means, and fed at a common table; and the direction of the labor, and of their pecuniary concerns, was intrusted to overseers, appointed for the purpose.

The institutions of the American People, are regarded with curiosity and interest, by many statesmen and philosophers in other nations; but those of the Shakers, are at least equally worthy of attention. Here is a community in which, it scarce need be said, there are no poor, in the ordinary acceptation of the term. Where all contribute, according to their power, to the common weal; and, in turn, when feeble or old, are themselves provided for. Where idleness, intemperance, and statutory crime, are unknown; and the diseases chiefly found in the abodes of wretchedness and want, seldom appear.* The improved husbandry and goodness of the roads, in every direction, the perfect neatness and order observable in the villages, with the general appearance of abundance and calm prosperity, and the absence of all the usual indications of vice, give no small semblance of justice to the appellation of the millenial church. The contrast with the neighboring hamlets, from which, in a considerable measure, they sprung, is said to be truly remarkable. When it is remembered, that this community was originally formed of uneducated men, very poor, and many of them illy qualified by previous habits, for a regular mode

*Note (G.)

of life, the experiment may be regarded as completely successful. Perhaps, as having accomplished more than could have been anticipated; for who would have ventured to predict, that in the absence of those ties, which form the great and original bond of society, this association would continue, flourishing and without dissention, to the present time. Could the result be less conclusive, if, to the advantages thus exemplified, were added, the domestic charities, the comprehensive energy of national government, with unshackled internal regulations, the true faith, the dignity of station and rank, science, literature, refinement, and the arts. What imagination but must droop her wing, in rising to the prospect, which these united influences afford to the human race.

I shall add little here, having already far exceeded the ordinary bounds of an introduction, to what is said in the comment, on the subject of the civil government of England and the articles of the Church.

There are multitudes, at the present day, who seem under an impression, that the great object of civil institutions is, to enable the bustling and active to scramble for office, or vie in the pursuit of wealth, or the distinctions of vanity. Such will ever be favorable to popular forms of government; as they must be to the individual tenure of property.

*The Shakers are harassed by the state laws.

But those who rise above these puerile views, who would find security, tranquillity, restraints against vice in every shape; and who realize, that the only truly important object of this life is to prepare for another; will readily perceive, whatever may have been their prepossessions, the advantages of that form of government, which is ordained by Providence, to be universal, in the millenium; and which, may be added, in connexion with the social system, without unhallowed competition, will afford comfort, abundance, the means of all rational and allowable enjoyments, not to the successful only, but to every member of the community.

it

It is not, perhaps, rendered quite certain, that the change, spoken of in the comment, which is to be made in the British constitution, as adopted by the restored Jews,* will prevail in England, till a later period.

I have spoken freely in the comment, respecting the articles. The articles, doubtless, bear a near resemblance, to the doctrines of scripture; and were sufficiently correct, for the great object of practical inculcation, in the period, during which, they were ordained, by Providence, to continue an accredited form of belief. On the subject of the Trinity, I wish to avoid the possibility of misapprehension. I fully believe the doctrine of the Trinity. It is the mode in which that doctrine is explained, in the first article, to which alone I

*See § 31; 39.

object. I should not call in question a doctrine, to doubt which, admits of no alternative, as I believe, to a latitude of construction, which destroys that character of sanctity and authority, inseparable from an adequate idea of a revelation, concerning the mode of existence, the will and the purposes of God. Can it be, that the Church of England would be indicated, by prophecy, as the true church, at a time when she held, and ever had held, principles, essentially erroneous, on a subject, which forms the basis of Christian theology.

The relative situation of England, makes the question, how are the prevailing distresses to be relieved, one of great interest and importance. I have expressed, in the comment, utter incredulity, as to the good effects of "reform." The reason is simply this; that, owing to the unavoidable influence of party-a most comprehensive wordequal numerical representation, affords not the slightest guaranty, of equal justice, in legislative enactments. The advocates of reform may safely be challenged, to produce a single instance, in the entire history of past legislation, which does not confirm this melancholy truth. It is said that those who make objections, should point out a better mode. In the present instance, I cheerfully accept the responsibility. I do not hesitate then, to express an entire conviction, that the national distresses of England, may be remedied, by the adoption, at home and in the foreign dependencies,

of the social system; and by a national scheme of colonization, also on the basis of the social arrangement. I could not doubt, aside from prophecy.

Of all the objects to which national resources, and the enterprise of intelligent associations, have been directed, there is doubtless, no one, which has been uniformly attempted, with such disproportionate means, as colonization. Instead of a few colonists, mostly women and children, arriving on a bleak or unhealthy coast, at precisely the wrong season of the year, the shipmaster in haste to depart, the colonists, already sickly and emaciated, and with little provision for their immediate wants, expected to erect, themselves, the first rude cabins for temporary shelter; instead of this, let well appointed armies of pioneers go forth; let villages be constructed, and roads be built; let every thing be prepared. The colonists, at the best season, may then follow. Let ample provision be made, for immediate sustenance and comfort. Till acclimated, let sanitary regulations be enforced, with the strictness of military discipline. . The dreadful sufferings, and appalling waste of life, which have hitherto attended colonization, might thus be avoided. Almost from the first, such colonies would repay the interest of the investment. They would soon be enabled to redeem the principal. Whatever the products of the soil, un