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Page077
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THE PRACTICA. L CHRISTIAN.'
DeToted to Tl'uth and Rigbteousness.
VOL. I. MENDON, MASS., f: EBRpARY 15, 1841.
, '
No. 20.
as the nature of the case ' will admit, to the
genius and taste ofthe several operatives.
Sec. 3. All operatives of every description,
whether employed at home or abroad, in manual
lnhor, ( 01' as business agents, teachers 01'
missionaries, eighteen years of age and upwards,
shall be allowed one uniform rate of
wages, not exceeding fifty cents for every eight
hours of. actual service. All persons sent out
on husiness agencies sllall be furnished with
the means of defrayiug th- eir extra expenses. AII
literary, philanthropic, moral and religious
teach ers, going out into the surrounding world
with the approbation and under. the direction of
the Commuility; shall be , considered as serving
fort y- eight hours pel' week, and he credited
accordingly. And' for all moneys, 01" other
goods, received from the people among whom
they may exercise their gifts, they shall aecount
to the community- retaining to themselves
a sufficient amount to covel' their rea-.
sonaule extra expenses.
Sec 4. All children and youth under eighteen
J'eal'! l ofage, connected with any conununity,
s ha ll he allowed' wages for all labor performed,
not exceeding the following' rates, viz.
from jive to seven years of age half a cent an
hour, from seven to nine one cent an hour,
from lti lle ro eleven two cents an hour, from
. eleven to fourteen three cents 1111 hour, from
fourteen to sixteen jour cents an hour, and
from lixteen to eigltteenlive cents an hour.
Set. 5. Time shull always be reckoned ' only
for actual employment, excluding th e necessary
intermissions of rest and refreshment, and
shall he accounted for on settlement hy th e
year, or the quarter, or the next longest term
practicuble. Where wages are agreed on hy
the year, quarter, month, 01' week, the Ilverngc
of ei ght hours to the day, 01' forty- eight pel'
week, shall he the common measure, All
lost time worthy of notice shall he deducted,
and all extra time added, each lit the iillo\\ · ed
. rate.
Sec. 6. All work execllled hy the memhers of
ev~ ry Community shall'he wronght in a thol' ongh,
t'dthful, and neatly finished style, acconlinl!
to its kind; so Ihat it mhy reflect lIonor
on Ihe As.~ ofiation, and command the confidence
of th e. ,~ ublic.
ARTICLE Yr.
Sec. ~ 1. All the children lind youlh connectell
wi"- · lln y Community in . t his Associlltion
stlui _(~~)...~.~~~;).-- t1. le....! n os t ~ t ~ f~
ner. ' Theil' physical ed UCfllion s hall commence
in a comlllon nur~ ery, fiJrnish ed alltl
att endell in the ' mos t IIppropriate and jndieious
style; into which they I, nay he received, with
the consent of th eir parents, from the eurliest .
al, re. , From the nursery, at the age of from
two to three years, thp. y . shall be introdnced
into well ord ered inl'lIIt · school chli'ses, and
th enceforth ad vanced fi'OIIl stage to slUge of
physical, intellectual, alld moral improvement
till maturity. . .
Sec. 2. All education ' in this Commnnion
shall he conducted on the manual lahol' principle,
and With : I view to qllalify evel'y yonth
for the actual hnsiness of life, each aecording'
to nlltnral. g- enius, taste, and passion.
See. 3, No ~ h a l~ ge shall he millie hy any
Community, ( except for books aud: sratiouel'y,)
on accollllt of education, literary advllntages,
or I'eligious instruction. These, and all pr! vileges
natnl'lllly connected with them, shall be
free to the individual members with their r especth'e
filln ily llependellls; and shall he supported
by each Conllllllnlty at lurge out of its
flollling fund, or ordinary resources.
ARTICLE VII. ,
, Sec. 1. AII I'ers~ ns connected witli , any
Community in this Association, except as designated
in the 5th Section of this Article, shall
IJe considered regular Hoarders, IInll ch arged
a certain price per - we ek for their accommodations.
Sec. 2. Hoard shull inclnde suitable house ·
l'Oom, food, lodging, hathing, li~ ht, heat, wash ~
ing and · im ning , medicine, medicalatlendance,
( unless c. alled frolll abroad) and properllurs ·
in~ when necesi'ary,- and shall be uffol'lled at
prices not exceediug the following nUllled pel'
we'ek; viz.- fmm birth until seven years of
ngefifty cents, li'OIn seveu years lill twelve
sevellty: ftve cents, from t lvelve years and uP-.,
wards olle dollar. ,
Sec.: 3. An ample fiu'e shull he . agrecdou,
providetl, and served, . by each Community to .
nil its boarders, either in commons, in select ·
Imesses, or pl'ivu te fnmilies, as lIIay have been
stipuluted .
Sec. 4. FUlllilies served with their food in
private apartments, 01: separate tene. lI1ent8, shall
fUl'llish thcir rooms with bedding, chairs, table,:;,
crocllery , lind every other neces, ury article
of honsehold convenienee, at their o\\ ln expense.
In hII other respects they shull fill'e
and be treated like those who take their meals
iu the public eating rooillS. . .
Sec. 5 . \ Vhenevel' any i: lmily helongiug to
u COllllllunity shall anxionsly d esire to keep
house, cook. lind hOllrd th einselves in a geparat
e ten ement, th ey shall be ful'll ish eH with
house- rent, fuel, bretldstuffs, and all th e staple
nec cs: mrie15 and comforts of suosisteuce at a
THE PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN.
Mendon, February ' 15, 1841.
" We defer Section 2, Chapter VI: of our E~.
position, in order to make room for the Constitution
of the " Fraterual Communion," formed
lit Mendon during the late Qual · terly Conference.
This with its Exposition must ex-
elude nearly even' thing else from the present
number, A notice. of the Conference, which
- exceeded all our preceding ones in interest .
; snd influence, will appear in our next.
CONSTITUTION
OF TtlE
FRATERNAL COMMUNION,
WITH AN
: B~ POSITION OF THE S.\ l\ IE;
INCLU. ING THE FIRST PROCEEDINGS OF
FRATERNAL COMMUNITY NO. 1.
KNOW ALL MEl':: .
That iIi order more effectually to illusttrllte
the virtues, and promote the ends of'pure
\ l'eligion, morutity ami philanthropy; to with-
stand th e vices, and reform the disorders of
, i he presentC'social state; to secure . to our pOl"
nerity the blessings of a more salutary physi>
001, intellecrual and moral education ; to es - '
Itablish a more attractive, economicnl, and pro ·
- ductive system of industry ; nnd to fheilitute
lthe honest acquisition of individual property
dol' laudable purposes: \ Ve whose names are
hereunto IttJllexed. do unite iu a Voluntary Aseochuiou,
to be called
Ti,; Fraternal Conmllmion,
And we do adopt aurl ordain lor our said
Association tile following
CONSTITUTION ;. to wit.
ARTICLE I.
Sec. 1. Tlris Ass ;, ciation shall he organized
in di~ lint: I, illilepeudellt COllllllunities, uuited ·
Iy lIlaiutllinillg a gelip. ral fellows~ ip, but exer'
c i si n ~ wilhin theillseh'es re; opectively nlltlte
1l0eialyo\ Ters, ril-: hlS and immuuities of chris-
. tian commouwealths. :
Sec. 2. The members of this Communion
, ollhalJ. meet iu QlIlU'lerly alltl Gerleral ~ onfereuoc~
s, for r" li~ ious improvement aud fi'atimml c, i" 11M!, : n:~ tteh ttll. eil' lind ~ plnces" 88" iRiiy in
thepro~ re~ s of ev; ents be found expedient.
S. c.: 3. These gelleral lIIeetings shall be reg ·
' ulared IUld comlucted, accordil) g to such rules
· o f or< 1 el · as two- tllil'ds ' o f the members in at'
telJ. hu lce may for the time beiug agree to
; a d opt.
ARTICLE II.
Stc. I. Memhershipin this Assoeiation shall
Ibe acquired only by : admission illlo some one
· of its eommunities. '
Sec. 2. No person shall be a member of any
- communily, who does 1I0t < 1elibemtely and
, cordially assent to the allnex. oo
• DECLARATION, \ Viz.
I b~ Jieve in the Religion < ofJesus Christ, as
lh e tllu~ ht and exemplified it, accordiul( 10 tlte
I ; S crip! li res of the New Tes: iuuent. IlIcknowl ·
' etll! e myself a honnden , s liilj ect of all its lI: oral
o{) hligations. ~ peciall. ll , do I hold myself
ihound hy its ho~ y requirements, never, under
; a ny pretext wlllltsoever, to kill, assault, beat,
Ttortur e, enslave, rob, oppress, pel'i'eCUle, fie ·
< fraud, corrupt, slaluler, revile, injure, envy, or
: h llte any hllllllll1 being- even Illy worst enemy:
never ill auy manuel' to violate the dictllies of
: p ure chastity: .' ne ve · r to take 01' adminisler an
- oath: never to manufitetlure, buy, sell, deal
· ( Jnt, or use any ' intoxicaling liquol' alr · a btver.
age: never to sel've in the " rmy, na'l" y 01' mi ·
Iitia oranv Nation, State 01' · C h ie ful ~! I = never
to- bring an IIction at hiw, hold office, vote,
, j oin a leglll posse, petition u legislature, 01' ask
~ ovel'llIlIelllal inlerpositiou, in allY caser. nvolv ·
illK a final alltftorized" resortto physical viwlellce :
never to indulge self- will, higot'ry, love , of preeminence,
covetol! SneSS, deceit, ' l'rofilllity, idleness,
01' an unruly tonl( u~ : UlJover to pl'll'ticipate
in lotteries, games of chance, hetting., or pern
icious amusements: never , to reselll ... eproof,
or. Justify myself in a known ~ wro n g : lIev'! lr to
aid, abet or approve others in any tLing sin ·
ful: but, through t1ivinp. nssistance,' alwllys 10
recommend and promote, with my entire in ·
, fl uence , the holiness and happineSd of nil mankind.
Sec. 3. Any person eighteen year6' of age,
thus assenting to the foregoinlt declal'lll ion,
may he proposed for memhership at ~ IIJY regulnr
meeting of a community, and ad1ill1tted hy
Note. . ,
_ : Sec. 4. Any person may cease to he a mem'
b el' by . collllllunicating to rhe Secretary of his
or her community a written uotice to that ef ·
fect. '
\ Sec• . s. Any unworthy 1l1emher, having
proved · iucor r igible, may be disowned by vote.
Sec. 6.. Every COllllllunity shall be distinguished
' by . N umber , according to the date of
Its fOl'mlllion, and shall ' be uuifol" lnlyentitled,
in all ~ vritten instruments, recorus, . und ad-'
dressel3, '{) zj- FiI'utemal Community No 1; 2, 3,
or as. the case may he. And every such community
shall keep a Book, contalning this Constitution,
with a general Register of all its
members annexed j which Register shall exhibit
in distinct columns the following partieulars,
viz ,- their names at full length, place of
nativity, time of birth, ' date of admission, and
general calling, together with blank space sufficient
to minute their death, or disconnection
however effected, A Hook shatl also he kept
hy every Community, in which all its births,
marriages and deaths shall he carefully re- .
oo~~ . •
Sec. 7. All members of every Community
shall stand on It footing of personal equality.
irrespective of sex, colour, occupation, wealth,
rauk, 01' any other natural 01' adventitious peculiarity.
, ~ RTICLE r t r,
~ Sec. 1. The members of each Commnnitv
in th is Associat ion shall own and mnnnge such
and so much Real and Moveable Esnue, in
Joint Stock Proprietorship, as they nmy from
time to time agree.
Sec. 2. This Joint Stock Property shall he '
created hy Subscription . in negotiahle Shares
ofFilty Dollars ench. und may he increased by
new subscriptions indefinitely, at the discretion
of the Communitv,
SP. c. 3. AII Joint SIO'ck property thus created
shall be considered us existing . in the two 101lowing
named distinct funds; viz.- tlie C011- '
solidaled fund, aud the floating fund. The
consolidated. fund shall cover nil investments in
Real Estate of every description whatsoever.
The floating fund shall covel' all unexpended
cash, moneys due the Community, and moveahle
property in possession of every description,
And all accounts shall he kept with
strict reference to these two funds.
Sec. 4. Nil Community shall in'vest more
than five- sixths o( its Joint Stnck Property iu
Real Estate, except fill' temporary safe keepiug
under peculiar circumstances. At least
one- sixth " hall ordinarily remain in the floating
litlld; lind sufficient cash shall always he
retuined 011 hand to meet all pr. obable necessities.
Sec. 5. A regulal' Subscription Book :; hall
he o[ Jened and kept in ev~ ry community;
whid. shall exhibit Ihe tel'lilS of slJlJscription,
the lIames of all snbscribers, the amonnt suliscrihed,
lh e ' number ofshllres IIIken, the time
;) v, l, len , ft . r. econl, of" aJ!.,...= ci. fil: ll.~ t: S~ Qf...~ c! · :_ at .
full leligth, alHl n minute of, every tl'Unsler o f
shlll'es. . ,
Sec. 6. Every person, on payment of his 01'
- h e r snhscription to the Jo'int Stock Property
ofnnv Commnnitv, ' s llllil rel: ei\' e a Certificate '
flf tide to the num- bet' of shares taken, signed
hy the presiding exel'utive oflicer thereof; lIod
cOllntersignel1 hy the Secretary j which Cp. r ·
tificlIle shall he in I. he form liJllowing, to wit:
" For value received A. H., 01' order, is herehy
" milled 10 -. - .. hares in the Joillt Stock
Property ofFraternul Community' No. --,
valued lit --- dollars, & c. together with
such divitlends Ill' may frolll time to time he
declareflthereou.
Given under QUI' hands at --- this --
day of--'- A. D. -- H. C. •
\ D.. E ,. Sec'ry."
Sec. 7. Whenever' any stockholder shall be
desirous of convel'l: ng his 01' her stock, 01' any
part thereof, into cash, aruluo pnrcJlllser read ·
ily IIppellrs to take the sallle, the cOlllliltll/ ity
shall, if possihle, ' p1ll'c hase it at the par " aille
thereof; illl d pay the umonnt ont of the money
on hand in the floating fnnd.
Sec. 8. And no member shall ever sell any
share of this Joint Stock, except ' to fellow
members, without first offering it for sale to
the Commnnity.
ARTICLE IV.
Sec. 1. The memhers of every Community
in this ASBocilltlOn, shill I, if practicable, dwell
together, on their own aoil, in u compactneighbm
· hood.
Sec. 3. They shall ,,, rect in each ComlTJuni~.
ty, lit their earliest convel/ ience, one 0" trlore
spllcious, well · constructed mansion- houses,
with such appnrtenllnt harns, granaries, work.
shops, mills, IIlluHdaClOries, und other huilll ·
il/ g", as they may he lib Ie, and deem necessary.
These mansion · hOlises, . with ' their a'ppenfluges,
shall he called HabitatiOlis, nnd shall
be cnpable of affording , comfortable accolII ·
IrlOdations to one hnl/ dred persons at least,
and as many more as may be fIJllnd expedient.
Sec. 4. All Habitations, with their snrrounding
lands and buildings, shnll be owned lIud
controlled' solely hy the community within
whose limits they iJl'e comprise!!.
ARTICLE v.
S ec. 1. It shall he considerCl! the dut, lJ and
the privilege of all memhers of . this A,;,. ocintion
in every Community, and of their family
depenllents, unless absolutely incnpacitated,
to perfilI'm a reasouahle aUlOunt of prodnctive
lahor, either corporeal ,' mentill or mixed, in
some department of usefill indnstry,
Sec. 2. To this end each Commnnity shall
endeavor to provide suitahle employment' for
every iudividual conl/ ected with it ; which va rious
employment shall be , adapted , as nearly
fair price. '
Sec. 6. Each Community Shall endeavor to
grow, manufacture, 01' purchase at wholesale,
all articl es of necessary consumption; so as to
keel' iu'storenn ndequnte supply for the wants
of a II its members and dependents. And every
item sol~ out of the Community stores, or
furnished at a price, to any member of this
Communion, 01' to IIny family dependent of
such member, shall be afforded at cost, as nearIy
as the same can be ascertained,
Sec. 7. All labor performed fur any Commu'
nity shall he credited; hoardrand nil other articles
furnished shall be charged j and a coinplete
settlement shall be [ made with every individual,
at least once, a year,
ARTICLE VIII.
Sec. 1. AII losses of real estate from any
cause whatsoever; exceeding the sum of three ."
hundred dollars in anyone year, shall be borne
by the stockholders of a Community, and repaired
by an equitable assessment on their
shares. All other losses, whether of real or
moveable estate belonging to the Community,
shall be horne hy such Comrnun ity out of its
floating fund. The publictaxes, ordinary repairs
of buildings, lind nil othe r in cid ental current
expenses of every description, ishall be '
paid out of the floating fhnd. I
Sec. 2. The clear profits of evel'y Community
sh all be periodically divided among the
members thereof; and members only" according
to capital invested, and labor performed.
The SHARES of Joint Stock shall receive jive.
twelfths of such profits, . a nd LABOR seventwelfths.
Every member owriing shares shall
receive a dividend of the profits accruing to
capitnl, according to the number of such
shares; and every member shnllreceive a dividend
of the profits accruing to labor, . uccord iug
to the time credited to him or her individually
on th e Books of the COlnulIJnity.
Sec. 3. Provided, ueverlheless, that capital
shall never receive pl'o} itS exceeding an amount"
equal 10 six per cent per ' Illnum, simple interest,
fOI' the whole time of its iuvestment, in the
fimds of the Communitv. NOI' shallillhor hcyond
the average of 48 · hours pel' week, nOI'
that of minors. I; nder eighteen years ot' a~ e,
nor the services of any other person ever cntitie
any member ~ o projits.\
AR'l'ICI. E IX.
" Eve l'I'. Commn n itj' .,; n . t his Associat ivn shu ll
;:. Sl8ffit -' fur- " v er::; IJ1~. fg~ d to the reliefand com.
fortahle Illaintenance'of all its nlemberst ' who'
llIay hecome destitute oCpecuniarY'resoufces "
and also of tlreii' widows and orphans, so lou~
as they shall conform to Wholesome rules and
regulations.
ARTICLE X. I
Sec. Earh Cormnunity in this AssQciation
shall hold au annual meetinl' for the elroice of
its official se rvants, th p. h earin~ of' reports, allli
tim transaction . ofother 1, leCeSSal'y IIII~ iu es8.
Sec. 2. All oflicial serVlIlI! Sshall colltinue to
di~ e" arge the propel' duties of th: eir offic es, till
others are choseu : aud prepared to serve in
their steud. , • .
Sec, 3. Specinlmeetings lIIay be callcd ~ 1J( 1
holden on seven days notiee. And Stich
meetings shllll he called and holden, whene\' er
seVen memhers request the same in writing..
Sec. 4. The manner of. clillill~, noti( ying,
and contlucting meetings, shall ' he prescribed
hy vote of the Comnlllliity.
. S ec. 5. Every memher shall have one and ,
but one vote on all questions j and Ihe concurrence
of two- thirds of all the member:'!
present' and aCting shall always be necessary
to n decision.
Sec. 6. Niue members shall he reqnisite to
constitute a quorum for the transllction of business,
b'ut a less n ~ lmber~ may udjonrn.
ARTICLE XI.
Sec. 1. The official servallls, annually chosen
hy ev ery Community iu this Assocjation,
shall he n President, Secretary, Auditor, and
six ' IllIendants, viz.: an Intendant of Finance '
illld Exchange, un Intendant of Agriculture
anll Animals, 1111 Indendant ofMannfilClllrell
a. nd Mechanical Indnstry, an I Iltendunt o~
Hcalth and Domestic Economy, an Inlendant
of Education, Arts lind Sciences, and an In.,
tenrlallt of Religion, !\ Jol'llis and Missions. .
Sec. 2. The President lind these six InterHIlints
shull constitute, c, r: oJIicio, a Hourd of
Tl'Ilstees, in whose name the whole ) imperty
of their COllJlllunity shall be holden and man ·
aged fOI' the comnlon benefit. '
. S ec. 3. These offic ial ," se rvan ts shall also
constitllle, ex officio, the' Executive COUilCil
oflheir COllllllllnity, with plenary 1I1llhority
to seled and IIppoillt all managers, foremen,
o\' erse ers, directors, 1I1ld agents necessary to
its " omplete industrial orgnnizalion. Also 10
approvp. lind recOInmenn all ' teachers, lectl~ re
rs , Inini s\ ers of th e gospel and mi&; jonaries"
going out from the Community ullder its di rection.
01' in its gen eral ,:; ervice.
Sec. 4. It s ha ll , be the lluty Rf the Executiye
Council 10 arl'tlnge IIIr the husin ess, interests,
and uffairs of their Community into six gen eral
depllrtmell! s, eaeh ha\' in, t; its , appropriate
hranches , fllsul'. 1r , a ,1I tan lle r' that c\' cr)' person
DeToted to Tl'uth and Rigbteousness.
VOL. I. MENDON, MASS., f: EBRpARY 15, 1841.
, '
No. 20.
as the nature of the case ' will admit, to the
genius and taste ofthe several operatives.
Sec. 3. All operatives of every description,
whether employed at home or abroad, in manual
lnhor, ( 01' as business agents, teachers 01'
missionaries, eighteen years of age and upwards,
shall be allowed one uniform rate of
wages, not exceeding fifty cents for every eight
hours of. actual service. All persons sent out
on husiness agencies sllall be furnished with
the means of defrayiug th- eir extra expenses. AII
literary, philanthropic, moral and religious
teach ers, going out into the surrounding world
with the approbation and under. the direction of
the Commuility; shall be , considered as serving
fort y- eight hours pel' week, and he credited
accordingly. And' for all moneys, 01" other
goods, received from the people among whom
they may exercise their gifts, they shall aecount
to the community- retaining to themselves
a sufficient amount to covel' their rea-.
sonaule extra expenses.
Sec 4. All children and youth under eighteen
J'eal'! l ofage, connected with any conununity,
s ha ll he allowed' wages for all labor performed,
not exceeding the following' rates, viz.
from jive to seven years of age half a cent an
hour, from seven to nine one cent an hour,
from lti lle ro eleven two cents an hour, from
. eleven to fourteen three cents 1111 hour, from
fourteen to sixteen jour cents an hour, and
from lixteen to eigltteenlive cents an hour.
Set. 5. Time shull always be reckoned ' only
for actual employment, excluding th e necessary
intermissions of rest and refreshment, and
shall he accounted for on settlement hy th e
year, or the quarter, or the next longest term
practicuble. Where wages are agreed on hy
the year, quarter, month, 01' week, the Ilverngc
of ei ght hours to the day, 01' forty- eight pel'
week, shall he the common measure, All
lost time worthy of notice shall he deducted,
and all extra time added, each lit the iillo\\ · ed
. rate.
Sec. 6. All work execllled hy the memhers of
ev~ ry Community shall'he wronght in a thol' ongh,
t'dthful, and neatly finished style, acconlinl!
to its kind; so Ihat it mhy reflect lIonor
on Ihe As.~ ofiation, and command the confidence
of th e. ,~ ublic.
ARTICLE Yr.
Sec. ~ 1. All the children lind youlh connectell
wi"- · lln y Community in . t his Associlltion
stlui _(~~)...~.~~~;).-- t1. le....! n os t ~ t ~ f~
ner. ' Theil' physical ed UCfllion s hall commence
in a comlllon nur~ ery, fiJrnish ed alltl
att endell in the ' mos t IIppropriate and jndieious
style; into which they I, nay he received, with
the consent of th eir parents, from the eurliest .
al, re. , From the nursery, at the age of from
two to three years, thp. y . shall be introdnced
into well ord ered inl'lIIt · school chli'ses, and
th enceforth ad vanced fi'OIIl stage to slUge of
physical, intellectual, alld moral improvement
till maturity. . .
Sec. 2. All education ' in this Commnnion
shall he conducted on the manual lahol' principle,
and With : I view to qllalify evel'y yonth
for the actual hnsiness of life, each aecording'
to nlltnral. g- enius, taste, and passion.
See. 3, No ~ h a l~ ge shall he millie hy any
Community, ( except for books aud: sratiouel'y,)
on accollllt of education, literary advllntages,
or I'eligious instruction. These, and all pr! vileges
natnl'lllly connected with them, shall be
free to the individual members with their r especth'e
filln ily llependellls; and shall he supported
by each Conllllllnlty at lurge out of its
flollling fund, or ordinary resources.
ARTICLE VII. ,
, Sec. 1. AII I'ers~ ns connected witli , any
Community in this Association, except as designated
in the 5th Section of this Article, shall
IJe considered regular Hoarders, IInll ch arged
a certain price per - we ek for their accommodations.
Sec. 2. Hoard shull inclnde suitable house ·
l'Oom, food, lodging, hathing, li~ ht, heat, wash ~
ing and · im ning , medicine, medicalatlendance,
( unless c. alled frolll abroad) and properllurs ·
in~ when necesi'ary,- and shall be uffol'lled at
prices not exceediug the following nUllled pel'
we'ek; viz.- fmm birth until seven years of
ngefifty cents, li'OIn seveu years lill twelve
sevellty: ftve cents, from t lvelve years and uP-.,
wards olle dollar. ,
Sec.: 3. An ample fiu'e shull he . agrecdou,
providetl, and served, . by each Community to .
nil its boarders, either in commons, in select ·
Imesses, or pl'ivu te fnmilies, as lIIay have been
stipuluted .
Sec. 4. FUlllilies served with their food in
private apartments, 01: separate tene. lI1ent8, shall
fUl'llish thcir rooms with bedding, chairs, table,:;,
crocllery , lind every other neces, ury article
of honsehold convenienee, at their o\\ ln expense.
In hII other respects they shull fill'e
and be treated like those who take their meals
iu the public eating rooillS. . .
Sec. 5 . \ Vhenevel' any i: lmily helongiug to
u COllllllunity shall anxionsly d esire to keep
house, cook. lind hOllrd th einselves in a geparat
e ten ement, th ey shall be ful'll ish eH with
house- rent, fuel, bretldstuffs, and all th e staple
nec cs: mrie15 and comforts of suosisteuce at a
THE PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN.
Mendon, February ' 15, 1841.
" We defer Section 2, Chapter VI: of our E~.
position, in order to make room for the Constitution
of the " Fraterual Communion," formed
lit Mendon during the late Qual · terly Conference.
This with its Exposition must ex-
elude nearly even' thing else from the present
number, A notice. of the Conference, which
- exceeded all our preceding ones in interest .
; snd influence, will appear in our next.
CONSTITUTION
OF TtlE
FRATERNAL COMMUNION,
WITH AN
: B~ POSITION OF THE S.\ l\ IE;
INCLU. ING THE FIRST PROCEEDINGS OF
FRATERNAL COMMUNITY NO. 1.
KNOW ALL MEl':: .
That iIi order more effectually to illusttrllte
the virtues, and promote the ends of'pure
\ l'eligion, morutity ami philanthropy; to with-
stand th e vices, and reform the disorders of
, i he presentC'social state; to secure . to our pOl"
nerity the blessings of a more salutary physi>
001, intellecrual and moral education ; to es - '
Itablish a more attractive, economicnl, and pro ·
- ductive system of industry ; nnd to fheilitute
lthe honest acquisition of individual property
dol' laudable purposes: \ Ve whose names are
hereunto IttJllexed. do unite iu a Voluntary Aseochuiou,
to be called
Ti,; Fraternal Conmllmion,
And we do adopt aurl ordain lor our said
Association tile following
CONSTITUTION ;. to wit.
ARTICLE I.
Sec. 1. Tlris Ass ;, ciation shall he organized
in di~ lint: I, illilepeudellt COllllllunities, uuited ·
Iy lIlaiutllinillg a gelip. ral fellows~ ip, but exer'
c i si n ~ wilhin theillseh'es re; opectively nlltlte
1l0eialyo\ Ters, ril-: hlS and immuuities of chris-
. tian commouwealths. :
Sec. 2. The members of this Communion
, ollhalJ. meet iu QlIlU'lerly alltl Gerleral ~ onfereuoc~
s, for r" li~ ious improvement aud fi'atimml c, i" 11M!, : n:~ tteh ttll. eil' lind ~ plnces" 88" iRiiy in
thepro~ re~ s of ev; ents be found expedient.
S. c.: 3. These gelleral lIIeetings shall be reg ·
' ulared IUld comlucted, accordil) g to such rules
· o f or< 1 el · as two- tllil'ds ' o f the members in at'
telJ. hu lce may for the time beiug agree to
; a d opt.
ARTICLE II.
Stc. I. Memhershipin this Assoeiation shall
Ibe acquired only by : admission illlo some one
· of its eommunities. '
Sec. 2. No person shall be a member of any
- communily, who does 1I0t < 1elibemtely and
, cordially assent to the allnex. oo
• DECLARATION, \ Viz.
I b~ Jieve in the Religion < ofJesus Christ, as
lh e tllu~ ht and exemplified it, accordiul( 10 tlte
I ; S crip! li res of the New Tes: iuuent. IlIcknowl ·
' etll! e myself a honnden , s liilj ect of all its lI: oral
o{) hligations. ~ peciall. ll , do I hold myself
ihound hy its ho~ y requirements, never, under
; a ny pretext wlllltsoever, to kill, assault, beat,
Ttortur e, enslave, rob, oppress, pel'i'eCUle, fie ·
< fraud, corrupt, slaluler, revile, injure, envy, or
: h llte any hllllllll1 being- even Illy worst enemy:
never ill auy manuel' to violate the dictllies of
: p ure chastity: .' ne ve · r to take 01' adminisler an
- oath: never to manufitetlure, buy, sell, deal
· ( Jnt, or use any ' intoxicaling liquol' alr · a btver.
age: never to sel've in the " rmy, na'l" y 01' mi ·
Iitia oranv Nation, State 01' · C h ie ful ~! I = never
to- bring an IIction at hiw, hold office, vote,
, j oin a leglll posse, petition u legislature, 01' ask
~ ovel'llIlIelllal inlerpositiou, in allY caser. nvolv ·
illK a final alltftorized" resortto physical viwlellce :
never to indulge self- will, higot'ry, love , of preeminence,
covetol! SneSS, deceit, ' l'rofilllity, idleness,
01' an unruly tonl( u~ : UlJover to pl'll'ticipate
in lotteries, games of chance, hetting., or pern
icious amusements: never , to reselll ... eproof,
or. Justify myself in a known ~ wro n g : lIev'! lr to
aid, abet or approve others in any tLing sin ·
ful: but, through t1ivinp. nssistance,' alwllys 10
recommend and promote, with my entire in ·
, fl uence , the holiness and happineSd of nil mankind.
Sec. 3. Any person eighteen year6' of age,
thus assenting to the foregoinlt declal'lll ion,
may he proposed for memhership at ~ IIJY regulnr
meeting of a community, and ad1ill1tted hy
Note. . ,
_ : Sec. 4. Any person may cease to he a mem'
b el' by . collllllunicating to rhe Secretary of his
or her community a written uotice to that ef ·
fect. '
\ Sec• . s. Any unworthy 1l1emher, having
proved · iucor r igible, may be disowned by vote.
Sec. 6.. Every COllllllunity shall be distinguished
' by . N umber , according to the date of
Its fOl'mlllion, and shall ' be uuifol" lnlyentitled,
in all ~ vritten instruments, recorus, . und ad-'
dressel3, '{) zj- FiI'utemal Community No 1; 2, 3,
or as. the case may he. And every such community
shall keep a Book, contalning this Constitution,
with a general Register of all its
members annexed j which Register shall exhibit
in distinct columns the following partieulars,
viz ,- their names at full length, place of
nativity, time of birth, ' date of admission, and
general calling, together with blank space sufficient
to minute their death, or disconnection
however effected, A Hook shatl also he kept
hy every Community, in which all its births,
marriages and deaths shall he carefully re- .
oo~~ . •
Sec. 7. All members of every Community
shall stand on It footing of personal equality.
irrespective of sex, colour, occupation, wealth,
rauk, 01' any other natural 01' adventitious peculiarity.
, ~ RTICLE r t r,
~ Sec. 1. The members of each Commnnitv
in th is Associat ion shall own and mnnnge such
and so much Real and Moveable Esnue, in
Joint Stock Proprietorship, as they nmy from
time to time agree.
Sec. 2. This Joint Stock Property shall he '
created hy Subscription . in negotiahle Shares
ofFilty Dollars ench. und may he increased by
new subscriptions indefinitely, at the discretion
of the Communitv,
SP. c. 3. AII Joint SIO'ck property thus created
shall be considered us existing . in the two 101lowing
named distinct funds; viz.- tlie C011- '
solidaled fund, aud the floating fund. The
consolidated. fund shall cover nil investments in
Real Estate of every description whatsoever.
The floating fund shall covel' all unexpended
cash, moneys due the Community, and moveahle
property in possession of every description,
And all accounts shall he kept with
strict reference to these two funds.
Sec. 4. Nil Community shall in'vest more
than five- sixths o( its Joint Stnck Property iu
Real Estate, except fill' temporary safe keepiug
under peculiar circumstances. At least
one- sixth " hall ordinarily remain in the floating
litlld; lind sufficient cash shall always he
retuined 011 hand to meet all pr. obable necessities.
Sec. 5. A regulal' Subscription Book :; hall
he o[ Jened and kept in ev~ ry community;
whid. shall exhibit Ihe tel'lilS of slJlJscription,
the lIames of all snbscribers, the amonnt suliscrihed,
lh e ' number ofshllres IIIken, the time
;) v, l, len , ft . r. econl, of" aJ!.,...= ci. fil: ll.~ t: S~ Qf...~ c! · :_ at .
full leligth, alHl n minute of, every tl'Unsler o f
shlll'es. . ,
Sec. 6. Every person, on payment of his 01'
- h e r snhscription to the Jo'int Stock Property
ofnnv Commnnitv, ' s llllil rel: ei\' e a Certificate '
flf tide to the num- bet' of shares taken, signed
hy the presiding exel'utive oflicer thereof; lIod
cOllntersignel1 hy the Secretary j which Cp. r ·
tificlIle shall he in I. he form liJllowing, to wit:
" For value received A. H., 01' order, is herehy
" milled 10 -. - .. hares in the Joillt Stock
Property ofFraternul Community' No. --,
valued lit --- dollars, & c. together with
such divitlends Ill' may frolll time to time he
declareflthereou.
Given under QUI' hands at --- this --
day of--'- A. D. -- H. C. •
\ D.. E ,. Sec'ry."
Sec. 7. Whenever' any stockholder shall be
desirous of convel'l: ng his 01' her stock, 01' any
part thereof, into cash, aruluo pnrcJlllser read ·
ily IIppellrs to take the sallle, the cOlllliltll/ ity
shall, if possihle, ' p1ll'c hase it at the par " aille
thereof; illl d pay the umonnt ont of the money
on hand in the floating fnnd.
Sec. 8. And no member shall ever sell any
share of this Joint Stock, except ' to fellow
members, without first offering it for sale to
the Commnnity.
ARTICLE IV.
Sec. 1. The memhers of every Community
in this ASBocilltlOn, shill I, if practicable, dwell
together, on their own aoil, in u compactneighbm
· hood.
Sec. 3. They shall ,,, rect in each ComlTJuni~.
ty, lit their earliest convel/ ience, one 0" trlore
spllcious, well · constructed mansion- houses,
with such appnrtenllnt harns, granaries, work.
shops, mills, IIlluHdaClOries, und other huilll ·
il/ g", as they may he lib Ie, and deem necessary.
These mansion · hOlises, . with ' their a'ppenfluges,
shall he called HabitatiOlis, nnd shall
be cnpable of affording , comfortable accolII ·
IrlOdations to one hnl/ dred persons at least,
and as many more as may be fIJllnd expedient.
Sec. 4. All Habitations, with their snrrounding
lands and buildings, shnll be owned lIud
controlled' solely hy the community within
whose limits they iJl'e comprise!!.
ARTICLE v.
S ec. 1. It shall he considerCl! the dut, lJ and
the privilege of all memhers of . this A,;,. ocintion
in every Community, and of their family
depenllents, unless absolutely incnpacitated,
to perfilI'm a reasouahle aUlOunt of prodnctive
lahor, either corporeal ,' mentill or mixed, in
some department of usefill indnstry,
Sec. 2. To this end each Commnnity shall
endeavor to provide suitahle employment' for
every iudividual conl/ ected with it ; which va rious
employment shall be , adapted , as nearly
fair price. '
Sec. 6. Each Community Shall endeavor to
grow, manufacture, 01' purchase at wholesale,
all articl es of necessary consumption; so as to
keel' iu'storenn ndequnte supply for the wants
of a II its members and dependents. And every
item sol~ out of the Community stores, or
furnished at a price, to any member of this
Communion, 01' to IIny family dependent of
such member, shall be afforded at cost, as nearIy
as the same can be ascertained,
Sec. 7. All labor performed fur any Commu'
nity shall he credited; hoardrand nil other articles
furnished shall be charged j and a coinplete
settlement shall be [ made with every individual,
at least once, a year,
ARTICLE VIII.
Sec. 1. AII losses of real estate from any
cause whatsoever; exceeding the sum of three ."
hundred dollars in anyone year, shall be borne
by the stockholders of a Community, and repaired
by an equitable assessment on their
shares. All other losses, whether of real or
moveable estate belonging to the Community,
shall be horne hy such Comrnun ity out of its
floating fund. The publictaxes, ordinary repairs
of buildings, lind nil othe r in cid ental current
expenses of every description, ishall be '
paid out of the floating fhnd. I
Sec. 2. The clear profits of evel'y Community
sh all be periodically divided among the
members thereof; and members only" according
to capital invested, and labor performed.
The SHARES of Joint Stock shall receive jive.
twelfths of such profits, . a nd LABOR seventwelfths.
Every member owriing shares shall
receive a dividend of the profits accruing to
capitnl, according to the number of such
shares; and every member shnllreceive a dividend
of the profits accruing to labor, . uccord iug
to the time credited to him or her individually
on th e Books of the COlnulIJnity.
Sec. 3. Provided, ueverlheless, that capital
shall never receive pl'o} itS exceeding an amount"
equal 10 six per cent per ' Illnum, simple interest,
fOI' the whole time of its iuvestment, in the
fimds of the Communitv. NOI' shallillhor hcyond
the average of 48 · hours pel' week, nOI'
that of minors. I; nder eighteen years ot' a~ e,
nor the services of any other person ever cntitie
any member ~ o projits.\
AR'l'ICI. E IX.
" Eve l'I'. Commn n itj' .,; n . t his Associat ivn shu ll
;:. Sl8ffit -' fur- " v er::; IJ1~. fg~ d to the reliefand com.
fortahle Illaintenance'of all its nlemberst ' who'
llIay hecome destitute oCpecuniarY'resoufces "
and also of tlreii' widows and orphans, so lou~
as they shall conform to Wholesome rules and
regulations.
ARTICLE X. I
Sec. Earh Cormnunity in this AssQciation
shall hold au annual meetinl' for the elroice of
its official se rvants, th p. h earin~ of' reports, allli
tim transaction . ofother 1, leCeSSal'y IIII~ iu es8.
Sec. 2. All oflicial serVlIlI! Sshall colltinue to
di~ e" arge the propel' duties of th: eir offic es, till
others are choseu : aud prepared to serve in
their steud. , • .
Sec, 3. Specinlmeetings lIIay be callcd ~ 1J( 1
holden on seven days notiee. And Stich
meetings shllll he called and holden, whene\' er
seVen memhers request the same in writing..
Sec. 4. The manner of. clillill~, noti( ying,
and contlucting meetings, shall ' he prescribed
hy vote of the Comnlllliity.
. S ec. 5. Every memher shall have one and ,
but one vote on all questions j and Ihe concurrence
of two- thirds of all the member:'!
present' and aCting shall always be necessary
to n decision.
Sec. 6. Niue members shall he reqnisite to
constitute a quorum for the transllction of business,
b'ut a less n ~ lmber~ may udjonrn.
ARTICLE XI.
Sec. 1. The official servallls, annually chosen
hy ev ery Community iu this Assocjation,
shall he n President, Secretary, Auditor, and
six ' IllIendants, viz.: an Intendant of Finance '
illld Exchange, un Intendant of Agriculture
anll Animals, 1111 Indendant ofMannfilClllrell
a. nd Mechanical Indnstry, an I Iltendunt o~
Hcalth and Domestic Economy, an Inlendant
of Education, Arts lind Sciences, and an In.,
tenrlallt of Religion, !\ Jol'llis and Missions. .
Sec. 2. The President lind these six InterHIlints
shull constitute, c, r: oJIicio, a Hourd of
Tl'Ilstees, in whose name the whole ) imperty
of their COllJlllunity shall be holden and man ·
aged fOI' the comnlon benefit. '
. S ec. 3. These offic ial ," se rvan ts shall also
constitllle, ex officio, the' Executive COUilCil
oflheir COllllllllnity, with plenary 1I1llhority
to seled and IIppoillt all managers, foremen,
o\' erse ers, directors, 1I1ld agents necessary to
its " omplete industrial orgnnizalion. Also 10
approvp. lind recOInmenn all ' teachers, lectl~ re
rs , Inini s\ ers of th e gospel and mi&; jonaries"
going out from the Community ullder its di rection.
01' in its gen eral ,:; ervice.
Sec. 4. It s ha ll , be the lluty Rf the Executiye
Council 10 arl'tlnge IIIr the husin ess, interests,
and uffairs of their Community into six gen eral
depllrtmell! s, eaeh ha\' in, t; its , appropriate
hranches , fllsul'. 1r , a ,1I tan lle r' that c\' cr)' person
Page 77 of Volume 1 from The Practical Christian 1840-1841
Creator
Ballou, Adin
Date
1840
Identifier
Files
Collection
Citation
Ballou, Adin, “Page077,” Digital Commonwealth , accessed May 21, 2013, http://digitalcommonwealth.org/items/show/529.
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