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It is clear, I think, that we are the first to attempt the organization of a society on purely democratic, Christian principles, and though I agree with you that we are not the last hope of Divine Providence, I cannot but believe that our principles are like seed — corn for the nations-and our pea-jackets, blue frocks, and cowhide, if you please, the compost on which they are planted.
At any rate, if a blue frock cannot be metamorphosed into a prophet's robe or an angel's wing, why is it any better than the tattered surplice of the priest?
How do you spend your time in the city of cities?
I can hardly fancy you a gay man about town, and I suppose you must be rather homesick by this time.
I almost forgot to mention a very piquant visit we had from a come-outing Shaker the other day, who gave me a great deal of light on the inside of Shakerism.
It is a detestable, miserly, barren aristocracy, without a grain of humanity about it. Enormous wealth is made at the expense of all manly pursuits and attainments.
One of the most interesting contemporary letters I have found in reference to this novel experiment in sociology was written by
Horace Greeley to
Charles A. Dana, from New York, August 29, 1842; and as it is the earliest record of their acquaintance, and besides contains an important statement of some of the dangers which threatened at the time, it is given with no omission except the address and closing paragraph, both of which were purely formal:
I received yours of the 24th on Saturday evening, at Albany, having spent Friday and Saturday there on business.
I take the very first opportunity to thank you and the community for your kindness.
I shall write to Mrs. Greeley today, and presume you will hear from her directly-probably in the course of the week.
I cannot doubt that she will be very happy to accept your obliging offer.
She is still at Watertown, very eligibly situated in most respects, but almost
