordinary fare. Two varieties of cooked cereal, butter, a dish of preserved fruit, coffee composed the feast. The forenoon had been blustering, but just as the table was filled the sun broke out and shed a cheerful radiance over the scene. At the same time music sent its thrilling sound from an adjoining room. After the repast one was called upon for a speech, and he on sitting down called upon another; in this way we had some ten or twelve impromptu toasts. There is some depression of trade at this season, but the sun-break just as the guests were seated as taken as an omen of fair weather ahead. The effect of the occasion was to encourage industry and provoke brotherly love, which, after all, are the products most thought of here.
Talks about our finances. The Community treasury is low now-a-days. The "hard times" have diminished our income from the sale of traps very perceptibly, and our income from other sources is proportionally small. We wish to take a cheerful faith view of the matter, and on the other hand it is thought expedient to "trim our sails to the breeze" as well as we can - purchase nothing that we can well dispense with, do all we can to increase our income and wait hopefully for better times.
For a year or two past it has been customary with the Community to allot small parcels of land to such of its boys as desired to cultivate a garden for themselves, the avails of which they were free to use in any manner they pleased. The question of continuing this practice the present season was discussed this evening. On the one hand a wish was generally expressed to gratify the boys in their desire to cultivate a small piece of ground: but on the other hand there was quite a decided feeling against allowing such a thing as this to encourage in them the love of money or of individual property, which has been the tendency of their private gardening operations heretofore. All the boys as well as the men should merge all other desires in that of the general interest of the Community, and expect that it will care for all individual interests. In conclusion a committee was appointed to confer with the boys on the subject, find out their desires, and advise with them accordingly.
Berry-parties seem to take the place this year of fishing excursions. The Kitchen Department have gone riding today to a huckleberry pasture a dozen miles away.
Our financial situation was pretty well canvassed this evening, and it was unanimously agreed that, however straitened our circumstances may be, there should be no grumbling, no finding fault with Providence. We shall be contented and thankful, and with cheerful hearts do all we can to prospects.
A topic of some interest with us now is the moral influence of the silk-peddling business, and the character of its official management. It is thought to have become too irresponsible. The peddlers go and come, choose their own routes and terms of absence without sufficient central control. Some are negligent about writing home, which is unfavorable to their good relations with us. The temptations of trade and the seductions of money have been fully discussed. It seems almost impossible for persons to enter the great sphere of covetousness and handle its currency without losing some of their simplicity of heart. The Community principle forbids us to help ourselves to what we want: our wants are supplied from the public treasury, and are controlled by its resources. This principle should extend to those who do business which puts money in their pocket as well as the rest. But successful traffic is found to be a temptation to self-appropriation. The question of two prices has been discussed. Is it lawful to take what you can get instead of sticking to what you consider a fair remuneration? Peddlers who have tried both ways say they have more satisfaction in adhering to one price, no matter at what sacrifice, than in the system of prevarication which two prices almost compel. Another question is, What shall be done with doubtful money? Another question is, whether it is the duty of persons riding in the cars to hunt up the conductor and pay their fare if he fails for any reason to call for it. Some of our folks are conscientious enough to take a good deal of pains to find him, if he does not find them: others have felt justified in letting him take care of his own business. It was thought to be the meanest kind of sneaking to evade the payment of railroad fare in any manner. The whole peddling business is up for judgment in our court of criticism, and the result will be its abandonment or thorough purification and reform.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMMUNITY SILK-DEALERS, NOVEMBER 1, 1858
Fix upon your route and time of absence before starting, and adhere to them as nearly as possible.
Write to the Cashier at home at least as often as once a week.
Never sell a poor article of silk for a good one.
Adhere to the arrangement of prices agreed upon for the wholesale, retail and Jobbing trades without deviation. You are at liberty to adapt your prices to the locality where you may be: but you are not to have different prices to the same class of customers in any one locality.
Never allow a known mistake in quantity, price, or making change to go unrectified.
Never defraud a railroad company. Pay your fares, and return all passage-tickets to the conductors whenever it is possible to do so.
Be on your guard against counterfeits, but never pass them. If a bad or suspected bill is taken, return it immediately to the person from whom it was received. Otherwise keep or destroy it.
Never offer to pass uncurrent money for more than its value.
Be prepared on your return to make a full report of your transactions.
Be truthful in all cases, if it costs you a trade.
The demand for traps is so free now, we shall be compelled to do one of three things: either fall behind our orders, or put more force into the shop this winter, or calculate to work in the shop next summer. In view of this necessity the other departments have consented to detail several hands, and Wallingford is to be drawn on for one or two.
Talk about the New House. It was thought the best economy to build it at once as large as we expected to need: and its size must be determined by settling the question, What is the true limit of an integral family? Our theory on this subject is that a Community Family should include all that pertains to a thriving village. We should have a number sufficient to live within ourselves without hiring help from abroad. There should be some engaged in manufacturing, whose exports would be enough to pay for imports manufactured more economically in other villages. From three to four hundred was thought to be the right number.
Our young men between the ages of 15 and 22 have the entire forenoon for study, and then fill the shop from 1 till half past 7 P.M. except an interval for supper.
Industrial activity has redoubled. The mingling of all ages and both sexes in the enthusiasm of our mechanical department has a uniting effect socially. The material result is seen in the erection of an addition to our Mansion, additions to the Trap-shop and Green-house, the introduction of new machinery, and the paying off of our land debt, which by the loan of a few hundred dollars was effected on the first of December, so that the domain of 386 acres now rests in the Community's possession with a clear title.
Notwithstanding the addition to the Mansion, every available building on the premises is finished off and occupied. Our only outlook for the further enlargement of the family must be toward the building of a new house.
It is tremendous to think of, but we are $715 behind our orders for bags. Mr. Noyes is quite stirred up about hiring help: thinks we could employ many at Depot and Castle, who are out of employment. He has authorized Mr. Bradley to "put it through." Mrs. Wilcox is going to take work, and Julia Hyde, and perhaps Mr. Eddy's daughters. Anyhow something will be done.
We have put out some bag work.
Mr. Noyes wrote the following on his slate, and G.W. Noyes read:
"It seems to me desirable that in entering upon the hiring system we should discuss and settle the principle which is to govern us in regard to bringing workmen into our family. I think that the mixing up of the family with its hired men will not only be bad for the spiritual interests of the family, but will be unprofitable in a business point of view, because the free habits of the family in regard to labor are very different from those which will be necessary for men under wages."
While the Community discountenances secret speculation, hoarding and spending, may we not recognize as reasonable and consistent with the Community spirit that desire which we all have for a little pocket money, with which we may be free to gratify our individual whims, or make presents to our particular friends? If there is anything legitimate in this desire, let us provide for it by a legitimate institution that shall supersede the present irregular and demoralizing working of it among the young. With this end in view I would offer for the consideration of the Community the proposition that once in three months, i.e. on the first of January, April, July and October it shall be the duty of the treasurer to distribute to every child at the children's house one shilling, and to every other member of the Community twenty-five cents. Of course those who do not want the bounty can give it back, and those who take it can spend it as they please in presents to themselves, their sweethearts, or the Community.
If this institution, or something like it, should be approved on trial to work well, it might be understood that as the Community advances toward its destined millennial abundance, the quarterly distribution shall be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, and so on, till all shall be as free with the dollars as they now are with the gooseberries.
Last night a committee was appointed to decide on the allotment of money to be distributed. Tonight the committee reported that all persons under fifteen should have one shilling, and all persons over that age should have two shillings.
This evening G.W. Noyes announced at the table that there would be speaking in the parlor at the ringing of the bell Curtains were put up across the east end of the parlor, where two tents were furnished with evergreen. At the ringing of a small bell the curtains were drawn, and Homer Smith spoke a piece. Next was a song by H.W. Burnham. Then came a play taken from the Book of Ruth in six parts with music between the scenes.
A first-rate appetite is the characteristic of our educational state at present. There is less machinery but more spontaneous enthusiasm in studies of all kinds than ever before. The old engage in them with all the zest of the young. Men who have lived one life, you would say, and a life perhaps of hard-handed toil, set themselves to studying French: (and they may be seen in the intervals of business drawing out of their pockets a sheet on which is printed for home use the conjugation of the verb avoir. We noticed yesterday a stout striker at the anvil, while he waited for his partner to make the finishing strokes on the trap springs they were drawing, turn to his lesson of French verbs pinned on the window at his right hand.) A few nights ago we heard a lad ask his father what the difference was between algebra and arithmetic. His father worked out for him two or three simple sums by the algebraic process. The boy's curiosity was excited, and now we see him every night at the same hour with is book and slate, pursuing the study by himself. Knots of boys may be seen after supper, watching the solution of some difficult problem that has brought one of them to a stop, perhaps, in school.
After supper a company of Fantastics came up from the direction of the mill and performed on the lawn. They danced and sang and paraded their silly costumes and antics until the beholders held their sides with laughter. Then the leader made a comical speech. Although he tried hard to disguise his voice, we knew it to be William Hinds, the wag of the Community. The others, we afterward learned, were Myron Kinsley, John Hutchins, George and Jared Allen, George Kellogg, John Sears and Henry Clark. They disappeared the way they came, the boys following them to the gate, trying to pull of their old rags. This seemed to be an attempt on the part of the boys to satisfy the love of comedy, and they succeeded very well. It was hoped that we should be able to provide our own amusements without going to the Dept for them.
Dancing till eight, music by the brass band till half-past, then our evening meeting ended the day.
Declamations in the parlor by the young men at half-past six. A stage was built across the east end of the room with sliding curtains before it. All thought that the performers did very well.
Conversation on the subject of the stage, declamations, dramatic art, etc., for which there seems to be a good deal of inspiration in the Community this season. It was thought that such performances would be a good school, both for those that took part and for the audience too, and that they might result finally in our writing our own plays. An invitation was extended to all who wished to join the class in public speaking.
The stage was put into the parlor yesterday afternoon, and this forenoon the players have been performing in preparation for the evening and for the benefit of the children who will not be present as the room would be too crowed.
9 O'clock: Our play is over, and all are well satisfied. Certainly it has been very entertaining. A beautiful representation of a street was made by G.W. Noyes and Mr. Delatre, and in this a good many of the scenes were acted. The moonlight scene and one or two others were acted among large evergreen trees prettily arranged. The dresses were fine; jewelry and tinsel sparkled. The duke's crown and a good many of the fixings and badges were borrowed from the Odd Fellows Hall at the Depot. The duke (H.W. Burnham) with his crown and other ornaments, seated upon his throne with his officers about him looked "a very king." Helen Noyes as Portia looked and played her part admirably. She appeared well in men's clothes as the young doctor. The panorama of a street in Venice was very fine.
On one side of it was the Jew's houses, where Jessica talked with Lorenzo from the window: on the other side Portia's house, all as natural as life.
This evening the play was offered for criticism. All were pretty well pleased with it so far, but thought that it ought not to break into business hours. The young men had the forenoon for school, and they should attend to business faithfully in the afternoon. Mr. Noyes thought we should be simple, and not get up anything that would cost much.
The following notice was posted on the bulletin-board during the day:
Supper at half-past four o'clock. Dramatic Exercises to commence at half-past five o'clock.
"The Merchant of Venice." Dramatis Personne. Here followed a list of those engaged, 22 persons. With a short intermission the performance occupied the evening. It was commenced by a confession of Christ. It was of sufficient interest to keep the unwearied attention of the audience to the end, and demonstrated one thing at least, hat we have abundant resources for entertainment among ourselves.
H.W. Burnham has signified his enthusiasm for vocal music by starting a movement for its more through cultivation. The 50 singers among us have been divided into seven companies, each with its leader, and the circles so formed are to have regular meetings for the practice of Quartette singing. The division into small companies, it is thought, will give some special facilities for thorough practice, and excite the ambition for improvement.
Dramatic exercises in the evening. First was the Bible story of Joseph and his brethren. This was followed by three acts from Shakespeare's comedy Taming of the Shrew. Our assembly room is so small that we shall be precluded from enlarging our attempts in this direction.
Bills of musical entertainments, menageries and exhibitions of various kinds are brought up from the Depot from time to time, and our young folks have a natural curiosity to go and see and hear. It was proposed tonight that a committee should be appointed, who should see that they were gratified to a legitimate extent. All cannot go at once: all would not chose the same entertainment; but let them have a chance to express their preference, and go by turns.
Charles Joslyn was given time for arranging and composing new music, and otherwise promoting the interests of this department. He has a good gift and an inclination to cultivate it for the Community service.
The first of our winter series of dramatic exhibitions came off this evening.
A free concert of vocal and instrumental music was given by the Community to as many of our neighbors as could be seated in our dining-room. In the forenoon a printed invitation and program was sent to as many of our neighbors as we thought we could accommodate. The room was filled to its utmost capacity, but none had to go away. The music consisted of pieces by the full orchestra alternating with pieces of a more select character. A more quiet and respectful audience could not be desired.
The Brass Band has of late absorbed the musical enthusiasm of those belonging to it somewhat to the neglect of the Orchestra. There is danger, if both are maintained, that music will interfere with our other studies. A suspension of the Brass Band was proposed and approved with the hearty consent of the members. They have made a good beginning, and may look forward to future development. Meanwhile let there be an ambition to improve the parlor music, and carry it to a high perfection.
Innumerable are the perplexities of an association so full of conceits as this, with so little room! We have all kinds of clubs, but where to meet is the vexed question. There is an hour between supper and the Parlor reading. in which we have rehearsals, dancing classes, musical practice of various kinds, studies requiring rooms and some privacy, and there is no little ingenuity necessary, after you have organized some scheme of improvement, to find a place to carry it on. Where shall we rehearse our play or song, so that everybody will not know it by heart before we are prepared to bring it out? Where shall we go to scrape our first lesson on the fiddle, or to bolt our first brayings on the horn? Where shall our committee on such a subject meet? Where can we gather for this or that? The school-room is one good place. The desks can be piled at one end, and leave a respectable hall for whatever exercise you please. The dining-room will answer your purpose for a dancing lesson. if you will help hurry up the chores and be at some trouble to move the central table. The printing-office is an occasional resort out of hearing. If we have any proper "Academy of Music", it is the dairy-house! Our parlor performances are often imported from that quarter. Some chilly dormitory will do on a pinch. Where there is a will there is a way.
The present interest of the young people seems to center around the meetings of a couple of debating societies that were formed in the latter part of winter, and that now assemble twice a week.
As the regular daily rehearsal of the Band had become somewhat monotonous, the experiment was tried this week of giving a mixed concert during the noon hour, not every day but on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. There were songs quartette, duet and solo: duets of the violin and piano, and cornet and piano, the Bohemian Troup, piano solos, etc. A committee was appointed, and each musician received a written order for some particular piece several days before his performance was expected. The arrangement was liked, and will be continued.
On Monday evening the Community were highly favored by a lecture with ample pictorial illustrations on the subject of geology and the succession of life on the earth, by Prof. J.W. Taylor of Wampsville. The attention of the audience was held more than two hours by the clear and interesting presentation of the latest scientific conclusions respecting the history of the earth and races.
I have perceived in myself during the past year a growth of faith. While theories have remained stationary, or perhaps on the whole decayed, intuitions of celestial truth have abounded. In fact I am conscious of a progress of the heart in the discovery of truth which I cannot reproduce in writing or even in thought. It is more and more the habit of my mind to look and wait for intuitions, and when they come, as they do from time to time with a flashing certainty more effectual than all reasoning, I am inexpressibly thankful and hopeful. These intuitions relate to the Primitive Church, to immortality, to the science of love as understood in the heavens; and the conclusions to which they lead coincide with our past Bible theories and with the doctrines of Communism, yet the intuitions are wholly independent of these sources and come as fresh as "good news." This is the best thing I can say about my spiritual state.
The Church of the First Resurrection. They fought for the establishment of the Kingdom of God in the heavens 1800 years ago; we are fighting for its establishment in this world. Let us prepare to welcome them home again.
For the growth of the church we must look in the direction first, of spiritual regeneration of the young in the Community, and second, of natural propagation. God has not prospered us in proselytism. We should give up the idea of insisting that God should convert the whole world right off, and have instead a far-reaching purpose to save the world by combining regeneration with generation.
We have had some talk about the spiritual state of the Association as compared with our former days. We do not study the bible as we once did, nor have the "ministry of the word" was we did when we had Home-Talks every evening. Are we doing as well? One said he felt a lack of something to centralize our attention; our experience is more individualized than formerly. There is evidently a change of dispensation, but we believe it is a progress. God has set us hard a work acting out the Bible, and we may judge of our spiritual state not by how much we read the Bible, but by the question, Are we in sympathy with the Bible-makers? Our weekly paper takes the place of preaching among us. None can read that without getting a good idea of Bible. It was recommended to the young to make a practice of reading the paper all through every week.
There is in this country a pervading spirit of unbelief and proud, independent, philosophical skepticism, which rejects Christ, scorns the Bible, and feeds on the inane transcendental fatalism of Emerson and German metaphysicians.
Noyes: It is a law of mechanics that if a body is acted upon by two different forces at the same time, it will move in an intermediate direction determined by the relative power of the two impelling forces. To apply this illustration to the progress of the Community, I should say the present state of our movement is the result not of our social theory alone, but of that theory on the one hand and the selfishness of he world, its principles and education on the other. While it is not proper therefore to think of our social state as exhibiting the ripe unimpeded fruits of communism, neither is it just to say that our social theory has had no effect. It has had effect, and it is imperfect only so far as it has been embarrassed by the operation of a counteracting force. . . If we remain as free to change as we were twelve years ago, the next twelve years will bring us much nearer to the perfected life of Christ than we are now.
Thirty years ago this country was the theatre of a great spiritual movement. The spirit of earnestness and religious inquiry pervaded the land, heaven and earth were drawing near together, and the next step apparently was to be the ushering in of the Millenium and the Kingdom of God. The wave of spiritual revolution constantly rose until 1834, when the gospel of holiness was born in New Haven.
But while the year 1834 witnessed the development of the gospel of holiness and a glimpse of its bright promise, it witnessed also the obscuration of that gospel and that promise in the public mind. Slavery thrust itself in and claimed the attention which has been given to religion. Slavery became the religion of the South, and Anti slavery the religion of the North. Thus the Kingdom of Heaven was lost sight of and Christ was forgotten.
What is Christ's plan in the present campaign? We may be certain that his interest now is where it was thirty years ago, not in Antislavery or any other specific outward reform, but in Holiness. The seed of the Kingdom of Heaven which in 1834 germinated in this world he has carefully fostered and sheltered amid all the storms and vicissitudes of the succeeding years. It has been quietly perfecting itself in the heavenly life and spirit, and today it has, perhaps, a firmer bases of operations than at any time since 1834, giving proof that days are yet coming when Christ will call in forth to an active part in the harvest of the world which is approaching.
Hence we may not expect the outcome of the present revolution will be, 1, the destruction of Slavery and with it Antislavery; 2, the turning of the hearts of the people anew to the subject of holiness, the beginning of a new revival, the opening of the spiritual world, the union of heaven and earth, the ushering in of the Millenium?
A good work is going on here with the young. A spirit has prevailed among them of running together in cliques, leading to anti-improvement and superficiality. Last evening a note from Sarah Burt was read confessing a spirit of false love and insincerity and a desire to separate herself from it. This led to a general criticism of that class of girls. Their condition was attributed in some degree to novel reading. They were exhorted to seek the ascending fellowship. The following evening there was a pretty general confession by the young which was very satisfactory. Harriet Worden has received a good deal of commendation lately from Mr. Noyes and others, and was not implicated in the above criticism.
We are enjoying a fast today both from food and labor. The proposition was made by Mr. Cragin last evening, others having expressed a wish for it, and the family joined in a hearty desire to observe the day in meditation and prayer. Several meetings were held during the day. The first was from six to seven in the morning for reading the Bible and The Circular, followed by confessions and edifying conversation. The family gathered in the parlor again at nine o'clock and spent an hour in conversation, singing and partaking of bread, cheese and cold water. The children were present, sung a song, and seemed much in sympathy with the family. They had cheerfully abstained from eating till coming to the parlor. At noon there was a business meeting. Refreshments consisting of brown bread, milk and plums were served to all in the parlor at half-past three. There was no setting of tables or going to the dining-room to eat during the day. In the evening meeting the interests of the paper were discussed, and the business men were exhorted to enlist as contributers. The family testified that God's blessing had attended us in fasting and turning attention to the interior.
There is some difficulty between Mr. Inslee and Mr. Newhouse. Mr. Noyes called on both, and they presented their grievances. The result was a free offering of themselves for criticism. Mr. Burt said that Mr. Newhouse had frequently expressed dissatisfaction with Mr. Inslee's lack of promptness in business. Mr. Burt had been tried with Mr. Inslee during the summer; thought he had not entered heartily into the work since he came from Newark, but sought his own ease and comfort, and was not willing to take responsibility. Mr. Kinsley thought he was not reliable in any department, and the tendency of his spirit was to draw persons off from public service to pleasure-seeking. Mr. Craigin thought it important that each individual should be practically interested not only in some particular department, but in all different departments. Reference was made to the spirit he was involved in while at Newark, a spirit of daintiness about work, which Mr. Noyes calls "machinist aristocracy." He and others had a spirit of pride which made it difficult for them to engage in small things, such as the trap business.
Noyes: To me it is a pretty large business. It has more inspiration from the heavens than the machine business ever had. It began small, has grown up through criticism, and has been turned out of the Association, as it were, several times while the machine business has been nursed and has failed - gone out with the ram. (A hydraulic ram had been installed by Mr. Inslee, and after much fruitless experimenting had been abandoned. G.W.N.) We must convert Mr. Inslee, or we shall all be as shiftless as he is. Failing as he did at Newark I have thought that Mr. Inslee would be ambitious to regain the confidence of the Association, but instead he is losing it. He is the very man we want, and there is plenty for him to do in the trap business.
The next evening Mr. Newhouse was criticised for personal feelings toward the Newark company, a strong tendency to isolate himself in his own department, lack of promptness in fulfilling his promises.
The large boys of Theodore's and Joseph's class (about fourteen years old), who are now considered as members of this family, offered themselves for criticism. Mr. Cragin mentioned his dissatisfaction with George Cragin who has been mixed up a good deal with Harriet Worden, and was quite superficial. He was commended by the Kitchen Department for faithfulness. Mr. Noyes said that Theodore was always engaged in some amusement, or seeking it in some way he could not sympathize with. The boys as a while were criticised for disrespect, independence and pleasure-seeking. There has been considerable card playing among the boys, of which Samuel Hutchins was thought to be the leader. Mr. Noyes thought Samuel ought not to go to Putney unless thoroughly washed from the spirit of pleasure-seeking and eyeservice for which he was criticised. Francis Smith was severely criticised for disrespect. Mr. Cragin did not know but Miss Burgess might be in fault. Miss Burgess (Laura Burgess Smith) then said that Francis would not receive criticism from her since she was criticised. Mr. Noyes moved that the Association make her free from that criticism, at least enough that she may have full liberty to exercise her authority over him.
30th. Evening: Further conversation about the boys. Mr. Cragin said there was an opportunity for correction of last evening's criticism, as he did not wish to give the boys an occasion to think they were unjustly dealt by. Two or three corrections were made. Then followed some criticism of the Community in respect to the boys. It was thought a good plan for such persons as Mr. Thacker and Mr. Campbell to take a boy and give him a thorough training and spiritual education.
John Lord was the subject of criticism this evening. He was commended highly for success in business, faithfulness. He was criticised for forwardness, a tendency to rise into a leading position. It was thought that one reason for his success in whatever he undertook was, he was not bashful or timid, but made a dash at it and entered into it heartily. Mr. Noyes remarked that his character as a lover had not been touched upon: he thought that John was one of the best lovers he knew. He made a Community matter of it, harmonized with his business, had the fear of God in it, and kept open with his superiors.
Mrs. Harriet A. Noyes was criticised. It was thought she was deficient in severity; it would do her good to scold sometimes. She should improve in sitting up straight. She was commended for a spirit that was humble, very accessible, justified and comforted and had hope for those that had sunk low. She was a real spiritual mother and adviser, sought to please God, was very useful to the young, as she influenced by love and attraction, not by legality. She lacked a little in respect to talking and edifying in our evening meetings, as other women looked to her for an example. She was a beautiful lover, combined love with simplicity and sincerity; did not trifle, but treated love with sacredness; She was free from the marriage spirit, a good critic, a medium of grace to the Association in respect to industry, love and sincerity.
This evening Georgiana Sears was the subject of criticism. She was commended for her mechanical genius; was quiet and respectful to all. She lacked the spirit of improvement, neglected her class in the afternoon taught by Mrs. Skinner. She was as good a representative of the spirit of false love as there was in the Association; was apt to place her heart and affections on those who were extremely attractive. Charles Joslyn thought there was a seductive spirit, which was coquetish, and created desire which she could not satisfy.
Noyes: This is a hard criticism, but I endorse it, for I believe it just and true. Georgiana's relations have been mostly with those who were discontented and unspiritual, and if she does not get rid of them, she will be landed in the world. And I protest in the name of Jesus Christ, that no man who is unspiritual shall be a leading lover.
In the evening of the 3rd a note from Georgiana was read, which was commended by the family. Mr. Noyes had suggested that we commend her; he liked the plan which was started at Putney, to commend a person after a severe criticism.
Fidelia was criticised. . . Much love for her was expressed. And to close, G.W.N. said he would like to confess that he had loved her very much, and felt like making a community matter of it. If love was worth anything, he wanted the Community to sympathize with it, and if there was an element in it that needed to be criticised, it could be done.
Music in general was criticised. It was thought that the brass band had not tended to improvement, but had rather drawn away from the interest from other music, besides being a temptation to George Hamilton. Charles Joslyn and others to run off to the Depot to hear and get music. It was at last decided to unite the two bands, the brass and the stringed instruments, in the parlor.
The trap-shop was brought up for criticism this evening. Mr. Newhouse was criticised for getting those who worked there too much under his own influence. Mr. Noyes said it was getting to be a man's shop. Most of the hands were young men and boys, and there was but little opportunity for women. It was true that a good deal of work was done there, but it was done in an unwholesome way. The shop was a dismal place for the women, and the men were gradually getting worn out. Mr. Newhouse, Joel Higgins, Homer Barron, and even John Norton had been heard to say, it was work, work, work. Lack of spirituality and order was criticised faithfully. The department had failed to recognize the source of their prosperity. Mr. Noyes's spirit had been crowed out, and in order to prosper again his spirit must have scope. Improvement, social unity and edification were lost sight of in too direct aim at material accomplishment.
Mr. E.H.Hamilton was criticised in the evening. Persons generally were free and sincere. He was commended for faith, faithfulness and thorough execution, but a strong self-will, oppressive and overbearing to individuals, was complained of. His financial administration was thought by some extravagant. Mr. Noyes said finally, that he was a man the Association ought to be thankful for with all his faults, and that he should lay the criticism to heart.
Referring to Charles Joslyn's assertion that some had a natural ear for music and others not, Mr. Noyes admitted that there was some natural difference, though not as marked as Charles's theory made out. He presumed that there were none in the Association but what might become practice respectable musicians. He cited some of his own experience in learning to sing. Charles had put him among those lacking a natural ear, and he had always put himself there too. But when he was at Andover he attended a singing-school because he wanted to figure among the girls, and in a year's time he was appointed one of six to do the singing for the College. Then when he went to New Haven he cheated them again, for they put him in to take the lead of singing.
Mr. Noyes was criticised as a musician. He was commended as genial and brotherly in the band. He made up in perseverance what he lacked in natural talent. He had a ready faculty of understanding and reading music, though there was more or less fault in his details and execution. He was criticised for his manner of bowing, cutting short his notes, etc., but was commended as exercising a good influence, operating as a real balance-wheel in our music.
A company of boys attended a circle at the Depot this afternoon.
Mr. Bradley reported that Francis Smith went to the circus in an underhanded way - did not consult any one. He was not one of the number selected to go. Mention was also made that George Allen and William Mills went without consultation. Mr. Noyes remarked that a real spirit of grab-game about such things had commenced among us, and if the Community spirit did not get the lead of the individual spirit in the rising generation, the Association would come to an end. Martin Kinsley, John Norton and George Allen were exhorted to have an obedient docile spirit as a good example to the younger class. Many expressed a desire that this going to the Dept and having private money to spend might be put an end to.
The boys were criticised for getting apples and eating them privately, but it was said that some of the men set the example. Mr. Hamilton said he saw Mr. Hatch and Mr. Woolworth get up into a tree and shake off and eat the fruit. Mr. Noyes said there ought not to be such as state of things, and criticised it quite sharply.
Mr. Noyes has gone into the trap-shop to work again. I never saw him when he looked so healthy as now.
A company went to the Lake this morning to fish. They started about five o'clock, and arrived home about half-past six in the evening, bringing 69 pounds of fish.
While building the New House it is well to have before us this practical question: Is the Community spiritually strong enough to convert its own children, and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? If it is, we are building the house for a good purpose, and the Community will be a perpetual, self-renewing institution: if not, it will perish in the second generation, and our house will go to strangers.
The subject of ventilation is discussed a good deal nowadays. Mr. Noyes proposed that all our sessions be confined to one hour, and that at the end of the hour the windows and doors be thrown open wide; let the wind have a frolic with our bad breath. Without some pretty decisive measures we shall have to breathe bad air. If any one, himself even, had got right into the middle of a speech when the hour was up, let some one sing out and raise the windows. Some complained of Martin Kinsley and John Norton as not being willing to raise the windows. They would sit by the windows and prevent air being let in.
G. Cragin: Well, let us have a new committee. Please to nominate. Messrs. Thacker and Pitt were nominated. The ayes rang through the parlor like the voice of many waters. So the young folks didn't rule.
In the evening after the usual preliminaries Mr. Cragin began a speech about the value of criticism. He warmed up steadily till he had all steam on and could not have been running less than forty miles an hour, when some one sung out "Nine o'clock!" Up went the four windows, open flew the doors, and Mr. Cragin was brought up short in the middle of a sentence. "Good!" "Good!" "Amen!" rang from every quarter, and the room full of folks gave vent to their merriment in uproarious laughter.
We have lately found it pleasant and profitable to avail ourselves of one of Fourier's suggestions in marching out to our field service with music. At the sound of the clarionet on the lawn after supper, announcing a bee for picking peas, weeding, or some other work, all hands gather with great hilarity, and form a line under directions from Captain Kinsley. The band strikes up a lively tune, and the whole company marches in order to the field, turning corners and changing from platoons to single file as the width of their way requires it, in regular military style. At the close of our work the music again sounds a call, when all assemble and take up our line of march for home in a similar manner. For variety we sometimes sing one of our home-songs. On arriving at the Mansion Captain Kinsley occasionally puts us through a few simple military evolutions. Sometimes we march to the reservoir and parade on its green slope, while some of the young men in bathing-suits perform sportive feats in the water.
There are nights to suggest serenades and all kinds of romance. The moon shines on nature, now in all the exuberance of its summer beauty, and an enchanting mystery is added to the scene. The air is sweet and balmy, and there is a bath of pleasure for all the senses outdoors. Last night, after the watch had retired and most of the family were fallen into peaceful slumbers, some how were yet wakeful heard music in the distance, sweet voices and a song. We knew it was a band of serenaders, discoursing love to the sleepers in the "Circularium" and adjacent dormitories. Presently a light tripping through the garden, and then after a little silence the same music was heard on the lawn before the Mansion, now near enough to gently wake the slumberers within or mingle pleasantly with their dreams. This company of "intriguants" was composed of ten or twelve of the best singers of the Commune. They sang last night, beside two familiar songs, one that was new here and very beautiful, we thought. "The Guardian Angel."
Two dancing classes have been organized, which practise from six to seven on alternate evenings. There is a good inspiration started for really learning the science of dancing and acquiring some perfection in the art. The objections that attach to dancing in common society are excluded in the Association. No ball dresses, no late hours, wine and revelry, no going home in the night air after being heated with exercise. As a means of improvement in health and grace nothing can be better, and it may be made an expression of praise and worship.
Mr. Albert Kinsley, who is one of the committee on dentistry, wished to be excused from acting on that committee, as he could not sympathize with the proposition that Leonard Dunn learn this profession. Some others had objections, and others were in favor. Mr. Noyes said he had been pleased with Leonard of late, and thought he was willing to give up the matter to the direction of the Community. As it was nine o'clock further discussion of the matter was postponed till another evening.
This evening the discussion of our dentistry was resumed. Mr. Kinsley expressed himself as dissatisfied with Leonard Dunn's spirit about it; thought he was above other work. Some others had thought the same of him. Upon this Mr. Noyes called upon Mrs. Noyes to tell what Leonard had said to her a short time since. He told her, if the Community wished, he was ready to drop dentistry entirely and go into the trap-shop: or he would go on with dentistry; his highest ambition was to get into sympathy with Mr. Noyes about labor. Some spoke of having become sick of patching up their teeth; it seemed like patching up the "old man." Mr. Noyes thought patching the teeth was better than being unable to talk with ease and masticate the food; It was better for those who had lost their teeth to have new ones put in.
The remark was made, that we had been praying for a dentist, and that now we had got one the best thing we could do was to pray that he might be spiritually minded. Mr. Noyes said that at the time he prayed for a dentist he prayed also for a watchmaker, and if Leonard would take up that business in connection with his dentistry, he would back him. He also thought Leonard might do work enough for outsiders to pay for our own dentistry.
This is the day appointed for our Thanksgiving. Our reading in The Berean, which is usually at quarter of seven, was this morning at six. Breakfast was put off till eight o'clock. A notice was put on the bulletin board proposing that each gentleman invite a lady to sit by him at the table. . .Work went on as usual after breakfast. At two o'clock we all descended to the dining-room. On a white cloth framed with evergreens were the two words "Love" and Unity." Mr. Burnham and others sang. We had for dinner baked chickens stuffed, stewed oysters, pickles, potatoes, crackers, wheat bread, whortleberry pies and wine, all of which were excellent. From three till five we had a bag-bee, and from five till seven danced in the new house. At half-past seven cake, cheese and apples were passed around in the parlor. . .We had a short meeting, in which Mr. Noyes and many others expressed pleasure and thankfulness for the entertainments of the day.
In the evening meeting the subject of gunning was brought up, as there seemed to be something of a fever in that direction. Some though it might be classed with fishing and other amusements; others considered it barbarous. Mr. Noyes said he thought there was a difference between hunting and fishing in this respect: hunting is a solitary amusement, one that the women never wish to join in, while fishing is made a very social affair. For his part he enjoyed the ride, dinner and women more than he did the fishing. There seemed to be a hearty feeling on the part of those who are fond of hunting in giving it up, although no one was put under law about it.
The meat question has occupied several evenings this week. Freedom of discussion has been the motto, and all opinions have been heard. One said that he did not think we should settle this question satisfactorily either by reason or appetite. It would be settled at last by religious instinct. He believed our movement in abandoning meat was inspired by Christ, and settling that in his heart he had not consulted his appetite of even science, but it had been his policy to think and talk in a way to make himself contented with our course.
Supper in the parlor, and dancing in the dining-room immediately after. This occurs as often as once in two weeks, and the family, with few exceptions, take part. Our room is not nearly large enough to accommodate all at the same time, but in the course of the evening each may have an opportunity to dance one or two figures.
Our bag business has prospered well the past year. Today the heads of this department proposed a ride for those who had attended the bees with more or less regularity. Fifty-four persons were accommodated in four wagons, and rode to the top of a high hill three or four miles east of us, which commands an extensive prospect. There they enjoyed their dinner in a grove, making a dessert of raspberries, which grew in abundance near by.
Question from the Kitchen whether the family would like to have coffee oftener than once a week. No. Great unanimity of feeling: coffee once a week, cocoa and tea once a week, and abolish coffee at parties. Parties have been quite a fashion with us for a year or two; testimonial parties to individuals or groups for eminent services, congratulatory parties on the completion of some piece of work, birth-day parties, etc., and coffee has been a favorite beverage at these honorary feasts. Concluded to stop the use of it in this way, and make a clean matter of drinking it only once a week.
(THE CIRCULAR this week has a long debate in doggerel verse on the coffee question.)
The steward stated that there was an unusual consumption of tea and coffee lately. We had backslidden from the resolution taken a year ago to have these drinks once a week at the family meal, and let them alone at all other times. They were now being used quite freely at select social gatherings and by individuals. He invited some expression of the family on the matter, and suggested that the resolution be formally annulled if it was not to be observed. As the result of the conversation which followed, it was concluded that the secret of our backsliding is in the fact that we have one rule for our visitors and another for ourselves. We get tea and coffee for our visitors as a mark of courtesy almost impossible to miss, and as we have visitors all the time the tempting fumes of the coffee-pot and tea-pot ascend from our table morning and evening, and it is very natural that we should covet the stimulants. The only way to raise our family standards to that we have for visitors, or bring down the visitor's standard to the family standard. We arrived at no definite conclusion as to measures, only this principle was clear, that we should aim to make our own family fare good enough for visitors. Whether the true common standard will include tea and coffee is for future discussion.
Talk about night ventilation, the custom of letting the fires go down through the night and filling the house with cold air from the windows. Noyes protested against the custom as absurd. He was in favor of a good circulation of air, but let it be warm air... The question of ventilation has been the one in respect to which there has been the most temptation to disagreement and irritation; but we are gradually harmonizing, and there was quite a unanimous sympathy with the views brought out tonight.
Debate on the tea and coffee question, resulting in a unanimous vote to banish these articles from the premises. As the meeting broke up, mention was made that it was just six years ago today since we first left off tea and coffee as a daily beverage. For the first two or three years we had them not oftener than once in six or eight weeks. Gradually they have encroached, and have installed themselves at length as the chiefest of our table attractions.
New Year's Day. All took a sleigh-ride who chose to go, the horse and mules with their drivers being tendered and in requisition for this purpose throughout the day. The evening was occupied with a various entertainment, including orchestral and vocal music, declamations and pantomine.
I am conscious of a strong spirit of health. I feel more encouraged against all disease that have haunted me than I did ten years ago, and have more prospect of wearing them out.
A party of eight went to Trenton Falls with tent and provisions, expecting to be absent three days. A few days previous a party of seventeen went to Cazenovia Lake, camped out over night, and returned the next day by way of Chittenango Falls.
An extempore fete took place at home after supper on the dedication of a new walk in the grove beyond the creek.
A party of seventeen composed mostly of those engaged in the Laundry Department started for Cazenovia Lake to be absent two days.
Following the custom of the other industrial groups the Printing-Ofice company took their excursion last week. Our destination was Trenton Falls. We spent two nights in gypsy fashion in a tent on a beautiful wood-crowned pasture ridge about a mile from the Falls, enjoyed the scenery an dour camp fare, as woodsmen usually do, and returned on Sunday.
Fever may be the work of numbers of infinitesimally small creatures having as tangible an existence and voracious a disposition as the tiger. So all other diseases are not improbably the work of parasites preying upon the organ or part affected. . . If diseases are wild beasts, why not find a way to confine them, to expel them, or to arm one's self against them? . . . And at any rate, so long as Jesus Christ by spiritual power has proved himself master of all the wild beasts that infest human life, no one need despair of overcoming in the same spirit and by the same power.
Mr. Noyes has a sore throat today. He says he is going to practice "total abstinence" from speaking, and see if it will not work a cure. So he has a slate and pencil, and every time he is spoken to he answers on his slate.
After meeting last evening I went into Father's room, and saw a piece of paper pinned on his curtain with this written on it: "I don't intend speaking again until the first of January, 1863." It really seems quite lonely not to hear him speak, not even to whisper, but all right!
W.A.Hinds brought up Mr. Mallory's case. He is giving himself up to the doctor's care and advice. Several expressed themselves as having no confidence in his present course: thought he was in reality dying from unbelief, and needed help that the doctors could not give. Mr. Burnham and Theodore appointed to talk with him, and advise him to offer himself for criticism.
Mr. Noyes wrote as follows on his slate in bag bee today: "Mr. Mallory says that the gift of healing has left the Community. I claim that I have lately cast a demon out of Harriet Skinner, and that a splendid faith cure is going on in her quietly before our eyes."
This was confirmed by Mrs. Skinner and others.
Mr. Mrs. Mallory stated that when Mr. Mallory was gone to Utica today she hid his medicine, and he was quite angry with her. He was taking not less than five different kinds. She said, if she had done wrong she would like criticism. He does not take advice of the family about Dr. Fitch. Mr. Noyes said Mr. Mallory was a man, and must judge himself. We have counceled him, and if he dies in the doctor's hands, we have cleared our skirts. We will treat him kindly, and will have no quarrel with him.
Mr. Kinsley introduced the subject of dentistry. He thought it not good for our people, especially the young, to go to the Depot. Theodore said that perhaps he was somewhat responsible, as in some cases when he was not capable of filling or pulling he had advised going to the Depot. Mr. Noyes said that filling teeth was not an absolute necessity, that people in olden times let their teeth take care of themselves. He advised that the Community do the very best they could, and let the rest go, except in extreme cases. It was proposed by some that Theodore be sent way to learn, as Leonard Dunn was, but Mr. Noyes rather objected, thinking that Leonard came under the professional spirit.
After an interval of removal, confusion, rest and commencing reorganization we are ready to resume our regular letters to friends and subscribers, not tri-weekly as last year but for the present once a week. We trust this arrangement will be satisfactory to our readers; and that in the end it will prove to be but a seeming and temporary retrogression from our previous standard. We hope to print a better paper than heretofore. Considerable educational experience was gained in our Brooklyn campaign which can now be diffused through a larger circle; and if the interest of the whole Association can be enlisted in contributing to the value of The Circular, as is proposed by the present change, it will acquire a broader basis and more momentum than ever before. We are willing to go back and take a new start, as the railroad men do when they encounter a snowdrift on the track; and perhaps, after having already cleared the way to a tri-weekly, our next advance, with the additional locomotive that is now being attached, will drive the train through to a daily. This however is left with the Lord, whose pleasure we live for, to determine. Meantime there is a preparation, not yet ripe but silently going on in the public mind, that will respond in due time to the idea of a daily paper devoted to Christ and the Truth. It grows even as the trees do, while we sleep. And the winter, which for a time may seem to check its outward manifestation, is but the prelude to the season of buds and blossoms. We feel that the times are auspicious, that the inner forces of God and nature are gathering for great results, that the progress of spiritual and social redemption is right onward; and The Circular, we trust, will be found ready to fill its part as an echo at least of the grand march and movement of the heavenly armies.
The Circular would renew its adhesion to the motto at its head, "devotion to the sovereignty of Jesus Christ." Confessing his name and purpose we enter upon the year's work, cordially inviting also the correspondence and sympathy of believers abroad to make the paper of the highest worth to the cause.
Editorial on "new Boston Magazine, the Atlantic Monthly." Its scant attention to religion is immediately noticed. Eight or ten years later the "Boston Literature" was severely criticised by Noyes, who thought it had a deleterious effect on the Community.
G.W. Noyes proposed the question whether it would not be expedient to reduce the present size of the paper and publish it oftener. His idea was to make the paper more of a record of Community life, and send it out as a daily or tri-weekly letter to our outside friends. He thought it would suit our subscribers better, and would have a quickening effect upon the Community itself, while the labor of printing would not be materially increased. His proposition elicited considerable comment, though nothing definite was determined upon.
After meeting the usual circle of men, women and young ladies collected in Mr. Noyes's room. Mr. Noyes requested G.W. Noyes to read a paragraph from the Atlantic Monthly, which he was laughing over as we came in. It was from an article on "Natural History" by Prof. Agassiz, and propounded the idea that all animals in creation, man included, started into existence alike - that there was no difference between a man and a sheep, except that God breathed a soul into man. After the reading, much astonishment was expressed.
The day passed as usual except that I spent two hours after dinner in labor of spirit and tongue on Sarah Burt's case. She seemed much humbled and in earnest for a new life. I loved her more than I have fore a long time. She offered herself for criticism at the evening meeting, and the discussion and exposure that ensued, though searching and severe, was evidently profitable and effectual. At three o'clock I went to the trap-shop, and at the close of the work there had a good talk with George Allen about Sarah Burt. I liked his spirit. He seemed nearer to me than heretofore, and confessed his union with me and with Christ. I advised him not to turn away from Sarah, but to use the influence he has over her to turn her to Christ and improvement.
February 10, 1855: The meeting in the evening was very pleasant, a happy and promising sequel to the sharp criticism of last evening. The young men and girls offered themselves unanimously anew to Christ, and testified against the spirit of false love and dissipation. I trust this is the beginning of new life and new fashions among them. Our young folks are certainly teachable and receptive. I expect they will bear the abundance of good fruit.
Conversation about the improvement of time - a trite subject, it may be thought, but one which is gaining in interest with us every day. The idea was suggested of every member's keeping a log-book, or a daily account of how he spends his hours and minutes. It was further suggested, that as many as had a mind to volunteer, should be liable to have the reading of their log called for at any time, for the entertainment and profit of the evening meeting. By thus keeping the subject agitated, and drawing our experience we may approximate to some solution of the problem before us, how to occupy the 24 hours.
Woke at half-past four. Rose at bell-ring, washed as usual. I find that bathing is very good as a waking up exercise. After breakfast and bible-game helped H.A.N. make my bed, and took part in an extemporaneous bee for making beds in the boys' chamber, a very pleasant and social affair. Ran out bare-headed to the sliding hill, and took a slide with three of the little girls on the sled in front of me. Chatted in the parlor till nine. Read anatomy and lay on the bed thinking till ten. Braided till eleven. Hardly knew how to fill up my time between this and afternoon meeting, but hoped something would turn up. Dropped into the south tent-room, and passed a few words with Louisa and Fidelia. Went into H.A.N.'s room, and found Charlotte in the hypo. Finally found a pleasant seat at the register of the large tent-room and stayed there till dinner. After dinner called on Charlotte again, and gave her some criticism and exhortation. At one had a pleasant time of rest in my own room. After meeting took a jaunt across the swamp. At quarter of five helped Louisa get supper, and enjoyed the exercise very much. After supper took a nap and attended the singing school.
Woke at four in some discomfort of body. My room was so cold that I got up and eloped into H.A.N.'s bed, where I had good warming. Fifteen minutes walloping over the wash-bowl between bell-ring and breakfast started a good circulation. After studying Bible lesson, took a lie-down on the bed of ten minutes. After Bible-game worked on the traps four hours. Attended dinner, music and braiding bee until quarter to two. Returned to the shop and worked till after five. Had Ann Eliza Van Velzer for helper, and she and I together broke one of Mr. Newhouse's best punches, about which there was no scolding, but we all felt a little notwithstanding. After supper studied anatomy and wrote. Started to go down and talk with Mr. Cragin about giving Homer Barron the benefit of rotation in business, and as I passed Mr. Burt's room met Homer going in. I accepted the circumstance as a rhyme of Providence, went in with him, and made my proposal to him and Mr. Burt, which was discussed in the meeting. After meeting read anatomy, wrote journal, etc, etc.
Rose at the second bell. After Bible-game and breakfast worked on the traps as usual till noon. Good company made lovely work. Dinner, music, braiding etc. till half-past two. Worked in the shop again till five. The triumph of our principles of mingling the sexes in labor seemed today to be complete. The trap-shop has been all day a busy and beautiful scene. After supper took a lie-down till half-past six. Read The Tribune till half-past seven. The evening meeting was excellent. Many testified to new and blessed experience of the grace of God. So ends the twentieth of February.
REMARKS BY NOYES.
We touched the lowest point in our experience as an Association about the time of Mr. Miller's death. There is now coming on a reaction against the death and darkness that has been oppressing us, and I feel in my heart that we shall go higher in faith and deeper into the mysteries of truth than we have ever been before.
The first salute to my senses this morning was an excellent smell of buckwheat cakes. The next was a charming strain of music. Then came the rattle of the big bell. Conscious of ability to dress in one minute, I waited for the second bell, at the ringing of which I jumped out of bed and into my clothes as promptly as usual: but the smell of the cakes and the music had called up so many, that all the tables were filled, and I had to wait for the second table. Had a good time after breakfast reading about Joshua and Jericho, and attending the Bible-game. Then went to the barn and milked four cows. At eight o'clock went to the shop, and took hold of the hammer and tongs with a good appetite. Had nothing but an odd job, in which I could not well employ a helpmeet, so I worked alone. At twenty minutes past eleven, having pretty well moistened my shirt, I quit work and went home to my reading corner, and enjoyed reading Macaulay's History of England till dinner, or rather, as it proved, till the Johnny-cake luncheon. Then came music with the band, which seemed to give unusual satisfaction, especially the Marseilles Hymn, which one lady said "went all through her like electricity." At one o'clock returned to the shop, and worked till half past three. Then came home and changed my clothes, to be ready for the celebration appointed at four. The scene in the parlor, the three long tables lined on both sides with happy faces, the cake, the apples, the bread and wine, the music and cheering, the toasts and speeches, and especially the allusion to old times, to the gospel of 1834, and the progress toward the resurrection which we have made since stirred my heart. After the banquet I attended milking service again at the barn; then went with W.H. to the mill to be weighed, an ordinance which we have attended to together punctually on the 20th of every month for a year past. I found my weight to be 147lbs. Returned to my reading corner, and spent the time pleasantly in a sort of three-sided chat with Macaulay, The Tribune, and the boys and girls till meeting-time. During meeting braided six times round a palmleaf hat. After meeting chatted a little with several members, among the rest with S.R., who, I was glad to find, had profited by her late tribulation, and was in a more teachable and consequently happier state than usual. After a little more reading, went to bed.
J.H.N.
Three Sacred Gifts.
Stanza by J.H.N. Sept. 11, 1856.
WORK, that strengthens heart and brain:
Work, that makes earth bloom again.
MUSIC, bursting, joyous, free,
Charm of order's melody.
LOVE, sweet mystic fount within.
That gushes heaven, and keeps from sin.
Thanks for thy gifts, O God, above:
The sacred three, Work, Music, Love.
Rose just as the sun began to brighten the western hills. Ate breakfast at the first table. Guessed right at the Bible game in consequence of the three persons next before me having guessed wrong. Went to business in the kitchen with a good appetite for work, thankful for the variety and good company which I found by late change of occupation. First attended the usual morning gathering of the kitchen company, and received from our chief, Mrs. Van Velzer, the program for the day. It was soon evident that a very busy forenoon was before us. A big baking was to be put through, and at the same time various dishes for dinner were to be prepared and put on the table. Where such conjunctions occur we have lively times, but frequently have plenty of leisure, especially in the afternoon, and sometimes have little to do all day. In the course of the forenoon yesterday I assisted in the following operations: Bringing milk from the dairy, making brown bread, making wheat bread, making Indian puddings, making fruit pies, heating the oven, putting bread, puddings and pie into the oven, paring potatoes, dissecting codfish, cooking potatoes and codfish, putting potatoes and codfish on the table, taking out part of the contents of the oven and putting in more. Withal I filled up a small interval with reading in Miller's Logic. After dinner enjoyed a private fiddling with G.W. Noyes and E.H. Hamilton. At one o'clock returned to my post, and received orders from the Commander-in-chief to prepare for dinner of hulled corn, brought a bushel of corn from the corn-house, and helped put it asoak in hot lye. Went to my room and read and wrote awhile. At half-past two returned to the kitchen and helped the ladies wash the corn after its caustic baptism. Wondered if all our folks knew that hulled corn was prepared partly after the fashion of soap-boiling. At three o'clock too the last batch of puddings and bread out of the oven. Finding a slide in the oven door broken I took the job of tinkering it. This took me to the trap-shop, and occupied the time till supper. After supper played on the violin awhile, criticised a young lady for not promptly returning things borrowed, talked with G.W.N. about social philosophy, received and read a pleasant and edifying note, chatted with several merry damsels, read The Tribune, attended meeting, enjoyed a skirmish of talk after meeting, read awhile and went to bed.
We have been stirred by the great pulse of patriotism that throbs throughout the North to such a degree that many have been willing to take an active part in the war. Two of our more impulsive youths went so far as to give their names to a recruiting agent as volunteers; but on reconsideration concluded to abide the advice and direction of the Community. We desire to know exactly our duty, and do it . . . We are called to the work of social and material construction, and our allegiance to Christ requires us to maintain the post where we are placed until other orders are issued.
Some discussion in our evening meetings relative to the true position of the Community in regard to war and public movements in society around us. The Community is devoted to The Establishment of the Kingdom of God; and we cannot cooperate with any movement which is not directly tending to that end. If we lose sight of this purpose, the inspiration and work of leading the world forward to a heavenly order of society will be transferred to more faithful and worthy hands.
Noyes: I submit myself to the Providence of God in regard to the draft; yet I shall advocate the policy of ransoming our young me, let it cost what it may. Our property is estimated at $100.000 at least, and I would spend $10.000 before I would let a man go. "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's" If not necessary, I will not give any of our bodies or souls to the work of destruction. I don't believe that these things belong to Caesar. Let him have the money. We belong to the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Community has been drawn into too much sympathy with the North and the war. Christ is our king; his kingdom is our government. The Abolitionists refused to have anything to do with the war against sin, and now they are trying to draw us into a minor issue. The war is quite as likely to dissolve society in the North as in the South. The paper should as soon as possible assume an impartial position.
By what call luck, but we cannot but recognize as a Providence, the military draft which took place in this district the present week passed the Community by without calling for a man. We had expected to be hit, and have held our business arrangements in suspense for a considerable time to provide for the call of several of our members, but through a mistake of the enrolling officer the names of the Community men were not taken in the spring enrollment. This mistake was due to the fact that our residence is situated on the border of two counties and two congressional districts, in a sharp bend of Oneida Creek, which is crossed by bridges a short distance on either side of us, so that while we are in Madison County our neighbors on a straight road on both sides of us are in Oneida County. The consequence is that the enrolling officer supposed we belonged to another district. This unsought exemption we regard as no particular indulgence, Mankind are so much a unit that the griefs and burden's of one's neighbors must be in part his own, and no formal discharge can release true-hearted men from the wish to bear their share of a common responsibility. We consider ourselves fellow-conscripts with the new-male soldiers, but drawn to serve in a different field. Indeed, while most of them have been enjoying life in the usual way, we have been in camp for the last sixteen years, pioneering in a grand struggle against worse foes to the common welfare than the southern "secesh." And while they go to the war, we will still continue to work in the not less noble task of making human society a better place for them on their return.
Nearly a thousand visitors were present in the afternoon, while others were coming and going throughout the day. Concerts by the Community Orchestra were given in the forenoon and afternoon.
Another great company day; eighty to dinner, beside ice creams etc. The parlor was full at music hour, and when the people scattered about the grounds it seemed like another Fourth.
During the last five years the entertainment of visitors has grown into an important interest with us. Every fair day, at least in summer, brings visitors to our door. The numbers have increased with the years until it is not unfrequent that one or two score and sometimes double that number per day call on us. We have by necessity fallen into the way of furnishing meals, fruits in their season, etc. to these visitors when called for. On the one hand we have not sought to attract visitors in any direct way, and on the other hand we have earnestly desired to fulfill the apostolic injunction, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers."
The year 1863, like 1854, was a pivotal year. It bro't unexpected developments in the fields of industry, finance, science and health, and opened up serious questions of future policy.
In the fall of 1862, following a depression due to the declaration of war, a business boom commenced. "It is tremendous to think of," writes the Oneida journalist, "but we are $715 behind our orders for bags." In this emergency work was given out to be done at home by a number of women in the neighborhood. This was seen to be the entering wedge of a new industrial system, and the Community hesitated. The next spring men were hired for farm work and teaming, and in the fall, when the trap department was swamped with orders far beyond the ability of the Community to supply by their own labor, it became necessary to decide once for all, whether to go back to self-help, or forward to hiring on a large scale.
Another problem soon loomed over the horizon. As "coming events cast their shadows before," the Community in the fall of 1863 began to be sensible of hitherto undreamed-of profits. The most that had ever been earned above expenses in one year before was $15.000.00. The year 1863 rolled up a total of '
$55.000.00! Beyond all doubt, the Community had passed over the line of bare self-support, and had become capitalistic. What was to be done with the huge surplus earnings, which in the future seemed assured?
Still another change, pregnant with consequences, was now coming to a crisis. After Noyes had passed through the acutely revival place of his career he began to be somewhat more hospitable toward the new ideas being brought out by science. In the early forties he had investigated mesmerism and spiritualism, accepting some of their claims and rejecting others; and we have seen how in 1854 he had accepted the conclusions of geologists concerning the age of the earth. At the period we have now reached the theory of evolution was just beginning to be taught in America. The Community were shocked and at the same time fascinated by it. In November 1862 the reading of an article by Professor Agassiz, propounding the idea that all animals, man included, started in existence alike, caused much astonishment and laughter. A year later the facts regarding the antiquity of man were discussed, and it was admitted that, granting the truth of Darwin's hypothesis of a tendency to variation from type, "only time was required to develop man out of a monkey." But Noyes, in an effort to reconcile the Bible and science, threw in the remark: "The Bible itself gives an account of a race that dwelt on the earth before man was created. It walked upright, had speech, was highly ingenious, and was called "the serpent"! Main in the bible sense of the word is an inspired being, and I do not believe there is any evidence that such a man existed more than six thousand years go." With speculations which seemed to unsettle the foundations of the bible becoming daily more rife, the leading members quite naturally began to ask themselves, what ought to be the future attitude of the Community toward science?
Finally, the year 1862-3 brought a new experience in the department of health. Originally the Community had relied almost exclusively on spiritual agencies in the treatment of disease. But as time passed, there was some slipping back, on the part of a minority of members, into the employment of doctors and drugs. The more spiritual ones counseled with those whom they regarded as erring, but allowed them to judge for themselves, refusing to quarrel with them whatever they did. At last came a supreme test. In September 1863 the diphtheria, after burning in the neighborhood for a while, gained entrance to the Community and spread like wild-fire. Stephen Pearl Andrews was visiting the Community when the disease first appeared. Noyes, who was away, returned to hear of two deaths as he stepped from the train, and found Andrews beguiling the ear of the Community by a course of lectures on "Universology." The events that followed were thus described by Mrs. Harriet H. Skinner, Noyes's sister: "We needed Mr. Noyes's wisdom and sincerity to save us from the sorceries of Mr. Andrews as much as from the diphtheria. He was present at Mr. Andrews' second lecture, and there was a sensible diminution of enthusiasm on the part of both speaker and hearers. Mr. Noyes had no personal exchange with him for several days, but opposed lecture for lecture. At effect of criticism in this case suggested its application in others, and soon a committee of criticism instead of a doctor was summoned immediately on an attack."
There were sixty cases of diphtheria in the Community during this epidemic, of which five were fatal. No deaths occurred after the introduction of criticism and ice.
This diphtheria campaign was regarded as on the whole a victory for faith, yet a liberal use had been made of material means. Hence the question arose, in view of the possibility of other such attacks, whether the Community should go back to a simple faith treatment of disease, or forward to a more extensive use of scientific aids.
Noyes perceived that the grand question underlying all these perplexities was this: From the standpoint of religion, is the use of natural means legitimate? His answer was, Yes - if the use is inspired. He said: "Let this be our motto henceforth: Inspired use of natural means. We shall get miracles enough out of that to answer all our purposes. Our quarrel is not with the natural means, but with the tendency of the natural means to exclude the inspired use. Mere natural means will not produce the result we want. If we cannot have both the natural means and the inspired use, we will take the inspiration. Inspiration is the fire, and natural means are the fuel. We must not pile on so much wood as to choke the fire. Inspiration is growing to be a pretty fierce flame among us, and after a while, when the furnace is going with a roar, we can throw in bushels and cartloads of fuel, and it will take all without being smothered. I say then, Come with your natural means! Through inspiration we shall learn to make a good use of them all."
But how could he be sure of the inspiration? Here he recurred to the great purpose which had guided his life since 1831, the inspiration of which he no more doubted than he doubted his own existence, - the purpose of establishing the Kingdom of God on earth. He saw that his attempt to accomplish this object during the Community's earlier epochs failed largely for want of the very means which he could now command. Thus the outlines of an amended scheme took form in his mind. He must have a great free daily paper in New York City devoted to Christ! This paper must be supported, first, by an industrial system supplying adequate help; second, by unlimited funds; third, by an educational system capable of producing thinkers and writers as thoroughly equipped as the world in science and art; and fourth, by a department of health depending for its results primarily on faith and secondarily on al the scientific discoveries that faith could assimilate. He regarded antislavery as but an episode in the history of America, and expected that at the close of the war the great religious revival would be resumed. If this should prove to be the case, he saw no reason why the Kingdom of God, with the increased means of influence now at its disposal, should not be borne along by an irresistible tide to its full and final realization on earth.
The first step in carrying out this program was the removal of "The Circular" to Wallingford, and the concentration of the best literary talent of the Community upon it. Thus was inaugurated what might be called the "Wallingford Epoch", which extended from 1864 to 1868. The paper remained still a weekly, but its character underwent a noteworthy change. Noyes was anxious to rid it of the imputation of being exclusively religious. He thought it should be first of all an interesting paper, and he was willing that its spiritual character should be "left to work itself out in silent ways." Hence more attention was given than formerly to science and art, and the literary aim was distinctly higher. To those who might have been stumbled by this change of policy was the following explanation was offered June 20, 1864: "Come friendly reader - you, I mean who think "The Circular" is in danger of growing irreligious because it contains less of a certain kind of religious talk than formerly - let us settle this point by a little plain interchange before going further . . . There is more danger of leaving Christ through that spiritual laziness that wants to be forever repeating things because we have found them once good than in any other way. All that we know of him shows that he never does the same thing twice, nor stays long in the same place. . . Let us not lay again the foundations that are already laid but, counting them eternally good, move forward under the guidance of the Spirit of Truth. The religion of heaven is not a drowsy affair of sitting on benches and psalm-singing. It is mighty and masculine and magnetic; it knows everything and can do everything, from teaching a child to pray to building an ironclad. Let us expect that in taking possession of this world it will begin by introducing a style of thought and feeling somewhat in accordance with its own likeness."
During this same period the various departments that were designed to support the press were receiving each its due share of attention. In the industrial department there was rapid expansion. A new trap factory was built at Sherrill, and a new printing-office at Wallingford. The Fruit, Bag and Job-printing business were greatly enlarged. The manufacture of plows and other agricultural implements was commenced. And for the first time an office was established in New York City for the sale of all the Community products. Silk-jobbing, which had been discontinued along with the Peddling business, was resumed. It was thought, however, that the time had come to manufacture silk, instead of buying it for resale. Hence, in early 1866, Mr. Inslee, after a tour of investigation, commenced the construction of the necessary machinery; Mr. C. L. Bottum, a silk manufacturer of Willimantic, Conn., readily consented to admit one of the Community young men and two young women into his factory as apprentices; and on the 30th of July the same year, in the presence of nearly the whole Community, the winders and spinners were for the first time set in motion. In all these enterprises the practice of hiring help was continued. By 1867 there were 80 outside employees, and as a result the abstraction of about 35 Community members to man the press at Wallingford was scarcely felt.
So too the financial department was further strengthened. The net earnings for 1864 were $61.000, and the net earnings during the entire Wallingford epoch averaged $27.000 per year, after deducting a loss of about $5000 per year due to the maintenance of "The Circular" as a free paper. There was a money stringency in the spring of 1865, caused by a falling off in the sale of traps co-inciding with heavy expenditures for new buildings, but at the end of 1866 the Community owed not a dollar.
In the educational department the policy was adopted of sending selected young men to outside schools. In the fall of 1864 Theodore R. Noyes and George E. Cragin were sent to Yale College, and thereafter for ten years Community students were continuously in attendance at Yale, new ones taking the place of those who graduated. For the accommodation of these students a small branch Community was established at New Haven. During this period, too, several of the young men studied in New York City, and one was admitted to the New York bar. Meanwhile at home the system of classes for the instruction of all who chose to attend was continued with no abatement of interest.
Finally, in the department of health the Community began to possess itself of the facts and methods of science. The first two students that were sent to Yale, "conscripts to science they were called, entered the Medical School. After three years of study, including several months of practice in the hospitals of New York City, they received their degrees and took up the practice of their profession in the Community.
Such was the progress which the Community made during the Wallingford epoch toward the accomplishment of its great purpose. During the same period, important constitutional principles were brought out and the power of the Community to eject members who were not fundamentally in sympathy was put a test in two in cases of conflict with seceders.
The first case was that of William Mills, a man who joined the Community with his family in 1857. The terms of admission to the Community were well-known. They were embodied in the following statement, which from the beginning had occupied a place at the head the "Register of Members," and had since been repeatedly published in descriptive pamphlets and in the paper: "On the admission of any member all property belonging to him or her becomes the property of the Association. A record of the estimated amount will be kept and, in case of the subsequent withdrawal of the member, the Association, according to its practice heretofore, will refund the property or an equivalent amount. This practice, however, stands on the ground not of obligation but of expediency and liberality; and the time and manner of refunding must be trusted to the discretion of the Association. While a person remains a member, his subsistence and education are held to be just equivalents for his labor; and no accounts are kept between him and the Association, and no claim of wages accrues to him in the case of subsequent withdrawal."
Notwithstanding this, Mills who became discontented and left within a year, made a claim for the property he had brought in, with interest; and when the Community demurred at paying the interest, he set a lawyer after them. Rather than go to law, the Community paid the demand.
After an unsuccessful attempt to form a new Community in the west, Mills applied for readmission to the Oneida Community, and by abject confessions and fair promises at length hammered his way back. But on account of the nature of his original quarrel with the Community he was received expressly on probation. Noyes says: "He had quarreled with the Community at first because he could