FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 Section 12-£Q 
 
IHH 
 
AMERICANA GERMANICA 
 
 The Harmony Society 
 
 A CHAPTER 
 
 IN 
 
 GERMAN AMERICAN CULTURE HISTORY 
 
 John Archibald Bole, Ph. D. 
 
 Sometime Harrison Research Fellow in Germanics, 
 University of Pennsylvania. 
 
 PAPER FROM THE AMERICAN ETHNOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. 
 
 AMERICANA GERMANICA PRESS. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA 
 (Reprinted from German American 2fnnaU, Vol. II.) 
 
 1904. 
 
££& 
 
 COPYRIGHTED BY J. A. BOLE 
 1905 
 
Illustrations. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Great House and Church at Economy 6 
 
 A Member of the Harmony Society 33 
 
 Manuscript Hymn Book 37 
 
 House, Hotel and Graveyard at Harmony, Pa 65 
 
 Wagon built at Harmony, Ind 73 
 
 Town Hall and Street at Economy 97 
 
 Hotel and Woolen Mill at Economy 101 
 
 Flour Mill and Silk Factory at Economy 113 
 
 Coach and Fire Engine and Laundry at Economy 117 
 
 Park at Economy 121 
 
 View of Economy and Typical House 132 
 
 Wine Vaults 140 
 
 Park and Interior of Great House 145 
 
 Tools made by the Society 147 
 
 Harmony Printing Press 153 
 
 Tools made by the Society 163 
 
 Rapp's House in Iptingen, View of Iptingen 17- 
 
AMERICANA GERMANICA 
 
 New Series 
 
 MONOGRAPHS DEVOTED TO THE COMPARATIVE 
 
 STUDY OF THE 
 
 Literary, Linguistic and Other Cultural Relations 
 
 OF 
 
 Germany and America 
 
 EDITOR 
 
 MARION DEXTER LEARNED 
 
 University of Pennsylvania 
 
The Harmony Society 
 
 A CHAPTER IN GERMAN AMERICAN CULTURE 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 I. Constitution and organization. 
 
 II. Moral and religious views. 
 
 III. Harmony, Pennsylvania. 1804-1815. 
 
 IV. Harmony, Indiana, 1815-1825. 
 
 V. Economy, Pennsylvania. 1825-1868. 
 
 VI. Economy, Pennsylvania. 1868-1904. 
 
 VII. The home of the Society. Publications. Language. 
 VIII. Bibliography. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The materials for this account of the Harmony Society are 
 for the most part found at Economy, Pennsylvania. They are : 
 
 i. Private correspondence. This consists of detached per- 
 sonal letters, to and from members of the Society, which have 
 been preserved by the parties concerned. The earliest of these 
 is dated 1794. 
 
 2. Business correspondence. Letters written on business 
 by the Society from 1804 to the present time have been preserved 
 in copy or abstract. These letters and books are neatly and sys- 
 tematically kept. Some of the letters received by the Society 
 are also on file. 
 
 3. Ledgers, Sales Books, Bills of Lading Books and other 
 account books. 
 
 4. Scattered memoranda of several of the trustees. 
 
 5. The publications of the Society. 
 
 6. Evidence and decisions in suits brought against the 
 Society. 
 
 a. Testimony in the suit of Schreiber vs. Rapp. 1835. (In 
 Mss.) 
 
 b. Nachtrieb vs. Harmony Society. Decision of Justice 
 Grier in the U. S. Circuit Court. Opinion of Mr. Justice Camp- 
 bell in the U. S. Supreme Court, 1856. 
 
 c. Schwartz et al vs. Duss et al. Brief on the part of the 
 respondents, in the Circuit Court of the United States, Novem- 
 ber term, 1894. Record in the United States Circuit Court of 
 Appeals, March term, 1900. Appellee's Brief in the Supreme 
 Court of the United States, October term, 1903. 
 
 7. Published articles on the history of the Society. 
 
 Of these, Williams, "The Harmony Society," 1866, is excel- 
 lent. Most of the reliable information contained in other ac- 
 counts is taken from this book. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 It is the purpose of this work to give an account of the or- 
 ganization of the Society, and then a narrative of the chief 
 events in its history. 
 
 The collection of the material for this study was part of the 
 work done in 1902, under the direction of the American Ethno- 
 graphical Survey. The knowledge of the existence of manuscript 
 sources at Economy was received from Professor Marion D. 
 Learned, of the University of Pennsylvania, Director of the Sur- 
 vey. He furnished the introduction to the Trustees of the Har- 
 mony Society and obtained permission from them to use the 
 sources above mentioned, and directed the execution of the 
 work. 
 
 I take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to Pro- 
 fessor Learned, for his indispensable aid in the conception and 
 carrying out of this work; of thanking Mr. and Mrs. Duss for 
 their courteous permission to use freely the material at Economy ; 
 Mr. Rudolf Wagner for many valuable suggestions; and Mr. 
 Frederick Knoedler, for important assistance in the search for 
 materials. 
 
 JOHN A. BOLE. 
 New York City, March 7, 1904. 
 
The Harmony Society. 
 
 A Chapter in German American Culture History. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Constitution and Organization of the Harmony Society. 
 
 In the latter part of the seventeenth century, Pietism, under 
 Spener's personal influence, spread widely in Wtirtemberg, 
 Spener and his followers did not assume an attitude of opposi- 
 tion to the established church, but they insisted upon a more sin- 
 cere and consistent religious practice. Their chief desire was to 
 study the Bible and follow its teachings. They did this not only 
 in the public religious services, but also in private conventicles. 
 The private religious meeting was one of the most important 
 elements in Pietism. Since 1680 such conventicles were estab- 
 lished in various places in Wiirtemberg. The established 
 Lutheran church endeavored to suppress these private meetings. 
 In 1707 attendance at such meetings was prohibited on pain of 
 three months' imprisonment. This attempted repression caused 
 the development of a radical element in Pietism, the Separatists. 
 As their name indicates, they withdrew altogether from the 
 established church, which was to them "Babel." The idea of a 
 community after the pattern of the early Christians appeared in 
 the establishment of a common treasury in the congregations of 
 Separatists. They were also much influenced by the Mysticism 
 of Boehme, Bengel and Jung-Stilling. (Chr. Kolb, „Wurtem- 
 bergische Vierteljahrsschrift fur Landesgeschichte," 1900, p. 75; 
 1901, p. 208.) 
 
6 The Harmony Society. 
 
 The Harmony Society, as it was organized under George 
 Rapp, and established in America, was an outgrowth of this 
 Separatistic movement and an attempt to put into practice, 
 under favorable circumstances, Separatistic principles. 
 
 The constitution of the Harmony Society consists of ten 
 written contracts or agreements made at different epochs in its 
 history. 
 
 The ist, 1805, made at Harmony, Butler Co., Pa. 
 
 The 2d, 1821, made at Harmony, Posey Co., Ind. 
 
 The 3d, 1827, made at Economy, Beaver Co., Pa. 
 
 The 4th, 1836, made at Economy, Beaver Co., Pa. 
 
 The 5th, 1847, made at Economy, Beaver Co., Pa. 
 
 The 6th, 1890, made at Economy, Beaver Co., Pa. 
 
 The 7th, 1892, made at Economy, Beaver Co., Pa. 
 
 The 8th, 1897, made at Economy, Beaver Co., Pa. 
 
 The 9th, 1903, made at Economy, Beaver Co., Pa. 
 
 The 10th, 1903, made at Economy, Beaver Co., Pa. 
 
 The members of the Society had constituted a congregation 
 of Separatists in Germany, where they had listened to the teach- 
 ing of their pastor, George Rapp. According to his instructions, 
 they left their homes in Wiirtemberg and followed him to Amer- 
 ica. They settled at Harmony and were once more under his 
 personal care. In Germany they had endeavored to approach 
 to the conditions of primitive Christianity. The life in the new 
 settlement, where all lived together and worked for the common 
 welfare, made it easy to take another step in this direction, the 
 adoption of the community of goods. 
 
 Without election, by common consent, George Rapp had 
 maintained himself as their leader. In order to put their So- 
 ciety on a firm basis, and to prevent misunderstanding, articles 
 of association were drawn up and signed by the members on 
 February 15, 1805. This was the date recognized as the birth- 
 day of the Society, and in after years its anniversary was cele- 
 brated as the "Harmoniefest." 
 
 The agreement contains five articles. The subscribers 
 pledge themselves : 
 
 (1) To give absolutely all their property to George Rapp 
 and his associates. 
 
 (2) To obey the rules and regulations of the community and 
 to work for its welfare. 
 
The "Great House" at Econom: 
 
 The (Munch al Economy 
 
The Harmony Society. 7 
 
 (3) If they should desire to withdraw from the Society, not 
 to demand any reward for labor or services. 
 
 In return, George Rapp and his associates pledge them- 
 selves: 
 
 (1) To supply the subscribers with all the necessaries of life, 
 both in health and sickness, and after their death, to provide for 
 their families. 
 
 (2) In case of withdrawal, to return them the value of pro- 
 perty contributed, without interest, and to give a donation in 
 money, to such as contributed nothing. 
 
 The original of this agreement, as well as that of 1821, was 
 in German. The following is an authorized translation:* 
 
 "Be it hereby known to all who need to know it, that the 
 following agreement has this day been made and concluded be- 
 tween us, the subscribers of the one part, and George Rapp and 
 his associates of the other part: 
 
 Article 1. We, the subscribers, on our part and on the part 
 of our heirs and descendants, deliver up, renounce and remit all 
 our estate and property consisting of cash, land and chattels, or 
 whatever it may be, to George Rapp and his associates, in Har- 
 mony, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as a free gift or donation, 
 for the benefit and use of the community there, and bind our- 
 selves on our part, as well as on the part of our heirs and de- 
 scendants, to make free renunciation thereof, and to leave the 
 same at the disposal of the superintendents of the community, 
 as if we never had nor possessed it. 
 
 Article 2. We do pledge ourselves jointly and severally to 
 submit to the laws and regulations of the community, and to 
 show due and ready obedience toward those who are appointed 
 and chosen by the community as superintendents in such a man- 
 ner that not only we ourselves endeavor, by the labor of our 
 hands, to promote the good and interest of the community, but 
 also to hold our children and families to do the same. 
 
 Article 3. If, contrary to our expectation, the case should 
 happen, and we jointly or severally could not stand to it in the 
 community, and we would within a few years or more break 
 our promises and withdraw from the community, for whatever 
 
 *U. S. Circuit Court, March, 1S00, Schwartz vs. Duss, Record,, Vol. 1, 
 p. 47. 
 
8 The Harmony Society. 
 
 cause it may be, never to demand any reward, either for our- 
 selves or children or those belonging to us, for any of our labors 
 or services rendered, but whatever we jointly and severally shall 
 or may do, we will have done as a voluntary service for our 
 brethren. 
 
 In consideration whereof, George Rapp and his associates 
 adopt the subscribers jointly and severally as members of the 
 community, whereby each of them obtains the privilege to be 
 present at each religious meeting; not only they themselves, but 
 also their children and families, shall and will receive the same 
 necessary instructions in church and school which are needful 
 and requisite for their temporal good and welfare as well as eter- 
 nal felicity. 
 
 Article 4. George Rapp and his associates promise to sup- 
 ply the subscribers jointly and severally with all the necessaries 
 of life, as lodging, meat, drink and clothing, etc., and not only 
 during their healthful days, but also when one or more of them 
 become sick or otherwise unfit for labor, they shall have and 
 enjoy the same support and maintenance as before ; and if, after 
 a short or long period, the father or mother of a family should 
 die, or be otherwise departed from the community and leave a 
 family behind, they shall not be left widows or orphans, but 
 partake of the same rights and maintenance as long as they live 
 or remain in the community, as well in sick as healthful days, 
 the same as before, or as circumstances or necessity may require. 
 
 Article 5. And if the case should happen as stated above, 
 that one or more of the subscribers after a short or long period, 
 should break their promise and could or would not submit to 
 the laws and regulations of the church or community, and for 
 that or any other cause would leave Harmony, George Rapp 
 and his associates promise to refund him or them, the value of 
 his or their property brought in without interest, in one, two or 
 three annual installments, as the sum may be, large or small ; 
 and if one or more of them were poor and brought nothing in 
 the community, they shall, provided they depart openly and or- 
 derly, receive a donation in money, according to his or their con- 
 duct while a member, or as he or their circumstances and necessi- 
 ties may require, which George Rapp and his associates shall de- 
 termine at his or their departure. 
 
The Harmony Society. 9 
 
 In confirmation whereof, both parties have signed their 
 
 names. 
 
 Done in Harmony, February 15, 1805." 
 
 Under this simple constitution the Society was organized 
 and existed until 1821. The one essential condition for the har- 
 monious growth of the community was that of obedience to the 
 founder, George Rapp. He was a man of force and intelligent 
 sympathy, who inspired confidence and respect. He governed 
 the Society kindly but firmly, by appealing to the good which 
 he believed to exist in everyone, and by leading wrong-doers to 
 confess to him their faults and ask forgiveness. Those who 
 were not amenable to such treatment and who would not obey 
 his teachings, were allowed to leave of their own accord, or they 
 were expelled, a punishment which it was rarely necessary to 
 employ. 
 
 Most of the original members had contributed something 
 to the common property. Many of them had owned small es- 
 tates in Germany, which they sold before leaving. Many later 
 inherited property there which they collected as best they could 
 through agents in Germany. In 1813 the Society received 13,539 
 Gulden from claims to property in Germany. In 1821 two of 
 the members, J. L. Baker and J. Reichert, went to Germany for 
 the purpose of taking possession of inheritances which had fallen 
 to the members of the Society. They collected a considerable 
 sum, 20,706 Gulden. George Rapp had brought with him 2000 
 Gulden of his own. Some of the original members had more 
 than this. The richer helped to defray the expenses of the poorer 
 in coming to America. In 1806 Peter Schreiber joined the So- 
 ciety, bringing to it property estimated at $8000. He was con- 
 sidered one of the principle founders of the wealth of the 
 Society.* 
 
 There was for a time dissatisfaction in regard to the com- 
 munity of goods, some of those who had contributed more, 
 thinking that they deserved greater recognition. But Father 
 Rapp's persuasion and work in common for the general welfare. 
 soon silenced these complaints, and genuine brotherly harmony 
 was re-established. 
 
 The number of members withdrawing from the Society was 
 
 ♦Testimony of Dr. Smith: Schreiber vs. Rapp. 
 
io The Harmony Society. 
 
 small. From 1806-1814 twenty-three left the Society, all of 
 whom, except four, had contributed amounts ranging from $840 to 
 $1.00. According to the agreement, these contributions were re- 
 turned. From 1815 to 1825 thirteen members left, three of whom 
 had contributed a total of $148. From 1825 to 1867, 234 members 
 left, 33 of whom had contributed $5,158, the largest single contri- 
 bution being $673. These were all repaid. In addition to these, 
 in 1832, 175 members withdrew in a body with Count Leon, re- 
 ceiving $117,000. 
 
 George Rapp was the acknowledged head of the Society 
 thus constituted. His chief assistant and financial agent was his 
 adopted son, Frederick Rapp, who carried on the business affairs 
 of the Society in his own name. 
 
 The business of the Society was divided into departments, 
 over each of which a superintendent was appointed. At Har- 
 mony, John L. Baker managed the store, Lewis Schreiber the 
 cotton factory, John Schreiber the tavern. In like manner there 
 was a superintendent of the woolen factory, the brewery, or- 
 chards, blacksmith shop, distillery, hat factory and other indus- 
 tries. When the manufacture of silk was begun, Miss Gertrude 
 Rapp was made superintendent. Accounts were kept with each 
 department. The superintendent was charged with the money 
 and material entrusted to him, and was credited with his pro- 
 ducts. In 1854 accounts were kept with the baker, blacksmith,, 
 brewer, cloth society, cooper, cotton factory, distillery, doctor, 
 dyer, hatter, joiner, mill, potter, sadler, saw mill, shoemaker, silk 
 factory, soap boiler, tanner, tailor, tinner, turner, painter, wagon 
 maker, wool factory, watchmaker, cider press, wash house and 
 wine cellar. 
 
 Thus organized, the Society flourished until 181 5, at Har- 
 mony, Pa., and then for ten years more on the Wabash, at Har- 
 mony, Indiana. Under date of January 20, 1821, a new agree- 
 ment was signed. This differed from that of 1805, in being in- 
 tended for new members of the Society already organized. 
 
 The obligations of the two parties to the agreement are 
 the same as in the preceding articles. The authorized transla- 
 tion of these articles is :* 
 
 "Be it hereby known that to-day, '20th January, 1821/ in the 
 
 ♦Schwartz vs. Duss, Record, Vol. I, p. 50. 
 
The Harmony Society. II 
 
 year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one, 
 the present agreement, treaty and alliance was made and con- 
 cluded between us, the following persons to wit: N. X., etc., of 
 the one part and George Rapp and his associates of the other 
 part. 
 
 After the aforesaid persons became sufficiently acquainted 
 with the principles, rules and regulations of the community of 
 George Rapp and his associates, by virtue of their religious prin- 
 ciples, they have, after long and mature reflection, out of their 
 own free will, determined to join the community of said George 
 Rapp and his associates, in Harmony, Posey County, State of 
 Indiana; to that purpose the aforesaid persons bind themselves 
 and promise solemnly by these presents, to comply with the 
 ordinances, rules and regulations of the community, and render 
 due obedience to the superintendents ordained by the community 
 and to perform as much as possible all occupations and labors 
 to which they are ordered, and help to promote the benefit, hap- 
 piness and prosperity of the community. And if the case should 
 happen that the aforesaid persons, jointly or singly, after a short 
 or long period of time, leave the community for any cause what- 
 ever, they hereby bind themselves jointly and each for himself 
 separately, never and in no case^to bring any account, nor make 
 any claim, either against the association or any individual mem- 
 ber thereof, for their labor and services rendered ; also, never to 
 make any demand, ask or claim any other payment, under any 
 name and description whatsoever, but will do and have done all 
 things out of Christian love, for the good and benefit of the com- 
 munity, or else take it as a gift, if George Rapp and his asso- 
 ciates willingly give them something. 
 
 However, George Rapp and his associates, in return, adopt 
 the aforesaid persons into the community, whereby they obtain 
 prerogative to partake of all meetings for divine services by 
 which they receive in church and school the necessary instruc- 
 tions, requisite and needful for their temporal benefit and hap- 
 piness, and eternal felicity. George Rapp and his associates 
 bind themselves further to supply the aforesaid persons with all 
 the wants and necessaries of life, to wit : Meat, drink and cloth- 
 ing, etc., and indeed not only during their healthful days, but 
 also if all or any of them get sick or otherwise infirm and un- 
 
12 The Harmony Society. 
 
 able to work, they shall, as long as they remain members of the 
 community, receive and enjoy the same support as before dur- 
 ing their better days, or as their circumstances require. 
 
 In confirmation of these presents, we, both parties, have 
 hereunto set our hands and seals. 
 
 Done in Harmony, the day and year above stated." 
 
 When the Society had been firmly established at Economy, 
 Pa., the articles of association were renewed and signed again 
 by the members, March 9, 1827. To this agreement there is a 
 preamble, which states that the community had been formed 
 on the principles of Christian fellowship, derived from the Scrip- 
 tures and including patriarchal goverment, and community of 
 goods, with the sole object of fulfilling the will of God so far 
 as possible. This agreement consists of six articles, containing 
 the same provisions as the previous agreement, but stated rather 
 more definitely. The following is a copy of the Articles of As- 
 sociation, executed at Economy, March 9th, 1827:* 
 
 "Whereas, By the favor of Divine Providence, an associa- 
 tion, or community, has been formed by George Rapp and many 
 others, upon the basis of Christian Fellowship, the principles of 
 which being faithfully derived from the sacred Scriptures, in- 
 clude the government of the patriarchal age, united to the com- 
 munity of property adopted in the days of the apostles, and 
 wherein the single object sought is to approximate, so far as 
 human imperfection may allow, to the fulfillment of the will of 
 God, by the exercises of those affections, and the practice of 
 those virtues which are essential to the happiness of man in time 
 and throughout eternity. 
 
 And whereas, It is necessary to the good order and well- 
 being of said association that the condition of membership should 
 be clearly understood, and that the rights, and privileges, and 
 duties of every individual therein, should be so defined as to pre- 
 vent mistake or disappointment on the one hand, and contention 
 or disagreement on the other. 
 
 Therefore, Be it known to all whom it may concern : That 
 we, the undersigned, citizens of Beaver County, in the Common- 
 wealth of Pennsylvania, do severally and distinctly, each for 
 
 ♦Record, Vol. I, p. 52. 
 
The Harmony Society. 13 
 
 himself, covenant, grant, and agree to and with the said George 
 Rapp, and his associates, as follows, to wit: 
 
 Article 1. We, the undersigned, for ourselves, our heirs, 
 executors and administrators, do hereby give, grant, and forever 
 convey, to the said George Rapp and his associates, and their 
 heirs and assigns, all our property, real, personal and mixed, 
 whether it be lands and tenements, goods and chattels, money 
 or debts due to us, jointly or severally, in possession, or in re- 
 mainder, or in revision, or in expectancy, whatsoever or where- 
 soever, without evasion, or qualification, or reserve, as a free 
 gift or donation, for the benefit and use of the said association 
 or community; and we do hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, ex- 
 ecutors and administrators, to all such other acts as may be nec- 
 essary to vest a perfect title to the same in the said association, 
 and to place the said property at the full disposal of the superin- 
 tendents of the said community without delay. 
 
 Article 2. We do further^covenant and agree to and with 
 the said George Rapp, and his associates, that we will severally 
 submit faithfully to the laws and regulations of the said com- 
 munity, and will at all times manifest a cheerful and ready obedi- 
 ence toward those who are or may be appointed as superintend- 
 ents thereof, holding ourselves bound to promote the interests 
 and welfare of the said community, not only by the labor of 
 our own hands, but also by that of our children, our families and 
 others who are now or hereafter may be under our control. 
 
 Article 3. If, contrary to our expectations, it should so 
 happen that we could not render the faithful obedience aforesaid, 
 and should be induced, from that or any other cause to withdraw 
 from the said association, then and in such case we do expressly 
 covenant and agree to and with the said George Rapp, and with 
 his associates, that we will never claim or demand, either for our- 
 selves, our children, or for anyone belonging to us, directly or 
 indirectly, any compensation, wages or reward whatever, for our 
 or their labor, or services rendered to the said community, or to 
 any member thereof ; but whatever we or our families jointly or 
 severally shall or may do, all shall be held and considered as a 
 voluntary service for our brethren. 
 
 Article 4. In consideration of the premises, the said George 
 Rapp, and his associates, do by these presents, adopt the under- 
 
14 The Harmony Society. 
 
 signed, jointly and severally, as members of the said community, 
 whereby each of them obtains the privilege of being present at 
 every religious meeting, and of receiving, not only for them- 
 selves, but also for their children and families, all such instruc- 
 tions in church and schools as may be reasonably required, both 
 for their temporal good and for their eternal felicity. 
 
 Article 5. The said George Rapp and his associates further 
 agree to supply the undersigned severally with all the necessa- 
 ries of life, as clothing, meat, drink, lodging, etc., for them- 
 selves and their families ; and this provision is not only limited 
 to their days of health and strength/but when any of them 
 shall become sick, infirm, or otherwise unfit for labor, together 
 with such medicine, care and attendance and consolation as 
 their situation may reasonably demand. And if at any time 
 after they have become members of the association, the father 
 or mother of a family should die or be otherwise separated from 
 the community, and shall leave their family behind, such family 
 shall not be left orphans or destitute, but shall partake of the 
 same rights or maintenance as before, so long as they remain 
 in the association, as well in sickness as in health, and to such 
 extent as their circumstances may require. 
 
 Article 6. And if it should happen as above mentioned, that 
 any of the undersigned should violate his or her agreement, and 
 would or could not submit to the laws and regulations of the 
 church or community, and for that or any other reason should 
 withdraw from the association, then the said George Rapp, and 
 associates, agree to refund to him or them the value of all such 
 property, without interest, as he or they may have brought into 
 the community in compliance with the first article of this agree- 
 ment, and the said value to be refunded in one, two or three 
 annual installments, as the said George Rapp and his associates 
 shall determine. And if the person or persons so withdrawing 
 themselves were poor, and brought nothing into the community, 
 yet if they depart openly and regularly, they shall receive a dona- 
 tion in money, according to the length of their stay, and to their 
 conduct, and to such an amount as their necessities may require, 
 in the judgment of the superintendents of the association. 
 
 In witness whereof and in testimony that the undersigned 
 have become members of the said community, upon the condi- 
 
The Harmony Society. 15 
 
 tions aforesaid, they have hereunto severally and each for him- 
 self set their hands and seals, on the ninth day of March in the 
 year 1827." 
 
 The members all signed the agreement, but it was necessary 
 for George Rapp to use all his personal and spiritual authority 
 to induce some of them to do so. He promised that those who 
 signed should have their names written in the Lamb's Book of 
 Life, and threatened that the names of those who did not, would 
 be expunged.* 
 
 In 1835 the administrator of the estate of Peter Schreiber, 
 who had left the Society, sued for property claimed for him as 
 his father's heir. The suit was lost, but it led to the amendment 
 of the articles of association. Article 6, of the agreement of 1827, 
 provided that withdrawing members should receive the value 
 of the property they had contributed on joining. This was now 
 stated to be out of harmony with the principle of the community 
 of goods and tending to implant a feeling of inequality. Accord- 
 ingly, three additional articles were added to the original agree- 
 ment. Article 1 provided that the aforesaid 6th Article be en- 
 tirely repealed, while all the others should remain in force. Arti- 
 cle 2, That all the property of the Society should be regarded as 
 common indivisible stock and that each member should be re- 
 garded as having absolutely and irrevocably given all his pro- 
 perty to the Society. Article 3 provided that no member who 
 should withdraw from the Society, nor the heir of a member 
 who should die, should have any claim to property donated to 
 the Society, but that it should depend entirely on the decision 
 of the superintendent of the Society how much money should 
 be given in such a case. These additional articles were signed 
 by the members on the 31st of October, 1836. They are:* 
 
 "Whereas, The Harmony Society, consisting of George 
 Rapp and many others, now established in the town of Economy, 
 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, did, on the 9th of March, 1827, 
 enter into certain articles of association, of which the 6th in 
 number, is as follows, viz : 
 
 And if it should so happen as above mentioned, that any 
 of the undersigned should violate his or their agreement, and 
 
 ♦Justice Gibson's opinion, Schreiber vs. Rapp. 
 *Record I, p. 57. 
 
1 6 The Harmony Society. 
 
 would, or could not, submit to the laws and regulations of the 
 church or community, and for that or any other cause should 
 withdraw from this association, then the said George Rapp and 
 his associates agree to refund to him or them the value of all 
 such property as he or they may have brought into the commu- 
 nity, in compliance with the first article of this agreement, the 
 said value to be refunded without interest, in one, two or three 
 annual installments, as the said George Rapp and his associates 
 shall determine. 
 
 And if any person or persons so withdrawing themselves 
 were poor, and brought nothing into the community, yet if they 
 depart openly and regularly, they shall receive a donation in 
 money, according to the length of their stay and to their con- 
 duct, and to such amount as their necessities may require in the 
 judgment of the superintendents of the association. 
 
 And whereas, The provisions of the said 6th Article, though 
 assented to at the time, manifestly depart from the great princi- 
 ple of a community of goods and may tend to foster and per- 
 petuate a feeling of inequality at variance with the true spirit 
 and objects of the association : 
 
 And whereas, The principle of restoration of property, be- 
 sides its pernicious tendency, is one which cannot now be en- 
 forced with uniformity and fairness, inasmuch as the members 
 of the association in the year 1818, under a solemn conviction of 
 the truth of what is above recited, did destroy all record 
 and memorial of the respective contributions up to that time : 
 
 And whereas, Continued happiness and prosperity of the 
 association, and a more intimate knowledge of each other have re- 
 moved from the minds of all members the least apprehension 
 of injustice and bad faith: 
 
 Now, therefore, Be it known by these presents, that the 
 undersigned, with a view to carry out fully the great principles 
 of our union, and in consideration of the benefits to be derived 
 therefrom, do hereby solemnly enter into covenant, and agree 
 with each other as follows: 
 
 1st. The said 6th article is entirely annulled and made void, 
 as if it had never existed ; all others remain in full force as here- 
 tofore. 
 
 2d. All the property of the Society, real, personal and 
 
The Harmony Society. 17 
 
 mixed, in law or equity, and howsoever, contributed or acquired, 
 shall be deemed, now and forever joint and indivisible stock. 
 Each individual is to be considered to have finally and irrevoca- 
 bly parted with all his former contributions, whether in land, 
 goods, money or labor ; and the same rule shall apply to all fu- 
 ture contributions whatever they may be. 
 
 3d. Should any individual withdraw from the Society, or 
 depart this life, neither he, in the one case nor his representa- 
 tives in the other, shall be entitled to demand an account of said 
 contributions, whether in lands, goods, money or labor, or to 
 claim anything from the Society as matter of right. But it shall 
 be left altogether to the discretion of the superintendent, to de- 
 cide whether any, and if any, what allowance shall be made to 
 such member, or his representatives as a donation. 
 
 Invoking the blessing of God on this sacrifice of all narrow 
 and selfish feelings to the true purposes of the association and 
 to the advancement of our own permanent prosperity and happi- 
 ness, we have signed the foregoing instrument, and affixed there- 
 unto our respective seals, at Economy, this 31st day of October, 
 
 1836." 
 
 The articles, thus amended, placed the fortunes of the mem- 
 bers more fully in the hands of the superintendents of the 
 Society. 
 
 Frederick Rapp died in 1834. Prior to his death he had 
 been the business agent of the Society, transacting all its external 
 business. The property of the Society was held in his name. 
 In 1825 he had signed an instrument which provided that all pro- 
 perty held by him should be regarded as the property of the 
 Society. After his death, the members of the Society executed, 
 July 5, 1834, a power of attorney to George Rapp, making him 
 the general agent of the Society, and granting him power to 
 appoint substitutes to attend to its temporal affairs for him. On 
 the same day he appointed Romelius L. Baker and Jacob Henrici 
 as his substitutes. 
 
 Father Rapp in spite of his great age, still remained the 
 real directive force of the Society. He died on August 7, 1847, 
 at the age of ninety. His death necessitated a re-organization 
 of the Society. It is a striking proof of the devotion of the mem- 
 bers to the principles of the Society and of their satisfaction 
 
18 The Harmony Society. 
 
 with its government for so many years by its founder, that this 
 re-organization was affected without difficulty, and that the busi- 
 ness interests of the Society, which were now of great magni- 
 tude, were conducted successfully for many years along the lines 
 laid down by him. 
 
 For the absolute, though just, rule of the patriarch was 
 substituted a more representative form of government. After 
 reciting that the death of the venerable patriarch and beloved 
 founder and leader of the Society had made necessary the agree- 
 ment upon the plan for the maintenance of the Society and the 
 conduct of its affairs, the members agreed to the following 
 articles : 
 
 Article i. Reaffirmed the articles of association as adopted 
 at Economy, March 9, 1827, and the additional articles of 
 October 31, 1836, except in so far as they were rendered void by 
 the death of George Rapp or by the .following agreement. 
 
 , Article 2. A council of elders is established to consist of 
 nine members of the Society. The nine members to constitute 
 the council are named. 
 
 Article 3. The duties of the council of elders are: 
 
 1. To manage the internal temporal affairs of the Society, 
 to appoint and depose foremen for the various branches of busi- 
 ness, and to see that the members of the Society perform the 
 duties imposed on them. 
 
 2. To decide disputes between the members, to give advice 
 and to give reproof when necessary. 
 
 3. To receive new members into the Society and to expel 
 members. New members are to sign the articles of association 
 as a proof of their membership. 
 
 4. To care for the improvement of morals and instruction 
 of the members. 
 
 5. To appoint one or more of the members as religious 
 teachers and leaders. 
 
 6. To depose a member of the council of elders or one of 
 the trustees and to appoint another instead. 
 
 7. To fill all vacancies in the council of elders and in the 
 office of trustee. 
 
 8. The agreement of six members of the council shall be 
 regarded as the legal action of the whole council. 
 
The Harmony Society. 19 
 
 9. To keep a record in a record book of all important pro- 
 ceedings. 
 
 Article 4. Provided for a creation of a council of trustees 
 or agents for the exclusive management of the external busi- 
 ness and affairs of the Society; this council to consist of two 
 persons, who must be members of the council of elders. R. L. 
 Baker and J. Henrici were to be trustees. 
 
 Article 5. The trustees, united and separately are to have 
 power : 
 
 1. To manage all business of the Society. 
 
 2. To make donations to withdrawing and expelled mem- 
 bers and for such charitable and philanthropic purposes as they 
 may think proper. 
 
 3. To, united, have the power to buy and sell real estate 
 and to execute deeds. 
 
 4. To represent the Society in all legal matters. 
 
 5. To have authority over all property of the Society. 
 Article 6. All property acquired by the trustees shall be 
 
 regarded as the common property of the Society. 
 
 These articles in full are:* 
 
 "Whereas, By the decree of God, the venerable patriarch 
 and much-beloved founder and leader of the Harmony Society, 
 George Rapp, has departed this life, whereby its members are 
 deprived of his Christian fellowship and religious ministry, and 
 of his superintendence in their temporal affairs, and whereas in 
 consequence of this deeply afflicting dispensation, it has become 
 necessary to the good order and well-being of the association 
 that some plan should be agreed upon to regulate its future af- 
 fairs, promote its general welfare and preserve and maintain it 
 upon its original basis. 
 
 Therefore, Be it known to all whom it may concern, that 
 we, the undersigned surviving members of the Harmony Society, 
 and constituting the same, do severally and distinctly each for 
 himself covenant, grant and agree to and with all the others 
 thereof, and with those who shall hereafter become members 
 as follows : That is to say : 
 
 *Record I, p. 61. 
 
20 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Article i. We do hereby solemnly recognize, re-establish 
 and continue the articles of our association (the sixth section 
 excepted) entered into at Harmony on the 9th day of March, 
 A. D., 1827, in the presence of John H. Hopkins and Charles L. 
 Voltz, and the supplement thereto, adopted at the same place 
 on the 31st day. of October, A. D., 1836, in the presence of 
 Charles L. Voltz and William F. Baum, except so far as the same 
 are affected by the death of said George Rapp, or hereinafter 
 altered or modified, and to this extent we declare the said arti- 
 cles to remain in full force. 
 
 Article 2. We hereby ordain and establish a Board of 
 Elders, which shall consist of nine members of the Harmony 
 Society and their successors, to be chosen as hereinafter pro- 
 vided; John Stahl, John Schaubel, Adam Nachtrieb, Matthew 
 Scholle, Joseph Hoerule, John Eberle, Romelius L. Baker, Jacob 
 Henrici, Jonathan Lenz shall be the first board. 
 
 Article 3. The Board of Elders shall have and exercise the 
 following powers, to wit : 
 
 1st. To regulate and manage exclusively the internal temporal 
 concerns of the Harmony Society ; to appoint and remove superin- 
 tendents in the several departments of industry ; to make regula- 
 tions and give orders in relation to their business operations, and 
 generally to take care that the members perform the duties as- 
 signed to them. 
 
 2d. To determine all disputes and misunderstandings 
 amongst the members of the Society ; to advise, if necessary, re- 
 prove any member who may be in fault or found delinquent in his 
 duty. 
 
 3d. To admit new members into the Society and to expel 
 them therefrom. New members, when admitted, shall subscribe 
 this agreement as the evidence of their membership, and of the 
 rights acquired by, and the duties imposed upon them. 
 
 4th. To establish regulations for the maintenance and im- 
 provement of the morals of the Society and for the instructions 
 of its members. 
 
 5th. To appoint one or more of its members spiritual lead- 
 ers and instructors with such authority in relation to church 
 discipline as shall be conferred by the board. 
 
The Harmony Society. 21 
 
 6th. To remove from the Board of Elders and to declare 
 his seat vacated, also to remove from office either or both of 
 the trustees hereinafter appointed for the management of the 
 external affairs and their successors in office. 
 
 7th. To fill all vacancies in the Board of Elders occasioned 
 by the death, resignation or removal from office of any of its mem- 
 bers and their successors, and as often as a vacancy shall occur, 
 to fill all vacancies in the office of trustee, when either or both 
 of the trustees or their successors shall die, resign his office, 
 or be removed from the same, and as often as a vacancy shall 
 occur. 
 
 8th. The concurrence of six members of the Board of 
 Elders shall be deemed the act of the Board and a legal exer- 
 cise of any of the powers hereinbefore conferred on the said 
 board. 
 
 9th. A record book shall be kept in which the Board of 
 Elders shall enter all proceedings that they shall consider of 
 sufficient importance to be preserved. In all controversies, judi- 
 cial or otherwise, in which the Society or any of its members 
 may be a party, such record shall be full and absolute evidence 
 of the facts and proceedings therein contained and the affirma- 
 tion of any Elder shall be competent evidence of the identity of 
 the said record. 
 
 Article 4. We do further ordain and establish a Board of 
 Trustees for the exclusive management of the external business 
 and affairs of the Society, which board shall consist of two per- 
 sons, who shall be members of the Board of Elders, and their 
 successors who shall be appointed as hereinbefore provided. 
 Romelius L. Baker and Jacob Henrici shall be the first Board of 
 Trustees. 
 
 Article 5. The said trustees shall jointly and severally 
 have and exercise the powers following, to wit : 
 
 1st. In their own names or that of either of them, or other- 
 wise, to purchase and sell, deal, barter, exchange and traffic, 
 make all contracts and bargains in the prosecution of the busi- 
 ness, to invest the funds in stocks and other securities, and make 
 transfers and assignments, to collect debts, receive and pay out 
 moneys, settle claims, compromise disputes, institute legal pro- 
 ceedings, appoint and dismiss agents, clerks and attorneys in 
 
22 The Harmony Society. 
 
 fact, and at law, and generally to transact all the external busi- 
 ness affairs of the Society. 
 
 2d. To make donations to seceding and excluded members 
 and to the representatives of those who are deceased and for 
 such benevolent and charitable purposes as they may deem pru- 
 dent and fit. 
 
 3d. The said trustees shall have power jointly to purchase 
 real estate in their names and also in their joint names to grant, 
 bargain, sell and convey all or any of the lands and tenements 
 now or hereafter owned by or belonging to the said Society, 
 and for this purpose execute deeds and conveyance in fee sim- 
 ple or otherwise in their joint names, but the proceeds of all 
 such sales shall be held in trust for the Society. 
 
 4th. For the purpose of providing effectual and convenient 
 remedy in law for all injuries to the property of the said So- 
 ciety, real and personal, by trespass, ouster, detention, conver- 
 sion or otherwise, the said trustees are hereby invested with 
 the rights of possession, entry and action in their own names 
 as fully and to all intents and purposes, as do and may exist in 
 the said Society, and to effectuate this object more completely 
 and in consideration thereof, we grant and transfer to the said 
 trustees all such title and interest in the said property as shall 
 be necessary therefor. The proceeds of all suits to be brought 
 shall be in trust for the Society. 
 
 5th. The powers hereby vested in the said trustees shall 
 extend to and embrace all the property of the said Society, real, 
 personal and mixed, whether standing or held in the name of 
 the late Frederick Rapp, the said George Rapp, or in any other 
 name or form whatsoever. 
 
 Article 6. It is hereby distinctly and absolutely declared 
 and provided that all the property, real, personal and mixed, 
 which now or hereafter shall be held or acquired by any trustee 
 or trustees or person under them, is and shall be deemed the 
 common property of said Society, and each trustee now or here- 
 after appointed, hereby disclaims all personal interest in the 
 present resources and future earnings of the Society, other than 
 that of a member thereof, according to the articles of association 
 hereby re-established and continued, and according to the pres- 
 ent agreement. 
 
The Harmony Society. 23 
 
 In Witness Whereof, W r e, the undersigned members of the 
 Harmony Society, who constitute the said Society, have, to 
 these articles executed in English and in German, hereunto set 
 our hands and seals at Economy, in Beaver County, this 12th day 
 of August, A. D., 1847." 
 
 By these articles the government of the Society was en- 
 trusted to the two trustees, who were subject to removal by the 
 Council of elders. The trustees were both men of high char- 
 acter and strong personality, who worked in thorough harmony. 
 As a matter of fact, they dominated the council of elders. Both 
 had had long years of training in the business of the Society 
 under Father Rapp, Mr. Baker, from the foundation of the So- 
 ciety, Mr. Henrici from 1826. Since 1834 they had been the 
 business agents. The Society was governed by them upon the 
 principles already so thoroughly established. As the senior 
 trustee, Mr. Baker, and after his death, Mr. Henrici, was also 
 the religious teacher. The position which was occupied by the 
 trustees was very similar to that which George Rapp had held. 
 Temporal and spiritual authority was now in the hands of two 
 persons instead of one as before. While the members of the 
 Society, by adopting these articles had entrusted the exclusive 
 management to the nine members of the council, two of whom 
 were the trustees, matters of great importance were submitted 
 to the vote of the whole Society. 
 
 Romelius L. Baker and Jacob Henrici as trustees managed 
 the Society until January 11, 1868, when Mr. Baker died. Jona- 
 than Lenz was appointed trustee in Mr. Baker's stead. Henrici 
 and Lenz were the trustees until January 21, 1890, when Lenz 
 died. The Board of Elders then appointed Ernst Wolf el 
 trustee. 
 
 Mr. Henrici was now very old. It was rumored that the 
 Society was financially embarrassed. Several members became 
 dissatisfied and left. Not being satisfied with the donations 
 given them, they threatened to bring suit for the dissolution of 
 the Society and division of its property. Under these circum- 
 stances an agreement was entered into by the members, ratify- 
 ing and confirming the previous articles of association. 
 
 After a lengthy preamble describing the organization of the 
 
24 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Society under the articles of 1847, the surviving members of 
 the Society agree : 
 
 1st. That the articles of 1847 are in full force. 
 
 2d. All acts of the board of elders since that time are ap- 
 proved and the present Board of Elders is confirmed. 
 
 3d. All actions of the board of trustees are confirmed and 
 approved. 
 
 4th. Appointment of Ernst Wolfel as trustee is confirmed. 
 
 This agreement is :* 
 
 "Be it known to whom it may concern, that we, the under- 
 signed, the surviving and present members of the Harmony So- 
 ciety, at Economy, aforesaid, and all the present members of the 
 Society, do severally, and each for himself, covenant, grant and 
 agree to and with the others, and each and all the other mem- 
 bers aforesaid, and signers hereof and with those who shall here- 
 after become members as follows, that is to say : 
 
 1 st. We do hereby solemnly recognize, approve, reaffirm 
 and continue the articles of agreement and compact of the Har- 
 mony Society entered into at Economy, on the 12th day of 
 August, 1847, an d recorded in the Recorder's office of Beaver 
 County, as set forth in the preamble hereto and declare the same 
 to be in full force, as a whole and all parts thereof, including the 
 agreements and compacts mentioned and designated in the first 
 article thereof, as fully and to the same extent as said men- 
 tioned agreements were recognized and established by said first 
 article. 
 
 2. We do hereby approve and confirm any and all acts, 
 matters and things done and transacted by the Board of Elders 
 of the Harmony Society, as the same was from time to time 
 constituted, since the date of the articles aforesaid, establishing 
 said board, and we hereby ratify and confirm the appointment 
 of the present Board of Elders, to wit: Jacob Henrici, Ernst 
 Wolfel, Michael Staib, Johannes Scheid, Moritz Frederick, Gott- 
 fried Lauppe, Jacob Niclaus, Herman Fishern and John S. Duss. 
 
 3d. We do also hereby approve, ratify and confirm all acts, 
 matters and things done, transacted and performed by the Board 
 of Trustees of the Harmony Society, constituted first, of Rome- 
 
 ♦Record I, p. 71. 
 
The Harmony Society. 25 
 
 lius L. Baker and Jacob Henrici. until January nth, 1868; after- 
 wards, and from that date until January 21, 1890, of Jacob Hen- 
 rici and Jonathan Lenz, and since the last mentioned date, of 
 Jacob Henrici and Ernst Wolfel, hereby ratifying", confirming, 
 holding, declaring as good and effectual in law and in equity, all 
 acts, matters and things done, transacted and performed by each 
 and all of said trustees in the purchase and sale of personal pro- 
 perty, and in the making of contracts, investments of funds, pur- 
 chase, sale and transfer of stocks, bonds and other securities, 
 loaning or borrowing money, collection and payment of moneys, 
 in the institution and prosecution of legal proceedings, in the 
 employment and discharge of attorneys in fact and at law, in 
 the making of donations, in the purchase of real estate, and in 
 the sale thereof, in the execution and delivery of deeds, convey- 
 ances, transfers and assignments, whether of and pertaining to 
 real or personal property, in the execution or delivery of notes 
 or obligations of any kind, and generally all acts heretofore done 
 by said trustees, in the conducting, managing and transacting 
 of the business of the Society, and. whether done by said trus- 
 tees or either of them, severally and in his own name as trustee, 
 or jointly in the joint names of himself and his co-trustee. 
 
 4th. We do also hereby approve and confirm the acts of 
 the Board of Elders in the appointment of Ernst Wolfel, as co- 
 trustee with Jacob Henrici and declare said Jacob Hen- 
 rici and Ernst Wolfel, the present Board of Trus- 
 tees, authorized and empowered to do, perform and 
 transact any and all business of the Society, and to the full ex- 
 tent of the powers and authorities mentioned and designated in 
 and conferred on the Board of Trustees, in and by the articles 
 hereinbefore mentioned, made and entered into August 12th, 
 1847, an d recorded as aforesaid." 
 
 The troubles of the Society increased. Mr. Wolfel died 
 and Mr. John S. Duss was appointed co-trustee with Mr. Hen- 
 rici. It became necessary to sell some of their land and to bor- 
 row some money to meet obligations. In December, 1892, the 
 articles of 1847 an d 1890 were ratified by the surviving 35 mem- 
 bers. Explicit powers were conferred on the trustees Henrici 
 and Duss to sell all lands of the Societv, to borrow such sums 
 
26 The Harmony Society. 
 
 of money as they might deem advisable, and to execute all legal 
 instruments, jointly or separately. This agreement in full is:* 
 
 "Whereas, The undersigned, being all the members of the 
 Harmony Society, at Economy, Beaver County, State of Penn- 
 sylvania, deem it proper and desirable that there should be some 
 suitable, proper and certain evidence of membership in said 
 Society, and that the rights and powers of said Society should 
 be more clearly defined and understood; 
 
 Now therefore, While we do hereby ratify and confirm the 
 Articles of Agreement entered into at Economy on the 12th day 
 of August, 1847, an d those of April 30th, 1890, confirmatory of 
 the former and ratifying the acts of the Boards of Elders and 
 Boards of Trustees, both of which Articles of Agreement are 
 recorded in the Recorder's Office of Beaver County, and are 
 hereby reaffirmed, we and each of us, present members of the 
 said Harmony Society, do hereby state and declare that this 
 declaration, agreement and grant of power is, and is to be taken 
 and considered, as supplementary to the agreements, compacts 
 and articles above mentioned, to wit: 
 
 1st. The present members of this Society and association 
 are Jacob Henrici, John S. Duss, J. Jacob Niclaus, Moritz J^ 
 Fredericks, Gottfried Lauppe, Johannes Scheid, Franz Gillman, 
 Hugo Miller, Conrad Hermansdorfer, Julius Stickel, Edward 
 Killerman, Henry Feucht, B. Feucht, Blasius Platz, Sigmund 
 Stiefvater, Regina Lautenschlager, Christina Rail, Karoline 
 Molt, Katharina Nagel, Elizabeth Beck, Lena Rail, Thirza 
 Feucht, Rebecca Feucht, Margareth Feucht, Christine Horer, 
 Susie C. Duss, Bertha Geratch, Pauline Stickel, Johanna Her- 
 mansdorfer, Maria Diem, Dorothe Hohr, Philipina L. Wolf- 
 angle, Gottlieb Riethmtiller, Samuel Sieber and Elizabeth Sie- 
 ber, and no other person or persons than those above named 
 is a member thereof, and that for the future it is agreed that be- 
 fore any person can become a member of the Harmony Society, 
 he or she shall sign or make his or her mark to his or her name 
 on the roll of membership, which shall always be kept in the rec- 
 ord book of the Society, which book was established by the 
 aforesaid Agreement of 1847, and is the same in which are en- 
 
 *Record I, p. 74. 
 
The Harmony Society. 27 
 
 tered copies of said articles above mentioned, and shall also sign 
 a written agreement in said book binding himself or herself to 
 the observance and performance of all and singular the declara- 
 tions, stipulations and agreements of the members of the Society 
 as contained in the several written articles above mentioned and 
 in these articles, and the book aforesaid containing said roll of 
 membership shall be the sole and exclusive proof of member- 
 ship in the Society. 
 
 2d. It is hereby declared and agreed that the present Board 
 of Elders of said Society are Jacob Henrici, John S. Duss, Jo- 
 hannes Scheid, Gottfried Lauppe, Moritz J. Fredericks, J. Jacob 
 Niclaus, Conrad Hermansdorfer, Hugo Miller and Gottlieb Rieth- 
 miiller; and the present Board of Trustees of said Society are 
 Jacob Henrici and John S. Duss. And we do hereby grant and 
 assign to said Trustees and their successors, and do hereby 
 agree and declare that the legal title to any and all the property, 
 real and personal, owned or possessed by said society, wherever 
 the same is situated or found, is, and is to be taken and con- 
 sidered as fully vested in said Trustees, Jacob Henrici and John 
 S. Duss, above named, and held by them in trust for the Society, 
 but with full and complete power and authority in said Trustees, 
 their survivor and successors, at such time or times as they may 
 deem advisable, and for the best interests of the Society to sell 
 and dispose of same, or any part or parcel of the same, and for 
 this purpose to make assignments or bills of sale of said perso- 
 nal estate, and to execute and deliver deeds in fee simple, or for 
 any less estate, for any or all real estate thus sold. This decla- 
 ration and power to apply to and embrace any and all lands 
 wherever situated now or hereafter belonging to said Harmony 
 Society, or held in trust for said Society, the title to which may 
 be, or stand, in the name of Frederick Rapp, or George Rapp, or 
 of R. L. Baker and Jacob Henrici, Trustees ; Jacob Henrici and 
 Jonathan Lenz, Trustees; Jacob Henrici and Ernst Wolfel, 
 Trustees ; Jacob Henrici and John S. Duss, Trustees ; or any or 
 either of them and their successors, and Board of Trustees 
 hereafter appointed. 
 
 3d. To remove any possible doubt or misunderstanding as 
 to their right and power in reference thereto, we hereby give 
 and grant to said Trustees above named, Jacob Henrici and 
 
28 The Harmony Society. 
 
 John S. Duss, and to either of them and their survivor and suc- 
 cessors, full power, from time to time, and at such times as they 
 or either of them may deem for the true interest of the Society 
 to borrow such sum or sums of money for such length of time, 
 at such rates of interest and upon such other terms as the said 
 trustees, or either of them, or their survivor or successors, may 
 deem advisable ; and jointly or severally to give notes, bills of 
 exchange, bonds, due bills or other evidences of debt therefor, 
 and to secure such loan or loans of money, bonds, notes, due 
 bills or any other evidences of debt by pledge or assignment of 
 any stocks, bonds or other personal property of any kind now 
 belonging, or that may hereafter belong to said Society, and by 
 mortgage or mortgages upon, or deeds of trust of, all or any 
 part of the real estate and leaseholds of real property, which said 
 Society now own or possess, or hereafter may own or possess, 
 and for this purpose the said Trustees, above named, or either 
 of them, their survivor or successors, shall have full power and 
 authority to make, execute and deliver any and all such instru- 
 ments and conveyances as may, in their judgment, be reason- 
 ably necessary to enable them, or either of them, to carry the 
 foregoing powers into full effect. 
 
 And in execution of any instruments or conveyances in 
 writing or otherwise that may be or so become reasonably neces- 
 sary in the exercise or execution of any of the powers hereinbe- 
 fore granted, either of said Trustees, their survivor or successors 
 may execute the same, and for that pupose may sign the joint 
 names of said Trustees, as in the following form : "Jacob Henrici 
 and John S. Duss, Trustees," or "Henrici and Duss, Trustees," 
 by (name of Trustee executing) "Trustee." 
 
 Mr. Henrici died December 25th, 1892. Mr. Duss became 
 senior Trustee, and on December 27, 1892, Samuel Sieber was 
 appointed his colleague. Mr. Sieber withdrew July 6, 1893, 
 from the Society, and then Gottlieb Riethmuller became junior 
 Trustee. Mr. Riethmuller died February 10, 1897. By an 
 agreement entered into February 13, 1897, Mr. Duss, the sur- 
 viving trustee, was made sole trustee and endowed with all the 
 powers previously conferred on the Board of Trustees. This 
 article is : 
 
 "Whereas, since 1847, tne Board of Trustees of the Har- 
 
The Harmony Society. 
 
 mony Society has consisted of two members, and for some time- 
 past John S. Dnss has been senior Trustee and Gottlieb Rieth- 
 muller has been junior Trustee, and 
 
 Whereas, The said Gottlieb Riethmuller died on the tenth 
 day of February, A. D., 1897, leaving the said John S. Duss as 
 sole surviving Trustee. 
 
 We, the undersigned, being all the members of and consti- 
 tuting the Harmony Society, do hereby ratify and confirm our 
 Articles of Association dated August 12, 1847, an( l ^ so those 
 dated April 30, 1890, and those dated December 23, 1892, ex- 
 cept that from this date our Board of Trustees shall consist of 
 one member only, and to the said sole Trustee, for the time be- 
 ing, we do hereby give, grant, convey and confer each and every 
 power, privilege, right and discretion, and also all the property, 
 real, personal and mixed heretofore given, granted, conveyed 
 to or conferred upon the said Board of Trustees or either or both 
 of the said Trustees by the said recited agreements of 1847, 1890 
 and 1892, or which in any way whatever may have been ob- 
 tained, or procured or purchased by the said Trustees or either 
 of them w r hile acting in such capacity. Such sole Trustee shall, 
 however, and he does by the acceptance of the office of Trustee, 
 assume the duties, trusts and obligations imposed upon the said 
 Board of Trustees by the said recited agreements. 
 
 And we do hereby nominate and appoint John S. Duss, our 
 present senior Trustee, to be such sole Trustee. 
 
 In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and 
 seals this thirteenth day of February, A. D., 1897." 
 
 (Signed by ten members.) 
 
 In 1894 suit was brought against the Society by certain per- 
 sons who demanded its dissolution. After years of litigation, 
 the Supreme Court of the United States, in 1902, rejected the 
 suit, deciding in the favor of the Society. April 16, 1903, the 
 members reaffirm the existence of the Society as such, ratify all 
 the former articles of agreement, approve of the acts of Mr. Duss, 
 as Trustee, and provide that the Board of Elders shall in the 
 future consist of two members only. This agreement is as 
 follows : 
 
 "Whereas, on the 30th day of April, 1890, the then members 
 
30 The Harmony Society. 
 
 of the Harmony Society executed a certain article of agreement 
 of ratification and confirmation, whereby they reaffirmed and re- 
 adopted the contracts of membership theretofore existing be- 
 tween said members, and which fixed the rights and duties and 
 obligations of the several members of the said Society, and also 
 ratifying and confirming each and every act, matter and thing 
 which had been done and transacted for and on behalf of the 
 said Society by its Board of Elders and by its Board of Trus- 
 tees, as the said several boards had from time to time been con- 
 stituted prior to the said 30th day of April, 1890, which said 
 article of agreement is recorded in the office for recording deeds, 
 etc., for the County of Beaver, in Deed Book, Vol. 125, page 
 415, and 
 
 Whereas, subsequently, to wit: on the 13th day of February, 
 1897, by reason of divers changes in membership and the deaths 
 of divers members, it became advisable to modify said Articles 
 of Agreement so that the powers, rights and duties theretofore 
 vested in and exercised and performed by the Board of Trus- 
 tees, should be vested in a sole Trustee, and John S. Duss was 
 duly declared that sole Trustee; and 
 
 Whereas, Since the execution of said articles of ratification 
 and confirmation on the 30th day of April, 1890, the said Har- 
 mony Society has been involved in long and serious litigation, 
 which has terminated under a decree of the Supreme Court of 
 the United States in a manner favorable to and upholding the 
 rights of the said Society, and during that period by reason of 
 said litigation, and otherwise, it has been necessary for the 
 Trustees and Trustee to negotiate divers sales of property, real 
 and personal, and purchases thereof, and to borrow divers sums 
 of money and make payment thereof, and to make settlements 
 with divers parties sustaining business relations with said So- 
 ciety, and 
 
 Whereas, By reason of death, the membership of said So- 
 ciety has been reduced to eight members, viz : Karoline Molt, 
 Katharine Nagle, Johanna Hermansdorfer, Christina Rail, Bar- 
 bara Bosch, Franz Gillman, John S. Duss and Susie C. Duss, 
 wherefore it has become advisable to further alter and add to 
 the said articles of agreement, and 
 
 Whereas, There have been read over and fully explained to 
 
The Harmony Society. 31 
 
 said Harmony Society, and each of its members, the accounts ^f 
 the said John S. Duss, as Trustee, from the time of his appoint- 
 ment to this date, said accounts showing on their face all the 
 money and property acquired by said Duss, as Trustee, and all 
 moneys and property by him paid, sold out or conveyed; and 
 there has also been explained and made fully known to us the 
 present financial condition of said Society, and what its assets 
 and property consist of, and what its debts and liabilities are ; 
 
 Xow, therefore, Be it known to whom it may concern, that 
 we, the undersigned and surviving and present members of the 
 Harmony Society, do severally and each for himself or herself 
 covenant, grant and agree to and with the others and each and 
 all of the others as aforesaid, the signers thereof, and with those 
 who shall become members hereafter, as follows : 
 
 1st. We do hereby expressly affirm and declare the exist- 
 ence of the Harmony Society as a society. 
 
 2d. We do hereby approve, ratify and confirm each and all 
 of the several articles of agreement and compacts heretofore 
 executed by the Harmony Society, including that executed on 
 the 13th day of February, 1897, excepting the sixth clause of the 
 article of agreement executed on the ninth day of March, A. D., 
 1827 (the said sixth clause having been annulled and abrogated 
 by an agreement executed on the thirty-first day of October, 
 1836), and we do declare that the said several agreements (ex- 
 cepting the said sixth clause) are in full force and effect and con- 
 stitute the contract of membership by which the several rights, 
 duties and obligations of the members of our Society are to be 
 determined, except in so far as the said articles are hereinafter 
 modified. 
 
 3d. We do hereby approve, ratify and confirm any and all 
 acts, matters and things done and transacted by the Board of 
 Elders, as the same has been constituted prior to the date hereof, 
 whether the said Board has consisted at any time of the entire 
 number of members fixed by the several articles of agreement 
 herein above ratified and confirmed or of a less number. 
 
 4th. We do hereby approve, ratify and confirm each and 
 all of the acts, matters and things done and transacted and per- 
 formed by the Board of rustees, as the same was constituted 
 prior to the 13th day of February, 1897, and as the same has 
 
32 The Harmony Society. 
 
 been constituted since that date, consisting of John S. Duss, as 
 sole Trustee, and including herein all matters directly or indi- 
 rectly connected with the litigation of the Society, the adjust- 
 ment and settlement of its several liabiliies growing out of any 
 business transaction or business enterprises in which the said 
 Society has at any time been interested. And we further ratify, 
 approve and confirm in every respect, all the items and the 
 whole of the said accounts of the said John S. Duss, Trustee, 
 and each and every act of his in reference to the assets, properly 
 and business of the Society. 
 
 5th. From and after the execution hereof the Board of 
 Elders of the Harmony Society shall consist of two members 
 and their successors chosen in the manner provided by the arti- 
 cles of agreement hereinbefore ratified and approved, and from 
 and after the date hereof the said Board of Elders shall be John 
 S. Duss and Franz Gillman. 
 
 In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and 
 seals this 16th day of April, A. D., 1903, as members of and con- 
 stituting said Harmony Society, and also as the members of and 
 constituting the Board of Elders of said Society." 
 
 (Signed by eight members.) 
 
 May 12, 1903, Mr. Duss, the sole trustee, resigned his office 
 and withdrew from the Society. The same day his wife, Mrs. 
 Susie C. Duss, was chosen sole trustee in his stead. The mem- 
 bers of the Society, now only four in number, made the following 
 agreement : 
 
 "Whereas, on the twelfth day of May, 1903, John S. Duss, 
 sole Trustee of the Harmony Society, at Economy, did resign 
 his trust, which resignation was duly accepted, he having on the 
 same day withdrawn from fellowship in said Society, whereupon, 
 upon due consideration, and in pursuance of the power in them 
 vested, the Board of Elders did constitute Susie C. Duss the suc- 
 cessor in trust of the said John S. Duss, as sole Trustee of the 
 said Harmony Society, at Economy, and it is proper that suffic- 
 ient evidence of such appointment and of the acceptance of the 
 trust thereunder be entered of record in the office of the Re- 
 corder of Deeds in and for said County of Beaver, in which 
 
A MEMBER OF THE HARMONY SOCIETY. 
 
The Harmony Society. 33 
 
 County most of the lands of said Society are situate, and in such 
 other places as the business of the Society may require. 
 
 Now, therefore, It is hereby witnessed that Franz Gillman 
 and Susie C. Duss, the now members of the Board of Elders of 
 the Harmony Society, in pursuance of the power in them vested 
 by and under the several agreements and contracts existing be- 
 tween the members of said Society, do hereby make, constitute 
 and appoint Susie C. Duss, a member of said Society and of the 
 Board of Elders, sole Trustee of the said Society. 
 
 To have, hold and exercise all the rights and powers con- 
 ferred and to discharge and perform all and singular the duties 
 imposed upon and required of such sole Trustee in and by the 
 several articles of association and compacts of the members of 
 said Society, as executed and adopted by them and recorded in 
 the Recorder's office of Beaver County. 
 
 And Christina Schonemann Rail and Barbara Bosch, who, 
 with the said Franz Gillman and Susie C. Duss, are the now 
 members of said Society and constitute the same, do hereby 
 unite herein for the purpose of signifying their approval of the 
 appointment of the said Susie C. Duss as hereinabove set 
 forth. 
 
 In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and 
 seals this twelfth day of May, A. D., 1903." 
 
 (Four signatures.) 
 
 The members of the Society numbered in 
 
 1814 421 
 
 1815 419 
 
 1827 522 
 
 1832 357 
 
 1834 403 
 
 1836 391 
 
 1844, 170 men and 215 women, 385 
 
 1846 321 
 
 1847 288 
 
 1864 170 
 
 1865 155 
 
 1866 146 
 
 1879 /o 
 
36 The Harmony Society. 
 
 „Heute, den 9. Februar 1853, habe ich mich der Harmonie 
 Gesellschaft freiwillig entzogen, und habe aufgehort ein Mitglied 
 davon zu sein. Ich habe auch von R. L. Baker, Trustee, erhalten 
 $50 in Geld, nebst Bett und Kleider und Kleiderschrank usw. 
 als cin Geschenk laut dem Kontrakt, welches in voll ist fur alle 
 Anspriiche, an besagte Gesellschaft oder einiges Mitglied davon, 
 es sei an Geld oder Gtiter." 
 
 LENA RALL. 
 
 In many cases these persons were admitted to the Society 
 again, perhaps after raising a family. Lena Rail returned. 
 
 The Society also took boys and girls as apprentices, keeping 
 them until they were of age, teaching them a trade and giving 
 them an education. Such apprentices were bound by regular 
 articles. 
 
 On becoming of age, each boy was given $200, and each 
 girl $100. 
 
MANUSCRIPT HYMN BOOK. 
 
37 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 Moral and Religious Views. 
 
 The Harmonists had left Germany to escape religious perse- 
 cution. The sufferings they had endured and the privations of 
 the long journey to their new home, had intensified their religious 
 feelings. United in a strange land under their old pastor, re- 
 ligion and brotherly love were the controlling motives of their 
 lives. After a day of work in clearing the forest and building 
 their town, the new settlers always assembled in the evening in 
 the house and yard of their pastor for prayers before going to 
 bed.* 
 
 They believed that they had formed their Society under the 
 special guidance of God, whose kingdom was near at hand, and 
 that life in their Society, as they planned it, was the best prepa- 
 ration for this kingdom. From their life of brotherly harmony 
 to the kingdom of Christ would be an easy transition. There- 
 fore they sacrificed all selfish interests to the welfare of the 
 whole, each devoting himself to the service of the others. 
 George Rapp had a sublime faith in the importance of the move- 
 ment which he had inaugurated. March 24, 1810, he wrote to 
 Frederick Rapp : 
 
 „Werde nicht verdriesslich und ohngelassen der Gemeinde 
 zu dienen ; es werden dir wohl manche ungereimte Dinge in Weg 
 kommen, aber du kannst viel tragen um der Hoffnung des Reichs 
 
 •Georgre Rapp to Frederick Rapp, September 4, 1805. 
 
38 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Gottes willen. Glaube es, wir sind zu nichts anders bestimmt 
 als der Gemeine zu dienen, und das all unser Lebtag, das End vor 
 unsern Ordensmeister macht dir alles leicht. Ich bin alle Tage 
 gewisser der grossen Bestimmung des Plans vom Reich Gottes 
 in unserm Zeitpunkt; der Spiritus Mundi hatte uns lange unter 
 sich, und hielt uns arm und gering genug, wir werden durch die 
 Gunst Gottes Herr iiber dies Alles. Gott ist mit uns, und 
 Christus hat uns lieb, der Himmel wtirkt mit uns, ich bin munter 
 in meinem Gemuthe, und bin heiter." 
 
 Their desire to serve others was not limited to the members 
 of their Society. They wished to be useful to mankind. January 
 23, 1879, Frederick Rapp wrote: 
 
 "The progress of our improvement is such as becomes peo- 
 ple who wish to be useful to mankind, and join their efforts to 
 make one another happy, and all those who wish to partake of 
 their felicity." 
 
 At the same time they were striving for a purer personal 
 life. Newly arrived German immigrants they found tainted with 
 immorality of the kinds prevailing in Germany. George Rapp 
 writes : 
 
 „Ich wiinsche keineswegs in Zukunft mehr Leute von Eu- 
 ropa hieher zu bringen. Sie sind alle zu verdorben."* 
 
 Animated by this spirit of pure religion and self-sacrifice, 
 and working obediently under the wise direction of their superin- 
 tendents, George and Frederick Rapp, the Society increased 
 rapidly in wealth and harmony. May 29, 1823, Frederick Rapp 
 could write to Samuel Patterson : 
 
 "My father well and active, although advanced in years. 
 The Society is prosp»ering externally and internally. We live in 
 peace and unity which gradually binds us faster and faster into 
 one body, whereof one member renders to another the necessary 
 assistance, which facilitates the toils of life in great measure." 
 
 Their leader, too, was satisfied with the conduct of the 
 
 members: 
 
 „Es geht hier, wie gewonlich, alles seinen Gang, und das 
 
 * George Rapp, April 10, 1819, in a letter to J. Boiler. 
 
The Harmony Society. 39 
 
 Reich des Friedcns nimmt seincn Weg zum grossen Ziel, alles 
 ist thatig hier, jedes erfiillt seine Pflichten, dass ich nicht zu 
 klagen habe."* 
 
 In a letter written to his community from Economy, June 
 7, 1824, where George Rapp was founding a new settlement, he 
 urges his followers to devotion to the welfare of the whole, as 
 the most essential of all duties. He had just landed at Economy, 
 which he said was „der gesundeste Platz in ganz Amerika." 
 
 „Was wir thun, das thun wir fur euch, und was ihr thut, das 
 thut ihr fiir uns, also sollte man denken, die Liebeswerke zu iiben 
 fur das Beste und Wohl zum ganzen Bruderverein konnte un- 
 moglich lange Weile oder Ungeduld verursachen. 
 
 Alles also wird gut gehen bei uns und euch so lange Interesse 
 fiir das Ganze lebt, denn dem redlichen in seinem Fach vergibt 
 der Herr tausend Uebertretungen, und so verliert man niemals 
 die Bruderliebe, also auch nicht Gott ; und so ritteriert euch vor 
 den Versuchungen des Feindes und der Welt, dass ein jeder von 
 euch seinen Pfosten bewacht und erhalt, bei dem ich euch ver- 
 lassen habe, bei meinem Abschied, damit meine Freude an euch 
 keinen Abbruch leide, sondern mit freudigem Geist, euch vor 
 das Angesicht Jesu Christi tragen darf in meinem Gebet, und 
 mit Danksagung der Barmherzigkeit Gottes des Vaters seinen 
 Namen verherrlichen darf, indem das Gnadenwerk des heiligen 
 Geistes sich taglich beweiset an seiner Gemeine ; die er fiir ihn 
 selbst aus der Welt erwahlt, seinen grossen Namen an ihr zu 
 verherrlichen, darzu wir alle bereitwillig sind, dass sein Wille 
 geschehe auf Erden wie im Himmel." 
 
 The Harmony Society was not, and never became, a pro- 
 selyting society. Religious principles were expounded and taught 
 to them by their pastor. The only way in which they sought to 
 influence the outside world was by an industrious, unselfish life, 
 consistent with the principles they professed. But the success 
 of their enterprise attracted the attention of persons who were in- 
 terested in communistic societies. In answer to an inquiry from 
 Samuel Worcester, of Boston, Mass., George and Frederick Rapp 
 gave an account of the state of the Society and its principles and 
 practices. This important letter in full is : 
 
 * George Rapp to Frederick Rapp, April 18, 1823. 
 
40 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Harmonie, den 9. Oktober 1822. 
 SAMUEL WORCESTER: 
 Werther Herr: 
 
 Ihr Schreiben vom letzten 23ten May ist schon vor geraumer 
 Zeit zu handen kommen, aus vvelchem wir ersehen dass unsere 
 Gemeinschaft mehrere Ihrer Mitburger aufmerksam gemacht, 
 tind den Wunsch erregt hat, mehrere solche Gesellschaften nach 
 ■dem Plan der hiesigen errichtet zu sehen usf., hauptsachlich aber 
 zu wissen wunschen, ob noch die nemliche Einigkeit unter uns 
 exestiere, wie vor zwolf Jahr, da Mr. Melish, von Philadelphia, 
 uns in Pennsylvania besuchte. 
 
 Ueber welches Sie berichte, dass es uns freut zu vernehmen, 
 dass noch Leute in Ihrer Stadt und besonders in Ihrer Gesell- 
 schaft gefunden werden, welche iiber den Zustand der jetzigen 
 Welt mit alien darin befindlichen politischen sowohl als reli- 
 giosen Gesellschaften nachdenken, und ohne Zweifel sehen wer- 
 den, dass dieser Zeitpunkt alles in seiner Grundveste erschiittert 
 hat; wie alle Konigreiche und Staaten zittern und beben; auch 
 alle religiosen Gesellschaften, Sekten und Parteien keinen vesten 
 Halt auf ihren alten Systemen und Formen, nach welchen sie 
 sich gebildet, mehr haben ; und wie im ganzen das moralische 
 und Sittenverderben in alien Standen so tief eingedrungen, dass 
 die mehreste Menschen gesetz- und gewissenlos worden sind, 
 und noch nach ausserer Ordnung, noch nach Ausiibung der wah- 
 ren Christlichen Religion etwas fragen, (ob sie gleich jederzeit 
 die besten Menschen gebildet hat), sondern iiberlassen sich den 
 Trieben ihrer Wolliisten, welche die Grenzen ihrer Bediirfnisse 
 schon lange uberschritten haben, und doch nicht gesattigt sind, 
 sonst ware nicht so viel Klagens fast bei alien Klassen der Men- 
 schen, iiber harte Zeit, Geldmangel und dergleichen. 
 
 Von alien diesen Uebeln und Plagen weist die Harmonie 
 nichts ; sie hat schon vor achtzehn Jahren den Grund und Bo- 
 den zu einer neuen Zeitperiode gelegt, und zwar nach der 
 Originalmuster der ersten Kirche nach Apostel-Geschichte am 
 2ten und 4ten Kap., und unterdessen haben wir, obwohl unbe- 
 kannt und mit Schmach und Verachtung bedeckt, dennoch 
 gliicklich und in Frieden gelebt, denn unsere Einigkeit sowohl 
 leiblich als geistlich ist alle Jahr volliger worden ; so dass gegen- 
 
The Harmony Society. 41 
 
 wartig unsere Gemeinschafc als erprobt auf ihrem Felsen der 
 Wahrheit fest und unerschi'itterlich steht ; denn die Welt und 
 Holle wird wenig Mittel mehr flbrig haben, die sie nicht schon 
 an der Harmonie versucht haben, doch steht sie noch und wird 
 sich auch wohl behaupten ; denn die Starke des Glaubens, die bis 
 ins Geistesreich eindringt, wird wohl auch den erreichen, dem 
 alle Gewalt gegeben ist im Himmel und auf Erden. Er wird ge- 
 wiss Interesse genug haben, die Anstalten seines so nahen Konig- 
 reichs zu befordern, wo er Leuthe dazu findet, und davon ist die 
 Harmonie in einem grossen Grade eingenommen, denn die Zei- 
 chen der Zeit, darauf uns die Schrift weiset, lassen uns genug 
 ahnden dass die Zukunft des Herrn nicht mehr fern ist. Auch 
 in weltlicher Hinsicht ist unser Fleiss und Arbeit reichlich ge- 
 segnet ; wir haben in nichts Mangel, wir bauen und pflanzen aller 
 Arten Friichten im Ueberfluss, unsere Obstgarten, welche mit 
 den besten Gattungen aller Arten Baumen besetzt, sind sehr er- 
 giebig; fur Weinbau ist es hier noch etwas besser als in Pennsyl- 
 vania, doch bei weitem nicht wie in den alten Landern ; auch fiir 
 Kleider und sonstige Bediirfnisse bauen und pflanzen wir die 
 mehreste der rohen Materialen, als Flax, Hanf, Wolle und Baum- 
 wolle. und fabrizieren es zu mancherlei Arten StofT, so wie das 
 Klima in dieser Landschaft erfordert, so dass wir lauter selbst- 
 gemachte Kleider tragen, und nichts vom Ausland brauchen. 
 Unsere Manufakturen und Machineries sind um ein betracht- 
 liches vermehrt worden, seitdem Mr. Melish bei uns war, nur 
 schade dass die mehreste Amerikaner so wenig Nationalgeist 
 haben, und auslandische YVaaren denen heimgemachten vor- 
 ziehen. 
 
 Wir konnen Sie weder auf ein Buch verweisen noch ein 
 Pamphlet schicken, welches Xachricht von uns und unseren 
 Grundsatzen und Einrichtungen gabe, indem wir weder eine 
 Constitution noch sonstige Gesetzformeln fiir die Organisirung 
 unserer Gesellschaft weder geschrieben noch gedruckt haben, son- 
 dern fanden bloss fiir notig mit Neukommenden eine Art Agree- 
 ment zu machen, damit sie uns (im Falle sie die gegebene Probe- 
 zeit nicht bestehen, oder hernach, wenn sie in die Gemeine auf- 
 genommen, sich nicht zu einem christlichen Wandel bilden lassen 
 
A2 The Harmony Society. 
 
 und deshalb wieder abziehen), keinen Trubel fur Lohn, oder 
 sonstige Ausbriiche machen konnen. 
 
 In einer religiosen Gesellschaft, wie die Harmonie, ist es 
 leicht, Verbrechen zu bestrafen ; es erfodert aber hauptsachlich 
 einen Mann als Vorsteher, welcher der Religion Jesu redlich und 
 mit voller Warme zugethan ist, der Gewicht und Geist genug 
 hat andere zu begeistern, und ein zartes Gefuhl Recht und Un- 
 recht zu unterscheiden, um der Wahrheit den Beifall und das 
 Uebergewicht zu geben, und weil der moralische Werth von 
 Recht und Unrecht schon jedem Menschen in seiner Schopfung 
 eingepflanzt worden, so ist weiter nichts zu thun, als das innere 
 Gefuhl zu oflnen und often zu halten ; so gibt es sich von selbst, 
 dass diejenigen, welche des Lichtes fahig sind, selbst der Tugend 
 und eines gottseligen Wandels sich bestreben, und wenn sie aus 
 Unvorsichtigkeit gegen die Wahrheit handeln und Siinden oder 
 Irrthiimer begehen, so schamen sie sich selbst und bekennen es 
 dem Vorsteher, widerrufen und b,ereuen es innerlich, und be- 
 fleissigen sich der Besserung, und werden nach und nach gut; 
 und die anderen, welche des Lichts und der Wahrheit nicht fahig 
 sind, die verstecken und verbergen ihre Siinden und Verbrechen, 
 und gehen nicht selber an das Licht, und wenn sie von anderen 
 entdeckt und ihre bose Werke bestraft werden, so werden sie 
 bos und werden es nicht leiden, und weil kein Heuchler hier be- 
 stehen kann, so entfernen sie sich selbst von der Gemeinde, bal- 
 der oder spater, und fliehen in die grosse. Welt, wo ihre bose 
 Werke nicht bestraft werden ; und auf diese Art bleibt unsere Ge- 
 meinde lauter, ohne dass wir Zwang oder Strenge brauchen, son- 
 dern wird alles christlich regirt und betrieben, nach der Ord- 
 nung Melchisedeks. Und wir glauben auch gewiss, dass das 
 nahe ,einbrechende Reich Jesu Christi eben so und nicht anders 
 regirt und fortgefiihrt werden wird, sowohl hier auf Erden als 
 auch im Geisterreich, und zwar alles menschlich, bis kein Wahr- 
 heits- und Jesus-Feind mehr sein wird, welches uns die Schriften 
 Alten und Neuen Testaments hinlanglich sagen, sowie auch 
 manche andere Wahrheitszeugen, davon auch Schwedenborg 
 einer ist, welches es in seiner Schriften mehrmals bezeugte. 
 
 Es ist in unserer Gemeinde nicht schwer dem Miissigang vor- 
 zubeugen, obglei :h die Menschen (wie Sie sagen) mehr aus Noth- 
 
The Harmony Society. 43 
 
 wendigkeit und Eigennutzen arbeiten, als aus Freiheit und ge- 
 meinschaftlichem Interesse willen ; dieses sind aber Folgen unse- 
 res Falles, welche wir von unseren Stammeltern angeerbt und 
 unterdessen noch vermehrt haben. Von Anfang wurde der 
 Mensch zur Thatigkeit und gesellschaftlichem Leben geschaffen, 
 um fiir das Wohl und Gliickseligkeit seiner Mitgeschopfte zu 
 wiirken, zu welchem Zwecke auch alle gute Engel und Geister 
 durch das ganze Geisterreich wirksam und thatig sind ; welches 
 Schwedenborg in seinen Schriften hinlanglich bestatigt. Dieser 
 Grundtrieb liegt noch in des Menschen Wesen, und so bald, wie 
 oben gesagt, die innern Gefiihle durch das Licht der Wahrheit 
 mittel- oder unmittelbar aufgeschlossen werden, so erwacht auch 
 dieser Trieb zur Thatigkeit und gemeinschaftlichem Leben mit 
 auf, und weil hier in der Harmonie lauter solche Leute sind, 
 welche fiir das Reich Gottes erzogen und bereitet werden, so ist 
 es natiirlich, dass alles Eigenthum aufgehoben werden musste, 
 weil in dem Reich Gottes niemand nichts Eigenes hat, sondern 
 alles Gemeinschaftlich. Dessentwegen haben wir alle nur ein 
 gemeinschaftliches Interesse hier, und alien, welche gesunde Glie- 
 der in dem Leib der Gemeinde sind, gibt die Bruderliebe Trieb 
 und Thatigkeit genug, freiwillig und ungezwungen fur den 
 Nutzen und das Gliick seiner Mitbriider zu sorgen, und dasselbe 
 mit seinem Fleiss und Arbeit, leiblich oder geistlich, zu befor- 
 dern. Dieses aber kann nur vermittelst der Religion Jesu gelernt 
 und geiibt werden, welches lehrt abzusagen und zu verlaugnen 
 das, was Hinderniss macht, zu entbehren das an was man sich 
 gewohnt hat, und nicht Nothdurft ist, und sich selbst zu ver- 
 laugnen, damit man fiir andere niitzlich sein kann. 
 
 Um aber die Grundsatze der christlichen Religion, sowohl 
 als auch die Gesetze und Anordnungen der Gemeinde aufrecht 
 zu halten, und mit Nachdruck einzuscharfen, wird ein Mann als 
 Vorsteher, wie oben gesagt, erfodert, welchem die anderen alle 
 sowohl in geistlichen als natiirlichen Anordnungen gehorsam 
 sein, und sich seinen Befehlen unterwerfen miissen, damit alles 
 von einem Willen abhangt, ohne welches keine Gemeinde be- 
 stehen konnte, obwohl in Hauptsachen immer die Mehrheit der 
 Stimmen regirt. Auch konnte ohne Aufhebung alles Eigenthums 
 keine Gemeine, welche auf Grundsatze wie die unsrige errichtet, 
 
44 The Harmony Society. 
 
 bestehen ; sondern wiirde immer Lust zu eigenem Nutzen und 
 Interesse erwecken und eine unwiderstehliche Grundursache der 
 Verwirrung und des Verfalls werden. Dessentwegen sind alle 
 Plane, welche gemacht worden sind, Gemeinschaften wie die 
 Harmonie ohne Ausubung der Religion Jesu und Aufhebung alles 
 Eigenthums zu errichten, gescheitert. 
 
 Wir sind ziemlicher Massen mit den Schriften von Schwe- 
 denborg bekannt. Sie enthalten viel Brauchbares, nur wird er 
 von den mehresten seiner Leser zu sinnlich verstanden. 
 
 Sollte Ihre Gesellschaft zu einem Entschluss kommen, in 
 den westlichen Gegenden eine Gemeine zu errichten, so sollte 
 zuerst zwei taugliche Manner als Deputierte abgeschickt werden, 
 um hieher zu reisen und die Gegenden zu besehen, und einen an- 
 standigen Platz auszusuchen. Zur nemlichen Zeit mochten sie 
 auch uns besuchen, welches Gelegenheit gabe, naher mit uns be- 
 kannt zu werden. Auch haben wir selbst noch viel vom besten 
 Land in unserer Nachbarschaft liegen, welches wir an gutge- 
 sinnte Leute fur billige Preise verkaufen wiirden. 
 
 Eine einzige Familie sollte von 500 zu 600 dollars frei auf 
 den Platz bringen, um sich J4 Sec. (160 Acre) Land zu kaufen 
 und mit notigen Werkzeugen zu versehen. Sollten aber mehrere 
 Familien gemeinschaftlich kaufen und leben wollen, so wiirde 
 weniger erfodert. 
 
 FRIEDRICH RAPP." 
 
 A letter of about the same date, from Frederick Rapp to 
 Chester Chadwick, refusing the latter's request to be admitted 
 into the Society, gives a briefer statement of some of the same 
 principles, and exhibits that sincere religious feeling, and kind- 
 ness of heart, which were always characteristic of its writer: 
 
 "Your letter of the 15th ult. came to hand, in which we dis- 
 cover you desire to be admitted into our Society, with your fam- 
 ily, in order to get rid of the trouble and care which is requisite 
 to support and procure an honest living for yourself and family; 
 which is a good meaning so far, yet we doubt very much whether 
 you could submit to our regulations and manner of living, for no 
 person here possesses anything as his own, nor can anybody act 
 or do according to his own will, every member of the community 
 must be obedient to the ordained superintendents, which is very 
 
The Harmony Society. 45 
 
 hard for people, who have not the kingdom of God for their chief 
 object. For the fundamental principles, whereupon our commu- 
 nity is established, are altogether religious. The religion of Jesus 
 is practised here in fact, no unrighteous man can abide here, far 
 less a daring sinner, who lives yet in vices; therefore one has to 
 bethink himself better before joining our Society than you per- 
 haps are aware of. We aavise you not to do it. We have not 
 admitted any person this long time, having been so often de- 
 ceived by people who lived here one or two years, and rinding 
 the path to follow Jesus too narrow, they break off and calumniate 
 us; then all our trouble spent to make them do better was lost. 
 The German language is also the only one spoken here, which 
 you do not understand, and in consequence could derive no bene- 
 fit from church or school. 
 
 Content yourself for a while yet, the best way you can, a 
 greater plan will develop itself perhaps before long, when all 
 the honest and upright which are now scattered here and there 
 through the world may be relieved from their burden. 
 
 Your well wisher, 
 
 FREDERICK RAPP." 
 
 No doubt the Society received many requests for a state- 
 ment of its principles. It had also been maligned by persons 
 who had lived in it for a time, and who had withdrawn or been 
 expelled. Moreover, it was not understood by its Western fron- 
 tier neighbors, and had incurred their ill will. These reasons led 
 in 1824 to the publication of a statement of the principles upon 
 which the Society was founded and of its aspirations. This pub- 
 lication was a treatise of 85 pages, printed on their own press, 
 in both German and English, under the titles: „Gedanken iiber 
 die Bestimmung des Menschen, besonders in Hinsicht der gegen- 
 wartigen Zeit, von der Harmonie Gesellschaft ;" and in English: 
 "Thoughts on the Destiny of Man, particularly with reference to 
 the Present Time." This treatise was probably edited by Father 
 Rapp himself.* The English version is by some one who still 
 
 * During the early history of the Society, it was customary for the 
 members to organize themselves into groups. Each group was called -a 
 company. The object for which these companies was formed, was the 
 interchange of religious thought. Accordingly each company assembled 
 
46 The Harmony Society. 
 
 has difficulty with the English language, probably by Frederick 
 Rapp, for it contains at the end several pages quite in his style 
 and manner of thought, which are not in the German. Their be- 
 lief is stated in an emphatic, if rather disconnected manner. 
 
 Man is destined to use the powers given him by the Creator 
 for himself and others. He must exercise these powers, and for 
 that intercourse with men is necessary. 
 
 In man there are tendencies both for good and evil. His 
 free will must decide whether he shall obey his reason or his 
 passions. If he chooses the former, he comes in conflict with 
 his passions and sensual propensities. Man unaided has not 
 strength enough for this contest. Reason is limited to this 
 world. The Christian religion, which opens up a future life, alone 
 can give him the victory. Those who believe in Christ's word, 
 are moulded to men of God, whose aim is to unite the general 
 welfare of their fellow men with their own welfare, and thus 
 help to regain the lost dignity of man. This is practical Christi- 
 anity. This universally active love for men is what Jesus had in 
 view when he founded his religion. 
 
 Religion and reason together guide men aright. "A good 
 man would cheat nobody intentionally, even if he were not in- 
 fluenced by religion, for his natural reason itself tells him that 
 deception is wrong and does not enrich." Men who are guided 
 by reason and an aroused consciousness of religious duty, can 
 form a permanent union for true and real welfare, and constitute 
 a compound whole, for which the human race is destined. To 
 attain this great end, enlightenment and increase of knowledge 
 
 on Sunday evening at the home of one of its members. On these occa- 
 sions each member was expected to bring a fragment (Snick) in refer- 
 ence to what was best in religion and morals for man's temporal and 
 eternal welfare. Whenever any such fragment elicited particular inter- 
 est, the author was made to bring the production to the notice of Father 
 Rapp. If it met with his approval, it was entered in a book provided for 
 that purpose, the "Stiickbuch." It is quite likely that from these frag- 
 ments Father Rapp composed his treatise, and on that account called 
 it "Gedanken." This would account for the frequent repetition of the 
 same thought in somewhat different language, and for the unsystematic 
 arrangement of the book. (This information was given by Mr. John S. 
 Duss.) 
 
The Harmony Society. 47 
 
 are necessary. Arts and sciences contribute to greater universal 
 strength, to the welfare of the whole human race. 
 
 The time is approaching- when all good and reasonable men 
 will unite in perfect harmony to form a kingdom of God, which 
 must be brought about by men. In union there is strength. 
 Their effectiveness is increased when the benefactors of mankind 
 unite to further their aims. Without this united strength, per- 
 fection is never attainable by our race. The time is ripe for this 
 harmony. It will result in a nation of brothers from whose per- 
 fectly harmonious actions the rights of man shall again spring 
 forth and be perpetuated without king, emperor or monarch. 
 Then political institutions may pass away, but the spirit of the 
 nation, humanity, will remain. 
 
 This spirit of the times sought in vain a home with all na- 
 tions until it found in the new world a people which still had 
 force and energy. From the small beginning already made in 
 America will proceed the regeneration of society. 
 
 "For the regeneration of society, the Christian religion is 
 essential. Such a vigorous and effective religion as the Christian 
 can alone be pregnant with a germ for the restoration of higher 
 felicity, and for the production of a realm of men, consistent with 
 the word of Jesus, in which many peoples will be gradually 
 transformed by the bond of love into a Brother nation, where 
 divine truth and duty towards man can be taught and practised 
 without pomp or constraint, without dissimulation or supersti- 
 tion." 
 
 This higher social life has already appeared. It will leaven 
 the whole mass. ,,Also kein Stillstehen im Reich Gottes — nicht 
 mehr Ruckgang, sondern Fortriicken zum vollkommenen Ziel, 
 wo auf griinen und frohen Gefilden ein Tempel Gottes gebaut, 
 darin die noch lichtfahige Menschen, Ruhe und Erquickung fin- 
 den, anzubeten in der heilgen Halle, des Wesens Einklang, Ord- 
 nung und Harmonie." 
 
 A way is also opened to religious unity between friend and 
 friend, brother and'brother, and this without being stained with 
 monkish sophistry. Only practical Christianity can enable men 
 to fulfil the purpose of God. In barbarous ages, Christianity was 
 the safety and order of the world. In our century it will con- 
 
4-8 The Harmony Society. 
 
 tinue, according to the plan of Jesus, to accomplish his work of 
 love until peoples of many nations shall finally unite in one beau- 
 tiful army of brothers. 
 
 „Mit so edelen Gesinnungen, Neigungen, Trieben, wird alles 
 in einander gebunden ; Burgerstarke, Qesetzgebung, Staatsver- 
 fassung, Andacht und Religion. Was vor ein Gantzes wird sich 
 daraus entwickeln Eine Brudernation ohne Monarchic, alle nach 
 einer Verfassung, in Glauben und Religion, friedlich und in Ein- 
 tracht zu leben, und wirken in Brudergemeinen und Harmonien, 
 Alle fur Eine, und Eine fur Alle." 
 
 This end will be reached through revolution and regenera- 
 tion. Truth, religion, reason must, in spite of all the mad at- 
 tacks of their enemies, finally conquer. And what, if the one 
 instrument in the plan of providence were already in existence? 
 A united brother-people is the habitation of God. There the 
 germ of a new political and religious life has sprung up. A har- 
 monious people is already in existence, who, in order to attain 
 to a higher virtue, have renounced sensuality and the enjoyment 
 of the earthly pleasures of human nature. They are waiting for 
 the foundation of the kingdom of God on earth, proclaimed by 
 Christ, whose purpose it is to form men who will advance the 
 welfare and happiness of others. In fact, Christianity was no- 
 thing else than a "bond of friendship combining all duties and 
 regulations for spiritual and temporal interests and uniting all 
 mankind into one social bond of union. Christianity ought 
 never to have had any but the best and most upright men in its 
 communities and ought to have been governed by superintend- 
 ents and fathers without the aid of secular power. The reigning 
 system ought to have been a pure and true theocracy. Religion 
 ought to have settled all disputes among Christians and not the 
 judiciary tribunals. Hail the country, where such a dignified 
 exercise of office can be and is permitted to be administered." 
 
 The purer the principles of religion are, the more it will ad- 
 vance both the spiritual and temporal welfare of the community. 
 The whole religious plan of Jesus was union and fraternity. If 
 only one such society existed in the world, nothing would be 
 more natural, than that all elements and many nations should 
 unite with it. 
 • 
 
The Harmony Society. 49 
 
 The union of souls is the sweetest and most noble enjoy- 
 ment of which man is capable. It is the highest happiness of 
 earth. It is divine, heavenly, unselfish. Where sensual enjoy- 
 ment with its needs cease, begins a freer, better and higher 
 enjoyment, a friendly living together of brotherly souls who love 
 and serve each other. The germ of such a union lies in human 
 nature. 
 
 The noblest form of state has never yet been realized. It 
 is the union of the powers of the several members for the bene- 
 fit of the whole, for the welfare of all. That is Harmony. The 
 Harmony Society is an evidence of what a union can accomplish. 
 The more our undertakings are based on pure truth and love of 
 men, the more useful and permanent are our works. 
 
 Life in harmony with our fellow r s is the best preparation for 
 heaven. "Here seek a friend of God, exercise yourself on Him, 
 and no matter how it pains, do not leave him until you lose your 
 own life. You need not trouble yourself about any other heaven, 
 for in the simplicity to which you have attained, you are fitted 
 for all the heavenly societies which make up heaven or the king- 
 dom of God." One can not expect to commune with God who can 
 not get on with his fellow men. Only in social life can mankind 
 attain its destiny. Only in such a society is life truly free. 
 There political and religious institutions are united. There is 
 no fear of slavish laws and penalties ; for the good man is also 
 the truly free man, for he obeys the law of nature, as well as of 
 truth, from a sense of love. When he recognizes what is true, 
 good and useful, he does it without compulsion, entirely because 
 it is good and true. This freedom prevails in the Harmony So- 
 ciety. "In the common household of this brotherhood, the great- 
 est order, skill and diligence are observed in the most minute as 
 well as the most extensive transactions. Here wealth is pos- 
 sessed in abundance, and all cares for sustenance are removed 
 and forgotten. No sluggard can live in this amicable confedera- 
 tion, for permission is never given to any one to eat his bread 
 in sinful indolence. Male and female, old and young, are use- 
 fully employed according to their powers of mind and body; all 
 contribute to the welfare of the whole, and from the common 
 stock all are supplied with all the necessaries of life. 
 
 The various branches of this economic commonwealth, thus 
 
50 The Harmony Society. 
 
 regularly conducted and united., form one great machine, the 
 principal wheel of which, when in motion, puts all the rest in 
 motion for the interest of the whole. In their mutual enjoy- 
 ments all the members are contented and happy ; none is rich or 
 poor; the causes of distress and clamor in the world are not ex- 
 perienced or even known here. How could it be otherwise? In 
 eating, drinking and clothing everything is plain and simple, like 
 nature herself in her household, which we necessarily take as an 
 example for imitation in our economical regulations for the re- 
 storation of a happier age. Here are possessed sufficient means 
 for convenience, and a competent knowledge for their application 
 to the rational and useful purposes of life. Where so many use- 
 ful, active persons are harmoniously united, there must be, and 
 evidently is, a true kingdom of God. "Those who choose such 
 a life are such as are conscious of their imperfections and dis- 
 satisfied with themselves and have not perverted their moral 
 faculties." In this manner the whole human race will eventually 
 be ameliorated. 
 
 In America nothing hinders the Society from practising its 
 belief. It is a special providence that this land became a free re- 
 public. 
 
 The restoration of the dignity of man can alone secure to 
 us the golden age. The brotherly union will finally triumph. The 
 dignity of the human race is gradually progressing and a better 
 race of men is beginning to appear, which will show clearly to 
 the world the superior refinement and happiness of that united 
 and social life, for the enjoyment of which the Creator implanted 
 faculties in man. 
 
 Mankind is only that which it makes out of itself. A hun- 
 dred means of improvement are in our hands as soon as we have 
 a vivid feeling of the necessity of improvement. God helps us 
 only through our faculties, reason and industry. 
 
 That society only is happy in which luxury has no place. 
 The kingdom of heaven will be founded here on earth out of 
 men, and not in eternity; and that on a perfectly firm basis for 
 the spiritual and temporal welfare of those who share it. 
 
 Unless the mind be pure and enlightened, the principles of 
 a fraternity can neither be understood nor appreciated. 
 
 "Men view the treasures of heaven as a common stock; why 
 
The Harmony Society. 51 
 
 not consider then the treasures of earth in the same light? It 
 is reasonable to suppose that he who can not learn to share with 
 his brother in this life, will not easily do so in the world to 
 come, and that no one need expect to find happiness in the hea- 
 venly society of men, unless he first learn and practise the social 
 virtues here among his fellow creatures ; because if he be not 
 accustomed to deny himself on earth, he will surely take offence, 
 even in heaven." The golden treasure of this world is friendship. 
 This heavenly virtue, the first principle of which is implanted 
 in the nature of man, begins to spread around us its genial in- 
 fluence, and to flourish in a brotherly society of harmonious 
 members. If all mankind were to live in thousands of such bro- 
 therly communities, their happiness would be greatly promoted. 
 The experience of twenty years shows the superior advantages 
 of a united religious community, based on the principles of bro- 
 therly unity established and practised by Christ and his apostles. 
 
 It is decreed that the whole human race shall become united 
 by the sacred bond of mutual interest and brotherly affection. 
 The two chief obstacles to this union are the sensual propensities 
 and the ignorance of men. 
 
 "The proper education of the youth is of the greatest im- 
 portance to the prosperity of any plan for the amelioration of 
 mankind. That kind of learning and those fashionable accom- 
 plishments which are useless and only calculated for show should 
 be entirely abolished, and in their stead those true principles and 
 habits of life should be established and confirmed, which most 
 strongly tend to unite the hearts, minds and fortunes of the ris- 
 ing generation, and arouse their sleeping faculties for the per- 
 formance of all that is truly good and great. 
 
 It is ardently hoped and believed that this sublime, pre- 
 destined system of Brotherly Union and Social Harmony will 
 ere long be universally established for the restoration of the 
 golden age, the dignity of human character, and the happiness 
 of man." 
 
 Such were th,e aspirations of George Rapp. His was no nar- 
 row, selfish plan. It embraced all mankind, and its aim was the 
 regeneration of society. The Harmony Society, with its theo- 
 cratic government insuring the spiritual and temporal welfare 
 
52 The Harmony Society. 
 
 of its members, was the model on which society was to be re- 
 constituted. 
 
 In 1807, under the influence of religious enthusiasm, the 
 Society adopted the custom of celibacy. They became con- 
 vinced that this was a purer mode of life, and that the self-denial 
 required for the practice of it would prepare them for the king- 
 dom of Christ, so soon to be established on earth. Husbands 
 were not separated from their wives and families, but they lived 
 together in the same houses as before ; instead of the marital re- 
 lation, they lived together as brother and sister. No effort was 
 made to keep the sexes apart. It was left to the conscience of 
 each one to comply with the self-imposed restriction. The prac- 
 tice was adhered to almost universally. Members who desired 
 to get marrkd had to leave the Society. But married persons 
 with their families were still admitted, some of them had been 
 former members. In 1819, Dr. Feucht left the Society and was 
 married. He and his wife were re-admitted the same year. To 
 this couple four children were born. In 1807 the Society also re- 
 solved to discontinue the use of tobacco. 
 
 They found a basis for the practice of celibacy in the mysti- 
 cal theology of the school of Jacob Boehme. The Hirtenbrief 
 of this school contained views very nearly in accord with their 
 own. The Society had this work reprinted in 1855 and a copy 
 of it placed in every family.* In this it was held that Adam, as 
 first created, had a dual nature, containing both male and female 
 elements, and, if he had remained in this perfect state, would 
 have had the power of propagation in some mysterious, spiritual 
 manner. But in his sleep in the Garden of Eden, itself the result 
 of an inordinate desire aroused in his heart by the tempter, the 
 female element was separated from him in the creation of Eve. 
 The regenerated man would return to the original perfect state 
 of Adam. 
 
 This doctrine of the Hirtenbrief re-appears in a letter of Mr. 
 Henrici to a Shaker, October 15, 1858: 
 
 "Adam, by his fall and sleep, was deprived of his feminine 
 half and lost the true image of God, two in one. Christ re-in- 
 stated that lost image and was and is the true image, therefore 
 
 * Williams. The Harmony Society, p. 137. 
 
The Harmony Society. 53 
 
 we cannot for a moment indulge in the idea that perfection means 
 any thing" short of the ultimate union of two in one, as Adam was 
 before the separation of the woman." And in another letter to 
 the same person, he wrote : "We find that your views in regard to 
 Jesus Christ, the eternal son of God, as well as in regard to the 
 perfectly regenerated man in his glorified body of physical resur- 
 rection are entirely too low and narrow, and not in accord with 
 what the word of God warrants us to hope and expect. They 
 were not miserable halves, like the present animal man and wo- 
 man, but perfect sons and images of God, who are truly whole 
 and perfect within themselves, whose external visible part is the 
 woman, who compasses the internal invisible commanding part, 
 the man, and who thus are a dualism, man and woman, as well 
 as a trinity, spirit, soul and body. The sperm to this creation 
 of such a full and true son of God is yet dormant in every son 
 of man ; but can only be quickened and put in growth by Jesus 
 Christ, the new Adam, who is father and mother in one of truth — 
 the new creation — through a life of regeneration ; but in this vile 
 body our life is hid with Christ in God, but when Christ shall 
 appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory." 
 
 It was found too that celibate persons surrendered their in- 
 dividual interests more readily to the common welfare, than mar- 
 ried persons. 
 
 Father Rapp believed that Christ would re-appear on earth 
 in Palestine, and always held himself in readiness to lead his peo- 
 ple thither, when the appointed time should arrive. He held 
 firmly to his faith to the last, and could not believe that he would 
 die before the completion of his work. The Sabbath before his 
 death he preached to his people from the window of his sick 
 room, exhorting them to patience and submission to the will of 
 God, to prayer and work for the salvation of the whole human 
 race, to faith in God's word and to harmony. He died August 
 7, 1847, aged 90 years. One of the elders who watched by his 
 bedside the last night of his life put on record the following 
 statement: "Father Rapp's strong faith in the literal fulfillment 
 of the promises concerning the personal coming of Jesus Christ 
 remained unshaken to his last moments, as was shown by his 
 last words, when he felt the strong grip of approaching death, 
 saying: Tf I did not so fully believe that the Lord has designed 
 
54 The Harmony Society. 
 
 me to place our Society before his presence in the land of Canaan, 
 I would consider this my last.*' " 
 
 Father Rapp accepted the Bible as the sole guide in things 
 spiritual. His theology was that of the mystical Boehme and 
 Jung-Stilling. He believed in future rewards and punishments, 
 but that punishment would not last forever, and that ultimately 
 all men would be saved.* 
 
 The religious services of the Society were much like those 
 of the Lutheran church, to which most of the members had orig- 
 inally belonged. But some of the members had been Moravians, 
 some Catholics, and no profession of faith or acceptance of any 
 religious dogmas was required of those joining the Society. The 
 practice of confession of sins to the superintendent was encour- 
 aged. 
 
 The three special festivals of the Society, partly religious 
 in character, are the Harmoniefest, February 15th, the anniver- 
 sary of the founding of the Society, the Danksagungstag, or 
 Harvest-Home, in early autumn, and the Liebesmahl and Lord's 
 Supper, which they observe together in the latter part of Octo- 
 ber. The festivals are celebrated in the large Assembly Hall. 
 Music and feasting are leading features on these occasions. 
 Reconciliation with one's enemies is insisted on as a necessary 
 preparation for the Lord's Supper. 
 
 The following hymn was composed for the thirtieth anniver- 
 sary of the founding of the Society, the Harmoniefest, February 
 
 15, 1835: 
 
 Harmonie, du Auserkorne, 
 
 Der ewgen Einheit Erstgeborne 
 
 Vor aller Creatur und Zeit. 
 
 Bis heut' thatst du dich behaupten, 
 
 Wie alle deine Helden glaubten ; 
 
 Drum sei dir heut dies Fest geweiht, 
 
 Du schone Sulamith, 
 
 In deinem Geistestritt, kehre 
 
 Wieder im Geisteshauch 
 
 Nach deinem Brauch, 
 
 Und fordre vollends unsern Lauf. 
 
 ♦Williams. The Harmony Society, p. 182. 
 * Williams, ibid, p. 118. 
 
The Harmony Society. 55 
 
 Du hast vor aller Leben Leben, 
 Die Einheit als den Mann umgeben ; 
 Da warst du schon Gebarerin : 
 Als Gott zu dir sprach : Es werde, 
 Da warst du schon die Mutter Erde, 
 Und gabst dem Geist den Leib und Sinn. 
 Nur diinn, nach Engelart, doch lichtvoll, 
 Rein und zart, so schufst du ihn, 
 Allein er fiel, durchs Feuer-Gewiihl, 
 Daraus entstand der Selbstheit Spiel. 
 
 Dieses Spiel bei Jung und Alten 
 
 Macht Bruderlieb so oft erkalten ; 
 
 Drum week uns heute Geist und Kraft, 
 
 Dass wir uns heut recht vereinen, 
 
 Der Sanftmuth Quell uns mocht erscheinen, 
 
 Von Innen aus dem Geistes-Saft, 
 
 Damit dir Lieblichkeit, zu deiner 
 
 Wonn und Freud, bald erscheine. 
 
 Im Salz der Kraft den Geist umfasst, 
 
 Dass eines zu dem andern passt. 
 
 Denn wir haben viel erfahren 
 
 In diesen vollen dreissig Jahren ; 
 
 Die wir bereits zurtickgelegt, 
 
 Die Geist- Seel- und Leibs-Bekehrung 
 
 Setzt jedem zehen zur Vermehrung, 
 
 So wie auch unser Urbild pflegt. 
 
 Nun Philadelphia, 
 
 Jetzt sing Halleluja 
 
 Gott Lob und Dank, jetzt hat ein End 
 
 Der Vorsatz' Schltind; 
 
 Der Geist ist Herr im Regiment. 
 
 Und du, Vater, welche Gnade, 
 
 Du warst Durchbrecher auf dem Pfade, 
 
 Denn du hast allzeit Gott vertraut, 
 
 Und durch dieses bist du worden 
 
 Der Eckstein deiner Mitkonsorten, 
 
 Und hast dem Geist den Leib gebaut, 
 
 Jetzt nur Beharrung her. 
 
 Ruft deine holde Lehr', guter Vater, 
 
 Wir wollens thun, zu deinem Ruhm ; 
 
 Wir bleiben doch dein Eigenthum. 
 
56 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Nun zum sprechenden Beweise 
 
 Umringt den Vater recht mit Fleisse, 
 
 Begleitet ihn ins Bruderhaus. 
 
 Heut muss das Weib den Mann umgeben, 
 
 Durch ihn kommt unser wachsend Leben, 
 
 Er fuhrt uns aus uns selbst hinaus. 
 
 Auch dich, du junges Volk, 
 
 Zahlt er zur Zeugen-Wolk' ; 
 
 Drum haltet aus und bleibt getreu ; 
 
 Bald sehen wir frei, 
 
 Wer Gott und unser Vater sei. 
 
 The following is a hymn for Danksagungstag 1880: 
 
 EINTRACHT. 
 
 Selige Eintracht, himmlisches Bild, 
 Schwebe hernieder trostend und mild; 
 Allen lass leuchten gnadig dein Licht; 
 Selige Eintracht, weich' von uns nicht. 
 
 Worte der Zwietracht schallen mit Macht, 
 Lass sie verstimmen, schwinden in Nacht, 
 Schirme die Freiheit, wende Gefahr, 
 Mach' uns ergeben dir immerdar. 
 
 O, du erhebest machtig den Geist, 
 Dass er aus Siinden muthvoll sich reisst; 
 O, du entbindest von allem Leid, 
 Dass sich die Seele ewig erfreut. 
 
 Ja, mit dir leben, sterben mit dir, 
 Himmelan schweben selig mit dir, 
 Lass uns, o Eintracht, weich von uns nicht, 
 Mit deinem heiligen himmlischen Licht. 
 
 The funeral services are very simple, consisting of singing 
 and a few remarks. The graveyard is in the orchard and the 
 graves are in no way marked. Even Father Rapp's grave is not 
 distinguished from the others. A register is kept of the deceased, 
 with the number of the grave in its row, and only in this way 
 can the graves be distinguished.* 
 
 ♦Williams. The Harmony Society, p. 115. 
 
The Harmony Society. 57 
 
 Jacob Henrici was one of the trustees of the Society from 
 Father Rapp's death, 1847, until his own, 1892. He believed 
 as ardently as Father Rapp himself in the importance of the work 
 of the Society and in the personal second coming of Christ. 
 
 Rev. Jos. A. Seiss, of Philadelphia, was publishing "The 
 Prophetic Times," a religious paper proclaiming the second ad- 
 vent of Christ. In response to an appeal for aid in spreading 
 this doctrine, Mr. Henrici wrote the following letter, signed by 
 Mr. Baker and himself: 
 
 "Economy, July 31, 1867. 
 Rev. Jos. A. Seiss, D. D., 
 
 422 N. Seventh street, 
 
 Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Your kind letter of July 17th has reached us in due time. 
 We are not at all surprised that you cannot comprehend (and 
 that you must first find fault witti) our inactivity in regard to 
 spreading the precious truths for which you and your friends 
 have worked so long and so faithfully. Were you thoroughly 
 acquainted with the history of our Society, you would be less 
 astonished at our conduct. We are fully convinced that the 
 founding of our Society, with all its peculiarities, has been the 
 work of the same all wise and almighty power that founded the 
 first Christian church of Jerusalem (Acts, chaps. 2d and 4th), 
 and that it has ever since by the same source of light and life, 
 been guided and sustained. 
 
 We therefore consider ourselves and all we possess without 
 the least reservation as belonging to Him who has bought us 
 with his precious blood. We would not like to do or omit any- 
 thing contrary to his wishes, but until now we never felt our- 
 selves competent or called upon to publish anything for anybody 
 outside of our Society. But we always found it the sacred duty 
 of our Society to prepare itself for the great day of his blessed 
 second coming, and for the important work which he will have 
 to do for us at the time of his own divine election, which we 
 alwavs prayed him to hasten. In the meantime, we found our- 
 selves in duty bound to stand as a shining light for all who were 
 able or willing to see, by cultivating among ourselves a perfect 
 Christian Union, founded on a pure and holy life of true Christian 
 self-denial, and by verifying the name of our Society in restoring 
 
58 The Harmony Society. 
 
 through the power of the Holy Ghost that divine Harmony for 
 which we are destined and which would have existed among the 
 children of God, and with their heavenly father and the whole 
 Universe had the Fall, that source of all discord, never hap- 
 pened. 
 
 Oh how fervently did we always wish, hope and pray for the 
 blessed day of his glorious appearing. Long, long ago have we 
 thought to see the unerring signs of that great event, and did 
 certain steps towards embracing and proclaiming it, but we found 
 that what we had done was premature and created us trouble 
 and only served as an impressive lesson to wait more patiently 
 for God's own appointed time. The virtues which the word of 
 God has taught and his Holy Spirit has explained to us as most 
 essential for a true preparation for the citizenship of the King- 
 dom of God, were not considered as such by others and were 
 scoffed at by ministers and other professors of Christianity and 
 were especially repulsive to the great majority of the American 
 public and the rationalistic Germans who naturally hate and de- 
 spise a life of true Christian obedience, humility, chastity and 
 self-denial. There were always but few that loved and respected 
 the tree for its golden fruit which they saw, tasted and enjoyed. 
 True members of our Society always enjoyed a happiness (even 
 in this world) with which no earthly blessings can be compared, 
 but when we consider how few were ever able or willing to em- 
 brace it, we were compelled to say that our time had not yet ar- 
 rived. Only those can enjoy the peace and happiness of the 
 kingdom of heaven who are truly heavenly minded. For a number 
 of years we have had very poor luck with those that from favor- 
 able reports were induced to join our Society; they generally 
 came with erroneous or impure motives, neither understanding 
 themselves nor the real object of our Society and the trial for 
 membership generally resulted in loss of time and disappoint- 
 ment, both to them and to ourselves, so that the undeserved bad 
 reports which were spread about our Society caused us often 
 less trouble and seemed to do us less harm than the occasional 
 praises which some friend had kindly bestowed on us, and 
 thereby induced such people to become candidates for member- 
 ship. Upon the whole, we found that all endeavors to bring 
 about a better state of fallen humanity are of little avail, as long 
 
The Harmony Society. 59 
 
 as God's time has not arrived and the spirit of the Lord is not 
 taking the lead and the control. For nearly the last forty years 
 a number of individuals and of Societies who had imagined to 
 be called by the Lord for great purposes, presented their pre- 
 tended important writings and revelations to us and requested 
 and sometimes in the name of Almighty God commanded us to 
 accept them as divine messages and revelations and furnish the 
 means for their publication, but on close examination, we always 
 found that they had made themselves the centre of the new reve- 
 lations, and after all preached themselves instead of Christ cruci- 
 fied. Yet we never ceased to hope, to believe and wait, though 
 often meeting with darkness where and when we expected light. 
 
 But now when we find by the powerful and unselfish and up- 
 right testimony of yourself and many other excellent witnesses, 
 that the glorious morning is dawning, we take new courage to 
 hope for the early deliverance of the oppressed children of God 
 by the glorious appearing of our long looked for, dear, dear 
 Saviour. 
 
 We ourselves not being calculated to write or publish any- 
 thing, which under present circumstances would do any good, 
 and believing that our proper work is already fully designed, and 
 will be plainly revealed to us by the Lord as soon as he wishes 
 us to enlarge our present sphere of action, for which we keep 
 ourselves ready with a perfectly good will, and not being willing 
 to spend any time or any means for uncalled for publications, be- 
 ing convinced that the impending final judgment will, under the 
 Lord's direction, make a more effectual impression in one day 
 than all the printing presses could do in a century without it. 
 We took some time for examining the publication you kindly 
 sent us, and for calmly and duly considering the many questions 
 you addressed to us, and finally came to the conclusion that your 
 publications are excellent and well calculated to do a great deal 
 of good. We therefore do not hesitate to make a contribution 
 for that well intended purpose. As a beginning, we herewith 
 enclosed send you a draft on New York for three hundred dol- 
 lars, which you may use as you think best. Hoping that its ap- 
 
60 The Harmony Society. 
 
 plication may receive the approbation and blessing of our dear 
 Savious and Lord, Jesus Christ, 
 We remain, 
 
 Your sincere friends, 
 
 BAKER and HENRICI, Trustees." 
 
 Shortly after the death of Mr. Baker, in 1868, Mr. Henrici 
 wrote in a letter to Louise Weil : 
 
 „fch habe eine sehr hohe Ansicht, von dem Werthe und der 
 endlichen Bestimmung unsrer harmonischen Gemeine, die, ob- 
 gleich jetzt in verborgener Gestalt und mit manchen menschli- 
 chen Unvollkommenheiten belastet, dennoch fur einen grossen 
 geheimen Zweck unmittelbar vom Herrn selbst gegriindet und 
 bis auf den heutigen Tag gnadig und wunderbar beschutzt und 
 geleitet worden." 
 
 And in 1869 he wrote to Dr. F. A. Wintuska : ,,Wir sind in 
 unserer Ueberzeugung der redlichen Erfiillung der vom Herrn 
 versprochenen personlichen Wiederkunft noch so fest als je, und 
 wir wollten lieber auf diesen Glauben sterben, als die Ver- 
 heissung fur irrig oder unerfiillbar erklaren. In diesem Glauben 
 und in dieser Ueberzeugung und in der treuen Ausiibung der 
 daraus entspringenden Pflichten, geniessen wir jetzt schon einen 
 ganz ungemeinen Wohlstand, geistlich und leiblich, und der 
 Friede Gottes, welcher hoher ist als alles, was diese Welt geben 
 kann, ist uns in Wahrheit zu Theil geworden." 
 
 Twenty years later Mr. Henrici's faith and that of the So- 
 ciety is stronger than ever. Some Germans, under the leader- 
 ship of Herren Hoffmann and Hardegg, had formed a "Tempel- 
 verein." This "Verein" had purchased land in Palestine and 
 founded a colony there, in preparation for the coming of Christ. 
 The Harmonists had heard of the movement, and unsolicited had 
 sent money to aid it. With a second donation, Mr. Henrici 
 wrote : „Wir haben nun wieder die Freude Ihnen anzuzeigen, dass 
 der Rath unsrer Aeltesten auf unser Ersuchen eine weitere Ver- 
 willigung von $2000 gemacht hat, die wir Ihnen in zwei Wechseln 
 an die Herren Hoffmann und Hardegg hiemit ubersenden, mit 
 dem herzlichen Wunsche, dass auch diese zweite Liebesgabe 
 dem Herrn wohlfallig und den Empfangern nutzlich und ange- 
 nehm sein moge. Immer fiihlen wir keine ganzliche Gewissheit 
 
The Harmony Society. 61 
 
 ob die rechte Zeit zur Ausfiihrung der grossen von Gott ver- 
 heissencn Sache nun gekommen. — Wir sind aber von dcr Wich- 
 tigkeit der gegenwartigen Zeit fest iiberzeugt." 
 
 In 1890, at the time when the Society itself was seriously 
 embarrassed for lack of ready money, it loaned $10,000 to the 
 Templeverein in Jerusalem at 3%. 
 
 The desire of the Society to serve their fellow men was 
 not an empty profession. In 1894 Moritz Frederick told in court 
 of the kindness shown to him by the Society, when he was a com- 
 plete stranger to them. He came to America in 1847, at the age 
 of 30, intending to go as a Moravian missionary to Wisconsin. 
 On the way from Pittsburg to Milwaukee, he stopped over night 
 at the hotel at Economy. During the night he had a hemorrhage 
 from the lungs. While lying sick at the hotel, Mr. Baker, Mr. 
 Henrici and Mr. Lenz came to see him and said: "No he can't 
 stay here, he is too weak. We must get him another place." 
 
 Mr. Baker brought his sister, who, standing by the sick 
 man's bedside, said : "I will take him into my house." Accord- 
 ingly, Mr. Baker and sister took him to their house, and there 
 the woman nursed him for three years, as tenderly as a mother. 
 
 Money came to him from Germany, which was kept for him 
 at the store for two years. W^hen in 1850 he was able to travel, 
 this money, together with a gift of $25, was given him, and he 
 returned to Germany. He had signed the constitution in 1848. 
 After three years in Germany, he returned to Pittsburg, living 
 there for 32 years, during which time he made frequent visits 
 to Economy, always being welcomed as a friend. Mr. Frederick 
 was married to an invalid wife. When his money was all gone, 
 and his wife dead, he went to Economy, where he was given a 
 pleasant home. He rejoined the Society in 1890, re-signing the 
 articles.* 
 
 This is only a typical instance of a kindness which the So- 
 ciety was ever ready to extend to the needy. The Articles of 
 Association gave the trustees the authority to devote such money 
 to benevolence as they saw fit. Instances of the exercise of this 
 authority throughout the history of the Society are numerous. 
 The Western Pennsylvania Hospital and Mercy Hospital, at 
 
 * Fredericks. Testimony, Record II, p. 590. 
 
62 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Pittsburg, were aided substantially by the Society. Beaver Col- 
 lege, at Beaver, Pa., was given money, and io acres of ground at 
 Beaver Falls, Pa., was donated as a site for Geneva College. In- 
 dividuals and institutions were constantly appealing to the So- 
 ciety. They were heard, and if the cause was approved, aid was 
 given. The spirit in which these and like donations were made, 
 is revealed in the following letter, October 13, 1856, of Mr. Hen- 
 rici to Louise Weil : 
 „Liebe Louise : 
 
 Taglich acht Stunden Unterricht zu erteilen, ist freilich eine 
 harte Arbeit fur dich. Allein wenn du dich so dazu stimmen 
 kannst, dass du es gern thust, so wird es dir gewiss nicht scha- 
 den. Denn du bist ohne Zweifel dazu bestimmt, durch Unter- 
 richt und Erziehen Gutes zu wirken, und hauptsachlich auf solche 
 Weise deinen vollen Betrag zur Menschenbildung zu machen. 
 Gott hat dir die schonsten Anlagen dazu gegeben ; und was ist 
 begliickender als dieselben fur das Wohl unseres Bruderge- 
 schlechts gebrauchen zu diirfen? 
 
 Kiimmere dich nicht wenn amerikanischer Geldadelstolz aut 
 dich herabsieht. Was hilft dem Reichen sein irdisches Gluck, 
 das ihn heute ergotzt, und morgen durch seine Verganglichkeit 
 die Schmerzen der Entbehrung nur desto empfindlicher erfahren 
 lasst? Darum glucklich der Arme, der verborgen die untrug- 
 lichen Keime eines ewig wachsenden Reichtums in seinem reinen 
 wohlwollenden Herzen tragt. Mogen die Thoren seiner spotten 
 und ihn verlachen. Er wird dort lachen, wo keine Tauschung 
 seine Freude mehr truben und keine Verganglichkeit seinem 
 Glucke mehr eine Grenze setzen darf — 
 
 Was deine Geltangelegenheiten und sonstigen Bediirfnisse 
 und Erfordernisse betriflt, so sei jederzeit ganz kindlich und frei, 
 und besorge nicht, uns durch zu vollstandige Schilderung deiner 
 Umstande und Wichtigkeiten zu beleidigen oder zu langweilen. 
 Als Verwalter eines Gememgutes, das durch die Handarbeit und 
 sauren Fleiss unserer Gesellschaft erworben wurde, fiihlen wir 
 uns zwar verpflichtet, uberall sorgfaltig und haushalterisch in 
 alien Ausgaben zu verfahren, und auch dich zur Sparsamkeit und 
 Verminderung alles Unnothigen aufzumuntern. Allein wenn du 
 bei aller Vorsicht und Sparsamkeit dennoch unvermeidliche Aus- 
 gaben nicht selbst bestreiten kannst, so lass es Herrn Baker mit 
 
The Harmony Society. 63 
 
 lvindlicher Zuversicht erfahren, und wir werden dich gewiss nicht 
 mangeln lassen — 
 
 Deine Familie und iibrigen Freunde, wie auch der Schreiber 
 dieses, senden ihre herzlichen Griisse, und hoffen bald wieder 
 eine recht vollstandige Xachricht von dir zu erhalten. 
 Mit aufrichtiger Liebe, 
 
 Dein Freund, 
 
 JACOB HENRICI." 
 
 George Rapp had a granddaughter, Gertrude Rapp. She 
 ^as born in the Society, educated there and passed all her life in 
 the community. That such training and life did produce a char- 
 acter of Christian kindness and humility, is shown in her letter 
 to Louise Weil, January 31, 1862.* 
 
 ,,Da du mit so viel Dankbarkeit dich alles empfangenen Gu- 
 ten errinnerst, so ist es nicht zu Y.erwundern, dass du auch ein 
 sehr scharfes Gedachtniss fur das empiangene Gegentheil be- 
 sitzest. Moge der Geist des wahren Christenthums in seinem 
 Veredlungswerke nicht bei uns nachlassen. bis die Liebe alles 
 Widrige verschlungen und es uns zur bleibenden Xatur und zur 
 Lust geworden, alles uns widerfahrene Bose mit Gutem zu ver- 
 
 * Louisa Weil, to whom this letter was written, was a young Swabian, 
 who about 1855 had come to America to seek her fortune. While em- 
 ployed as a servant in New York, she fell sick with pneumonia, and was 
 taken to the hospital on Blackwell's Island. As she was recovering from 
 her sickness, Mr. Baker visited the hospital. He became interested in 
 his friendless young compatriot and took her with him to Economy. 
 There she remained for some months, until she was restored to complete 
 health. Mr. Baker then arranged for her return to her friends in Wur- 
 temberg. On her departure, the Society gave her J100 and individual 
 members made her personal gifts. Gertrude Rapp gave her silk for an 
 apron and a heavy silk handkerchief: Mr. Lenz. a fine penknife: Mr. 
 Henrici. some instructive books: the old shoemaker presented her with 
 two pairs of shoes which he had made especially for her. After her re- 
 turn to Germany, she kept up a correspondence for some years with 
 several of the members, and received further financial assistance from 
 the Society. She gratefully appreciated the kindness shown her. and 
 was enthusiastic in her admiration for her Harmonist friends. Some 
 years later, in the form of a novel, she wrote a very interesting account 
 of her experiences in America, under the title: "Gelautert. Eine Ge- 
 schichte vom Auswandern." (Second edition, Stuttgart, 1891.) 
 
64 The Harmony Society. 
 
 eelten, und alle uns zugeftigte Beleidigungen so herzlich und 
 voUkommen zu vergeben, wie wir wiinschen, dass der Herr und 
 alle \ on uns Beleidigte auch uns vergeben mochten. 
 
 Dash du meiner so ehrenvoll in deinem vom Publikum so 
 giinstig aufgenommenen Buchlein gedachtest, und mich dadurch 
 zur Oeffentlichkeit brachtest, verdient dankbare Annerkennung.. 
 obgleich ich nie so etwas erwartete, suchte oder wunschte. An 
 gutem Willen hat es mir zwar nie gefehlt, nach dem Beispiel 
 meiner lieben Eltern und Grosseltern dem Herrn und seiner Ge- 
 meine und Menschenfamilie meine ganze Liebe und alle meine 
 Krafte auf Zeit und Ewigkeit zu weihen. Aber ach, wie unvoll- 
 kommen ist bei dem reinsten Wollen das rechte Vollbringen. 
 Und wenn ich auch das Beste gethan hatte oder thun wurde, so 
 ware es blosse Schuldigkeit und verdiente keines Lobes. 
 
 — Dass der traurige Biirgerkrieg, der in manchen Theilen 
 unseres Landes schon so viel Verheerung angerichtet, auch uns 
 schon manche Sorge verursachte, kannst du dir wohl denken- 
 Doch unser Vertrauen auf die schiitzende Hand Gottes, ohne 
 dessen Willen kein Haar von unserem Haupte fallen kann, ist 
 unbegrenzt. Wir haben zwar schon viele Beitrage zu machen 
 gehabt, und es werden uns noch manche Lasten auferlegt wer- 
 den, aber es ist uns im Uebrigen, Gott sei Dank, noch nicht das 
 genngste Leid geschehen." 
 
$ S 
 
 :- p 
 
 o w 
 
The Harmony Society. ftfi 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Harmony, Pennsylvania, 1804-18 15. 
 
 George Rapp was born November 1, 1757, in Iptingen, Wiir- 
 temberg, the son of Adam Rapp, a peasant. He learned the 
 trade of weaving. Like many of his neighbors, he also engaged 
 in wine growing. 
 
 Early in life he became deeply interested in religion. The 
 established Lutheran church in his native land had lost vitality. 
 Its doctrines and practices did not satisfy the needs of the strong 
 and thoughtful man who felt within himself the struggle be- 
 tween his good and bad natures. He became acquainted with 
 the writings of Jacob Boehme, Schwedenborg, Jung-Stilling and 
 other Mystics and Pietists, whose teachings made a deep im- 
 pression on him. He identified himself with the Separatistic 
 movement. The Separatists of Wurtemberg believed that the 
 true Christian must live a life of self-denial and that h>e must 
 suffer ridicule and persecution on account of the purity of his 
 life. They regarded the established clergy as hypocrites and 
 Pharisees.* 
 
 They asserted the right of laymen to study and in- 
 terpret the Bible and to teach to others the truths they found 
 
 'Poem by Jacob Neff. 
 
66 The Harmony Society. 
 
 in it. When about thirty years of age, Rapp was convinced that 
 he had discovered a purer truth than that preached by the regu- 
 lar clergy, and he considered it his duty to present it to his fel- 
 low men. He was a man of strong personality and a powerful 
 preacher. Among the farmers and mechanics of his neighbor- 
 hood, intelligent and industrious men, he gathered a congrega- 
 tion of devout persons, who were dissatisfied with the established 
 church and were striving like himself for a purer religious life. 
 These persons suffered some persecution on account of their re- 
 ligion. The government interfered with their plans for living 
 in the manner of the early Christians with community of goods, 
 and their religious meetings were prohibited at the instigation 
 of the clergy. Moreover, Wurtemberg, at the beginning of the 
 nineteenth century, was in a most depressed condition. It 
 seemed as if the total ruin of the land were approaching. Many 
 of the people emigrated to Russia, Hungary and America, 
 „Beinahe ein Drittel vom Land will fort, theils nach Russland, 
 theils nach Ungarn and nach Amerika. Es sieht einem ganz- 
 lichen Ruin gleich."* George Rapp decided to lead his congre- 
 gation to America. 
 
 In this great undertaking, as in others of a similar nature in 
 later years, he displayed rare judgment in making his plans and 
 great ability in executing them. He did not underestimate the 
 difficulties of such an undertaking. He told his people of the 
 hardships they would have to endure on the voyage and in found- 
 ing a settlement in America, and urged those who were not pre- 
 pared for great privations, to remain at home. He directed those 
 who were determined to follow him, to sell their property and 
 prepare themselves for the journey. He himself, with money of 
 his own amounting to 2,000 Gulden, came to America in 1803, 
 to choose a site for the proposed settlement. He left behind in 
 charge of his congregation a young man of high character and 
 ability, Friedrich Reichert, who in America was adopted by him 
 as his son, and is known in the history of the Society as Frie- 
 drich Rapp. 
 
 The easiest route for emigrants from Wurtemberg was down 
 the Rhine to Holland, and from there to America. This route 
 
 ♦Friedrich Rapp to George Rapp, March 27, 1804. 
 
The Harmony Society. 67 
 
 was taken by George Rapp. July 31, 1803, he was in Amsterdam, 
 from where he sailed. He landed at Baltimore, and early in 
 September he was in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, considering offers 
 of land for his settlement. He wrote to his congregation from 
 this place, describing his situation and his very favorable im- 
 pressions of the new country : 
 „Meinen Gruss zuvor, vielgeliebte Freunde. 
 
 Lengester, den 12. September, 1803. 
 Ich habe aus Vorsorge nochmal schreiben wollen, um euch 
 Gewissheit zu geben unseres Berufs halber. Wir sind hier 
 etliche Tage gewesen, und sind Leute zu uns gekommen, die uns 
 viel Land angetragen haben, aber alles Land liegt im Staat 
 Pennsylvania, den Morgen um zwei Thaler, das nach unserem 
 Geld 5 fl. ist. Nach der Karte figts an dem Suscehanne Fluss, 
 das andere bei Connestoga, an einem Stuck 9,060 Morgen, den 
 Morgen um 5 fl. Noch ein Stuck weiter hinauf, bei 1,500 Mor- 
 gen gegen dem Erie See, um zwei fl. zu verkaufen ; alles um ein 
 Termin auf sechs, sieben, acht Jahr zu bezahlen. Wir wissesn aber 
 noch nicht, ob wir es kaufen oder nicht, 'weil wir lieber in die 
 Gegend Virginien waren. Zu Winchester, am Fluss Branok, bei 
 Petowmack, unterhalb Cumperland, im Philadelphischen Canton, 
 sind uns bei 50,000 Morgen angetragen worden, um ein wohl- 
 feiles Geld, und auf lange Termin zu bezahlen. Wir werden 
 aber das Land vorbesehen, ehe wir was kaufen. 
 
 Das Reisen geht mir hart. Ich muss besonder Muth fassen, 
 und doch ist mir noch mehr bang um euch. Ich haUe zwei 
 Briefe geschickt von Philadelphia aus, die alles enthalden wer- 
 den, wie ihr noch zu erhalden habt. — 
 
 Ihr sollt Niemand zureden, dass sie mit euch solLen, es ist 
 eine entsetzlich weite und gefahrliche Reise. Meine Rezepte und 
 PabLere bringt mit in der Lade, und sonst die Landkarten, gute 
 Bticher; die Bandelon sind hier theuer und nicht so gut, sonst 
 kann man alles haben wie bei uns, nur theurer. — 
 
 Ich und der Haller reisen in Busch ; wo wir hinkommen, das 
 weiss Gott. Wenn ich nur ein Jahr alter ware, so wiirde viel 
 gewonnen sein. Es ist hier ein sehr reiches Land, alles wachst 
 genug, mehr ungebaut als gebaut, derm man fragt hier nicht 
 viel nach der Arbeit. Ich komme also nicht mehr in Deutsch- 
 
68 The Harmony Society. 
 
 land ; wenn mein Biirgerrecht noch ist, so will ichs vergeben ; ich 
 bin schon Burger hier; hier hat man alles gemein ; es dantzet 
 alles einander auf dem Land ; alle Leute sind gut gegen einander, 
 man muss sich wundern der Freundschaft. Wer hier arbeiten 
 will, kann genug Reichthum erlangen. Es gibt hier keinen 
 Armen, ohne der mtissig geht. 
 
 Der Morgen Ackers gibt 15 bis 20c Tax, so ist alles das 
 ganze Jahr bezahlt. Zehenden gibts so keinen. Uebrigens bin 
 ich bis jetzt gesund, und hoffe es auch zu bleiben, bis ihr mich 
 wieder sehet, zu meinem Trost und eurer Freude. Hier ist Re- 
 ligionsfreiheit genug, hier lacht man einen aus, wenn man von 
 Partien sagt ; man soil denken und glauben was man wolle, nur ein 
 ehrlicher Mann sein, das halten sie hoch. Vor das Exerzieren 
 muss man einen Thaler des Jahres bezahlen, wer es nicht thun 
 will, so ist alles gut. 
 
 Das Vieh ist hier alles grosser als bei uns, auch die P£erde; 
 die. Weiber reiten wie die Mann, es ist hier eins. Vogel gibt es 
 hier wunderschone, und viele grosse moistens; man schiesst sie 
 zum Essen, jederman darf es thun, das Wild gehort jederman. 
 
 Uebrigens hoffe ich eure Standhaftigkeit in Christenthum. 
 Hier trifft man auch gute Seelen an, die das Wort vom X nicht 
 verachten, welches das Zeichen der Nachfolge Christi ist und 
 bleibt, welches ich auch von euch hoffe. Griisse euch alLe noch- 
 mals herzlich. 
 
 GEORGE RAPP." 
 
 After inspecting several tracts of land, George Rapp pur- 
 chased 5,000 acres in Butler County, Pennsylvania, on the Con- 
 noquenessing Creek, about twelve miles from the Ohio River 
 at Beaver. He then sent for his people. They came in several 
 companies. The ship "Aurora" brought about three hundred 
 persons to Baltimore, July 4, 1804. Another party of two hun- 
 dred and sixty persons, headed by Frederick Rapp, left their 
 homes May 1, 1804, and arrived on the ship "Atlantic," at Phila- 
 delphia, in August, where they were received by George Rapp. 
 The remainder of the people came in a third ship, the "Marga- 
 retta," but these settled in. Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, un- 
 der the direction of Mr. Haller, who had been Mr. Rapp's com- 
 panion in exploration. 
 
The Harmony Society. 69 
 
 Jacob Neff, who was a member of the third expedition, 
 wrote in verse an account of the journey. He compares their de- 
 parture from Germany to the flight of the children of Israel from 
 Egypt. After sailing- down the Rhine, they stayed nineteen days 
 at Meiden, near Leyden. They left Meiden July 6, 1805, with 
 three hundred people on board, not all of whom displayed a suf- 
 ficient amount of brotherly love. After thirteen days they 
 touched at one of the Dutch islands, and took on supplies for 
 the ocean voyage. Here they remained for eight days, waiting 
 for a favorable wind. Finally they set sail, but nine days later 
 they were stopped by an English cruiser and taken to England. 
 After a detention of twelve days, they started again. Much 
 rough weather was encountered and the pumps had to be manned 
 night and day. Sixty days after leaving England they sighted 
 America. Within sight of land, a woman died. 
 
 „Auch zuletzt noch an dem Rande 
 Starb ein Weib von Unterlande, 
 Sonsten schlief kein Grosses ein." 
 
 Seven children died on the voyage, but to their lo#s the 
 writer is easily reconciled. 
 
 „Ausser sieben kleiae Kinder, 
 An die auf dem Land nicht minder 
 Auch der Tod gehabt ein Recht, 
 Die ihr zeitlich Leben borgten, 
 Und nun unter uns gestorben." 
 
 Tlie writer ends his account of the voyage with a modest 
 disclaimer of either prophetic or poetic inspiration. 
 
 ,,Wie es ktinftig noch wird gehen, 
 Kann ich zum Voraus nicht sehen, 
 Dann ich bin ja kein Prophet, 
 Aber wie es uns ergangen, 
 1st gemeld, nach dem Verlangen, 
 Bin deswegen kein Poet." 
 
 Part of the settlers went at once to the new settlement. 
 With hard work they built their town, Harmony, sustained in 
 
jo The Harmony Society. 
 
 their labors by religious enthusiasm. After a few months they 
 were joined by their friends, and on February 15, 1805, the Har- 
 mony Society was formally organized. 
 
 Life in the wilderness was hard. But they were kept too 
 busy to spend much time in repining, and their leader never lost 
 faith in himself and his cause. Fortunately they had money 
 enough to supply themselves with the necessaries of life. They 
 bought supplies at first from Mr. Haaga, of Philadelphia, to 
 whom George Rapp sent $600, February 24, 1805 ; $50, May 20, 
 and $400, June 20, 1805. The years 1805 and 1806 were spent in 
 building and planting. Their expenses had been large, and as yet 
 there was little income. By May, 1806, all their money was 
 gone. 
 
 „Wir werden hart gepresst. Es ist schon drei Monat unge- 
 fahr kein Cent mehr in der Kasse, und leben von den Geldern des 
 Stores und Gasthauses gegen 700 Menschen. — Wir machen viel 
 Frucht, so dass di^s Jahr wir nicht mehr kaufen durfen."* 
 
 "During the first year, 150 acres of ground were cleared, 
 from 40 to 50 log houses were erected, besides a house of wor- 
 ship, grist mill, large barn, shops, etc. Next year they cleared 
 400 more acres of land and erected a saw mill, tannery, distillery, 
 brick storehouse, and planted a vineyard of four acres. They 
 raised grain enough for themselves and had 600 bushels to sell, 
 besides 3,000 gallons of whiskey. In 1809 they produced 6,000 
 bushels of corn, 4,500 bushels of wheat, 4,500 of rye, 5,000 of 
 oats, 10,000 of potatoes, 4,000 pounds of flax and hemp, and fifty 
 gallons of sweet oil. During this same year they made 
 their first piece of woolen cloth, from yarn spun by hand. In 
 1810 they erected a woolen factory for the manufacture of broad- 
 cloth from the wool of the merino sheep, which they were 
 among the first to introduce into this country.— In 1810 they 
 consisted of one hundred and forty families, numbering in all 
 between seven and eight hundred persons ; they had 2,000 acres 
 of land under cultivation; they had a large stock of the finest 
 sheep and cattle, and in every department of labor they had a 
 large surplus for sale, after supplying their own wants. They 
 had their own mechanics, carpenters, blacksmiths, wagon makers, 
 
 ♦George Rapp to J. Neff, July 26, 1806. 
 
The Harmony Society. yi 
 
 coopers, shoemakers, hatters, tailors, masons, wheelwrights, sad- 
 dlers, etc., who serve not only their own community, but also 
 the surrounding country."* 
 
 The Society was a religious community, and provision was 
 early made by its founder for systematic religious instruction. It 
 was his custom to preach to the whole people twice on Sabbath, 
 and once on Wednesday evening. For social intercourse and 
 mutual improvement, he divided the whole community into five 
 classes, composed of the old men, the old women, the young 
 men, the young women, and the more youthful of both sexes 
 together. Father Rapp made it his practice to attend the weekly 
 meetings of these classses throughout his long life.** 
 
 George Rapp was about six feet tall, and of strong constitu- 
 tion, which enabled him to perform great labor without exhaus- 
 tion, and to direct his community with unimpaired faculties to 
 the age of ninety years. His bltie eyes, full of fire, were shaded 
 by heavy eyebrows. He was never idle. He was constantly in 
 the fields and factories directing and encouraging his people. 
 He liked to talk, and was a man of ready wit. What he said 
 was well thought out and clearly expressed, and accompanied 
 by a gesticulation that gave it emphasis.*** In temporal affairs 
 he was extremely practical. He was an enthusiast only in re- 
 ligion. His conversation centered around religion and the con- 
 duct of life. He was an eloquent preacher. Of a kind disposi- 
 tion, he could rebuke with harshness when necessary.**** But 
 he would not allow his authority to be questioned, and some- 
 times asserted it in a tyrannical manner. In 1832 a third of the 
 members had withdrawn in a body and had then tried to extort 
 money from the Society. In 1846 one of the members, Joshua 
 Nachtrieb, had a conference with some of the seceders who 
 wished to learn if they had any prospect of getting more money. 
 Mr. Rapp heard of the meeting, and summoned Nachtrieb to him. 
 He said : "You intended to raise a mob. You must go right off 
 and leave the town." Nachtrieb pleaded for forgiveness. He 
 
 ♦Williams. The Harmony Society, p. 54. 
 **Williams, ibid., p. 42. 
 
 ***Duke Bernhard von Saxe-Weimar, Reise durch Amerika. p. 204. 
 ****Nordhoff, Communistic Societies in the United States, p. 91. 
 
J2 The Harmony Society. 
 
 said he was sorry, but that he would not go. "We won't have 
 you. You must go," said Rapp. A few nights later, when the 
 whole Society was present at a religious meeting, Mr. Rapp an- 
 nounced from the pulpit: "Joshua Nachtrieb and some others 
 have gone out and conversed with the friends who have left us. 
 He must now leave the Society; we cannot use such men." He 
 then asked if Nachtrieb was present. "Yes, father, I am here," 
 said Nachtrieb. He said he was sorry if he had done anything 
 wrong, and that it should not happen again. Rapp answered: 
 "Any fool can say that; we cannot use such men. You must 
 leave the Society. You must be off." He then asked the So- 
 ciety if they agreed with him. They said they did. Nachtrieb 
 went away two days later, having previously received from Mr. 
 Rapp $200, and signed a statement that he had withdrawn from 
 the Society.** Mr. Rapp's severity on this occasion may be ex- 
 plained by his great age and by his bitter feeling against those 
 persons who had left the Society and then done so much to harm 
 it. The best evidence of the strength and uprightness of his 
 character is the fact that he shaped the lives of the able men who 
 were leaders of the Society with and after him, and that the re- 
 spect and reverence which they always had for him was as great 
 as that of the humblest of his followers. 
 
 The log houses at Harmony were soon replaced by better 
 buildings. The church, hotel, the store and a number of dwell- 
 ings were built of brick, in a most substantial manner. These 
 buildings are still in first-class condition. 
 
 While the settlers were prosperous, they were disappointed 
 in their settlement in some respects. They had raised grapes 
 and made wine in Germany, and had hoped to engage in that in- 
 dustry here. But they found their land poorly adapted to the 
 culture of the vine. As their manufacture increased, they found 
 difficulty in transporting their goods, as they were twelve miles 
 from the Ohio, the nearest navigable river. They accordingly 
 decided to move, and in 1814 George Rapp, John L. Baker and 
 Lewis Shriver explored the western country in search of a new 
 site for settlement. They found a suitable place on the Wabash, 
 
 ♦Wallace, Jr., U. S. Circuit Court.p. 71. 
 
WAGON, BUII/f AT HARMONY, IND., 1821. 
 
The Harmony Society. 73 
 
 in Posey County, Indiana, and in 18 r 5 the whole Society moved 
 thither. 
 
 They had lived at Harmony for ten years. During" that 
 time one hundred members of the Society had died. Their 
 bodies rest in a plot of ground, about one hundred and twenty 
 by two hundred feet, surrounded by a stone wall, erected after 
 the Society had moved away. As was their custom, the graves 
 are not marked. The only tombstone in the cemetery is one for 
 Johannes Rapp, the son of George Rapp. This is not in position, 
 but is lying on its side against the wall. Over the portal of the 
 gate is inscribed: ,,Hier ruhen 100 Mitglieder der Harmonie Ge- 
 sellschaft, gestorben 1805 — 1815." This, together with the sub- 
 stantial brick buildings of the village, is all the memorial the 
 Harmonists have left in their first home in America. 
 
74 The Harmony Society. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Harmony, Indiana, 18 15- 182 5. 
 
 George Rapp and his companions in the journey of explora- 
 tion in 1814, found a site for a new settlement, with which they 
 were greatly pLeased. It was a tract of uncleared land of some 
 30.000 acres, in southwestern Indiana, mostly in Posey County, 
 on the Wabash River, 70 miles from its union with the Ohio. 
 The land was fertile and well watered. It was so level that there 
 was no good water power, but this want was remedied by buy- 
 ing a steam engine for the mill. In fact they were pioneers in 
 introducing steam power for milling purposes in that western 
 country. They could always reach the Ohio by flat-boat, and 
 the Wabash itself was navigable for steamboats at high water. 
 George Rapp, February 8, 1814, in a letter to Frederick Rapp, de- 
 scribes his new purchase thus : 
 
 „Ob es schon jetzt miserabel genug aussieht, so sieht das 
 Auge der Hoffnung grosse und schone Plane, Schafweide ist ge- 
 nug da, aus lauter Hochland mit schonen frischen Bachwasser 
 durchflossen, und wir diirften unser Lebtag den Fuss nicht liber 
 einen Stein heben, und Felder und Wiesen so eben als der Stu- 
 benboden, und doch Fall zum Wasserablaufen. Eine Dampf- 
 maschine musst du doch haben, wenn du anders wirst die Manu- 
 factur fortfiihren." 
 
 That the Society had prospered greatly at Harmony, Pa., is 
 shown by their ability to buy so large a quantity of land in In- 
 diana. From May 6, 1814, to October 31, 1816, they bought 
 24,734 acres for $61,050; to May 18, 1819, 2,867 acres for $7,318.64 ; 
 to August 1, 1824, 1,444 acres for $2,841.80. 
 
 Most of this land was bought from the United States land 
 office at $2 an acre. A small portion of it was bought from pri- 
 vate individuals, at prices ranging from $8.65^4 an acre for a 
 tract of 288 acres from John Grayson, September 6, 1814, to $2 an 
 acre for 70 acres bought of John Caldwell, October 31, 1816. 
 They later sold some land and donated 100 acres for th/e site of 
 
The Harmony Society. 75 
 
 the town of Springfield, but in 1820 they still had remaining 
 26,993 acres; 25,208 acres in Posey County, 1,479 acres in White 
 County, and 155 acres in Gibson County. 
 
 George Rapp had, in June, 1814, gone ahead with a hundred 
 of his followers to prepare the new settlement for the habitation 
 of the Society. The town they built was calLed "Harmonic" 
 Frederick Rapp was left in charge at Harmony, Pa. He was 
 now 40 years of age, and had acquired confidence in himself as a 
 man of business. The only thing he was afraid to manage was 
 a steam engine. He sold the Harmony establishment to Mr. 
 Ziegler for $100,000, which he estimated to be a profit of $8,000. 
 May 8, 1815, he wrote from Pittsburg to George Rapp: 
 
 „Ein Mann namens Ziegler kaufte sie (die Harmonie), sie 
 
 gab $8,000 profit Ich habe kein Geld in Hand verlangt, weil 
 
 ich nicht sehe, dass wir es brauchen. — 
 
 Von der Art habe ich alle Tage neue Geschafte, und bin ein 
 rechter Weltmann, nichts setzt mich mehr in VerLegenheit als 
 das Steam Engine, ich habe noch keines accordiert — es ist so 
 sehr weit von der Hand wenn es aus order kommt, werde aber 
 doch genothigt sein, nachsten Freitag zu accordieren. — Dass 
 Bonaparte wieder am Thron in Frankreich ist, wirst in der 
 Zeitung gesehen haben, es ist bestatigt dass es wahr ist, mochte 
 der Himmel der alten Mutter den Untergang bestimmt haben. — 
 Es ist eine miserable Gegend hier — es ist gut dass wir fort 
 kommen." F. R. 
 
 A few weeks later he left Harmony with the remainder of 
 the members. They embarked on the Ohio at Beaver, and after 
 a fourteen days' voyage, they arrived in good shape at their new 
 home. Frederick Rapp was well satisfied with the change, he 
 was pleased with the progress the new colony had already made, 
 and hoped for great succes in agriculture and manufacture. Soon 
 after his arrival, he wrote to David Shields, July 7, 1815: 
 
 "Respected friend : — We have, after a pleasant voyage of 14 
 days, arrived in good health with our people. I found my father 
 and all my friends well, and satisfied with the change we made, 
 finding the land excellent and beautiful. They have done im- 
 mense work, and already 125 acres are in corn 8 to 10 feet high. 
 Harvest began the last week in June. W^heat and rye proved 
 very good. It appears that this country in a few years will be- 
 
y6 The Harmony Society. 
 
 come in regard to cultivation of small grain and commerce, one 
 of the most important parts of the Union. The land is taken up 
 and settled very fast. On the 4th of July, 150 persons have come 
 into our town, all living within from 6 to 12 miles of us. 
 
 The climate is somewhat warmer here than in Butler County, 
 yet is is not so extraordinary hot as the people think there. The 
 greatest heat ascended only to 95 . A constant and pleasant 
 zephyr from the west renders the air cool and moderates the heat, 
 more so here than in your country. The water is very good. 
 Our vineyard and orchard grow wonderfully, and give hopes 
 that this country is well calculated for them. Our machines lie 
 motionless till fall. We are all engaged in building houses and 
 clearing land. Store goods are scarce and sell very well here. 
 Silver is plenty in circulation, and might get a great quantity for 
 Eastern notes with several procent premium. — My father finds 
 himself right well here and makes you his cheerful compliments. 
 My sister is well also, and sends her respects to Miss Shields. 
 
 With great esteem, I am, 
 
 Your sincere friend, 
 
 FREDERICK RAPP." 
 
 But the settlers were soon attacked by the scourge of that 
 rich low lying region, the fever and ague. August 15, 181 5, 
 Frederick Rapp wrote : 
 
 "Painful are the reports of violent prevailing sickness from 
 every quarter. Many of the people are taken with high fevers. 
 Some prove dangerous. The same complaints are frequent 
 among our neighboring settlers. My father and family are well. 
 I myself enjoy tolerably good health." 
 
 But with the approach of winter, the fever left them, their 
 health became better and their courage returned. In his letter of 
 December 23, 181 5, to John Woods, Frederick Rapp, shows the 
 spirit of the true pioneer in his delight in conquering the wilder- 
 ness. 
 
 "This climate seems to be very suitable for raising wine, 
 and we shall strive to supply the western world with this article 
 in a few years, and so we do not regret in any way the change 
 which we have made. As our principles are both in a religious 
 and political way to serve men, we have more opportunity here 
 
The Harmony Society. yy 
 
 than we had in Pennsylvania to make of a wild country, fertile 
 fields and gardens of pleasure." 
 
 In a letter of February 2, 1816, to John Purviance, he de- 
 scribes their estate more fully, expresses his confidence in the 
 future of the west, and at the Fame time is not unmindful of the 
 critical state of affairs in Europe. 
 
 "Our land is the best he has seen in America, in quality and 
 situation. Has all kinds of useful timber, abounds in fine springs, 
 free stone for buildings, fine clay for bricks and excellent for pot- 
 tery. Six miles from here on our own land is good iron ore, where 
 a furnace may be built, good navigation at all seasons. This will 
 be in a few years the most flourishing county in the United 
 States, not only in agriculture, but also in commerce and domes- 
 tic manufacturer. The country is being settled rapidly. The 
 climate good. The highest temperature in summer was 96 , the 
 lowest in winter, 8°. 
 
 "We enjoy on an average better health than in Pennsylvania, 
 many of us had the ague and fever last fall, but that may be at- 
 tributed to change of climate. Men of learning and good moral 
 character are very desirable in this country, that the old natives 
 might be brought to better order through them. We have made 
 a pretty good beginning to a new settlement, and it is admired 
 by everybody, what the industry of a nation which lives in peace 
 and union can do in a short time. 
 
 "They have for three months hired 40 to 50 hands in clearing 
 land, and pay them $6 to $8 an acre. They have 800 acres under 
 fence ; every family has a good log house. They will build bet- 
 ter houses this summer. The political world in Europe has suf- 
 fered great change and will bear greater ones in a short time 
 more than ever, as th^e spirit of the time, which is suppressed at 
 present, will get stronger and break out unexpected with might 
 and finish his plan." 
 
 The settlement made wonderful progress. Their land was 
 soon cleared by themselves and hired men, the fertile soil yielded 
 varied and abundant crops, and mills and factories were soon in 
 operation. An inventory of the buildings and real estate at Har- 
 mony, January 16, 1819, will convey an idea of the variety and 
 extent of their industries: 
 
78 The Harmony Society. 
 
 150 log dwelling houses $10,500.00 
 
 1 frame tavern and stable 1,000.00 
 
 Mr. Rapp's brick house 3,500.00 
 
 1 brick storehouse 2,000.00 
 
 1 brick shoe and tailor shop 2,000.00 
 
 1 brick house 2,500.00 
 
 1 frame steam mill 1,000.00 
 
 1 mill and machinery 1,000.00 
 
 1 steam engine 6,000.00 
 
 1 wool factory, frame 800.00 
 
 1 brick dye house 400.00 
 
 2 frame graneries 3,000.00 
 
 1 barn with threshing machinery. . . . 2,000.00 
 
 2 barns 2,000.00 
 
 3 sheep houses 1,000.00 
 
 9 stables 950.00 
 
 2 still houses with machinery 1,500.00 
 
 1 brewery and machinery 500.00 
 
 1 frame church 1,800.00 
 
 3 houses 1,800.00 
 
 1 tan yard and vats 500.00 
 
 1 hatter's shop 150.00 
 
 1 soap boiling shop 225.00 
 
 I blacksmith shop 200.00 
 
 1 wagon maker's shop 175.00 
 
 1 carpenter shop 200.00 
 
 1 cooper shop 200.00 
 
 1 turner and tinner shop 100.00 
 
 1 weave shop 100.00 
 
 1 stocking weaving shop 60.00 
 
 I turner shop 50.00 
 
 1 potter shop and oven 150.00 
 
 1 storehouse and lot in Zelinpole. . . . 700.00 
 
 1 house and lot in Springfield 949.00 
 
 1 doctor shop and laboratory 210.00 
 
 1 oil and hemp mill 500.00 
 
 2 saw mills by water 1,000.00 
 
 1 sadler shop 120.00 
 
 1 rope maker shop 25.00 
 
The Harmony Society. 79 
 
 2 brick yards and ovens 150.00 
 
 1 frame water mill and machinery. . . . 5,000.00 
 
 24 corn cribs 310.00 
 
 27,662 acres land cost 68,369.59 
 
 640 acres sold i>535-49 
 
 1,450 acres cleared land 17,400.00 
 
 Cleared farms 2,472.19 
 
 $140,830.29 
 Amount due on land 1,255.17 
 
 $139,575.12 
 
 The products of their fields and forests sold in 1818 for 
 $13,141.83, in 1819 for $12,441.83. These products were : Wheat, 
 corn, oats, hides, fur, butter, wax, horses, cattle, hogs, shingles, 
 sugar, linen, tobacco, cheese, flax seed, hops, hemp. 
 
 To these may be added as raw products between 1817-1820: 
 Rye, barley, deer skins (in 1817, 722; 1819, 645 skins), hog skins, 
 bear skins, wolf skins, horsehides, raccoons, otters, muskrats, 
 beavers, minx, rabbits, pork, venison, hog fat, tallow, quills, fea- 
 thers, eggs, bristles, bacon, thread, tar, powder, cloth, bags, 
 honey, baskets, grass seed, wool, sheep, flax, geese, cider, apples, 
 chairs and yarn. 
 
 They sold their products and manufactured articles through- 
 out the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, from Pittsburg to Xew 
 Orleans. At some places they had stores of their own, as at 
 Harmony and Shawneetown. At other places they disposed of 
 their goods through agents. Abashai Way & Co. were their 
 agents in Pittsburg; Mr. Phillips, in Louisville; John Caldwell 
 managed their store in Shawneetown ; they dealt with Frederick 
 Dent in St. Louis. 
 
 It had been the intention of the Society to build a steam- 
 boat of their own, immediately on going to Indiana, for the pur- 
 pose of transporting their own goods to market, but for some 
 reason this steamboat was not built until 1824. However, they 
 sometimes sent flat-boat cargoes from Harmony as far as New 
 Orleans. In 1823 Jonathan Lenz took such a cargo, valued at 
 $1,369, to New Orleans. This cargo consisted of 39 kegs of lard, 
 
80 The Harmony Society. 
 
 ioo kegs of butter, 680 bushels of corn and oats, 40 barrels of 
 whiskey, 88 barrels of flour, 103 barrels of pork, 32 oxen and 16 
 hogs. 
 
 Their manufactured goods were of superior quality and com- 
 manded higher prices than similar articles manufactured by less 
 reliable parties. 
 
 The following letter from Frederick Rapp to Peter Bass, of 
 Columbia, Mo., January 2, 1823, gives wholesale prices of arti- 
 cles manufactured by them : : 
 "Mr. Peter Bass, 
 
 Columbia, Mo. 
 
 By last mail I received your favor of the 7th ult., stating that 
 you had purchased in Nashville some goods manufactured in this 
 place and were pleased with them. The objection of their being 
 too high has scarcely ever failed to cease with those who wore 
 them. 
 
 The following are our wholesale prices of different articles 
 manufactured here, to wit : 
 
 1st quality blue, black, etc., broadcloth, per yard, $7-$8 
 
 2d quality blue, black, etc., broadcloth, per yard, $5~$6 
 
 3d quality blue, black, etc., broadcloth, per yard, $3-$4 
 
 4th quality blue, black, etc., broadcloth, per yard, $2-$2.75 
 
 Cassinets of various mixtures, per yard, $.75~$i.25 
 
 Flannels of various colors, per yard $-50-$-75 
 
 Fur hats, per dozen, $36-^54 
 
 Merino wool hats, per dozen, $18 
 
 Common wool hats, per dozen $9-50 
 
 Domestic cotton goods made here : 
 
 Plaids, striped, Cambray checks, etc., per yard, $.25~$.5o 
 
 Shirting, per yard, $.20-$.2& 
 
 Sheetings, per yard $.28-$-37 
 
 Boots and shoes of all sorts at various prices. 
 
 Woolen socks, per dozen, $6-$9 
 
 Woolen stockings, per dozen, $12-18 
 
 Saddles from $9 to $18 per piece." 
 
 The manufacturing enterprises met with unexpected diffi- 
 culties. When they first went to Indiana, specie was plenty, but 
 in a few years this disappeared and the depreciated state paper 
 currency was almost the only money to be had. This money 
 
The Harmony Society. 8 1 
 
 the Society sometimes refused to take, declining orders for goods 
 rather than accept such pay for them. Then, too, the demand 
 for their woolen goods was not so great as anticipated, as im- 
 ported woolens could be bought at a lower price. In 1815 Fred- 
 erick Rapp had accepted Kentucky state paper at 37>2C per dol- 
 lar. Later he refused to take it at all. In 1819 he wrote to A. 
 Way & Co. : 
 
 "Wors^ than robbery is yet the depreciation of state paper 
 currency, whereby one saves money robbed only of its value. 
 Bank bills at par or moderate discounts with you, or in the cities 
 are few in number." 
 
 The next year he complained that the scarcity of money in 
 the western states was continually getting worse. Frederick 
 Rapp was not the man to submit quietly to these industrial evils. 
 He had ideas as to how to remedy them, and he strove to have 
 them adopted. In 1820 he made suggestions as to a Property Bill, 
 which had been proposed in the Legislature. In 1823 he sub- 
 mitted a memorial to the Legislature in regard to the state bank, 
 and wrote to prominent persons requesting their influence to have 
 a law passed to remedy the evils which he pointed out.* 
 
 To exclude foreign manufactures, he advocated a high tariff. 
 By that, home industries w r ould be encouraged and a market pro- 
 vided for farm products. The depressed condition of the farmer, 
 resulting from the importation of foreign wares, is depicted by 
 him in a letter to Samuel Patterson, February 12, 1824: 
 
 "It is very desirable that the efforts of those patriotic mem- 
 bers now in Congress, should meet with success in their endeav- 
 ors to lay heavy duties on all such foreign commodities, whfch 
 could be manufactured in our own country if the undertakers 
 were better supported by the govenment. Where else may the 
 now languishing farmer look for a market with any certainty, to 
 sell his surplus products, but to numerous and extensive manu- 
 facturing establishments within our own country. While the 
 latter are forsaken, the farmer after toils and perils in quest of a 
 market for the fruits of his industry arrives at his journey's end, 
 where the great influx from every direction has glutted the stores 
 and warehouses with superabundance, has the misfortune of see- 
 
 *Letter November 2, 1823, to Moses Tabb and Charles Dewey. 
 
82 The Harmony Society. 
 
 ing his last hope vanishing and himself doomed to sacrifice his 
 cargo and return home with an almost empty purse and broken 
 heart to his needy and disappointed family. Such are the pic- 
 tures we daily witness, and regret that the means to better their 
 condition is seemingly denied to them. May a wise policy gov- 
 ern in future our legislators to promote the welfare of the 
 country." 
 
 The demand for woolen goods was so unsatisfactory that in 
 1819 it was uncertain whether they would continue their manu- 
 facture.* The next year affairs were in a still worse condition. 
 Almost every one in the western country was financially em- 
 barrassed. There was, very little money in circulation and 
 scarcely any that passed at par. They had almost stopped the 
 woolen factory, as there was so little sale for cloth, and were 
 giving most of their attention to agriculture and mechanical 
 branches connected with it. But notwithstanding the general 
 depression, they themselves had not yet felt hard times, as they 
 were used to a modest living and had plenty of supplies.** 
 
 In the census report of this year, 1820, Rapp stated that 
 $50,000 was the market value of the goods manufactured annu- 
 ally, and of their trade he wrote : 
 
 "Of its past condition not much can be said, as only five 
 years have elapsed since the Society wholly settled this place, 
 where, upon their arrival, the first stick was yet to Ue cut in an 
 uninhabited thick timbered wilderness ; when, however, the in- 
 creasing population of the surrounding country soon offered fair 
 prospects to the various branches of establishments the Society 
 was erecting; but at the present day those prospects are repulsed 
 in a great measure by the embarrassing circumstances of pecuni- 
 ary matters and no demand for nearly all the different fabrica- 
 tions. 
 
 Among all, that of the woolen factory meets with the great- 
 est neglect and discouragement owing to the vast prejudice pre- 
 vailing against domestic woolen goods." 
 
 When manufacturing did not pay, they devoted their ener- 
 gies to agriculture. And here there was no disappointment. 
 
 ♦Letter to A. Way & Co., July 31, 1819. 
 **Frederick Rapp to Stephen Stone, March 11, 1820. 
 
The Harmony Society. 83 
 
 Their fertile land yielded them more abundant crops than in 
 Pennsylvania. For wool alone, the country was not so well 
 adapted, as the sheep were smaller and the wool of an inferior 
 quality.* 
 
 July 9, 1819, Frederick Rapp wrote to David Shields (Se- 
 wickley) of the condition of the Society: 
 
 "The people in Harmonie and the vicinity are well. We 
 have nearly finished gathering an abundant crop of wheat, rye 
 and barley, and corn looks very promising. There is a better 
 prospect for wine this season than ever we had before. Should 
 Harmonie, Ind., be honored by your visit, I should be able to 
 treat you with Wabash wine." 
 
 In a letter of June 27, 1823, to Mr. William Young, he gave a 
 still more glowing account: 
 
 "It is now fall harvest with us, and we are actively engaged 
 in reaping wheat ; the crop will only be middling, but the quality 
 very good. Our rye is all cut ; it turned out very well this year, 
 barley, more yielding than ever, is already gathered in the barns. 
 Corn and oats look very promising! We have also a very fine pros- 
 pect for wine, and our orchards are heavy loaded with fruit. The 
 builders of our town are progressing rapidly in rearing up good 
 houses for the benefit of its inhabitants, whose industry is every- 
 where blessed with plenty, and their united efforts crowned with 
 success. They have by constant application converted the wil- 
 derness into pleasant gardens and extensive fields, and those en- 
 gaged in the creation of them are conscious of having done their 
 duty and cheerfully happy." 
 
 Owing to prudent management, in spite of the hard times, 
 the Society prospered financially and accumulated large sums of 
 money. In 1819 it was worth $368,690.92. In 1823, in response 
 to an inquiry, they stated that they were willing to loan money 
 to the State of Indiana, at 6% interest. The next year, they 
 were able to pay for their new estate at Economy, Pa., and the 
 expense of moving to it, before they had received any money 
 from the sale of their Indiana property. After taking stock of 
 their property at the time of this sale, Frederick Rapp stated that 
 
 *Letter of Frederick Rapp to Geo. H. Miiller, May 14, 1819. 
 
84 The Harmony Society. 
 
 his expectations of the prosperous condition of the Society had 
 not been disappointed. 
 
 Frederick Rapp was a large, handsome man. He unselfishly 
 devoted his great business talents to the common good. To him 
 more than any one else was due the successful direction of the 
 Society's affairs. His personal qualities, as well as his promi- 
 nence as a manufacturer, gave him a wide influence in the State 
 of Indiana. As a delegate from Gibson County, he was one of 
 the forty-one members of the constitutional convention, which 
 met at Corydon, from June 10 to June 29, 1816, and framed the 
 first constitution of the State.* He was one of eight commis- 
 sioners appointed by the Legislature, which in 1820 selected the 
 site of Indianapolis as the permanent seat of the State govern- 
 ment.** He took an active interest in politics and his support 
 was much sought after by candidates for office.*** He re- 
 peatedly urged the Legislature to pass such laws as he thought 
 would benefit the community. 
 
 Frederick Rapp's correspondence reveals him as a man not 
 only of good judgment, but of refinement and tender sympathy. 
 He could administer a rebuke in a forcible manner, but without 
 bitterness, even with kindness. One of their agents, Thomas I. 
 Hawkes, had defaulted with money due the Society. June 28, 
 1823, Frederick Rapp wrote him : 
 
 "Mr. Phillips told me with regret that you had left Louis- 
 vilLe early last fall and had gone down the river after selling the 
 cloths I sent you at auction, and receiving the greater part of the 
 value for them, which really surprised me to hear, and I immedi- 
 ately anticipated a disastrous result as a just punishment for 
 your temerity in suffering yourself to be misled by a false pros- 
 pect of gain at the risk of honor and confidence of your friends. 
 
 "Your letter of the 20th of May, from St. Francisville, is just 
 received. I am truly astonished that my anticipation, not my 
 wish, has been so soon verified. Still I feel sorry for your mis- 
 
 *Legislative and State Manual of Indiana for 1899-1900, page 1232. 
 
 ♦♦Bolton, Early History of Indianapolis, in Publications of the Indiana 
 Historical Society, Vol. I, p. 153. 
 
 ♦♦♦The statement that Frederick Rapp was a member of the legisla- 
 ture is incorrect. This statement occurs, among other places, in Lock- 
 wood: The Harmony Communities, p. 39. 
 
The Harmony Society. 85 
 
 fortunes, and hope that they may be an everlasting remembrance 
 and lesson to you henceforth to appreciate troe friends, and spare 
 them the regret of having misplaced their confidence. I heartily 
 wish you may soon retrieve your lost health, property and repu- 
 tation in the circle of your friends. Should your expectation be 
 realized, or better success reward your future efforts, and enable 
 you to pay me, you may deposit the money with Mr. Phillips, 
 at Louisville, in whose care I have left your accounts." 
 
 When Frederick Dent, of St. Louis, failed to meet his obli- 
 gations, he wrote to him in the following superior manner, No- 
 vember 4, 1824: 
 
 ''After the return of R. L. Baker to St. Louis, I have been 
 informed that he did not succeed in collecting of you the amount 
 of those two notes due me in consequence of your inability at 
 this time, and that you kept your active capital employed in a 
 trade up the river, by means of which you expected to be able 
 to pay me next summer. 
 
 "Since I am not inclined to disemploy any industrious mem- 
 ber of society, by plucking away the instruments of his dili- 
 gent pursuits, I have concluded to wait and hope you will not 
 fail in your performance this time. 
 
 "To your proposition in regard of selling to you a quantity 
 of our manufactured goods on a credit, I do not feel disposed to 
 accede. Since our Society is changing its settlement, we do not 
 wish to continue transactions of this kind, but rather to bring all 
 to a close. On the subject of opening a store at St. Louis, I 
 would have more favorabLe ideas, since it might be advantageous 
 to our establishment and manufacturing enterprises. Should you 
 visit this neighborhood, please give us a call, and we will con- 
 verse together about the same." 
 
 But when occasion required it, he could assume a much 
 harsher tone toward delinquents. He could criticise sharply the 
 defects of fellow Germans. He wrote August 2, 1821, to his 
 brother, G. Reichert: 
 
 ,,Manche der Deutschen, welche in den letzten Jahren hie 
 in diesem Lande angekommen sind, hatten die Meinung, dass 
 man hier zu Lande ohne Arbeit gut leben konne. Sie haben 
 aber weit gefehlt ; in kein Land taugt ein Miissiganger weniger 
 
86 The Harmony Society. 
 
 als in Amerika, weil noch so vieles zu thun ist, bis es in der Cul- 
 tur den alten Landern gleich kommt. Ueberhaupt scheint es bei 
 den Neuankommenden, dass das Sitten- und moralische Verder- 
 ben in Deutschland seit unserer Abreise sich sehr vermehrt haben 
 muss ; dann die alte deutsche Ehrlichkeit und Fleiss, als Haupt- 
 zuge des deutschen Charakters, sind fast ganz verschwunden. 
 Wann es bei der grossen Masse des Volks das nemliche ist, wie 
 bei den Ankommlingen in dieses Land, so muss es fur den ganzen 
 Staat iible Folgen haben. " 
 
 With his high views of morality, he combined a sense ot 
 humor. When his friend Judge Blackford was defeated for Con- 
 gress, he wrote, October 3, 1825, to John D. Hay, Vincennes : 
 
 "I am sorry Judge Blackford has again lost his election, and 
 this event must of course affect his popularity. Yet I hope he 
 is philosopher enough to bear the loss with fortitude and take 
 recourse to a comfort, like a candidate in early times, who, after 
 losing his election, gave a great and splendid dinner to his friends, 
 at which he at once arose and thanked God that his country 
 could furnish thirty better men than he was." 
 
 In a letter February 13, 1824, to Samuel Patterson, he gave 
 the following explanation of a mistaken order: 
 
 "Enclosed you will find Mr. D. Smith's direction, sent last 
 fall with this yarn, by which the manufacturer was guided in 
 working it up. Mr. Smith, instead of mentioning shawl, as it is 
 commonly spelled, and as now appears was intended, inserted 
 the word "shells/' This expression was understood as a new 
 fashioned term, "the shell of anything being the compass thereof." 
 A riding coat was considered as such and the yarn was manufac- 
 tured accordingly." 
 
 Frederick Rapp was a stone cutter and architect by trade. 
 He was a man of literary, scientific and artistic interests. Soon 
 after settling on the Wabash, he gave an order for Klopstock's 
 "Messias,"and two paintings, "Christ healing the sick" and "Peter 
 preaching at Pentacost." In 1821 J. Reichert and R. L. Baker 
 went to Germany to collect money due members of the Society. 
 On their return in 1823, they brought besides several choice va- 
 rieties of grapes, some books, a pocket telescope, a camera ob- 
 scura and two astronomical charts, at the request of Frederick 
 Rapp. 
 
The Harmony Society. 87 
 
 He wrote of art : 
 
 "The art of painting is certainly very delightful and amus- 
 ing. Fleet and unnoticed hours pass away to finish an object to 
 please our fancy or imitate the pattern from which we draw. 
 Never have I been able to satisfy the magical power of my mind, 
 in progressing as fast as I should wish in this beautiful accom- 
 plishment, not speaking of the infinite source the Creator has fur- 
 nished us for contemplation and admiration of the great variety, 
 beauty and wisdom exhibited in his works all through nature. 
 Sometimes after reflecting on the curiosity of the structure, color 
 and scent of a flower or herb, I feel greatly animated to express 
 my feeling toward his omnipotence, who has made so many 
 things for our youth and pleasure. I hasten to my piano to min- 
 gle with the sensations of my mind the sweet tune of my instru- 
 ment and the sounds of my voice in a Te Deum or some other 
 piece appropriate to the situation of my mind. By such a change 
 I always find myself invigorated to pursue my usual studies with 
 new courage, which, although various, still tend to the same ob- 
 ject, to improve the mind and acquaint ourselves with nature and 
 its Creator." 
 
 He was a good musician. Several hymns in the Society's 
 collection were composed by him. In the absence of George Rapp, 
 he officiated as preacher. His business made it necessary for him 
 to make frequent visits to Pittsburg, Baltimore, New York and 
 Philadelphia. At such times he attended the theatre and opera. 
 September 19, 1830, he writes from New York to Gertrude Rapp 
 that he had not been able to hear any good music, and that he 
 was about to buy a piano. There were pianos in several of the 
 houses of the Society. Still, he was happiest among his own 
 people. On returning from a visit to Philadelphia, he wrote to 
 George Sutton, December 2, 1817: 
 
 "On my journey, I became so weary of the world, and par- 
 ticularly of the city life, that I am very glad to live again among 
 my friends, who have uprightness for their rule, and where, in- 
 stead of fashionable luxury, simple frugality governs the rudder." 
 
 Notwithstanding the busy life, the settlers must have led in 
 conquering the wilderness and developing their industries, they 
 did not neglect their intellectual and religious interests. The 
 
88 The Harmony Society. 
 
 church and its services always were an important element in the 
 life of the Society as a religious community. 
 
 In t8io. they paid $600 for having their Harmonisches Gesang- 
 buch printed in Allentown, Pa. They had their own bookbinder 
 and press on which they printed some religious pamphlets. The 
 same year they imported a bell from England for their church. 
 
 A school had been established by them in the beginning, and 
 has continued until the present time. Two of the trustees, Mr. 
 Henrici and Mr. Duss were teachers of this school. In the early 
 years the children of the Society and the community were taught, 
 principally in German. Some of them were taught Latin, French 
 and English. Later both English and German were taught to 
 all. In recent years the instruction has been in English, but op- 
 portunity is given for those to learn German, who wish to do so. 
 
 On the Wabash the Society had its musical organization, its 
 band. The leader of this band was an accomplished musician, 
 Mr. Miiller, who sometimes accompanied Frederick Rapp on his 
 journeys to the East. The musical traditions of the Society have 
 never been allowed to die. The band furnished music on festive 
 occasions, while in the church service the organ was skillfully 
 played. Mr. Lenz played the French horn in the orchestra, Mr. 
 Henrici played the first violin in the orchestra, the organ in the 
 church, and composed music. Mr. Duss is a musician of high at- 
 tainment. As a composer, and director of the band and orchestra 
 organized by him, he has attracted wide attention. The Duss 
 musical organizations doubtless owed their conception to the 
 band of the Harmony Society, and may be regarded as its suc- 
 cessors. 
 
 From 1815 to 1819 the Society subscribed to the following 
 newspapers : Western Sun, Indiana Herald, Indiana Sentinel, Mer- 
 cury, Harrisburger Morgenrbthe, Friedens Bothe, Aurora, in Philadel- 
 phia ; a Lancaster, Pa., paper ; Western Courier, Louisville ; Argus of 
 Western America, Ohio Adler. In 1822 Frederick Rapp subscribed 
 for the Reformer, of Philadelphia. 
 
 In their store at Harmony, they kept a large stock of books 
 to supply the public. Among those in stock in 1825, were : 
 Bibles, French Revolution, Plutarch's Lives, Memoirs of Napo- 
 leon, History of Religion, Webster's Grammars, Summer's Bot- 
 
The Harmony Society. 89 
 
 any, Pilgrim's Progress, Researches in Asia, Thornton Abbey, 
 Mose's Geography, Mississippi Navigation, Mercantile Arith- 
 metic, Roman History, Goldsmith's Rome and England, Wash- 
 ington's Life, Vicar of Wakefield, Son of a Genius, Ready Reck- 
 oners, Mexico, American Pilots. 
 
 They had a library of 360 volumes for their own use. In 
 this library were works on religion and literature, and scientific 
 works. 
 
 The Society never became so engrossed in its business en- 
 terprises that it could not help the needy. They paid the way 
 of many poor emigrants who came from Germany with the 
 view of joining the Society. Some of these joined the Society; 
 many did not. April 10, 1819, $950 was sent to Jacob Boiler, 
 of Philadelphia, to ransom three families of emigrants who were 
 detained at that port. These were persons in whom the Society 
 had no personal interest. In fact they rather hoped they would 
 not come to them. The same year they brought John Kail and 
 wife from Pennsylvania to Indiana. Kail was an old German, 
 who wanted to end his days with his son-in-law, who was a mem- 
 ber of the Society. 
 
 In regard to these persons, Frederick Rapp wrote, April 30, 
 1819, to A. Way & Co., Pittsburg: 
 
 "John Kail and his family arrived here some time ago, they 
 complain very much of ill treatment by the captain, who did not 
 furnish them with necessary provisions according to the agree- 
 ment, but let them suffer. I expect those three families of Ger- 
 man emigrants, left on board of ship in Philadelphia, as you 
 stated on the nth ult., have been since ransomed on our account, 
 by Mr. J. Baker, and perhaps now on the way to Pittsburg, will 
 call on you for assistance. We wish you may let them have 
 their own choice, whether to come here or not. Such who are 
 desirous of coming, you may assist in getting passage in a boat, 
 and of such who would rather stay in or about Pittsburg you 
 may take a bond or note for their passage money from Europe 
 to Philadelphia, and expenses from there to Pittsburg (the 
 amount of which themselves or their companions can tell you), 
 payable in three equal yearly payments. If they would not give 
 such a bond or note, you may let them go their own way, rather 
 
90 The Harmony Society. 
 
 than to encourage or assist them or any other in the future to 
 come here, unless particularly instructed. The consequences we 
 experienced by those that I brought out, prove that venomous 
 corruptions in morality prevailing in Germany, and various pre- 
 judices gathered from artful calumniators on their way through 
 this country, have generally too deeply rooted into their hearts, 
 that neither law nor gospel is able to bring them to a natural un- 
 derstanding, and produce a sound moral or physical deportment 
 with them, far less religious sentiments." 
 
 In 1824 the Harmonists determined to move from the Wa- 
 bash to Economy, Pa. This new site was not more than twenty 
 irr.les from their first home at Harmony, Pennsylvania. It was 
 situated on the Ohio River, eighteen miles from Pittsburg. May 
 11, 1824, Frederick Rapp wrote from Pittsburg to J. Solms, Phil- 
 adelphia : 
 
 „Ich habe, seitdem ich Sie verlassen habe, ein Stuck Land 18 
 Meilen von hier an der Ohio angekauft, welches an der Land- 
 strasse nach Beaver und Ohio State, und dem Ohio River liegt. 
 Wir werden wohl nach und nach alle darauf hinziehen; es hat 
 eine schone und gesunde Laage, es wird aber, wie Sie mit Recht 
 gegen den Editor bemerkt haben, unserer Harmonie nichts be- 
 nehmen, sondern unsere Einigkeit wird bleiben und im geringsten 
 keinen Abbruch leiden, sondern um so mehr beweisen, dass es 
 Harmonie ist, indem schwerlich eine andere Klasse Menscheu 
 von der namlichen Volkszahl, zu einem solchen Unterrvehmen 
 einig werden wiirde." 
 
 The reason usually given for this move is that they found 
 the Indiana climate too unhealthy. This was one reason, al- 
 though not the chief one. On first settling there, they had suf- 
 fered much from fever and ague, but in the course of ten years, 
 they had become acclimated. In their letters reference is fre- 
 quently made to the good health of the community (for example, 
 by Frederick Rapp, September 8, 1821, and June 21, 1823, John 
 L. Baker, March 12, 1824). August 13, 1824, Frederick Rapp 
 wrote to Joseph F. Fink : 
 
 "Unsere Gesellschaft geniesst gegenwartig gute Gesundheit, 
 und haben einen ziemlich reichen (aber nassen) Sommer an Ge- 
 treice aller Arten, viel Obst auch Wein usw. 
 
The Harmony Society. 91 
 
 • ,,Immer aber ist uns dicse Gegend ctwas zu heiss gewesen, 
 welches uns veranlasste ktirzlich einen andern Platz zu kaufen 
 und dort niederzulassen ; haben da auch schon eine Stadt ange- 
 legt, welche Economy genannt wird." 
 
 There had been some friction between them and their west- 
 ern neighbors, and they desired to move to a more congenial 
 neighborhood. Frederick Rapp later assigned this as one reason 
 for moving. The decisive motive is given in a letter from R. L. 
 Baker to Mr. I. R. Woods, July 6, 1824: 
 
 "Induced by several motives, our Society will probably leave 
 this section of the country and settle itself in Pennsylvania on 
 the banks of the Ohio, not far below Pittsburg, where we in- 
 tend manufacturing more largely." 
 
 They had attained skill in manufacturing and found their 
 western home ill suited for that occupation. It was too far from 
 the eastern market and the currency of the western states was 
 too unreliable. They regarded Economy, near the headquarters 
 of the Ohio, as a more favorable location. It made the eastern 
 market accessible, while they could reach the west and south by 
 water almost as easily as before. Here they purchased a com- 
 paratively small plot of ground, 3,000 acres, intending to devote 
 their energy to manufacturing, not to agriculture. At the same 
 time they came to a community where they were favorably 
 known, and where they had old friends ; and a more healthful and 
 beautiful site than Economy they could scarcel) have found any- 
 where. 
 
 April 11, 1824, Frederick Rapp had written to Richard 
 Flower to advertise in England the Indiana property for sale. 
 Mr. Rapp's advertisement will give the best idea of the extent 
 of the settlement : 
 
 "Town of Harmonie with 20,000 acres of first rate land ad- 
 joining, situated on the East bank of the Big Wabash, 70 miles 
 by water from its mouth, only 15 miles by land from the Ohij 
 River. Wabash is navigable at all seasons for boats of 20 tons 
 burden, and a great part of the year for steamboats of middle 
 class. 2,000 acres of highly cultivated land, 15 of it in vineyard, 
 35 acres in apple orchard, containing 1500 bearing apple and pear 
 
92 The Harmony Society. 
 
 trees. Considerable peach orchards and pleasure gardens with 
 bearing and ornamental trees. 
 
 One large 3-story water merchant mill ; extensive factory of 
 cotton and woolen goods, 2 saw mills, 1 oil and hemp mill, 1 
 large brick and stone warehouse, 2 large graneries, 1 store ; a 
 large tavern, 6 large frame buildings used as mechanics' shops, 
 1 tanyard of 50 vats, 3 frame barns, 50x100, with 1 threshing ma- 
 machine; 3 large sheep stables, 6 2-story brick dwellings, 60x60; 
 40 2-story brick and frame dwellings, 86 log dwellings ; all houses 
 have stables and gardens ; 2 large distilleries, 1 brewery." 
 
 Mr. Flower soon found a prospective purchaser in the person 
 of Mr. Robert Owen. Mr. Owen visited Harmony in January, 
 1825, and after inspection, decided to buy the whole establish- 
 ment. He agreed to pay $150,000.00 for the lands and houses, 
 and also bought the articles in the store, consisting of books 
 (mentioned above), glassware, china, groceries, dry goods, 
 leather, silks, linen, woolen, calicoes, cutlery, hardware, harness 
 and furs, and their machinery and in addition all their stock of 
 cattLe and horses which they did not take with them, viz. : 140 
 milk cows, 125 steers, 5 bulls, 28 heifers, 700 sheep, 250 hogs, 16 
 horses, 8 wagons and carts, 8 ploughs, also whiskey, wool, fur- 
 niture. For these Mr. Owen paid the sum of $40,000.00. 
 
 In the summer of 1824, George Rapp, as was his custom, 
 went ahead with an advance party of about 90 persons to Econ- 
 omy, to prepare a new home for the reception of the main body, 
 which was still at Harmony. A letter from a child of this party 
 to a friend in Indiana, gives a glimpse into the life of the new 
 colony. George Rapp directs the work and encourages the 
 others by his teaching and example. On Sundays the people as- 
 semble for religious instruction and their leader teaches person- 
 ally, even the little girls. It shows something of the secret of 
 George Rapp's success as a leader: 
 Liebste Freundin : 
 
 „Economy, den 14. November 1824. 
 
 Wir denken, du wirst auch bcgierig seyn, unseren Umtrieb 
 und tagliche Geschaftigkeiten nebst unseren grossen Haushal- 
 tungen, welche euch bekannt sind, zu lernen. Wir haben wohl 
 viel Arbeit, aber ihr durft deswegen keine Sorgen haben ; wir sind 
 
The Harmony Society. 93 
 
 doch dabei immer gesund, munter und vergniigt. Des Morgens, 
 wenn wir unsere hausliche Arbeit vcrrichtet haben, gehen allemal 
 zwei Magdlein mit den Kiihen auf die Weide, welche sic auch des 
 Abends wieder holen ; und so ist unsere Ordnung den ganzen 
 Sommer, und alle Tag zwei andere ; aber ihr darft nicht denken 
 dass es uns beschwerlich sei, unser Gcsang dazu ist: Friih am 
 Morgen, treiben wir mit Sorgen, unsere Kiih' ins Thai. Unsere 
 Vormittagsgeschafte sind, Hauser auszuniumen vor euch, weil 
 wir beim nachsten grossen Wass^r einen Theil von euch erwar- 
 ten, und des Nachmittags gehen wir ins Bloek, Feuerschieren und 
 Recheln, und dein Grossvater ist immer bei uns, und macht uns 
 viel Muth, hilft uns auch zeitenweis Feuerschieren, und das 
 mehreste V^rgniigen ist, dass wir immer so innig und zufrieden 
 sind, wie Geschwister. Wir lieben einander jetzt vielmehr als 
 zuvor, ehe wir so zusamrrLen kommen sind, denn der Umgang 
 und Bekanntschaft macht viel aus. 
 
 Sonntags gehen wir zusammen, als wenns eine Compagme 
 ware, und sind begrifTen im Lernen. Wir haben schon drei 
 Stuck bekommen von deinem Grossvater, zwei haben wir fertig 
 und am dritten sind wir noch ; jetzt haben wir vorgenommen 
 einen Bewillkommensfahnen zu machen, weil wir besorgen, wenn 
 ihr kommt, ihr mochtet an uns vorb^ifahren. — Was der Stadt- 
 platz anbelangt, wirst du schon alles erfahren haben, aber du 
 wiirdest dich jetzt recht wundern, wie er verbessert worden ist. 
 Es hat uns alle herzlich erfeut, dass wir Erlaubniss bekommen 
 haben, dir ,eine Antwort zu schreiben. Diesen Brief haben wir 
 in unserem kleinen Gemeinhaus geschrieben. Wir griissen dich 
 alle herzlich." 
 
 Frederick Rapp had remained behind at Harmony to settle 
 up the business there and direct the moving of the Society. It 
 was no easy task to move a community of some 700 persons, and 
 a large amount of freight. Frederick Rapp wrote March 11, 
 1825, to John Caldwell, that he would pay as much as $1000 for 
 a steamer to carry a cargo from Harmony to Economy. But 
 even at that rate he had difficulty in securing transportation. In 
 anticipation of such difficulty, the Society had proceeded to the 
 execution of the project of building a steamboat of its own. The 
 construction of the boat was commenced in the fall of 1824, at 
 
94 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Pittsburg, Mr. Way attending to the matter for them. In No- 
 vember the boat was launched. The following letter from John 
 L. Baker to Gertrude Rapp, from Economy, November 24, 1824, 
 is interesting as describing the launching and as an exercise in 
 English composition: 
 "Dear Gertrude: 
 
 I frequently hear with great pleasure, in Frederick's, and 
 your own letters to your grandfather and aunt, of your health 
 and welfare of all our friends. I also perceive at the same time 
 your rapid progress in learning, and silently admire the beau- 
 tiful sentences which flow from your juvenile mind into your pen 
 when writing letters. Believing that you must have acquired 
 considerable knowledge of the English, since we left you, and 
 might be glad perhaps of a little new matter for practice, induce 
 me to write you these few lines in hopes that you will be pleased 
 to answer in English at your leisure. 
 
 Knowing that everything that passes here is always so care- 
 fully stated by your grandfather, that there is nothing new left 
 for me to mention, and I was at a loss for a whiLe to find a sub- 
 ject to write until a few nights ago, when after the bustle of the 
 day, either selling goods or working in grandfather's grand new 
 garden, I was sitting solitary near a little stove in the store, the 
 idea struck me that perhaps the seat of nature, which you have 
 seen while here, might interest you, of which, however, I only 
 can say that its beauties are vanished. Those verdant hills you 
 saw embellishing the borders of the Ohio and the valley of Econ- 
 omy, gradually changed the emerald shade of their foliage from 
 a dark green to a yellow, red and brown, then dropped and left 
 their lofty station bare of ornament. The pine and hemlock trees 
 alone with bows of evergreen along the bank look pleasant yet. 
 All others lost their leaves, nipped with hard autumnal frosts. 
 The tender plants of wheat and rye in our fields, which scarcely 
 show their feeble blades for want of timely rain, seem lively still, 
 and seem to indicate a hope of spring. Alas ! before that comes 
 we must expect them buried under snow and ice, and we like 
 nature's self, wrapped up in winter clothes, keep our firesides in 
 those long dreary nights and be contended to talk of our friends 
 which are withheld from our sight by a long distance, or visit 
 
The Harmony Society. 95 
 
 them on wings of mere imagination and then return unsatisfied 
 and with uncertainty, still have recourse in hope that as soon 
 as those now mournful trees on the declivities of the surround- 
 ing hills begin to bud, and all the feathered tribe, inhabitants of 
 the forest, commence their cheerful songs on its bedewed boughs, 
 and nature be restored again, that then, time after time, we hear 
 the sounds of cannons, a harbinger of good news for us, rever- 
 berating through the recesses of the neighboring mountains, an- 
 nouncing the aproach of our dear beloved, and when the bent 
 bugle's echo from beyond yonder shore, tells us that our friends 
 are close at hand, and let us all together join our voices with 
 nature's chorus and sing: Hallelujah. 
 
 Since the above was wrote, a new scene presented itself to 
 us, a description of which will certainly be interesting to you. 
 A few days ago it was announced that our steamboat is going 
 to be launched, and we requested to attend. Your grandfather 
 and myself with Mr. Shields and other friends, went there on Sat- 
 urday, the 27th inst. When all was ready, grandfather was called 
 upon to give the boat a name, he called her "William Penn," 
 which found applause with all the people present, and at one 
 o'clock she left her stocks with not less than sixty men and boys 
 on board, and seeming anxious for her element she flew with the 
 velocity of a bird, under the congratulations of the great number 
 of spectators for success to William Penn, and in less than one 
 minute she split the deep and crossed her future path, covering 
 the smooth surface of the river with rolling waves. All ex- 
 claimed that no vessel went off with more elegance. Not the 
 least accident happened, either to men or boat, and after touch- 
 ing the opposite shore, she was brought back, riding majestically 
 on the water, under general praise. All went on board. A num- 
 ber of our friends partook of our cold dinner on deck and drank 
 of the Wabash wine, toasting success to William Penn. Every 
 where appeared order and cheerfulness, and we returned well 
 pleased and satisfied to our home, where we arrived at twilight. 
 
 Remember me to your grandmother, mother, Fleckhammer, 
 and all in the house, also to my mother, brother and sister; tell 
 
96 The Harmony Society. 
 
 them that I am well, and wish you and them good health, with 
 all our friends. 
 
 JOHN L. BAKER." 
 (To Miss Gertude Rapp, Harmony, Ind.) 
 
 By February, 1825, the boat "William Penn" was finished 
 and ready for service. With this and several other steamboats, 
 the moving was successfully completed. Frederick Rapp, with 
 the last party, left Harmony May 5, 1825, glad to leave a place 
 which they could no longer call their own, as it was fast getting 
 into the possession of strangers.* At the falls of the Ohio, at 
 Louisville, they were obliged to transfer to the steamer Bolivar, 
 which, after a pleasant journey brought them to Economy, May 
 17, 1825. 
 
 ♦Frederick Rapp to John D. Hay, May 10, 1825. 
 

 
 
 
 
 IT KJ 
 
 BMffi 
 
 
 ■ S^B^f^&WH, HI WM~ ^B ' 1 
 
 - 
 
 HI 
 
 '■■/■ 
 
 
 
 ■ •J 
 
 
 ^^■Ek£^ 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 w — •- w. . -<w>r. 
 
 . . ■< . -.--■::._ 
 
 
 -JM^' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Town Hall at Economy. 
 
 Street in Economy, showing- the Church, Town Hall and "Great 
 
 House." 
 
The Harmony Society. 97 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Economy, Pennsylvania, 1825-1868. 
 
 The names of "Harmony" and "Unity" were suggested by 
 some as names for th-e new town, but that of "Economy" was 
 adopted. The name is significant of the character of the Society 
 at that time. It was now to be pre-eminently an industrial com- 
 munity. In 20 years the members had acquired skill in certain 
 lines of manufacturing. A reputation for the excellence of their 
 wares had been established and a wide patronage had been ac- 
 quired. A sufficient capital had been amassed to allow them to 
 extend their operations without embarrassment. For their pro- 
 jected industrial enterprises, they could not have chosen any- 
 where a better site. 
 
 After providing themselves with shelter, they exerted them- 
 selves to get their factories into operation as soon as possible. A 
 week after his arrival at Economy, May 25, 1825, R. L. Baker 
 wrote two of the Society's agents, John D. Hay, at Vincennes, 
 and John Caldwell, at Shawneetown : 
 
 "We arrived here in the steamboat Bolivar, on Tuesday, the 
 17th inst., after a pleasant voyage, and found our friends in good 
 health, busily employed in erecting houses, for the reception of 
 the rear or last part of us — 33 roomy and convenient frame build- 
 ings besides 20 comfortable log houses are finished and more on 
 hand. 
 
 A manufacturing house of brick has been commenced this 
 
98 The Harmony Society. 
 
 week in the shape of an L, each wing 80 feet long, the engine to 
 be placed in the center, the power of which will be applied in one 
 part for cotton, in the other for wool. 
 
 Lumber and other materials for building can be had any time 
 on the river, at fair prices, and the great road leading from Pitts- 
 burg to almost all the western parts of the country running 
 through the town, besides the Ohio River, which runs here a 
 due north course, adds much to the vivacity of the place." 
 
 June 14, 1825, Frederick Rapp wrote to John Caldwell : "In 
 December next our manufactories will again be in operation, as 
 usual, and on much better plans than formerly. We will be 
 able to fill your orders as well in the cotton as woolen line to any 
 extent. We enjoy good health and are busily engaged in 
 building." 
 
 December 16, 1825, he wrote: " Our cotton mill will be in 
 operation in two weeks. Our steam flour mill with three pairs 
 of stones will be in operation in five or six weeks." 
 
 The vigor and promise of the Society in its new home are 
 attested by two notable observers who visited it in 1826 — Fried- 
 rich List and Duke Bernhard of Saxe- Weimar. Both were men 
 of keen observation, wide experience and sound, practical sense. 
 Both were most favorably impressed with what they saw at 
 Economy. 
 
 List wrote later Das Nationale System der politischen Oekonomie, 
 and it was he, who, on his return to Germany, took the lead in 
 the movement for the construction of railroads in that country. 
 He had been a member of the Chamber of Deputies of the king- 
 dom of Wiirtemberg, but in 182 1 had been expelled from that 
 body and condemned to ten months' imprisonment at hard labor 
 for presenting to the Chamber a petition which the ministers 
 considered too liberal. To escape punishment, he fled to France, 
 where he became acquainted with Lafayette, who invited him to 
 come with him to America, in 1824. List was unable to do so, 
 but came over the following year, and joined Lafayette in Phila- 
 delphia, and was introduced by him to many leading Americans. 
 List was looking for a place for permanent abode. With that 
 purpose he came to Pittsburg, and from there visited Economy. 
 It was evening when he reached the town. „Es lautete Abend," 
 he wrote, „wie im heimlichen Schwabenland." He was received 
 
The Harmony Society. 99 
 
 with the greatest friendliness by Rapp and th>e Harmonists, and 
 was delighted to hear again the sounds of his native Swabian 
 dialect. The next day he inspected the various institutions of 
 the Society, and was so impressed with what he saw, that he con- 
 ceived a plan for the organization of education on the model there 
 shown him. „Ungeachtet die Colonie erst ein Jahr angefangen, 
 wohaen die Leute alle schon sehr gut und reinlich ; vor vierzehn 
 Monaten war hier noch Wald, jetzt frohe und vergniigte Ge- 
 sichter. Es stehen ungefahr hundert Hauser, ein grosses Fabrik- 
 gebaude mit zwei Fliigeln, eine Kirche, ein Wirthshaus, ein herr- 
 licher Garten, mehrere Morgen gross, mit Weinberg, aller Arten 
 Blumen, Orangen, Citronen, Feigenbaume, Baumwolle, Tabake ; 
 man geht durch Traubenlauben." 
 
 List was greatly pleased with the personality of the leader, and 
 the spirit of harmony among the members. He thus outlined 
 his plan for the training of boys for practical life : 
 
 „Ich stelle, wie in jener Anstalt, den Grundsatz fest, dass 
 die Colonisten alle hauslichen Geschafte selbst v«errichten, und 
 dass sie alle gewohnlichen Bedurfnisse des Lebens sowohl an 
 Victualien als an Kleidungsstoflen selbst producieren. Ich suche 
 irgend einen Hauptindustriezweig auf (etwa Fabrikation von 
 Tuch, Schuhen usw.) auf welche die jungen Colonisten ihre 
 tibrige Zeit verwenden und woraus wenigstens so viel gewonnen 
 werden konnte, als zur B^soldung der Lehrer und zur An- 
 schafTung derjenigen Bedurfnisse, welche die Colonie nicht selbst 
 erzeugt, erforderlich ware. Ich verwende sieben Stunden auf 
 die Arbeit und funf Stunden auf den Unterricht. Die Zoglinge 
 theile ich nach ihren Fahigkeiten in solche, welche eine Wissen- 
 schaft oder Kunst, und in solche, welche ein Gewerbe oder den 
 Landbau zu ihrem vorztiglichen Fach machen. Jene werden, 
 sie mogen dereinst in Lagen kommen, in welche sie wollen, nie 
 in Verlegenheit gerathen, da sie in Ermangelung einer Gelegen- 
 heit ihre Kenntniss geltend zu machen, hinlangliche Kenntniss 
 und Uebung in Handarbeiten erlangt haben, urn sich damit fort- 
 zubringen, diese werden so viel aus den Wissenschaften sich 
 aneignen als notig ist, urn fiir gebildete Mechaniker zu gelten. 
 1st eine einzige solche Anstalt gelungen, so ist damit der Grund 
 zu einer Propoganda gelegt ; das Vorbild ist gegeben. Daraus 
 
ioo The Harmony Society. 
 
 gehen Lehrer fiir andere ahnliche Anstalten hervor, die den Geist 
 der Anstalt auf jene iibertragen."* 
 
 Duke Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar, born May 30, 1792, was 
 the second son of Karl August. He fought at Wagram on the 
 French side with such bravery that on the field of battle he was 
 decorated with the order of the Legion of Honor by Napoleon 
 himself. From 181 1 to 1813 he travelled in Italy and France. 
 He entered the Dutch service and fought at Waterloo with dis- 
 tinction. His advancement was rapid. In 1823 he travelled in 
 England, Scotland and Ireland. In April, 1825, he started on a 
 fourteen months' visit to the United States. He was well re- 
 ceived, and thought for a time of settling here. In 1825, and 
 again in 1829, he rejected the plan proposed by Russia, of plac- 
 ing him upon the throne of Greece. In 1847 ne took the com- 
 mand for three years of the Dutch East Indian army in Java. 
 He was a man of great energy of body and mind, of sound judg- 
 ment and extensive knowledge. 
 
 While in America, he visited both New Harmony, Ind., and 
 Economy, Pa. May 17, 1826, he was in Pittsburg, and intended 
 to visit Economy the next day, when to his surprise, Frederick 
 Rapp appeared and invited him to go home with him. He ac- 
 cepted the invitation.* He gives the following account of his 
 visit : 
 
 „Als wir den Ort erreichten, fuhren wir zuerst an zwei 
 rauchenden Ziegelofen vorbei. Alsdann kamen wir an ein neu 
 errichtetes Haus. Auf demselben standen drei Waldhornisten, 
 welche bei unserer Annahrung zu blasen anfingen. An dem 
 Wirthshaus, einem schonen grossen framehaus, empfingen uns 
 der alte Herr Rapp an der Spitze der Vorsteher seiner Gemeinde. 
 Es waren graue Haupter und ehrwiirdige Greise. Die meisten 
 waren mit Herrn Rapp vor ein und zwanzig Jahren aus dem 
 Wurtembergischen ausgewandert. Nach der ersten Begrtissung 
 fiihrten sie uns in ein einfach aber geschmackvoll eingerichtetes 
 Zimmer. Wir unterhielten uns daselbst eine Zeitlang und setzten 
 
 ♦Quoted from Friedrich List, Gesammelte Schriften, von Ludwig 
 Hausser herausgegeben. Erster Theil, P. 149. 
 
 ♦Reise seiner Hoheit des Herzogs Bernhard zu Sachsen-Weimar- Ei- 
 senach durch Nordamerika in den Jahren 1825-1826. Weimar, 1828, p. 
 204 ff. 
 
HOTEly AT ECONOMY. 
 
 WOOI.KN MII y I y AT ECONOMY. 
 
The Harmony Society. ior 
 
 uns dann alle zu Mittagessen. Die Tafel war mit deutschen 
 Schiisseln besetzt ; an ihr herrschte eine frohliche Herzlichkeit. 
 
 Ich war durch das, was ich iiber Herrn Rapp und seine Ge- 
 r^ll^chaft gelesen, und was ich noch neulich in New Harmony 
 gehort hatte, wirklich gegen ihn und die Seinigen eingenommen ; 
 um so mehr freute ich mich, dass ich hierher gekommen war, 
 urn mich durch den Augenschein eines Anderen zu belehren und 
 eines Besseren zu liberzeugen. Niemals habe ich eine so wahr- 
 haft patriarchalische Verfassung gesehen als hier, und das, was 
 die Menschen gewirkt haben, spricht am besten fur ihre Ein- 
 richtungen und fur die unter ihnen herrschende Eintracht. 
 
 Auffallend ist es allerdings und sehr zu verwundern, dass 
 es einem so einfachen Manne, wie Herrn Rapp, gelingen kann, 
 eine Gesellschaft von fast 700 Personen so fest zusammen zu 
 halten und sie dahin zu bringen, ihn gewissermassen als einen 
 Propheten zu verehren. — Sie nennen ihn Vater und behandeln 
 ihn als Vater. 
 
 Nach dem Essen gingen wir im Orte herum. Es ist sehr 
 regelmassig angelegt. Die Strassen sind breit und in rechten 
 Winkeln. — In vier Tagen, den 22. Mai, wurden es erst zwei 
 Jahre, da man auf dem Platze, wo jetzt Economy steht, den 
 Wald wegzuhauen angefangen hatte ; als Denkmaler standen die 
 Baumwurzeln noch iiberall in den Strassen. Es ist zum Erstau- 
 nen, wie viel vereinte und zweckmassig geleitete menschliche 
 Krafte in so kurzer Zeit auszurichten vermocht haben ! 
 
 Viele Familien wohnen noch zwar in Loghausern ; einige 
 Strassen bestehen aber schon ganzlich aus reinlichen, gut ge- 
 bauten Framehausern, die auf eine gewisse Distanz von ein- 
 ander errichtet sind, damit jedes Haus von einem Garten urn- 
 geben bleibe. Von Backstein erbaut waren nur die vier Stock- 
 werke hohen Wollen- und Baumwollen-Manufacturen, Herrn 
 Rapps Wohnhaus, jedoch noch nicht ganz vollendet, und ein im 
 Bau begrifYenes Haus zum Waarenlager. 
 
 In den Fabrikgebauden wurden alle Maschinen durch eine 
 Dampfmaschine, welche die Kraft von 75 Pferden hatte, von 
 hohem Druck, in Pittsburg gemacht, in Bewegung gesetzt — 
 Vermittelst Rohren, die von der Dampfmaschine ausgehen und 
 durch alle Stockwerke und Arbeitsplatze sich ausbreiten, wird 
 zur Winterzeit die Heizung bewirkt. Alle Arbeiter, und nament- 
 
102 The Harmony Society. 
 
 lich die Weiber, haben eine sehr gesunde Gesichtsfarbe, und die 
 treuherzige Freundlichkeit, mit welcher sie den alten Rapp be- 
 grtissten, rtihrte mich tief. Auch gefiel mir sehr, dass auf alien 
 Maschinen Becher mit frischen, wohlriechenden Blumen standen. 
 Die herrschende Reinlichkeit ist ebenfalls in jeder Hinsicht sehr 
 zu loben. 
 
 Nach Besichtigung dieser interessanten Fabrik, gingen wir 
 in Herrn Rapps provisorisches Wohnhaus zum Theetrinken und 
 Abendessen. Ich lernte hier seine unverheiratete etwas abge- 
 bliihte Tochter kennen und seine bliihende Enkelin Gertrud. 
 
 Die Tafel war mit schonem Silberwerke geschmiickt, und der 
 alte Rapp schien Freude daran zu haben, mir seinen wohlerwor- 
 benen Wohlstand zeigen zu konnen. — Den Abend brachten wir 
 gleichfalls bei Herrn Rapp zu. Er Hess die musikalischen Mit- 
 glieder seiner Gesellschaft zusammen kommen, um uns mit Mu- 
 sik zu unterhalten. Miss Gertrud spielte Pianoforte und drei 
 Madchen sangen, die anderen Instrumenten bestanden aus 
 Violinen, Violincello und zwei Floten. 
 
 beberall bemerkte man die Spuren der Thatigkeit und der 
 kindlichen Hochachtung, in welcher der alte Rapp bei seinen 
 Jungern steht. Auch das Vorrathshaus ward uns gezeigt, wo 
 alle hier verfertigten Artikel zum Verkauf und zum Verschicken 
 bereit liegen; und ich bewunderte die Giite aller dieser Gegen- 
 stande. 
 
 Endlich fiihrte Herr Rapp uns noch einmal in das Manufac- 
 tur-Gebaude, denn, sagte er, die Madchen hatten ganz besonders 
 meinen Besuch ausgebeten, damit ich sie singen horen mochte. 
 Wahrend sie sich namlich von der Arbeit ausruhen, versammeln 
 sie sich in einem der Arbeitssale, zwischen 60 und 70 an der Zahl, 
 um geistliche und andere Lieder zu singen. — Der alte Rapp 
 hat viel Freude am Gesang, und die Madchen miissen sich jetzt 
 besonders damit beschaftigen, seitdem die Gertrud herange- 
 wachsen ist und musikalischen Unterricht bekommt. Ein Stuhl 
 steht fur den alten Patriarchen bereit, den die Madchen herein- 
 bringen. Er setzt sich in ihre Mitte und die Madchen beginnen 
 den Gesang, der wunderlieblich klingt. Er ist naturlich sehr 
 vollstimmig und ausserst gut arrangiert. Die Madchen singen 
 
The Harmony Society. 103 
 
 vier Lieder, anfangs geistlichc und zuletzt auf Hcrrn Rapps 
 Verlangen, auch lustige. — 
 
 Wir nahmen herauf in Herrn Rapps Haus ein schr gutea 
 Mittagsmahl ein, und die musikalischen Mitglieder der Gcsell- 
 schaft liessen sich bei dieser Gelegenheit aufs beste vor dem 
 Hause vernehmen. Das Orchester war zwolf Personen stark 
 und spielte wirklich sehr brav. — 
 
 Beide Herren Rapp, zumal der alte, redeten mir sehr zu, 
 mich in ihrer Nahe niederzulassen und zehn Meilen weiter, am 
 Beaver Creek, die sogenannte Beaver Falls, fur $25,000 zu 
 kaufen. Da konnte ich Eisenwerke anlegen, sagten sie, und 
 sehr viel Geld erwerben ; sie und ihre Gesellschaft wollten mir 
 mit Rath und That zur Hand gehen ! 
 
 Mit ganz eigenen Gefiihlen verliessen wir nach drei Uhr 
 das freundliche und werkthatige Economy — Bezahlung nahm 
 man im Wirthshaus nicht an — und fuhren durch dieselbe 
 schone Gegend, durch welche wir gestern gekommen waren, 
 nach Pittsburg zuruck." 
 
 They had brought with them from Indiana, manufactured 
 goods to the value of $35,000. With these they supplied their 
 trade, until their factories were again in operation. A state- 
 ment made by Frederick Rapp, 183 1, shows the value of cotton 
 and woolen goods manufactured during the preceding five years, 
 the profit in the industries, number of hands employed, and 
 wages paid. 
 
 "Statement about manufacturing, 1831, by Frederick Rapp: 
 Use steam power in both wool and cotton factories. 
 
 Established 1826. 
 
 Capital in cotton factory, $25,000. Wool, $30,000. 
 
 Amount of wages in cotton factory, $3,400.00 
 
 Amount of wages in woolen factory, $10,634.00 
 
 Profit in Cotton business % Woolen % 
 
 1827 15 14 
 
 1828 14 15 
 
 1829 12 16 
 
 18 30 8 18 
 l8 3i 12 14 
 
104 Tlte Harmony Society. 
 
 Cause of decrease of profit in cotton; the low price due to 
 
 competition. 
 Cause of increase of profit in wool to 1830: the protective tariff. 
 Cause of decrease since 1830: Importation of foreign goods and 
 high prices of wool. 
 
 Value of Product. 
 Wool. Cotton. 
 
 1827, $35,681 $22,966 
 
 1828, $40,399 $22,372 
 
 1829, $57,453 $19427 
 
 1830, $70,504 $16,805 
 
 1831, $84,571 $18,730 
 
 The woolen factory employs 50 men, at $3.50 per week; 15 boys 
 at $2.50; 15 females, at $1.00. 
 
 They work 12 hours per day. 
 
 Men at common labor earn $3 a week. 
 
 Women at common labor earn $1 in the same district. 
 
 The Cotton factory employs 4 men at $3.50 per week. 
 
 The Cotton factory employs 60 females, at $1.25 per week. 
 
 Goods are shipped from 18 to 500 miles. They are generally sold 
 
 on a credit of six months. The present rate of duty is sufficient, 
 
 if strictly enforced. 
 
 Cotton. Materials, 50% ; Labor, 38% ; Profit, 12%. 
 Wool. Materials, 55% ; Labor, 30% ; Profit, 15%." 
 While wool and cotton were two important industries, the 
 
 Society was at the same time engaged in the manufacture of silk, 
 
 whiskey, wine, beer, flour, hats and other articles. 
 
 The amounts of sales and purchases during the first five 
 
 years, at Economy, were as follows : 
 
 Amount of Sales and Purchases by and for the Establishment 
 1826. at Economy. 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold per Sales Book $35,366.27 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold out of the store and not entered 
 
 in the Sales Book 4,076.00 
 
 Amount of Cash taken in by the Tavern, Doctor, Shoe- 
 maker, Smiths and Hatters 3*637.73 
 
 $43,080.00 
 Amount purchased during same year $97,177.87 
 
The Harmony Society. 105 
 
 1827. 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold per Sales Book $67,810.88 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold at the store 5,025.12 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold during wool season 1,975.00 
 
 Amount of cash taken by Tavern, Doctor, Shoemaker, 
 
 Smiths and Hatters 4,347.00 
 
 $79,158.00 
 Amount purchased same year $81,400.75 
 
 1828. 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold per Sales Book $68,450.97 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold out of the store 5>975°3 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold during wool season 2,125.00 
 
 Amount of cash taken by Tavern, Doctor, Shoemaker, 
 
 Smiths and Hatters 5,944.00 
 
 $82,495.00 
 Amount purchased same year $64,620.50 
 
 1829. 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold per Sales Book $73> 2 65-39 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold out of store 6,250.00 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold during wool season 2,075.61 
 
 Amount of cash taken by Tavern, Doctor, Shoemaker, 
 
 Smiths, Hatters and Museum 5,855.00 
 
 $87,446.00 
 Amount purchased the same year $90,100.95 
 
 1830. 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold per Sales Book $159,806.39 
 
 Amount of Mdse sold out of store 6,378.00 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold during wool season 1,550.00 
 
 Amount of cash taken by Tavern, Doctor, Shoemaker, 
 
 Smiths, Hatters and Museum 7,132.63 
 
 $174,867.02 
 Amount purchased the same year $84,110.96 
 
106 The Harmony Society. 
 
 1831. 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold per Sales Book $121,228.50 
 
 Amount of Mdse. sold out of the store 7,025.00 
 
 Amount of cash taken by Tavern, Doctor, Shoemaker, 
 
 Smiths, Hatters and Museum 9,327.80 
 
 $137,581.30 
 Amount purchased the same year $153,216.15 
 
 Most of these purchases were raw materials : wool, cotton, 
 grain. They had agents in various parts of the country buying 
 wool for them, and they bought all the grain in the market. In 
 1829 Frederick Rapp wrote to John Clarke: "We would have 
 purchased a great deal more if we could have got it, but the 
 country around us is too poor to furnish us grain enough. We 
 are therefore obliged to raise nearly as much as we want, which 
 we never would do if we could buy it." 
 
 The success of their industries was so great that they soon 
 controlled the Pittsburg market. They, of course, incurred the 
 ill-will of their competitors. In 1829 a series of articles appeared 
 in the Alleghany Democrat, attacking them as a monopoly with 
 which individual merchants and manufacturers could not suc- 
 cessfully compete. These had to buy wool at "Economy prices," 
 and the purchaser refused to pay more than "Economy prices" 
 for the manufactured wares. 
 
 „Sie (Economy) hat Gewalt und tibt dieselbe aus, um unsem 
 Markt im Handel zu regulieren, dieses ist eine Thatsache, zu 
 handgreiflich und ofTenbar, um unbeobachtet vorbei zu passieren, 
 und ein Uebel zu driickend, um unbemerkt zu bleiben." 
 
 Farmers who raised Spanish wool had to sell it to Mr. Rapp, 
 because the other woolen factories in and about Pittsburg, which 
 were small, could not work up the fine wool. 
 
 Mr. Rapp was enlarging his factory, while others would not 
 embark in woolen manufacture on account of his competition. 
 
 The writer advocated the dissolution of the Society by the 
 State. 
 
 The Sales Book gives the amount of sales from 1830 to 
 1843. This does not include goods sold through the store, which 
 
The Harmony Society. 107 
 
 from 1826 to 1830 were about 10% additional, and the statement 
 
 may be also in other respects incomplete. 
 
 Sales for 1830 amounted to $159,806.39 
 
 Sales for 1831 amounted to 121,228.00 
 
 Sales for 1832 amounted to 84.284.00 
 
 Sales for 1833 amounted to 126,426.00 
 
 Sales for 1834 amounted to 73,424.00 
 
 Sales for 1835 amounted to 95,024.00 
 
 Slaes for 1836 amounted to 118,625.00 
 
 Sales for 1837 amounted to 102,313.00 
 
 Sales for 1838 amounted to 99,619.00 
 
 Sales for 1839 amounted to 64,969.00 
 
 Sales for 1840 amounted to 66,209.00 
 
 Sales for 1841 amounted to 56,770.00 
 
 Sales for 1842 amounted to 12,977.00 
 
 Sales for 1843 amounted to 16,046.00 
 
 Total, 1830 to 1843 $1,197,720.39 
 
 Purchases during same period. . . . 813,096.00 
 
 Balance, $384,624.39 
 
 The most important articles of this trade were cotton and 
 woolen yarn and cloth, hats, wool, whiskey, blankets and flan- 
 nels. The Bills of Lading show large shipments of leather, cider, 
 plants, apples, flax seed oil, flour, fruit trees, hides and wine. 
 Shipments were made to all points in the Ohio and Mississippi 
 valleys, from Pittsburg to New Orleans, and to points as far east 
 as Boston and Springfield, Mass. 
 
 While the Society was thus engaged in manufacturing, it 
 was also engaged in agriculture on a large scale. The following 
 memorandum, by Mr. Baker, of Harmonie Harvests, shows the 
 extent of their agricultural operations from 1816 to 1865 : 
 
 MEMORANDUM OF HARMONY HARVESTS. 
 Wheat. Rye. Spelt. 
 
 Year. Acres. Doz. Bushels. Acres. Bu. Acres. Bu. 
 
 1816 5,972 2,700 1,000 7 464 
 
 1817 206 15,367 5,679 50 1,127 32 1,495 
 
 1818 250 13,644 6,236 50 954 30^ 1,185 
 
io8 
 
 The Harmony Society. 
 
 1819 
 1820 
 1821 
 1822 
 1823 
 1824 
 1825 
 1826 
 1827 
 1828 
 1829 
 1830 
 
 1816 
 1817 
 1818 
 1819 
 1820 
 1821 
 1822 
 1823 
 1824 
 1825 
 1826 
 1827 
 1828 
 1829 
 1830 
 
 1831 
 1832 
 
 1833 
 1834 
 1835 
 1836 
 
 3i6^ 
 
 355 
 296 
 262 
 
 239 
 306 
 
 80 
 
 90 
 
 172 
 200 
 
 16,720 
 
 19^975 
 
 14.390 
 
 13,812 
 
 10,813 
 
 16,000 
 
 3,621 
 
 4,804 
 
 12,865 
 
 7,922 
 
 12,779 
 I5» 2 76 
 
 Barley. 
 Year. Acres. Bushels. 
 
 9 
 20 
 
 49 
 62 
 
 45 
 
 7 2 
 
 46 
 5i 
 13 
 
 35 
 
 5i 
 43 
 
 723 
 1,189 
 1,460 
 3.070 
 1,811 
 1,678 
 J .930 
 2,329 
 
 231 
 
 776 
 i,738 
 1,463 
 
 880 
 
 1,413 
 
 6,409 
 7,674 
 4.907 
 4,167 
 3.558 
 5.545 
 1.350 
 1,641 
 
 4.353 
 2,370 
 3.7o6 
 5.231 
 
 45 1,136 
 
 54 i,55o 
 
 36 935 
 
 92 1,066 
 
 40 820 
 
 30 
 
 44 
 52 
 
 53 
 5i 
 
 843 
 923 
 816 
 
 976 
 901 
 
 844 
 1,060 
 
 Oats. 
 Acres. Bushels. 
 
 100 
 
 75 
 102 
 
 98 
 
 122 
 
 179 
 170 
 
 150 
 60 
 
 115 
 
 200 
 
 217 
 
 Wheat. 
 Acres Bu. 
 
 3,724 
 1,063 
 
 3.179 
 3.652 
 3.606 
 3.300 
 
 Rye. 
 Acres Bu. 
 1,086 
 1,156 
 580 
 284 
 1,326 
 601 
 
 1,700 
 
 3.099 
 2,704 
 4,085 
 1,764 
 3.330 
 4,58o 
 4.840 
 4,042 
 2,025 
 
 3.372 
 4,961 
 5.8oo 
 
 5.234 
 7.567 
 
 Barley. 
 Acr. Bu. 
 
 1.387 
 562 
 
 989 
 900 
 
 974 
 1,058 
 
 44 
 40 
 22 
 
 25 
 20 
 
 1.758 
 I.39I 
 1,159 
 1,239 
 1,003 
 10 
 45 
 
 Corn. 
 Acres. Bushels. 
 
 162 
 206 
 191 
 158 
 
 135 
 
 8,892 
 8,246 
 
 10,700 
 5.133 
 5.133 
 
 Oats. 
 Acr. Bu. 
 
 5.097 
 4.974 
 4,751 
 5.732 
 7,022 
 
 4.974 
 
 Corn 
 Bu. 
 
The Harmony Society. 109 
 
 1837 
 
 147 
 
 4,071 
 
 50 
 
 1,274 
 
 22 760 
 
 97 
 
 3,396 
 
 
 1838 
 
 no 
 
 2,912 
 
 30 
 
 754 
 
 10 465 
 
 130 
 
 4,677 
 
 
 1839 
 
 130 
 
 4.3" 
 
 
 1,109 
 
 1,051 
 
 
 6,156 
 
 
 1840 
 
 
 3^575 
 
 
 830 
 
 674 
 
 
 5.585 
 
 
 1841 
 
 133 
 
 2,540 
 
 32 
 
 847 
 
 4 197 
 
 132 
 
 5,248 
 
 
 1842 
 
 
 3,606 
 
 
 846 
 
 498 
 
 
 5,283 
 
 
 1843 
 
 
 3,613 
 
 
 742 
 
 514 
 
 
 4.363 
 
 
 1844 
 
 
 3,196 
 
 
 296 
 
 421 
 
 
 5,146 
 
 
 1845 
 
 
 1,694 
 
 
 34 
 
 183 
 
 
 2,633 
 
 
 1846 
 
 
 3458 
 
 
 335 
 
 147 
 
 
 4,268 
 
 
 1847 
 
 
 1703 
 
 
 564 
 
 156 
 
 
 4402 
 
 
 1848 
 
 
 2,029 
 
 
 352 
 
 722 
 
 
 4,696 
 
 
 1849 
 
 
 2,016 
 
 
 435 
 
 544 
 
 
 3,076 
 
 
 1850 
 
 
 1,972 
 
 
 449 
 
 559 
 
 
 3,319 
 
 
 1851 
 
 
 3,H4 
 
 
 527 
 
 659 
 
 
 2,765 
 
 
 1852 
 
 
 2,100 
 
 
 683 
 
 512 
 
 
 3-735 
 
 
 1853 
 
 
 1,727 
 
 
 488 
 
 444 
 
 
 2,500 
 
 
 1854 
 
 
 2,100 
 
 
 534 
 
 583 
 
 
 3,86i 
 
 
 1855 
 
 
 2,841 
 
 
 53i 
 
 585 
 
 
 3,661 
 
 5,ooo 
 
 1856 
 
 
 2,073 
 
 
 3,70 
 
 559 
 
 
 4.592 
 
 2,880 
 
 1857 
 
 
 2,394 
 
 
 534 
 
 635 
 
 
 4,406 
 
 3,240 
 
 1858 
 
 
 1,529 
 
 
 434 
 
 400 
 
 
 3,291 
 
 2,430 
 
 1859 
 
 
 i,839 
 
 
 398 
 
 447 
 
 
 2,310 
 
 4,160 
 
 i860 
 
 
 1.512 
 
 
 498 
 
 577 
 
 
 4,077 
 
 
 1861 
 
 
 2-73^ 
 
 
 432 
 
 380 
 
 
 3.650 
 
 
 1862 
 
 
 2,812 
 
 
 649 
 
 240 
 
 
 2,480 
 
 
 1863 
 
 
 2,684 
 
 
 372 
 
 355 
 
 
 2,952 
 
 
 1864 
 
 
 2,094 
 
 
 918 
 
 221 
 
 
 2,987 
 
 
 1865 
 
 
 1,695 
 
 
 390 
 
 3i4 
 
 
 2,422 
 
 
 Q 
 
 uantity of grain sowed in 
 
 one acre : Rye, 1 bushel ; Wheat, 
 
 1 bushel ; Winter B; 
 
 irley, 
 
 i J / 2 bu< 
 
 shel ; Summer 
 
 Barle} 
 
 U 134 bi 
 
 .ishel ; 
 
 Buckwheat, y 2 bushel; Spelt, 2 bushels; Oats, 2 bushels; Flax- 
 seed, 1*4 bushels; Hempseed, 3 bushels; Rapeseed, 1 quart; Tur- 
 nip seed, ]/ 2 pint; Timothy, 3 quarts; Blue Grass, 1 quart; Herd 
 Grass, 1 quart ; Clover, 3 quarts. 
 
 In addition to above crops, beans, clover, timothy, rape and 
 buckwheat were also raised. 
 
no The Harmony Society. 
 
 Another memorandum gives a statement of the liquors made 
 in 1863, viz. : 
 
 Catawba wine 27 bbls. 
 
 Currant wine 147 bbls. 
 
 Boiled cider 69 bbls. 
 
 Common cider 59 bbls. 
 
 Crab cider 85 bbls. 
 
 Beer 42 bbls. 
 
 Brandy 6 5 bbls. 
 
 Whiskey 244 bbls. 
 
 December 31, 1863, the liquors on hand were: 
 
 Whiskey 519 bbls. 
 
 Boiled cider 215 bbls. 
 
 Crab cider 65 bbls. 
 
 Common cider 30 bbls. 
 
 Beer 20 bbls. 
 
 Currant wine 303 bbls. 
 
 Catawba wine 101 bbls. 
 
 Apple Brandy 18 bbls. 
 
 Catawba Brandy 4 bbls. 
 
 Peach Brandy 5 bbls. 
 
 Vinegar 90 bbls. 
 
 Apple syrup 8 bbls. 
 
 Brandy 3 bbls. 
 
 Champagne wine 18 bbls. 
 
 Champagne cider 16 bbls. 
 
 At the same time the Society owned 22 horses, 5 colts, 44 
 sheep and 73 hogs. 
 
 In 1864 the liquor made was : 
 
 Currant wine 118 bbls. 
 
 Grape wine 20 bbls. 
 
 Boiled cider 245 bbls. 
 
 Not boiled cider 65 bbls. 
 
 Crab cider 45 bbls. 
 
 Beer 89 bbls. 
 
 Cider for vinegar 60 bbls. 
 
 Rye whiskey 181 bbls. 
 
 404 bbls. of whiskey on hand. 
 
The Harmony Society. 
 
 m 
 
 In 1866 the amounts were made: 
 
 Beer 84 bbls. 
 
 Currant wine 15 bbls. 
 
 Catawba wine 29 bbls. 
 
 Cider 595 bbls. 
 
 Vinegar 70 bbls. 
 
 Whiskey 152 bbls. 
 
 In 1863 the woolen factory was still in operation on a small 
 scale. 
 
 In that year 1,227 yards of goods were woven. 
 Mr. Baker made an estimate of the value of the Society's 
 property in the years 1863 to 1866. 
 This estimate was : 
 1863. 
 
 Mortgages $141,661 
 
 Bonds 551,000 
 
 Stocks 87,010 
 
 Real Estate 177,699 
 
 Cash 57,339 
 
 $1,014,709 
 
 1864. 
 
 Mortgages $131,185 
 
 Stocks 95,413 
 
 Bonds 707,321 
 
 Agreements 3- 2 5° 
 
 Real Estate 274,535 
 
 Cash 10,736 
 
 1865. 
 
 Mortgages 
 
 Bonds 
 
 Stocks 
 
 Cash 
 
 Real Estate 
 
 Interest & Divids. . 
 
 $185,546 
 736,000 
 . 70,000 
 19,900- 
 
 274,535 
 52,498 
 
 1866. 
 Mortgages 
 
 Bonds 
 
 Stocks 
 
 Real Estate 
 Cash 
 
 $1,338,479 
 
 183,030 
 836,000 
 132,263 
 650.000 
 17-550 
 
 $1,222,440 $1,818,843 
 
 These estimates do not include their establishment at Econ- 
 omy which was valued at $209,734.00 at an earlier period. 
 
 This estimate gives a picture of Economy at its highest in- 
 dustrial development. 
 
 1 brick store house $2,500.00 
 
 I family warehouse 200.00 
 
 1 brick house for mechanics 3,000.00 
 
 1 large brick dwelling for Museum. . 4,500.00 
 
112 The Harmony Society. 
 
 I tavern 3,500.00 
 
 1 church 3,500.00 
 
 2 bells and clocks 2,500.00 
 
 1 new granary 1,500.00 
 
 1 brewery 1,000.00 
 
 1 distillery 800.00 
 
 1 soap boiling shop 400.00 
 
 3 steam wash houses 225.00 
 
 1 barn with threshing machine 800.00 
 
 1 steam engine to do it 1,000.00 
 
 Stables 1,800.00 
 
 1 house with wine press 250.00 
 
 2 fire engines 600.00 
 
 George Rapp's house and stables. . 4,000.00 
 
 1 tannery 1,500.00 
 
 1 hat shop 400.00 
 
 1 blacksmith shop, 5 furnaces 400.00 
 
 I wagon maker's shop 100.00 
 
 1 saddler's shop 100.00 
 
 1 turner shop 150.00 
 
 1 linen weaving shop 350.00 
 
 I tinner's shop 100.00 
 
 1 carpenter shop 150.00 
 
 1 potter shop 150.00 
 
 1 doctor's shop 100.00 
 
 1 silk worm house 500.00 
 
 1 cooper shop 100.00 
 
 1 oil and saw mill 1,000.00 
 
 1 school house 600.00 
 
 1 old granary 400.00 
 
 43 family brick houses at $600 25,800.00 
 
 6 double frame houses at $600 3,600.00 
 
 47 single frame houses at $500 23,500.00 
 
 8 small frame houses at $350 2,800.00 
 
 9 one-story frame houses at $200. . . . 1,800.00 
 
 2,976 acres of land at $20 59,520.00 
 
 Cotton factory and machinery 20,503.00 
 
 Grist mill and machinery 9,000.00 
 
 Woolen factory and machinery.... 25,036.00 
 
 $209,734.00 
 
FI.OUR Mlht, AT ECONOMY. 
 
 SII.K FACTORY AT ECONOMY. 
 
The Harmony Society. 113 
 
 In 1846, as was shown by the investigation in the Xachtricb 
 suit, the total value of the Society's property was $901,723.42. 
 
 The year 1866 was probably the high water mark of the So- 
 ciety's material prosperity. True large increase in the value of 
 their real estate in that year was due to the development of oil 
 production. It was before the epoch of their foreign investments, 
 which proved so costly. 
 
 From 1830 to 1850 attempts were made in many parts of the 
 United States to raise silk. Probably the earliest, and at any 
 rate the most successful, of these experiments was made by the 
 Harmony Society. This enterprise was conducted with the same 
 energy and intelligence as their other industries, and they suc- 
 ceeded in manufacturing most beautiful silk. An exhibit of their 
 silk fabrics, which was arranged for the Columbian Exposition at 
 Chicago, may be seen at Economy to-day. Owing to an unfavor- 
 able climate the process of raising the silk worms was expensive, 
 and they were not able to manufacture silk goods at prices which 
 could compete with foreign fabrics. They had begun the culture 
 of silk with the purpose of supplying their own needs.* 
 
 Soon after the settlement of Economy, a friend of Father 
 Rapp's sent him some silk worms with some suggestions in re- 
 gard to silk culture. In 1826 they raised the first silk. In the 
 following years they continued experimenting. They were en- 
 couraged in 1838 to enter into the business on a larger scale. 
 
 Their experiment attracted the attention of many persons 
 in the United States, who were interested in the matter. From 
 all parts of the country inquiries came to them in regard to ma- 
 chinery for silk manufacturing, for silk worms, and information 
 on the subject. The Society took great pains in answering these 
 inquiries in the hope of contributing to the development of an- 
 other national industry. They frequently invited their corre- 
 spondents to visit them and see for themselves their establish- 
 ment. Miss Gertrude Rapp, grand daughter of George Rapp, 
 was Superintendent of the silk business. From 1842 to 1852 a spe- 
 cial letter book was kept, containing correspondence in regard to 
 silk. The first letter in the collection is by Miss Rapp, at that 
 time 34 years of age. 
 
 ♦George Rapp to W. R. Schetterly, September 26, 1845. 
 
114 The Haiuwiiy Society. 
 
 "Economy, February 14, 1842. 
 Mr. William C. Hickman, 
 
 West Chester, Chester Co., Pa. 
 Your favor of the nth of January last came to hand. I have 
 now at last found time to attend to a number of letters about 
 the silk business which have been accumulating on my table. In 
 reply to your inquiries, I will state that our principal cocoonery, 
 two-story, is 25 feet wide and 57 feet long, with common board 
 shelves. Our first crop in the spring was 5 ounces, producing 
 781 pounds of cocoons. After this crop, we varied in the quan- 
 tity of eggs. We raised about fifteen crops after the first, yield- 
 ing from 100 to 400 pounds of cocoons ; our whole crop was 4,435 
 pounds. The spring crops are always better than the later, or 
 those in the fall. Our crops are mostly a week apart. We keep 
 no account of hands employed. Our worms spun mostly at the 
 age of 23 to 28 days. When small, we feed eight to ten times, 
 during the day only; in the last age, five or eight times during 
 the day, and some were fed once in the night in order to hasten 
 their growth. We clean them once in the first age, twice in the 
 second, three times in the third, and once a day in the fourth. 
 For the two first ages of the worm,we consider 8o° Fahr. well 
 adapted; afterwards from 75 to JJ° . In our ice house we keep 
 the eggs at a temperature of 40 to 50 . When taken out, we 
 expose them to 55 °, then to 6o°, 65 °, 70 , 75 ° to 8o° ; in the last 
 they hatch. They are left from two to three days in one tempera- 
 ture, and will by this mode require ten to twelve days after they 
 are moved from the ice house until they hatch. We feed leaves 
 altogether. During spinning time, we give a temperature of 75 ° 
 to 8o°. We always try to avoid a sudden change of air by using 
 furnaces, which are very useful, especially in damp weather. 
 Frequent feeding is advantageous in all stages, day or night. 
 Sudden changes in temperature are very injurious to both eggs 
 and worm, and if they are not kept warm during the spin, the 
 cocoons will not reel well. With the exception of a few attacks 
 of diseases among the worms, we have done very well last sea- 
 son ; but one of them was attended with serious consequences. 
 It is supposed the cause was in not taking sufficient care in ven- 
 tilating. Yours truly, 
 
 GERTRUDE RAPP." 
 
The Harmony Society. 115 
 
 August 30, 1844, Miss Rapp sent an exhibit of her silk goods 
 to the Boston Fair. This exhibit consisted of: 
 
 id>2 yards ladies' figured dress silk, at $1.25 per yard. 
 134 yards figured velvet vesting, at $6.00 per yard. 
 4 yards bird's eye vesting, at $2.00 per yard. 
 12 yards figured satin vesting, at $3.00 per yard. 
 6 figured bordered shawls, blue, $1.50 a piece. 
 1 white pocket handkerchiefs, $i.i2 r j a piece. 
 1 floss silk. 
 
 This exhibit was awarded a gold medal. 
 In 1838 Miss Rapp had exhibited specimens of black and fig- 
 ured satin vestings, for which the Franklin Institute of Pennsyl- 
 vania awarded her a testimonial of approbation. 
 
 September 5, 1844, she sent to the American Institute, New 
 York, for exhibition. 
 
 10 yards figured dress silk, $1.25 per yard. 
 4 yards figured velvet vesting, $6.00 per yard. 
 12 yards figured satin vesting, $3.00 per yard. 
 
 4^4 yards bird's eye satin vesting, $2.00 per yard. 
 6 blue red border shawls, $1.50 a piece. 
 6 white shawls, $1.50 a piece. 
 12 white pocket handkerchiefs, %i.i2 l / 2 a piece. 
 4 pieces flowered ribbon, 14^ yards. 
 8 pieces plain ribbon, 127 yards. 
 These are the Economy retail prices. This exhibit obtained 
 a gold medal as a special award. 
 
 With this exhibit Miss Rapp sent the following letter to the 
 Secretary of the Institute, in which she shows a just pride in 
 what she has accomplished : 
 
 "Economy, Pa., September 25, 1844. 
 T. B. Wakeman, Esq., 
 
 Corresponding Secretarv of the American Institute. X. Y. 
 Sir: 
 
 In conformity to the request expressed in the circular of 
 your institute of July 1, 1844, I send you for exhibition, some of 
 our latest manufactured silk goods as p^r invoice annexed : — 
 They, with those from other sources, will serve as facts, by which 
 all reasonable doubters mav be conclusively convinced that the 
 
n6 The Harmony Society. 
 
 production and manufacture of silk, this new and most important 
 branch of national industry, for the promotion of which your in- 
 stitute evinces such a praiseworthy zeal, is as possible, and can 
 be carried on as successfully in this country as in any other on 
 the globe. I have even the pleasure to be able to maintain that 
 we can do here what probably has never been done in any of 
 the old silk-growing countries, namely, to go in regular succession 
 through th£ whole process of the silk business in one season, be- 
 ginning with the raising and gathering of the mulberry seed and 
 ending with the manufacture of the woven fabric. All of which 
 I can prove by the following facts : On the 30th and 31st of May 
 this year, we gathered a quantity of mulberry seed from a num- 
 ber of choice trees of the Canton mulberry, which is the earliest 
 of all the kinds we are acquainted with. On the following day, 
 June 1st, we planted part of that seed in regular rows in several 
 well prepared beds. In about 10 days the seed came up finely, and 
 as the weather was favorable, and no weeds were suffered to grow 
 with the young trees, they progressed beautifully and vigorously, 
 so that on August 1st, we were able to commence the feeding 
 of a small lot of worms on the foliage of them ; and as both 
 worms and trees continued to grow in good proportion, the qual- 
 ity of the leaves was always very suitable to the age of the 
 worms. On the 26th of the same month, they commenced wind- 
 ing and produced a small lot of very fine cocoons, the greatest 
 part of which we reeled, spun, twisted, colored and manufac- 
 tured into ribbon, the rest we kept for seed and other purposes. 
 Samples of which I send you with the other silk goods. They 
 may be exhibited as a representation of the entire silk business 
 as performed in one season ; and after the fair, the worthy insti- 
 tute will please accept them as a present. Said samples are put 
 together in the following manner: 
 
 1. Some Canton mulberry seed, gathered May 30, 1844. 
 
 2. Three Canton mulberry trees, raised from that seed, sown 
 June 1st, taken out of the ground September 23d, measuring 
 without roots, from 3 feet 4 inches to 3 foet 6 inches. 
 
 3. A leaf from those trees. 
 
 4. Three cocoons from worms fed on the foliage of said trees, 
 hatched August 1st, spun August 26th. 
 
LAUNDRY AT ECONOMY, 
 
 COACH AND FIRE KNCINK OF HARMONY SOCIETY 
 
The Harmony Society. 117 
 
 5. Three cocoons perforated by the moth, September 20th. 
 
 6. Some silk worm eggs produced by these moths. 
 
 7. Two skeins of raw silk, 2 skeins of colored silk and 4 yards 
 of ribbon manufactured from those cocoons. We have about 9 
 acres of common and Canton Multicaulis trees, and about as 
 many acres covered with the Italian and Brusa. We commenced 
 the raising and manufacture of silk on a small scale in 1826, and 
 increased it gradually as our trees, experience and knowledge in- 
 creased. Of the amount of cocoons prior to 1838, we have no 
 correct memorandum. The total for 6 years previous to this 
 present is 20,766 pounds. Last year's product was 5,111 pounds. 
 We have never bought nor sold any cocoons or raw silk, but 
 have manufactured all we raised into a variety of silk fabrics. 
 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 GERTRUDE RAPP." 
 
 June 15, 1845, she wrote in regard to gaining those prizes to 
 Mr. J. R. Babour, Oxford, Mass. 
 
 "In both cities, therefore, our silks have met the approba- 
 tion of the public. It is very gratifying to our friends, as well 
 as to myself, to hear of so good a result, as you are well aware, 
 that each one here pays strict attention to the duty allotted." 
 
 Everything was done to insure continued success. Fresh 
 worms were imported from France.* Efforts were also made to 
 obtain fresh supplies in this country. French and English me- 
 chanics were employed to instruct in the erection of machinery 
 and the manufacture of silk. The Society joined in an effort to 
 secure a tariff which would enable them to manufacture silk at 
 a profit. 
 
 In 1846 an exhibit of their silk was sent to Washington, D. 
 C, for exhibition to Congress in the hope of obtaining protec- 
 tive legislation. April 25, 1846, the following letter was written 
 to Mr. John A. Ewing, a member of Congress : 
 "Dear Sir: 
 
 Agreeable to your request of the 12th inst., I put up one box, 
 
 containing articles set forth in the annexed statement.— The' 
 
 silks are all made of the raw material raised here by ourselves. 
 
 Our Society consuming the most of our silks, we have not been 
 
 • Henrici to If. Laforte, October 4, 1845. 
 
n8 The Harmony Society. 
 
 able to wholesale them yet. The problem is now fully solved. 
 We can produce the raw material and also the goods in this 
 country, as well as any other country. — It is expensive to obtain 
 at home and abroad the proper machinery to make with facility 
 the variety of goods sent you. We have French and English 
 workmen hired at high wages, by whom our people received in- 
 struction in erecting machinery and in manufacturing the silks. 
 That manufacturers require the protection and care of a govern- 
 ment is abundantly shown by the European system, and the 
 same system has been fully and strongly recommended by our 
 best statesmen since the formation of this government. 
 
 The two large shawls have been sent merely to show. We 
 have made a lot of them for our own people, and would prefer 
 to receive them back. Supposing that all kinds of domestic wool- 
 ens will be sent from the East, I send only a few blankets, which 
 will be found a good article. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 GEORGE RAPP." 
 
 The invoice of silk goods and woolen blankets sent for exhi- 
 bition is : 
 
 15 yards figured ladies' dress silk, per yard, $1.25 
 
 i>4 yards bird's eye vesting per yard, $1.25 
 
 3 yards blue figured satin vesting. . . .per yard, $2.50 
 3 yards black figured satin vesting,, .per yard, $2.50 
 3 yards black figured satin vesting, .per yard, $2.50 
 3 yards brown large fig. satin vesting, per yd., $3.00 
 
 i~y 2 yards extra figured velvet per yard, $5.00 
 
 3 yards brown figured velvet per yard, $5.00 
 
 3 white figured dress shawls a piece, $1.50 
 
 3 blue figured dress shawls, a piece, $1.50 
 
 6 white figured pocket handkerchiefs, a piece, $1.25 
 6 white plain pocket handkerchiefs, a piece, $1.12 
 6 black silk cravats, $1.50. 
 2 large, rich bordered shawls. 
 9 pair 10-4 blankets, per pair, $7.50. 
 The Society was disappointed in its hope of developing the 
 silk industry. Miss Rapp wrote September 25, 1847* to Mr. 
 A. C. Von Epps: 
 
The Harmony Society. i ig, 
 
 "In reply to your kind favor of the 9th ult., I am sorry to 
 have to state, that we have for many years devoted a great deal 
 of time to give answers to a large number of letters on the sub- 
 ject of silk, but have effected very little. We have, therefore, 
 come to the conclusion, to discontinue any correspondence on 
 that point. We have always been, and still are, willing to give 
 verbal instruction to practical silk grow r ers and manufacturers." 
 
 ] 10m 1844 the silk industry at Economy seems to have de- 
 clined. The amount of cocoons and raw silk produced from 1838 
 to 1845, was: 
 
 1838, 1,440 lbs. cocoons; 151 lbs. of raw silk. 
 
 1839, 1,855 lb s - cocoons; 168 lbs. of raw silk. 
 
 1840, 2,389 lbs. cocoons; 218 lbs. of raw silk. 
 
 1841, 4,435 lbs. cocoons; 340 lbs. of raw silk. 
 
 1842, 5,535 lbs. cocoons; 237 lbs. of raw silk. 
 
 1843, 5> IIT lbs cocoons. 
 
 1844, 3,326 lbs. cocoons. 
 J 845, 3,505 lbs. cocoons. 
 
 Between 1838 and 1842 the Society received from the State 
 of Pennsylvania, $3,688.00, as a bounty on silk produced by 
 them. 
 
 The cocoonery was in operation in 1852, but silk growing 
 was abandoned at Economy not long after that time. 
 
 Miss Gertrude Rapp, the Superintendent of the silk industry, 
 was the granddaughter of George Rapp. She was born at Har- 
 mony, August 31, t8o8, and died at Economy, December 27, 
 1889. Her whole life was lived in the Society. To have pro- 
 duced such a personality as hers would be a credit to any com- 
 munity. Her letter to Louisa Weil, quoted above, shows her 
 to have been a refined, modest and most kindly woman, disclaim- 
 ing all credit for good works and ready to love even those that 
 had harmed her. The silk letters just quoted, show that she had 
 a rare talent for business. 
 
 When young, she had b&en carefully educated. At the age 
 of 15, she assisted her grandfather in writing his journal. The 
 older men of the Society, when away from the house, liked to 
 write to her, when she was still a child. The letter from Mr. 
 Baker describing the launching of the steamboat, has been given. 
 
120 The Harttwny Society. 
 
 A letter from Frederick Rapp to her, in 1830, when she was 22 
 years old, shows that she was already directing the silk industry. 
 
 „New York, Sonntag Abend, den 19. September 1830. 
 Gertrud ! 
 
 Dieweil ich Zeit habe, so berichte ich dich, dass unsere Reise 
 bis jetzt gut abgeloffen ist. Ich war immer gesund, und der 
 Miiller hat das Fahren besser ausgehalten als ich glaubte. Ich 
 habe deine presents nun alle iiberliefert; sie sind gut aufgenom- 
 men worden, besonders von Mr. Graff's Tochtern und der Wald- 
 burg. Von alien habe Gegengeschenke fur dich, Gestern habe 
 Miss Greenfield ihres eingehandigt ; sie war sehr froh darliber. 
 Heute speisten wir mit ihnen zu Mittag; morgen gehen wir nach 
 Long Island in Prinzes Garden um seine Weinstocke zu sehen. 
 Nach diesem werden wir uns noch ein paar Tage hier aufhalten, 
 ein Piano fur das Concert kaufen, und etwas Musik, und dann 
 nach Haus zu, den Canal nach Erie hinaufgehen, welches unge- 
 fahr 7 Tage von hier nehmen wird. Es ist uns nichts besonders 
 vorgekommen. In Philadelphia hatte ich vieles zu thun und 
 hatte nicht Zeit Besuche zu machen. Der Waldburg ist es sehr 
 leid, dass sie nicht mit uns vor 18 Monaten in der Economy ist, 
 sie glaubt gewiss wurde sie dort geblieben sein. Ich habe ihren 
 Mann nicht gesehen, er ist in Litiz. Es hat sie geriehen, dass 
 sie geheirathet hat. Keine gute Musik habe noch nicht ge- 
 hort. Von Seiden werde ich viel gefragt. Sie hatten mich in 
 Baltimore und Philadelphia in der Zeitung, dass ich eine heim- 
 gemachte Weste und Halstuch trage, und haben mich deshalb in 
 den Strassen gestellt, um es zu sehen. . Ich habe einen bessern 
 Haspel, als der unsere, gefunden, auch habe in Philadelphia eine 
 doubling und twisting machine bestellt. — In Philadelphia habe 
 sechzehn Madchen in einem Zimmer mit 8 Reels im Gang ge- 
 sehen. Sie thun nicht mehr als die unsrigen ; fur das Pfund Co- 
 coons bezahlen sie von 35 zu 40 cents. Letzten Dienstag und 
 Mittwoch habe ich die Exhibition of the Franklin Institute ge- 
 sehen. Es war zum bewundern wie viele schone Sachen zu 
 sehen waren ; auch viele Seide ; nachstes Jahr hoffe ich, wirst du 
 das Premium fiir seidenen Westen-Stoff erhalten. — Ich habe 
 Mr. Smith in Baltimore ein Pattern fiir eine Weste versprochen, 
 welches ihn mehr freuen wird, als $100. Ich hoffe es wird bei 
 
in the; park at economy. 
 
 IN THE PARK AT ECONOMY. 
 
The Harmony Society. ui 
 
 euch alles gesund sein, und wird mich freuen euch so bald zu 
 sehen. 
 
 Indcssen griisse dich, 
 
 KRIEDRICH RAPP." 
 
 Her education comprised English, French and German. She 
 learned to make embroidery, and wax fruit and flowers, which 
 appear to have been accomplishments of the time. Some fine 
 specimens of her work m this latter field are still to be seen. 
 But that in which she took the most delight was music, both 
 vocal and instrumental. In this she shared a taste which was 
 common to all the members of th/e Society. She had for a time 
 as tutor and teacher of music, Mr. W. C. Peters, from whose in- 
 struction she profited greatly. Her friends, of whom she had 
 many, frequently mention musical events in their letters to her, 
 and think that no present will be so much appreciated by her, 
 as a piece of music. 
 
 The following letter to Mary and Ann Graff, of Philadelphia, 
 affords a glimpse of what made life in Economy agreeable, even 
 to a young woman of culture : 
 
 "Economy, August 20, 1830. 
 Dear Mary and Ann : 
 
 Our Museum of Natural Curiosities, which is superintended 
 by Christ. Miiller, who accompanied my uncle to Philadelphia, 
 is still increasing. Most all visitors to Economy go to see it, 
 since establishments of this kind are very rare in the western 
 country, and never found in towns the size of ours. Our band 
 of music is also in an improving state, of which Mr. Mtkller is the 
 leader, who can give you all the particulars of the subject. 
 
 My attention to silk worms, piano forte and family concerns 
 has left me little time to apply to embroidery. My progress in 
 this branch has been very limited indeed. 
 
 I should be very much rejoiced to see you in Economy. It 
 is not convenient that I should accompany my uncle at this time. 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 GERTRUDE RAPP." 
 
122 The Harmony Society. 
 
 The reply from her friends mentions the attendance of Fred- 
 erick Rapp and Mr. Mliller at tne French opera in Philadelphia. 
 
 "Philadelphia, Pa., September 14, 1830. 
 Dear Girl : 
 
 We received the presents you were so kind as to send us by 
 your uncle. The box is beautiful. You deserve a great deal of 
 credit for your patience as well as taste in the arrangement of it. 
 We were quite astonished at the stockings, not having the slight- 
 est idea that silk could be manufactured in any way in this coun- 
 try. — We should have been glad had you been here to see the 
 French opera. We went to see the "Maid and the Magpie" last 
 week. The music composed by Rossini, the solos, duets, etc., 
 handsomely sung. The plot of the piece is no great thing. The 
 performers were generally stiff, and we, not understanding the 
 French language so well, were not so much interested as if it 
 had been English. We saw your uncle and Dr. Muller there. 
 Ask them for further particulars. "Der Freischtitz" will be per- 
 formed next week. We saw it last winter, the music is so fine, 
 we intend seeing it again. 
 
 Your uncle tells us you are going to the Falls of Niagara. 
 That of all places w r e wish most to see. Do write and tell us 
 all you see that interests you. We expect to go to Baltimore, 
 Washington, etc., in October. Our cousins are to be of the party. 
 We look forward to a great deal of pleasure. 
 
 Ann has sent you a pair of home-made fire-screens, a pocket 
 handkerchief of the latest fashion, and some songs, all of which 
 she hopes you will use for her sake. I send you a purse of my 
 own manufacture, but your uncle tells me you have made such 
 yourself. I am sorry it is not more novel, and some music 
 which I think will please you. 
 
 Our family join with us in love to you, and wishing you a 
 pleasant journey. 
 
 We remain, your friends, 
 
 MARY and ANN GRAFF." 
 
 An earlier letter from the same friends, November 22, 1829, 
 told of the admiration of Frederick Rapp for a new painting, 
 
The Harmony Society. 123 
 
 "The Holy Family," which their father had just received. A later 
 letter from Mary Graff informs us that Frederick Rapp enjoyed 
 the theatre also: 
 
 "Philadelphia, October 22, 1822. 
 Dear Gertrude : 
 
 I have selected, by your uncle's desire, some music for you. 
 I hope my taste may agree with yours. They are from the new- 
 est operas. The music from the opera, "La Muette de Portice," 
 is particularly admired, some of which you will find in the num- 
 ber. Rossini's music is highly spoken of. You have two or 
 three pieces, and some of x\uber's, which is most liked now in 
 Paris. I hope the day may come when I may hear you play 
 them. 
 
 Our city is quite lively. The theatres are full every night. 
 Mr. Kemble and his daughter, Fannie, a most interesting young 
 lady of eighteen, are now performing. We saw her last night 
 and were delighted. She is so pretty, graceful, lively and mod- 
 est, one cannot fail in being pleased. Your uncle and my papa 
 have gone to see her this evening. I expect they will get a good 
 squeezing before they secure a seat. The street before the thea- 
 tre is crowded long before the doors are open, and it is almost 
 impossible to gain a seat. 
 
 \Ye hear the cholera is in Pittsburg. God grant your place 
 may escape. — Your place I think will escape, as you are all so 
 healthy, industrious and sober. It cannot stay in such a place, I 
 am certain. 
 
 Gertrude, will you not write to me now and then? It will 
 give me pleasure to hear from you. 
 
 I remain, yours affectionately, 
 
 MARY GRAFF." 
 
 Five years later, Mary Ann Hay Maddox, the daughter of 
 the former agent of the Society at Vincennes, wrote to Miss 
 Rapp : 
 
 "I find myself very often singing some of the airs you played 
 on the piano, particularly one of Mozart's, which you know I ad- 
 mired verv much." 
 
124 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Miss Rapp was possessed of personal beauty, as well as love- 
 liness of character. Even in her old age her appearance at- 
 tracted the attention of visitors. Charles Nordhoff, in 1874, 
 found her "admirable." She was the dignified and courteous 
 mistress of the "Great House" until her death. The people of 
 the village still speak of her with the greatest respect and admi- 
 ration. 
 
 Shortly after the Society had been firmly established at 
 Economy, took place the secession under Count de Leon, which 
 threatened the disruption of the Society. Mr. Williams* gives 
 an account of this occurrence, from which the following is 
 taken : 
 
 June 14, 1829, John George Goentgen wrote from Frankfort 
 on the Main, to George Rapp, styling himself "Samuel, a fellow 
 servant and consecrated servant of God, in the profane world 
 now really subsisting, chief librarian of the free city of Frank- 
 fort, doctor of Philosophy and Theology." This letter pro- 
 claimed the Anointed of the Lord, Count de Leon, as the Min- 
 ister of Christ, who was coming to the earth in the near future, 
 to punish his enemies and reward his friends. In the meantime 
 the Anointed of the Lord, Count de Leon, with his followers, 
 would join the Harmonists, the especially chosen of the Lord, 
 whose town was a type of the Kingdom of God, where the Lord 
 would reveal himself, in order to prepare the constitution of his 
 divine kingdom. The Count de Leon was really plain Bernhart 
 Mueller, a religious enthusiast, who had collected a number of 
 followers. But George Rapp believed that his community was 
 the model of Christ's Kingdom, and he was convinced that he 
 would soon see Christ walk the streets of Harmony in person, 
 so he accepted the Count's statements without question and in- 
 vited him to come to Economy. The next that was heard of 
 Leon was in October, 1831, when a letter arrived stating that he 
 had arrived in New York, with 40 persons, who desired to spend 
 the winter at Economy. Mr. Rapp told him to come on, which 
 he did at once. He was received with great formality in the 
 church, but his appearance and manner were such that Mr. 
 Rapp's sound judgment at once asserted itself. Leon made an 
 
 *The Harmony Society, p. 72. 
 
The Harmony Society. [25 
 
 address, expressing the belief that "this meeting is the most im- 
 portant event since the creation, and that henceforth all the 
 troubles and sorrows of the Lord's people will cease." Father 
 Rapp expressed his doubt as to this happy event and dismissed 
 the meeting. 
 
 Some of Leon's followers put up at the hotel, and five houses 
 were assigned for the others. They were, however, to pay their 
 own expenses. (Leon is charged with supplies to the amount of 
 $894.72, from October 31 to December 31, 1831.) Conferences 
 were held between the leaders of the two parties, at which it 
 appeared that Leon advocated a better style of living, marriage, 
 and other things which were not acceptable to the Harmonists. 
 Union was out of question. But it was now winter, and Leon 
 obtained permission to stay in the town until spring. During 
 the winter the discontented members of the Society, attracted by 
 his promises, allied themselves to him. A paper was drawn up 
 and signed by those that adhered to Leon, numbering 250 men, 
 women and children. A similar pap^r was signed by the ad- 
 herents of the old organization, 500 in number. There was 
 anarchy for a time. Finally, March 6, 1832, an agreement was 
 made between the two parties, in accordance with which thue 
 adherents of Leon, members of the Society, were to leave Econ- 
 omy within three months ; they were to relinquish all claims on 
 the Society, taking with them only their clothing, furniture and 
 personal effects ; and were to receive $105,000 and 60,000 francs, 
 payable in three installments within a wear. Of those who went 
 with Leon, 176 had been members of the Society. Their with- 
 drawal left 181 loyal members.* 
 
 The seceders went 10 miles down the river to Phillipsburg, 
 now Monaca, and purchased 800 acres of land. They founded 
 a communistic society, allowing marriage. They erected facto- 
 ries and hotels. Within a year their money was all gone. They 
 decided to extort more money from the Harmonists. April 2, 
 1833, a mob of 80 persons went to Economy, took possession of 
 the hotel, and laid their demand before the authorities. Their 
 demands were refused. The members of the Society, following 
 instructions, kept within their houses, but toward evening their 
 
 ♦Record I, p. 38. 
 
126 The Harmony Society. 
 
 American neighbors collected and drove away the invaders. 
 The seceders, thus repulsed, soon learned that the Count was 
 an imposter, and they forced him to leave their settlement also. 
 They then divided their property and started anew, on the indi- 
 vidual system. 
 
 It seems strange that the Harmonists, who at this time were 
 managing their affairs with so much good judgment, should have 
 been imposed upon by Leon. This person was probably acquainted 
 with the „Gedanken iiber die Bestimmung des Menschen," in 
 which they expressed their views and aspirations. Leon's cor- 
 respondence reflected these same opinions, so that his promises 
 seemed but the fulfillment of that for which they had been 
 hoping and working. They were firmly convinced, too, that the 
 coming of Christ and the beginning of the millenium was at hand, 
 and they expected the Saviour to appear among them. They 
 had accepted 1836 as the date of this event, the year fixed upon 
 by Bengel and Jung-Stilling.* 
 
 With this conviction, they believed Leon when he asserted 
 that he was a messenger to prepare for the Lord's coming. 
 
 The Society, while reduced in members by this secession, 
 was probably strengthened morally, and its industrial efficiency 
 seems not to have been impaired. Probably as one result of this 
 incident, the Harmonists were afterwards adverse to proposals 
 for union with other bodies. Hiram Rude, and some other 
 Shakers, from New Lebanon, N. Y., visited Economy in 1856. 
 They were well received, as visitors usually were. For the next 
 two years, a correspondence was maintained between the 
 Shakers and the Harmonists, Mr. Henrici conducting the corre- 
 spondence for the latter, and Hiram Rude and Betsy Bates, 
 chiefly, for the former. Shaker hymns and music were sent, the 
 Shaker belief was explained. The Harmonists were urged to 
 pay a visit to New Lebanon, and overtures for the union for the 
 two bodies were made. But these overtures were declined, and 
 
 * Die Siegesgeschichte der christlichen Religion, von Jung-Stilling. 
 Niirnberg, 1799, page 410: „Von nun (1798) an iiber 38 Jahre wird hochst 
 vermutlich der Herr erscheinen — wie? und auf welche Art? — das wol- 
 len wir in Geduld abwarten, und dann wird sein herrliches Reich auf 
 Erden anfangen; es kann aber auch noch eher geschehen, schwerlich 
 spater.") 
 
The Harmony Society. u; 
 
 Mr. Henrici vigorously denounced some of the religious teach- 
 ings of the Shakers, .especially the revelations of their prophetess, 
 Mother Ann. which he held to have been suggested by the 
 tempter. 
 
 About the same time they corresponded with the community 
 at Zoar, O., formed on much the same principles as their own, by 
 Wiirtembergers also. But they believed that some of the Zoar- 
 ite doctrines were not in accord with the Bible, and for that rea- 
 son union was impossible. Such is the decision of Mr. Baker in 
 the following letter : 
 
 ..Economy, den 7. Dezember 1859. 
 Jacob Silvan. 
 Zoar. 
 Werther Freund : 
 
 Du verrathest zti viel Eigenliebe und Schwache durch be- 
 meldete Krankung,denn es ist nicht Siinde, sondern Pflicht, einem 
 Freunde einen Wink von einem Irrthum zu geben, wo solcher 
 gegen das YVort Gottes geht. YYir finden in eurem Predfgt- 
 Buch manche Punkte, die nach unserm YVortverstand mit der 
 Bibel nicht ubereinstimmen. Es ist aber nicht unsere Sache in 
 einen Religions-Streit uns einzulassen. Diese zwei Gesell- 
 schaften sind zweierlei Blumen und werden es auch fiir diese 
 Zeit bleiben. Ein Jeder sei seiner Meinung gewiss, und seiner 
 Ueberzeugung getreu. 
 
 Xatiirlich kann eine Freundschaft auf solchem Grunde nicht 
 sehr tief sein, wo man sich huten muss, dass die Eigenliehe nicht 
 angegriffen wird. Doch genug davon. 
 
 R. L. BAKER. " 
 
 When George Rapp died in 1847, tne direction of the Society 
 was entrusted to two trustees, Romelius L. Baker and Jacob 
 Henrici. The elder of these, whose name originally was Gott- 
 lieb Romelius Langenbacher, was born November 1, 1793. He 
 had been in the Society from its foundation. His elder brother, 
 John L. Baker, who died June 6, 1825, had, in the absence of 
 Frederick Rapp, looked after the business interests of the 
 ciety. Romelius, too, early assisted in the management of the 
 affairs, and on Frederick Rapp's death, in 1834, he and Mr. 
 Henrici were appointed business agents of the Society. When 
 
128 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Father Rapp died, Mr. Baker, as senior trustee, suceeded him 
 as spiritual leader and continued to preach the doctrines so 
 long taught by the venerable founder. The management of 
 business matters was also principally in his hands. In these 
 he was most careful. His accounts and memoranda are most 
 systematic. He knew at any time almost the exact condition of 
 the Society's property. His influence was not limited to the So- 
 ciety, but his advice and co-operation were sought by his neigh- 
 bors, in matters of common interest. 
 
 He, too, was a man of culture. He, like his brother, culti- 
 vated English more than most of the older members, and kept 
 most of his accounts in that language. He trained himself care- 
 fully in the use of German also. In the library, at Economy, is 
 a manuscript book of over ioo closely and neatly written pages, 
 with the title: Zweite Deutsche Abschrift der Geschichte Jo- 
 sephs, des Sohnes Israels, mit einigen Reimen, welche in der 
 ersten Copia wegen des schwierigen Uebersetzens unterlassen, 
 hier aber beigeftigt sind. Harmonie, May 17, 1820, Romelius L. 
 Baker. 
 
 When in 1855 the Historical Society of Pennsylvania was 
 founded, Mr. Baker became a member, and contributed $20 to the 
 publication fund. A tribute to his personal character, as well 
 as a typical instance of the kindness of the Society to its outside 
 friends, is contained in the following letter from the son of its 
 former agent, at Vincennes, John D. Hay. 
 
 "Vincennes, April 22, 1863. 
 Mr. R. L. Baker, 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I have always had feelings of kindness and gratitude to 
 your Society, as the friends of my father and mother, giving 
 them business and support for years. Toward yourself in par- 
 ticular, I have always had not only profound esteem, but affec- 
 tion. How could it be otherwise? Your intimate friendship to 
 my parents, your frequent visits to our home, your peculiar ten- 
 derness to us children, your amusing anecdotes, pleasant songs 
 and good instruction and advice, made indelible impressions 
 upon me. — I have stayed away purposely (from Economy) lest 
 you should misjudge my motives in coming. You frequently 
 
The Harmony Society. \2<) 
 
 gave me tokens of friendship in my youth, and your Society pave 
 my sister and myself a lot. When I visited you, you and Mr. 
 Rapp, and others perhaps, gave me sundry little tokens, and 
 would not let me pay my tavern bill. I believe I never asked 
 you for a gift. — If I ever call, let me pay my tavern bill and give 
 me no gifts. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 GEORGE D. HAY." 
 
 Mr. Baker's kind treatment of the sick Moravian missionary 
 has been narrated elsewhere. 
 
 He was a sincerely pious man. Occasionally in his account 
 books a verse of scripture is written in his clear, bold hand. His 
 business letters to Mr. Henrici frequently end with something of 
 spiritual interest ; an allusion to his sermon of the previous Sab- 
 bath, or a religious admonition, as in the following conclusion of 
 a business letter: 
 
 „Economy, 21. Mai 1859. 
 Jacob : 
 
 — Du bist jetzt vieler Zerstreuung unterworfen, mehr als 
 uns lieb ist, allein bei dem aussern Naturlicht, ist auch das innere, 
 um eine Geburth tiefer zu finden, welches das geistliche Leben 
 nahrt, und das Opferfeuer unterhalt. 
 
 Der gemeinschaftliche Geist sei dein Fiihrer, dann wird alles 
 gut sein bis unser Wiedersehen. 
 
 Viele herzliche Griisse, 
 
 R. L. BAKER." 
 
 Religious matters were his chief concern. The welfare of 
 the Society in which he had lived from his boyhood, was his last 
 thought when he felt death approaching. A short time before 
 his death he requested that the following points should be added 
 to the farewell address of Father Rapp : 
 
 ist. An exhortation to holy living. 
 
 2d. To Christian union and Harmony. 
 
 Mr. Baker's death was announced in the following circular, 
 in German and English : 
 
130 The Harmony Society. 
 
 „Entschlafen im Hcrrn! 
 
 Am Morgan des 11. Januar 1868, starb in seinem 75. Lebens- 
 jahre, Bruder Romelius L. Baker, im vollen Vertrauen auf das 
 allgenugsame Verdienst seines theuren Heilandes Jesu Christi, 
 welchem er von frtiher Jugend auf mit voller und unverrtickter 
 Liebe von ganzem Herzen anhing und dem er in der Person 
 seiner Bruder, seit Grtindung der Harmonie-Gesellschaft in 1805 
 mit unbefleckter Treue bis in den Tod eifrig diente. Seit dem 
 Hinscheiden Georg Rapp's, des vielgeliebten Grtinders der Har- 
 monie-Gesellschaft, war er vorsitzender Aelteste, Haupt-Trus- 
 tee und religioser Leiter und Wortfuhrer der Gemeine. Ihm 
 folgt jetzt der seit 1832 in ahnlichen Aemtern ihm beigeftigte, und 
 unter seiner Leitung die Geschafte der Gesellschaft erLernende 
 zehn Jahr jiingere Bruder Jacob Henrici. Als dessen Mit-Trus- 
 tee wurde heute erwahlt, der in der Gesellschaft 1807 geborne, 
 von ihr erzogene, ihr stets mit voller Treue dienende und seit 
 1847 a ^ s Rathsglied erprobte Bruder, Johnathan Lenz. 
 
 Die allgemeinen Geschafte der Harmonie-Gesellschaft wer- 
 den daher von heute an im Namen von Henrici und Lenz, Trus- 
 tees, gethan, und alle Kaufbriefe (Deeds) und ahnliche Docu- 
 mente von Jacob Henrici und Jonathan Lenz, Trustees, ausge- 
 fertigt und unterzeichnet werden, zufolge der bestehenden in 
 Beaver County Court eingetragenen V^ereinigungs-Artikel be- 
 sagter Gesellschaft. 
 Economy, Januar 13, 1868. 
 
 JACOB HENRICI, 
 JOHNATHAN LENZ, 
 
 Trustees." 
 
 Some time later, Mr. Henrici, writing to Louise Weil, paid his 
 tribute to his departed friend of a life time : 
 
 „Es ist nicht unsere Weise, wie du wohl weisst, einander 
 Lobreden zu halten, doch zur Bestatigung und Rechtfertigung 
 dessen was du und der liebe Vater zum Lobe des scheiden- 
 den Freundes uns zum siissen Troste, mit so viel Herzensbered- 
 samkeit zu sagen hattest, will auch ich meine auf vieljahrige 
 Erfahrung gegriindete Ansicht iiber diesen Gegenstand euch 
 aufrichtig mittheilen. 
 
The Harmony Society. 131 
 
 ,,Ich weiss, class du es mir nicht iibel deutest, wenn ich 
 in dem, was ich zu sagen habe, blosslasse, dass ich eine sehr hohc 
 Ansicht von dem Werthe und der endlichen Bestimmung unsrer 
 harmonischen Gemeine habe, die, obgleich jetzt in verborgener 
 Gestalt und mit manchen menschlichen Unvollkommenheitien be- 
 lastet, dennoch flir einen grossen geheimen Zweck unmittelbar 
 vom Herrn gegriindet und bis auf den heutigen Tag gnadig und 
 wunderbar beschiitzt und geleitet wurde. Ich sage dieses, dass 
 ihr nicht zu fiirchten habt, dass ihr euch in dem Werthe unseres 
 Freundes iiberschatzt habt, der zwar durchaus nichts vom eige- 
 nen Werth und Verdienst, sondern alles Gliick und Heil einzig 
 und allein von der Gerechtigkeit und dem Verdienste seines theu- 
 ren Heilands erwartete, der uns hoch geliebt hat, dem er aber 
 nach seiner gnadigen Berufung und Erwahlung zur billigen Ge- 
 genliebe in reinem Gevvissen von Jugend auf, ja, wie Paulus, von 
 seinen Voreltern her, gedient, der nun schon liber ein halbes 
 Jahrhundert als ein talentvoller, gebildeter und wohl geiibter Ge- 
 schaftsmann fast alle bedeutende Geschafte der Gesellschaft mit 
 der Aussen-Welt leiten half oder selbst besorgte, ohne sich auch 
 nur die geringste Untreue zu Schulden kommen zu lassen ; und 
 dessen moralisches und religioses Beispiel von Jugend auf von 
 grossem und gutem Einfluss war, und der seit dem Tode des 
 Griinders der Gemeine auch im Religiosen die Oberleitung der 
 Gemeine mit aller Sorgfalt und Treue aufs eifrifste verwaltete. 
 Kein jetzt Lebender kann dies mit grosserer Gewissenheit be- 
 zeugen und behaupten als ich, der ich schon liber vierzig Jahre 
 bestandigen Umgang mit ihm gepflegt, schon iiber 34 Jahre un- 
 unterbrochene Geschafte unter und mit ihm fur die Gesellschaft 
 gethan, von dem Tode Frederick Rapp's in 1834 bis heute in 
 gleichem Amte mit ihm gestanden, wo er durch ein um 10 Jahre 
 hoheres Alter, durch reifere Erfahrung und vorzuglichere natiir- 
 liche Fahigkeit mir, so zu sagen, immer als Lehrer und Muster 
 diente." 
 
132 The Harmony Society. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Economy, Pennsylvania, 1868- 1904. 
 
 The year 1868, in which Mr. Baker died, marks an epoch in 
 the development of the Society. Up to that time their industries 
 had been carried on for the most part at Economy, by them- 
 selves, with the assitance of hired labor. But the members of 
 the Society grew fewer and fewer in number, and could no longer 
 profitably carry on their home industries. The manufacture of 
 silk ceased soon after 1852; the cotton factory had closed in 1858, 
 and after that date only a small quantity of woolen goods was 
 manufactured. In 1862 a United States revenue tax was placed 
 on whiskey. From that date the production of this profitable 
 article rapidly diminished and soon ceased entirely. Wine was 
 still made on a small scale until 1890. 
 
 At the very time that a large capital was released by the 
 cessation of these home manufactures, it was increased greatly 
 from an unexpected source. Shortly before i860, the Society had 
 come into possession of 6,000 acres of timber land in Warren 
 County, Pa., near Tidioute, by purchasing at Sheriff's sale the 
 property of a man to whom they had loaned money. Oil was 
 discovered in i860 in that vicinity. In 1861 the Society drilled 
 several wells on their property, and found a rich supply of oil. 
 This oil they refined with such care that for a time the best oil 
 in the market was Economy oil. Mr. Lenz, the junior trustee, 
 took personal charge of the oil industry. It was carried on by 
 the Society from 1861 until 1892, part of the time on a large 
 scale and with great profit. 
 
 Before the discovery of oil on the Warren County pro- 
 perty, they had been exploiting the timber on it. In 1858, and 
 succeeding years, they had a large saw mill in operation there. 
 The timber was taken down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, and 
 
View of Part of Economy from the rhun-h Tower. 
 
 Typical House al Economy 
 
The Harmony Society. 133 
 
 disposed of at various points in these valleys. This industry 
 continued until the supply of timber was exhausted 
 
 Since 1855 the Society had been engaged in the coal business 
 at Cannellton and Darlington, Beaver County, Pa. In 1859 they 
 purchased property there, owning as much as 944 acres. They 
 shipped their coal mostly west. Some went to Cleveland, some 
 to New York. This business continued until 1880. They sold 
 out their interests there in 1882 or 1883. In connection with the 
 coal works, at Darlington, they had a saw mill and car works, 
 where they made cars for the transportation of their coal. As 
 far back as 1852 they had come into possession of coal lands in 
 Jefferson County, O., by mortgage foreclosure. At Cannellton 
 they had manufactured coal oil from shale. This was unprofit- 
 able after the discovery of petroleum, and was abandoned in 
 1861. 
 
 The Society was the chief factor in a number of railroad en- 
 terprises. In 1857 they had a large amount of stock in the Little 
 Saw Mill Run R. R., in Allegheny County, Pa., and took an ac- 
 tive part in the management of this road. They sold their in- 
 terest in it in 1895. They were the chief agents in the construc- 
 tion of the Pittsburg, Chartiers and Youghiogheny R. R. They 
 owned a controlling interest in this road, to the amount of 
 $390,000, which they sold in 1891 or 1892. 
 
 Their most important railroad enterprise was the building 
 of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie R. R., from Pittsburg, Pa., to 
 Youngstown, Ohio. They became interested in the construction 
 of this road in 1877, and invested $650,000 in it. Mr. Henrici 
 was President of the road from January 12, 1881, to January 14, 
 1884. At this date the road passed into the hands of the Van- 
 derbilts, to whom the Harmony Society sold its interests for 
 $1,150,000. 
 
 In 1859 the Society became the owners of 500 or more acres 
 of land on the Beaver river, 30 miles from Pittsburg. They pur- 
 chased the Fulton farm of 200 acres adjoining their land, and 
 somewhat later the Braden farm, of about 200 acres. This land 
 constitutes the present site of Beaver Falls. It was the same 
 the Rapps had urged the Duke of Saxe-Weimar to buy 33 years 
 before. In 1859 not more than 40 or 50 persons lived on this 
 
134 The Harmony Society. 
 
 tract. Now Beaver Falls has a population of about 11,000. The 
 Harmonists saw the advantages of this location as a site for a 
 manufacturing town. They determined to induce factories to 
 build there. In 1865 their property was divided into lots, the 
 first of which was sold January 1, 1866. The sales were con- 
 tinued until quite recently, when all their Beaver Falls property 
 was disposed of. Between 1865 and 1896 they realized from these 
 sales, $1,110,648.78. 
 
 They succeeded in having a number of factories located in 
 the new town. In 1867 they acquired an interest in a cutlery 
 works, then operating at Rochester, Pa. In 1868 these works 
 were located at Beaver Falls, and operated by the Beaver Falls 
 Cutlery Co., in which the Society had a large share. In 1872 
 they became sole owners. As many as 300 men were employed 
 in the factory. They operated the works until 1887 at a great 
 loss. When remonstrated with, the manager, Mr. Henrici, said 
 "They must run ; these men must be employed ; we have sold them 
 lots and built them houses, and we have got to keep these facto- 
 ries running to keep these men employed." This property was 
 sold in 1895. 
 
 In 1875 they acquired an interest in the Western File Works, 
 at Beaver Falls, a very large factory. They bought this plant 
 entirely in 1884, and operated it, also at a great loss, until 1892. 
 This, as in fact all their property at Beaver Falls, has since been 
 sold. 
 
 In 1875 they acquired an interest in the shovel factory of 
 H. M. Meyers & Co., which interest they disposed of in 1889. 
 They were for a time owners of a large axe factory at Beaver 
 Falls, which they also sold. In 1877 they became owners of the 
 Beaver Falls Steel Works, which they operated until 1893, when 
 they sold them. They owned and operated for a time a pottery in 
 Beaver Falls. 
 
 In 1879 tne y organized the Beaver Falls Car Works, taking 
 $47,000 stock out of a total investment of $50,000. These works 
 were operated until 1886, when they were burnt down. 
 
 They also had for a time large interests in the Valley Glass 
 Works, the Beaver Falls Coal Works, the Union Drawn Steel 
 Works, and the Eclipse Bicycle Co., all at Beaver Falls. 
 
The Harmony Society. 135 
 
 It had not been their original intention to engage in these 
 manufactures. Their purpose had been to dispose of their land 
 to good advantage. To induce these various establishments to 
 locate on their land, they had taken stock in them or loaned 
 money to their owners. Later they found it necessary, in order 
 to secure these loans and investments, to purchase the plants 
 outright. 
 
 A part of the scheme for the development of Beaver Falls 
 had been a bank. Accordingly, on March 2, 1868, the Society 
 organized the Economy Savings Institution. This bank enjoyed 
 great confidence, as the credit of the Society was the best. It 
 had at one time over 3,000 depositors, and more than $1,000,000 
 deposits. As a banking institution, it was successful. But the 
 File Works and Cutlery Works were being operated at a loss. 
 In order to keep these factories running, the bank's money was 
 loaned to them. In 1892 they were more than $900,000 in debt 
 to the bank. These and other financial difficulties of the Society 
 led to the closing of the bank in 1893, after all its obligations had 
 been met in full. 
 
 In addition to these industries, the Society became interested 
 in 1880, in the Chartiers Block Coal Co. In 1887 they began to 
 make bricks in Leet Township. From 1887 to 1889 they operated 
 a glass factory, which they had bought at Sheriffs sale, in order 
 to secure money loaned. These industries away from Economy 
 were operated by workingmen and Superintendents who were 
 not members of the Society, under the general direction of the 
 two trustees. Mr. Lenz, the junior trustee, gave most of his at- 
 tention to the lumber and oil industries, while Mr. Henrici 
 directed the enterprises at Beaver Falls. At the same time at 
 Economy, agriculture was still carried on, together with the 
 local industries necessary for the life of the town. 
 
 In 1895 the Society still operated a flour mill, a cooper shop, 
 a machine shop, a plumbing shop, a carpenter shop, a cabinet 
 shop, a butcher shop, a laundry, a bakery, a dairy, orchards and 
 farming, employing 79 men, including one policeman, two teach- 
 ers and one clerk. In that year they had 400 acres under culti- 
 vation, raising corn, wheat, oats and potatoes; 200 acres in hay 
 and pasture; 80 cows, 35 heifers, 21 horses and 60 to 70 pigs. 
 
136 The Harmony Society. 
 
 During' Mr. Baker's life-time he had kept careful accounts 
 of the Society's business. It was unfortunate that, after his 
 death, just when the industries of the Society were becoming so 
 large and various, systematic accounting was abandoned. Mr. 
 Henrici kept no accounts. He merely made very unsystematic 
 memoranda of transactions, and relied a great deal on his mem- 
 ory. No person else could know, and probably Mr. Henrici him- 
 self did not fully realize, what the financial condition of the 
 Society was. When Mr. John S. Duss became junior trustee, in 
 1890, he soon learned that the finances were in bad shape, just 
 how bad he could not determine. After overcoming to some 
 extent Mr. Henrici's aversion to accounts, he secured the ser- 
 vices of an expert accountant, who, after much work, found out 
 what the financial condition of the Society was on April 1, 1891. 
 At that date its liabilities were $1,474,958.58, with assets, not in- 
 cluding the property at Economy and in Leet Township, of 
 $1,707,952.31. It was solvent, but many of its liabilities had to 
 be met at once, while few of its assets were immediately avail- 
 able. If their creditors had pressed for immediate payment, they 
 would have had to dispose of their assets at a sacrifice, and would 
 have been absolutely bankrupt. 
 
 By skillful financiering, in great part during a financial 
 panic, rendered all the more difficult by internal dissensions and 
 litigation, brought by descendants of former members, Mr. Duss 
 succeeded in meeting all obligations and putting the Society on 
 a firm financial basis. The entire debt, January 1, 1896, was 
 $359,812.00, and the assets, not including real estate at Economy 
 and in Michigan, were $570,397.00. The Economy property was 
 assessed at $500,000.* 
 
 The most valuable asset of the Society was the estate at 
 Economy, and this Mr. Duss preserved intact. His wisdom in 
 so doing was shown by the favorable terms on which this pro- 
 perty was disposed of a few years later. In 1902 a considerable 
 tract, on which the town of Ambridge is now situated, was sold. 
 
 ♦This information, in regard to the industries of the Society, and its 
 financial condition, has been obtained from the printed testimony in the 
 case of Christian Schwartz et al. vs. John S. Duss et al. Bill filed 
 June 27, 1894. 
 
The Harmony Society. 137 
 
 April 29, 1903, almost the whole Economy estate was sold to the 
 Liberty Land Company. The Society retained only three blocks 
 of 2.75 acres each, on which are situated the Music Hall, the 
 Great House and garden, and several dwellings, together with 
 the right to use the church for five years, which right could be 
 extended five years longer if desired. The extent of the land 
 sold to the Liberty Land Company was 2,523 acres, and the 
 amount paid for it was $2,500,000.00. 
 
 Jacob Henrici, who had been junior trustee since the death 
 of George Rapp, succeeded R. L. Baker as senior trustee and 
 spiritual leader of the Society. Mr. Henrici was born January 
 15, 1804, of Protestant parents, at Grosskarlbach, in Rhenish 
 Bavaria. After attending the eLementary schools, he took a two 
 years' course in the Lehrerseminar at Kaiserslautern, finishing 
 the course in 1822. He obtained a certificate of highest credit, 
 being commended as especially competent to teach, very good 
 in singing and well qualified in the playing of the organ. His 
 exemption from military service of about the same date, describes 
 him as five feet, eleven inches tall, blonde hair, high forehead, 
 brown eyebrows, brown eyes, medium sized nose and mouth, 
 blonde beard, pointed chin, normal complexion and strongly 
 built. November 1, 1822 he was appointed assistant in the ele- 
 mentary Protestant School for Boys, in Speier, with a yearly sal- 
 ary of 200 Gulden and free dwelling. He taught there for two 
 years. On leaving this school, the 23d of September, 1824, to 
 come to America, with his parents, the principal of the school, 
 Herr Jaeger, certified in the highest terms to his efficiency and 
 character: 
 
 ,,Er hat sich jederzeit als einen jungen Mann von vorziig- 
 lichen Anlagen, ausgezeichnetem Fleisse und einem musterhaften 
 Betragen erwiesen. Mit einer seltenen Gabe von Lehrfahigkeit 
 verband er zugleich ein reines, stilles und fur jedes Edle und 
 Schone empfangliches Gemuth, wodurch er sich seinen Zoglingen 
 nicht nur theuer und werth gemacht, sondern sich auch die Hoch- 
 achtung und innere Zuneigung und Theilnahme seiner Mitlehrer, 
 seiner Vorgesetzten und der sammtlichen Orts- und Landes- 
 obrigkeiten erworben hat. Da er seinen Eltern nach Amerika 
 zu folgen sich entschlossen hat, so trostet uns liber einen so 
 
138 The Harmony Society. 
 
 grossen Verlust, den dadurch unsere Elementarschule erleidet, 
 die einzige Hoffnung und Zuversicht, dass der ewige Lenker der 
 menschlichen Schicksale dieses Opfer der kindlichen Treue seg- 
 nen, und der wackere junge Mann jenseits des Meeres ein neues 
 Vaterland und Menschen finden werde, welche ihn mit der nam- 
 lichen Liebe aufnehmen mit welcher wir ihn aus unserer Mitfce 
 entlassen. 
 
 Der koniglich-baierische Studiendirektor, 
 
 JAEGER." 
 
 The director of the normal school, Mr. Balbier, gave him a 
 certificate in similar high terms, speaking of "his childlike, pure, 
 and pious disposition, his talent and his ability to impart instruc- 
 tion/' On the same date his fellow teachers united in a warm 
 testimonial of regard for him : 
 „LLeber Henrici : 
 
 Mit dem innigsten Gefuhle unsers Herzens ergreifen wir im 
 Augenblicke unsers Scheidens die Feder, dir, du theurer unseres 
 Herzens, das letzte Lebewohl zuzuschreiben. Mit welcher Theil- 
 nahme, mit welcher Treue, sind unsere Herzen gegen dich ange- 
 fiillt! Der Augenblick, in welchem wir uns zum letzten Mai 
 umarmen, macht unsere Herzen beklommen ; indem der Gedanke 
 dich, du theurer Henrici, den wir alle so treu liebten, nicht mehr 
 zu sehen, in uns entsteht. 
 
 O Schicksale der Menschen, wie trennst du hier so manches 
 Band der Freundschaft ! — doch wir wollen daruber nicht kla- 
 gen, denn Er, der unsere Herzen in Liebe verband, und uns nun 
 wieder scheiden heisst ; Er, der durch die Stimme deines Geistes 
 zu dir sprach ; Ziehe, — Er wird auch jenseits des Oceans mit und 
 bei dir sein, und dich und die deinigen gliicklich an den Ort 
 deiner Bestimmung begLeiten. — 
 
 So lebe wohl, auf ewig wohl ! Und gedenke oft deiner dich 
 herzlich liebenden Freunde! Adieu! 
 Neuhofen bei Speier, 
 
 den 23. September 1824." 
 
 Mr. Henrici had heard of the Harmony Society in America. 
 In later years he related how he had prayed to God to know 
 whether he should come to America to connect himself with it, 
 
The Harmony Society. [39 
 
 and had obtained an affirmative answer. After he had made his 
 preparations for the journey, his friends persuaded him to recon- 
 sider his purpose. He prayed again, and he was convinced of his 
 duty a second time. On his arrival in America, he first provided 
 a home for his aged parents, and visited Economy, and was so 
 impressed with the life and spirit there that he pledged himself 
 to Father Rapp to join the community and then returned to pro- 
 vide for his parents before executing his long cherished purpose. 
 He concluded his story by saying that he had never since doubted 
 that it was possible to get a definite answer to prayer.* His 
 parents never became reconciled to his joining the Society. At 
 his father's death a few years later he bequeathed his son $600, 
 on condition that he would leave the Society within two years. 
 Mr. Henrici joined the Society July 1, 1826. He was the 
 school teacher, and we cannot doubt that he was a most efficient 
 one. Besides his knowledge of German, he had an almost per- 
 fect command of the French language, and he soon acquired the 
 mastery of the English, as his letters show. Father Rapp be- 
 came much attached to the young teacher, and soon showed him 
 many marks of his approval. In fact the favor which was given 
 the young man, aroused the envy of some of the older members of 
 the Society. He soon began to take an active part in the man- 
 agement of affairs, and on the death of Frederick Rapp 1834, he 
 and Mr. Baker were appointed business agents of the Society. 
 On the death of George Rapp 1847, M r - Baker and he became 
 the trustees. After Mr. Baker's death, 1868, Mr. Henrici became 
 senior trustee, and practically the absolute ruler of the Society 
 to almost the same extent as its founder, George Rapp, had been. 
 He believed as firmly as Mr. Rapp himself in the high destiny of 
 the Society, and in the part it was to play in the establishment 
 of Christ's kingdom upon earth. His ear was always open to 
 appeals for aid, and he gave substantial assistance to many in- 
 stitutions for charity and education, and to many individuals, 
 whom he considered deserving. His strong belief in the second 
 coming of Christ led him to contribute to movements which 
 claimed to prepare for that event. Cyrus Teed applied to Mr. 
 Henrici for aid in his plans, and received some money. Mr. Hen- 
 find's Communities in America. 
 
140 The Harmony Society. 
 
 rici spoke of him in the highest terms, and said that while he 
 was mistaken in some of his views, he believed him to be an hon- 
 est man.* His loan of $10,000 to the Templeverein in Jerusalem, 
 in 1890, when the Society was financially embarrassed, has been 
 already mentioned. While Mr. Henrici had no doubt great busi- 
 ness talents, he had also some peculiarities which rendered his 
 management of the Society's interest dangerous. He was ad- 
 verse to keeping systematic accounts, and he was careLess in 
 preserving the documents of the Society. "Such documents as 
 the Society did possess, were not filed away in any one place, 
 but were poked away in all kinds of places. Some in the safe 
 or other places at the store, some in the vault at the 'Big House/ 
 some in Mr. Henrici's desk, bureau drawers, chests and in fact 
 throughout various trunks and boxes, from garret to cellar 
 throughout the house; some at places in Pittsburg, some at 
 Tidioute, and at various other places where the Society owned 
 property."** 
 
 Even while Mr. Henrici was the head of the Society and di- 
 rector of its vast interests, he never forgot that he was a school 
 teacher, and in his busiest years would teach school in the even- 
 ings in the village. He regarded teaching as the noblest of pro- 
 fessions, as he wrote to Louise Weil : 
 
 „Fast alles, was diese Welt hat, ist verganglich, und daher 
 von geringem Werthe ; was man aber zur Bildung und Vered- 
 lung der Menschheit beigetragen, ist von ewiger Dauer und 
 Wichtigkeit. Eine solche Freischule, wie du die deinige schil- 
 derst, ist der schonste Wirkungskreis den ich mir denken kann, 
 und nirgends konntest du zur Aufnahme edlen Samens ein taug- 
 licheres Feld finden, als eben eine solche Anstalt. Mache daher 
 frohlich und getrost deine gute Aussaat, pflanze, begiesse sie 
 nach alien deinen Kraften und Gott wird das Gedeihen dazu- 
 geben. Betriibe dich nicht, wenn du nicht nach deiner Miihe 
 und deinem Verdienst in dieser Welt belohnt wirst. Jeder gute 
 Same, den du aus treuer uneigennutziger Liebe in jungen Men- 
 schenherzen streuest, wird dir im Lande der Unverganglichkeit 
 eine erfreuliche Ernte bringen." 
 
 ♦Testimony of Judge Hice. 
 ♦♦Testimony of John S. Duss. 
 
INTERIOR OP WINK VAUI/T A.T RCONOMY 
 
The Harmony Society. 141 
 
 Throughout his life he preserved those characteristics of 
 purity of mind and uprightness of character and heart which 
 were valued by his colleagues and superiors in Germany. He 
 died Christmas Day, 1892. 
 
 Mr. Henrici's musical talent was noted in his teacher's cer- 
 tificate. Throughout his long life he cultivated this talent. He 
 wrote many hymns and set them to music. His composition of 
 the Ten Commandments and of the Apostles' Creed has been 
 published. Music composed by him is extant in manuscript. 
 
 The trustee, who extricated the affairs of the Society from 
 the confusion into which Mr. Henrici had brought them, was 
 Mr. John S. Duss. He was born in Cincinnati, February 22, 
 i860. His father, who was a soldier in the Union Army, died 
 of a wound received at the battle of Gettysburg, and the widow 
 went with her infant son to Economy, where she made her 
 home. From 1873 to l %7& ^ r - Duss attended the Soldiers' Or- 
 phans' School, at Phillipsburg, Pa. He left the school and re- 
 turned to Economy, where he entered the service of the Har- 
 mony Society. In 1876 he and his mother went to Germany for 
 a few months, but returned again to Economy. In the fall of 
 1878 he was appointed by the Society as teacher of the German 
 department of the public school at Economy, and remained there 
 until 1879, when he left to attend Mt. Union College, in Ohio. 
 In 1882 he went to Kansas as a teacher in the Kansas State Re- 
 form School, at Topeka. In the same year he married Miss 
 Susie Creese. In 1883 he purchased a farm in Webster 
 County, Neb., and engaged there in the busipess of farming and 
 breeding of fine stock until the year 1888, when, at the earnest 
 solicitation of Mr. Henrici, he sold his personal property and 
 returned to Economy to take charge of the public school con- 
 ducted by the Harmony Society. His mother, who had been 
 continually at Economy, except for short periods, from 1862 to 
 1892, had in the meantime joined the Society in 1887. After the 
 death of Miss Gertrude Rapp in 1889, Mrs. Duss was chosen 
 by the trustees as mistress of the great house. Mr. Henrici 
 was desirous of securing the services of Mr. Duss to the Society 
 permanently, and urged him to join, which he did in January, 
 1890, and at the same time was elected a member of the Board 
 of Elders. On the death of Earnest Woelfel, the junior trustee, 
 
\4'2 The Harmony Society. 
 
 July 26, 1890, Mr. Duss was elected junior trustee in the place 
 of Woelfel, and upon the death of Mr. Henrici, he became senior 
 trustee. 
 
 Mr. Duss found the Society burdened with a load of debt 
 tor which he was not responsible. He devoted himself to the 
 task of rescuing the Society from its perilous position, and he 
 succeeded. He discharged all the obligations of the Society, at 
 the same time retaining the real estate at Economy, which was 
 increasing rapidly in value. February 13, 1897, he became sole 
 trustee. May 12, 1903, he resigned and withdrew from the So- 
 ciety. The same day his wife, Mrs. Susie C. Duss, was elected 
 sole trustee, and has since managed the affairs of the Society. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Duss sustain the traditions of high artistic and 
 intellectual culture, which had been maintained by the leaders 
 of the Society from its foundation. Mr. Duss, like so many of 
 his predecessors, had great musical talent. He found a field for 
 this talent as leader of the Economy Band. As a conductor, he 
 displayed so great ability that in 1902 he organized a band, with 
 which he played throughout the entire summer in New York, and 
 gained the attention and won the approval of lovers of music in 
 the metropolis. The orchestra directed by him at Madison 
 Square Garden, was the chief musical attraction in New York 
 City during the summer of 1903. 
 
The Harmony Society. 143 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Home of the Society. — Publications. — Language. — Bibli- 
 ography. 
 
 In each of their three American homes, the Harmonists had 
 erected buildings, which will serve as their monuments for an 
 indefinite period. The brick church, hotel, wine vaults and 
 dwellings at Harmony, Butler County, Pa., were so substantially 
 built, that they have suffered no decay in the hundred years since 
 their erection. 
 
 Their village at Harmony, Ind., was beautiful and substan- 
 tial. Robert Dale Owen, the son of the man who bought their 
 Indiana property, thus described it : "Their village was pic- 
 turesque enough, literally embowered in trees, rows of black 
 locust marking the street lines. Several large buildings stood 
 out above the foliage, of which a spacious cruciform brick hall — 
 the transept 130 feet across — was the chief. The private dwell- 
 ings were small, each in a separate garden spot. Adjoining the 
 village on the south were extensive apple and peach orchards." 
 
 Half a century after the Harmonists had left their home on 
 the Wabash, they purchased this cruciform structure, which they 
 had used as a hall and assembly room in the old days. They de- 
 molished the principal part of it, and used th£ brick for a wall 
 to enclose their old burial ground, twenty rods square. One 
 wing of the cross was allowed to stand, and constitutes nearly 
 one-half of the institute building, 125x45 feet, containing a large 
 public library, Masonic Hall and five large well furnished school 
 rooms. The village made some contribution, but the present 
 really fine building is due mainly to the Rappists. They intended 
 it as a memorial building, and from its facade stand out the words : 
 "In memory of the Harmony Society, founded by George Rapp, 
 1805." 
 
144 The Harmony Society. 
 
 One condition of the donation, insisted upon by the Society, 
 was that the old stone door which had been designed and executed 
 by Frederick Rapp, should take its plaoe unaltered, in the re- 
 modeled building.* 
 
 Their third town, Economy, Pa., has one of the most beauti- 
 ful locations in the Ohio Valley. The village is built on a level 
 terrace, overlooking the river, with an elevation of about ioo feet. 
 Back of the village rise bold hills at a distance, forming a most 
 effective background. The streets, 60 feet wide, run at right 
 angles and parallel with the river. The sidewalks are paved 
 with brick. The intersecting streets form squares of about two 
 and one-half acres each. At the corners of these and midway 
 on the sides, are erected the dwellings, in such a manner that 
 each has an ample garden adjoining. The houses are brick or 
 frame structures. Most of the houses are built on the same 
 plan. They are two-story structures, with three rooms on each 
 floor. The dimensions of the typical house are : Outside, 24 feet 
 2 inches by 32 feet 3 inches ; on the ground floor there is a large 
 room 19 feet 6 inches by 22 ft., and two smaller ones, one 10 feet 
 6 inches by 11 feet, the other 11 by 11 feet. All brick walls are 
 13 inches thick. The outside w r alls of frame houses are filled in 
 with straw mortar. To most of the houses annexes have been 
 built, which are in most cases frame, even if the house is brick. 
 To the brick house, of which the dimensions have just been 
 given, there is a frame annex 11 ft. 6 inches by 32 ft., divided into 
 two rooms on the ground floor, one 11 by 26 feet, the other 5 by 
 11 feet. The large rooms contained open fire places. The 
 houses are built flush with the street. There is only one en- 
 trance, and that is not from the street, but from the side yard. 
 At this entrance there is a neat porch. The houses have plenty 
 of windows, which open on all sides. 
 
 Half way up the walls of the houses espaliers are attached, 
 to which grape vines are trained. There are about 115 dwell- 
 ing houses in the village. The "Great House," the home of the 
 senior trustee, is larger and more imposing than the other dwell- 
 ings. Besides these dwellings, there are a number of larger 
 buildings. The church, the hotel, the grist mill, the woolen fac- 
 
 ♦Hinds, American Communities, p. 81. 
 
IN THE PARK A.T ECONOMY. 
 
 
 I I I 1 I I 
 
 14iiIL 
 
 HmhR 
 
 
 intlE 
 
 
 I 1 
 s i 
 
 
 f 1£"V* 
 |j|uiU8 
 
 lllloJM 
 
 
 ■£ 1 m4J.~* 
 
 
 In. 'i. ft**? - "* 2, "" : iss s,f '-?* i 
 
 ROOM IN THE GREAT HOUSE AT ECONOMY 
 
The Harmony Society. 145 
 
 tory, the cotton factory, are very large and substantial struc- 
 tures. They were the first permanent buildings erected, having 
 been built in 1825. 
 
 In the rear of the "Great House" is the park, a very beauti- 
 ful pleasure ground, of about three acres, containing well kept 
 flower beds, a pond, a band stand, a grotto in the form of a Gre- 
 cian temple, which was designed by Frederick Rapp, as a memo- 
 rial to George Rapp. Opposite the "Great House" is the large 
 brick Assembly Hall, beneath which are the wine cellars. On 
 the outskirts of the village are large barns. Even in the early 
 days the village was well supplied with water, conducted from 
 a reservoir on the hill to various points. Water is also pumped 
 by steam from deep wells. Some years ago natural gas was dis- 
 covered on their property, which is used for light and fuel. In 
 early days the Society had erected a large steam laundry, for the 
 use of the community, which is still in use. There is also a 
 bakery still in operation, where the baking of the community 
 was done. Even to-day Economy is a model village. At the 
 time it was built, it must have been strikingly superior to the 
 average western town. It is a monument to the good taste and 
 good judgment of its founders. 
 
 The Harmonists led a regular life. It was their custom to 
 rise at six, to eat light breakfast between six and seven, to have 
 a lunch at nine, dinner at twelve and afternoon lunch at threve. 
 and supper between six and seven. They went to bed at nine 
 o'clock. During their first years in America, they worked hard 
 and lived on plain and sometimes scanty fare, but after they had 
 become established, though always industrious, they did not 
 work so hard and lived better than the neighboring American 
 farmers. They were by no means ascetics. They ate meat and 
 drank wine and beer if they chose. A memorandum of Mr. 
 Baker gives the amount of meat consumed in 1863. There were 
 at that time 234 persons in the community. During that year 
 they consumed 33 steers, 200 sheep, 33 calves and 65 hogs ; an 
 average of 125 pounds of beef and 40 pounds of pork and bacon 
 to a person. 
 
 A weekly allowance of wine, and cider or beer was distrib- 
 uted to the members ; but whiskey was not given out, except in 
 cases of sickness or exposure. Coffee, sugar and tea were dis- 
 
146 The Harmony Society. 
 
 tributed to the members at the Society's store — a certain quantity 
 for each person — every two months; all other groceries at such 
 times as they were called for, and in such quantities as the mem- 
 bers said they needed ; clothing, hats and shoes in the same man- 
 ner, and from the same place; flour and chicken feed they got 
 from the grist mill as they wanted them; meat, viz., beef, veal 
 and pork twice a week from the butcher — who slaughtered twice 
 a week, and gave them about two pounds of meat for each per- 
 son, and more if they wanted it; bread from the bakery, where 
 they baked every day as much as they wanted ; milk was deliv- 
 ered twice a day at their homes, a pint morning and evening for 
 each person ; wine, cider or beer from the cellar, a gallon a week 
 for each person in summer, and half that quantity in winter. 
 
 Vegetables and chickens they raised for themselves, in the 
 yards and gardens attached to their homes. Carpets and furni- 
 ure for their houses were furnished them upon request made at 
 the store or general office. In case of sickness, they were at- 
 tended, in early years by their own physician, in later years by 
 a physician employed by the Society. Domestic servants and 
 nurses were furnished those who, from age, weakness or sick- 
 ness needed their assistance. In the distribution of these sup- 
 plies, the families of the members formed a part of the number 
 to be provided for, and there was no discrimination between mem- 
 bers and their families as to quanity or quality ; they were treated 
 alike.* 
 
 The Harmonists retained the Swabian peasant style of dress 
 adapting it somewhat to American conditions. On the Wabash 
 they wore buckskin, like other frontiersmen. After their facto- 
 ries were in operation, they manufactured all the articles of wear- 
 ing apparel they used, and their clothes were made by their own 
 tailors. Both men and women usually wore garments of a dark 
 blue color, made in a simple fashion. They were well dressed. 
 Their clothes were always clean and never ragged. After they 
 had begun the manufacture of silk, the women wore dresses of 
 that material on festive occasions. Their manufacture of all 
 kinds of cloth ceased in the sixties. When the stock of goods 
 they had on hand was exhausted, their number had so decreased 
 
 •Testimony, Schwartz vs. Duss. 
 
The Harmony Society. i^y 
 
 that it was cheaper to buy their clothing than to make it them- 
 selves, and thus their dress became the same as that of otter 
 people. 
 
 In early years, at Economy, boarders were frequently admit- 
 ted to the tavern during the summer. But in 1880 and for some 
 years previous to that, this practice had been discontinued, and 
 no one was allowed to board at the hotel except by Father Hen- 
 rici's special permission, which was rarely granted. In 1880 
 the village of Economy still retained nearly all of its character- 
 istics. There was a large force of men at work on the farm ; they 
 had not yet branched out into the manufacture of lumber and 
 operation of the planing mill ; they had not yet discovered nat- 
 ural gas or oil there, and the village was in its primitive state, 
 Father Henrici still in his vigor, and his influence prevading the 
 whole community; the hotel locked up at nine o'clock at night; 
 all went off the street except the watchman and his dog. Shortly 
 after that, about 1882, they discovered oil and gas ; that was the 
 signal for an influx for a large number of men who boarded at 
 the hotel, who were engaged in laying pipes, drilling, etc. After 
 nine o'clock at night, it was not so quiet as it had been before. 
 The young people were more in evidence on the street. These 
 men who were employed were not regular about going to bed at 
 nine o'clock, as had been the rule before, so that even before 
 Father Henrici had died, the extreme peace and quiet simplicity 
 of the village had disappeared. The store which had been car- 
 ried on by the Society for years, was leased. The hotel was 
 leased. Houses were rented to outsiders. Still the village is 
 quiet, decent and orderly.** Last summer large bridge works 
 were being erected on property purchased from the Harmony 
 Society, the hotel was crowded by men employed at these works, 
 every house in the village was occupied, and Economy had a 
 base ball nine. 
 
 The chief recreation of the Harmonists was music. Every 
 member of the Society had some training, and almost every one 
 could play some musical instrument. They celebrated Christ- 
 mas, Easter and Good Friday, as well as their own Harmonie- 
 Fest, Danksagungstag, and Liebesmahl. At each of these cele- 
 
 **Testimony of J. T. Brooks. 
 
148 The Harmony Society. 
 
 brations music played a prominent part, and elaborate programs 
 were arranged for them. A number of paintings are in the 
 "Great House," the most valuable of which is West's "Christ 
 Healing the Sick." Soon after settling in Economy, Frederick 
 Rapp procured, from New York and Philadelphia, at an expense 
 of several thousand dollars, an extensive museum of curiosities, 
 consisting of rare minerals, fine paintings, collections of birds, 
 insects, shells, etc., besides Indian antiquities, and other new 
 and strange things. But the museum was found to be an un- 
 profitable investment, and it was sold at a sacrifice. Its min- 
 eralogical department, after remaining for a time in the cus- 
 tody of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital, was ultimately 
 transferred to the Western University of Pennsylvania, at Pitts- 
 burg, where its remains may still be seen.* 
 
 The Harmony Society owned a large library. About 1830 
 there were in this library 360 books, a partial list of which fol- 
 lows: 
 
 Geschichte der grossen Teutonen. Graf von Wakerbarth. 
 Das achtzehnte Jahrhundert. Stober. 8 Bande. 
 Erdbeschreibung und Geschichte von Amerika. Ebling. 
 Beschreibung der Welt. Walz. 
 
 Reise durch einige der Vereinigten Staaten. Schopf. 
 Annalen der Geschichte Frankreichs. 
 
 Deutsche Geschichte und Deutschlands traurige Ereignisse. 
 Humboldt's Reise um die Welt. 4 Bande. 
 Cook's Reise um die Welt. 
 Texer's Reise durch Spanien und Portugal. 
 Abriss der Geschichte der Christlichen Religion. 
 Neueste Religionsbegebenheiten. 
 Reformations-Geschichte. Roos. 2 Bande. 
 Thieme's Grundlinien einer Geschichte aller Religionen. 
 Evangelischer Lehrbegriff. Hartmann. 
 Rieger's Leichter Weg zum Himmel. 
 Rieger's Predigten. 
 Biblisches Erbauungsbuch. Seiler. 
 Der Prophet Amos. Justi. 
 Das Geheimniss der Gottseligkeit. Ganz. 
 
 * Williams, The Harmony Society, p. 70. 
 
The Harmony Society. 149 
 
 Bild Gottes in den ersten Christen. 
 Der Weg zu Christo. J. Bohme. 
 
 Ein hundert und sieben und siebenzig Fragen. J. Bohme. 
 Auflosung der obigen. 
 
 Betrachtung der drei Principien gottlichen Wesens. J. Bohme. 
 Von der Menschwerdung Jesu Christi. J. Bohme. 
 Erklarung des ersten Buchs Moses. J. Bohme. 
 Betrachtung gottlicher Offerbarung. J. Bohme. 
 Vierzig Fragen von der Seele. J. Bohme. 
 Von der Geburt und Bezeichnung aller Wesen. J. Bohme. 
 Die ganze Theologie der neuen Kirche. Swedenborg. 
 Rahener's Satiren. 
 
 Humanitat und Menschen. Jean Pauls. 
 Lavater's Lebensbeschreibung. Gessner.. 
 Fragmente liber Menschenbildung. E. M. Arndt. 
 Das Rauber-Madchen. 
 
 Rinaldo Rinaldini, der Rauber-Hauptmann. 
 Shakespeare's Schauspiele. 
 
 Thudelinde von Baiern, Konigin der Langobarden. 
 Almansor, der Sultan's-Sohn. 
 Robinson, der Jungere. 
 Farbenlehre von Gothe. 
 Giling's Handbuch der Mineralogie. 
 Anfangs-Griinde der Metallurgie. 
 Rabener's Briefe, Leben und Schriften. 
 Geister-Kunde. Jung-Stilling. 
 Griiner Mann. Jung-Stilling. 
 Menschenfreund. Jung-Stilling. 
 Kleine gesammelte Schriften. Jung-Stilling. 
 Gedichte. Jung-Stilling. 
 Klopstock's Werke. 
 Young's Nachtgedanken. 
 Young's Sammtliche Werke. 
 
 Ideen zur Philosophic der Geschichte der Menschheit. Herder. 
 Gessner's Sammtliche Schriften. 
 Der Tod Abels. Gessner. 
 Der Tod Adams. Klopstock. 
 Todesgesange. Schubart. 
 
150 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Schubart's Gedichte. 
 
 Urania, Taschenbuch fur Damen. 
 
 Elegien und vermischte Gedichte. Tiedge. 
 
 Poetische Werke. Uz. 
 
 Sammlung prosaischer Schriftsteller und Dichter. 
 
 Klopstock und Schiller. 
 
 Gellert's Moralische Vorlesungen. 
 
 John Bunyan. 
 
 Many of these books are still in the collection at Harmony. 
 Since this list was compiled, other books have been added to 
 the collection, some probably by purchase, and some were in 
 the possession of individual members, at whose death they were 
 placed with the others. 
 
 Among the books in this collection, in addition to those 
 just mentioned, are: 
 
 Wezel's Lustspiele. Carlsruhe, 1789. 
 
 F6nelon's T^lemaque. (English.) 
 
 Poppe's Gewerthslehre. Wien, 1833. 
 
 Lavater's Messiade. 4 Bande. 1783. 
 
 Kotzebues Erinnerungen. Berlin, 1805. 3 Bande. 
 
 Dasi merkwiirdigste Jahr imeines Lebens. Kotzebue, Berlin, 
 
 1803. 
 Herder's Zur schonen Literatur und Kunst. Wien, 1817. 
 Carl von Carlsberg, oder liber menschliche Elend. Chr. Gottlieb 
 
 Salzmann. Leipzig, 1785. 
 Der Kuckukstein oder die Ritter des Elbhochlandes. Ewald 
 
 Dietrich. Meissen, 1825. 
 Kakerlak, oder Geschichte eines Rosenkreuzers. Leipzig, 1784. 
 Paracelsi Biicher und Schriften durch Johannem Huserum 
 
 Brisgoum in Druck gegeben. Strassburg, 1603. 
 Urach, der Wilde. Roman. Leipzig, 1808. 2 Bande. 
 Thornton Abbey. Philadelphia, 181 1. 
 Gumal und Lina, eine Geschichte fur Kinder. Kasper Lossius. 
 
 Gotha, 1816. 
 Konrad und Siegfried von Feuchtwangen. Frankfurt und 
 
 Leip^g, 1792. 
 Englische Landwirtschaft. Albrecht Thoer. Hannover, 1806. 
 
The Harmony Society. 151 
 
 Ueber Newton's Farben-Theorie, Herrn von Gothe's Farben- 
 
 lehre und den chemischen Gegensatz der Farben. Dr. C. 
 
 H. Pfaff. 
 S. Th. Sommering vom Baue des menschlichen Korpers. Frank- 
 furt a. M., 1791. 
 Handbuch der menschlichen Anatomic Johann Friedrich 
 
 Mechel. Halle und Berlin, 1815. 
 Schmidt's Jahrbiicher der Gesammten Medicin. 3 Bande. 1868. 
 Reine Arzneimittellehre. Samuel Hahnemann. Dresden, 1825. 
 
 10 Bande. 
 Vermischte Chirurgische Schriften. Joh. L. Schmucker. Fran- 
 
 kenthal, 1788. 
 Beitrage zu einer praktischen Fieberlehre. Chr. Fr. Richter. 
 
 Berlin, 1795. 
 Raphsodien. Ludwig Theobul Kosegarten. Leipzig, 1800. 
 Handbuch der Religion. Johann August Hermes. Berlin, 1797. 
 Der warnende und belehrende Volksfreund. Dr. Johann Poel- 
 
 mann. Erlangen, 1825. 
 LiturgischesMagazin. George Friedrich Seiler. Erlangen, 1786. 
 Das Menschenleben. Julius Stendro. Hamburg und Mainz, 
 
 1804. 
 Der Philosoph fur die Welt. J. J. Engel. Berlin, 1801. 2 
 
 Bande. 
 Beleuchtung des sittlich Guten und Bosen. Erfurt und Gotha, 
 
 1818. 
 Die Veredelung des Menschen. Fr. Ehrenberg. Leipzig, 1803. 
 Fleming's Geschichte; Ein Denkmal des Glaubens an Gott und 
 
 Unsterblichkeit. Leipzig, 1792. 
 Weltalter. Johann A. Bengel. Esslingen, 1746. 
 Anlei.tung zur Menschenkenntniss. De la Chambre. Jena, 1794. 
 Grundriss eines Systems der anthropologischen Psychologic 
 
 Dr. Johann Karl Wezel. Leipzig, 1805. 
 Magasin Pittoresque. 1836. 
 Chronik des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts. Dr. Karl Venturini. 
 
 Altona, 1812 — 1817. 12 Bande. 
 Constants Curiose Lebensgeschichte und Fatalitaten. C. G. 
 
 Salzmann. Leipzig, 1791. 
 Romane aus der Christenwelt aller Zeiten. J. A. Kannc Nurn- 
 
 berg, 1817. 
 
152 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Die beiden Freunde. A. Lafontaine. Halle und Leipzig, 1819. 
 Das heimliche Gericht des Schicksals, oder Rosaura. A. Lafon- 
 taine. Halle, 1817. 
 Vater Burgheims Reisen mit seinen Kindern. G. W. Mundt. 
 
 Halle, 1804. 
 Unterredungen mit der Jugend. Ernst Chr. Trapp. Hamburg 
 
 und Kiel, 1775. 
 Moralische Erzahlungen. Sophie Ludwig. Ronneburg und 
 
 Leipzig, 1802. 
 Allgemeine deutsche Real-Encyklopadie fur die gebildeten 
 
 Stande. In fiinfzehn Banden. Leipzig, Brockhaus, 1854. 
 Die Familie von Karlsberg, oder die Tugendlehre. Jacob Glatz. 
 
 Leipzig und Altenberg, 1816. 
 Die Gegenwart; Eine encyklopadische Darstellung der neuesten 
 
 Zeitgeschichte. Leipzig, Brockhaus, 1848. 7 Bande. 
 Volksthtimliches Worterbuch der deutschen Sprache. Dr. Th. 
 
 Heinsius. Hannover, 1822. 4 Bande. 
 Die zwei ersten Schuljahre. R. J. Wurst. Stuttgart, 1865. 
 A system of Chemistry in five volumes. Thomas Thomson. 
 
 Edinburgh, 1810. 
 Die Verhaltnisse der Zahl nach der Idee der pestalozzischen 
 
 Methode. Hugger und Stehle. Gmiind, 1815. 
 System of Natural Philosophy. J. L. Comstock. New York, 
 
 1836. 
 The Practical Engineer. John Wallace. Pittsburg, 1853. 
 Elemens de Geometric S. F. Lacroix. Paris, 1808. 
 Patterson's Arithmetic. Pittsburg, 1818. 
 Wiesenbau. Joh. Chr. Bernhard. Stuttgart, 1788. 
 Grundziige der Physik und Chemie. K. W. G. Kastner. Nurn- 
 
 berg, 1832. 
 Handbuch der praktischen Technologic Joh. Chr. Gotthard. 
 
 Hamburg und Mainz, 1805. 
 Kleine Weltgeschichte fur Kinder. C. B. Feyerabend. Gotha, 
 
 1816. 
 Beobachtungen und Fantasien auf einer Reise durch Sachsen 
 
 und Brandenburg im Herbst 1802. P. Scheitlin. St. Gal- 
 
 len, 1807. 
 Geschichte des Abfalls der Vereinigten Niederlande. Schiller. 
 
 Leipzig, 1788. 
 
THK HARMONY PRINTING PRESS. 
 
The Harmony Society. 153 
 
 Allgemeine Weltgeschichte. Dr. Carl V. Rotteck. Stuttgart, 
 
 1841. 
 Life and Essays of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Written by 
 
 himself. Philadelphia, 1812. 
 Memoirs of the Private and Public Life of William Penn. 
 
 Thomas Clarkson. Philadelphia, 1813. 2 Vols. 
 Goldsmith's History of England. Alexandria, 181 1. 
 Fragmente aus Paris im IVten Jahre der franzosischen Repu- 
 
 blik. Dr. Joh. L. Meyer. Hamburg, 1797. 2 Bande. 
 Erdbeschreibung. Dr. Anton Fr. Biischling. 1787. 
 Deutscher Plutarch. Chr. NLemeyer. Berlin, 181 1. 
 Clarke's Reise durch Russland und die Tartarei in 1800 — 1801. 
 
 Weimar, 1817. 
 Geschichte der Inquisition in Spanien. Robert Clemen. Co- 
 lumbus, O., 1850. 
 Stunden der Andacht zur Beforderung wahren Christenthums 
 
 und hauslicher Gottesverehrung. Aarau, 1818. 6 Bande. 
 Chorgesangbuch fiir Kirchen und Schulen. Herausgegeben von 
 
 J. Heinrich Lutzel. Kaiserslautern, 1874. 
 Haas: Kirchen-Chore. Philadelphia. 
 Zionsharfe; Gesangbuch fiir die deutschen Wesleyanischen Me- 
 
 thodisten. Cannstatt, 1878. 
 
 There are also a large number of Bibles in German, English 
 and French. 
 
 There are several editions of the "Harmonisches Gesang- 
 buch." The first edition has the title ,,Theils von andern Au- 
 thoren, Theils neu verfasst." Zum Gebrauch von Singen und 
 Musik fiir Alte und Junge. Nach Geschmack und Umstanden 
 zu wahlen gewidmet. Allentown. Lecha County, im Staat 
 Pennsylvanien. Gedruckt bei Heinrich Ebener, 1820. 
 
 The second edition was printed by themselves at Economy, 
 in 1827. A third edition was printed in 1889. Another book, 
 printed by themselves, was ,,Feurige Kohlen der aufsteigenden 
 Liebesflammen im Lustspiel der Weisheit. Einer nachdenken- 
 den Gesellschaft gewidmet. Gedruckt zu Oekonomie im Jahre 
 1826." Another book from their press was ..Gedanken iiber die 
 Bestimmung des Menschen, besonders in Hinsicht der gegen- 
 
154 The Harmony Society. 
 
 wartigen Zeit, von der Harmonie Gesellschaft in Indiana, 1824." 
 They printed also an English translation of this work. 
 
 The first edition of the "Harmonischer Gesangbuch" is a 
 volume of 287 pages. The "Register nach den Hauptmaterien 
 unter welche die Lieder verfasst sind" contains the following 
 titles: Von den Werken der Schopfung. Festlieder. Von der 
 Zukunft Jesu zum Gericht, Von der Menschenwerdung Christi. 
 Vom Leiden und Tod Christi. Von der Auferstehung. Vom 
 menschlichen Elend und Verderfoen. Buss- und Leichen-Lieder. 
 Vom Glauben. Vom GeistfTchen Kampf und Sieg. Von der 
 Verleugnung sein Selbst und der Welt. Von dem Verlangen 
 nach Gott. Von der Llebe zu Christo. Von der Bruderliebe. 
 Von der Nachfolge Jesu. Von der Uebergab des Herzens. Vom 
 Frieden und Ruhe der Seelen. Von der wahren Weisheit. Von 
 dem hohen Adel des Menschen. Vom Reich Gottes. Von der 
 Hoffnung Zions. Vom Himmel und Himmlischen Jerusalem. 
 Von der Tugend. Trostlieder. Natur und Gnade. Ueber 
 Wehmuth. Von der Freundschaft. Andachslieder. Schicksal. 
 Frtihlingslieder. Spatjahr und Winter. Von der Freiheit. Von 
 den Klagen Zions. The number of songs in the first edition 
 is 371. The collection was afterwards increased, the third edi- 
 tion containing 518. One striking feature of the song book is 
 the large number of songs which express appreciation of nature. 
 The Harmonists felt the charm of the close contact with na- 
 ture which their frontier life brought with it. 
 
 Before the song books were printed, the members wrote for 
 themselves in strongly bound blank books, collections of their 
 songs. These books contain some songs which were not 
 printed. One manuscript "Harmonisches Gesangbuchlein," dated 
 February 12, 1817, belonged to Ludwig Epple, at that time sev- 
 enteen years old. One short unpublished song in this book ex- 
 presses what the Harmonist conceived to be his mission: 
 
 „Dein Denkmal soil am Himmel glanzen, 
 
 Harmonie ! durch manche Lande 
 
 Fahren wir und schaflen zum Paradiese 
 
 Jede Wiistenei, den nackten 
 
 Fels zum Rebenhtigel, Milch und Wein 
 
 Und Honigquellen rinnen. 
 
The Harmony Society. 155 
 
 Unser Fusstritt spriesset Rlumen, 
 
 Und reiche, g-ute Friichte. 
 
 Singt der erhabenen, hoch befreiten Harmonic, 
 
 Singt! Fesscln zerspringen, Thaten gelingen ; 
 
 Du wirst singen, nie erliegen ; 
 
 Freundeshand, Vaterland, 
 
 Geb' ich Dir als Unterpfand. 
 
 Ruhm und Heil und Wonne schweben 
 
 Nah' schon iiber Dir, 
 
 Bald ist aus Dein Jammerleben, 
 
 Ausgestanden hier." 
 
 Another is full of gratitude to "Harmonie" for the material 
 blessings it has brought. This prosperity is regarded as the 
 surety of the richer blessings which "Harmony" will confer in 
 the future life : 
 
 „Gluckliche ! die du durch eine sichtbare Scene den Werth 
 einer bessern Zukunft ahndest, die leitende Weisheit durch 
 amsige Thatigkeit und Fleiss veredelt deinen freien Staat, dass 
 du den Schrecken des darbenden Jahres nicht fuhlest, dich treibt 
 kein Hunger aus thranenloser D^spoten Landern, denn dein 
 reicher Gewinn von tief geackerten eigenen Saaten und tippigen 
 Wiesen ertheilt den Ueberfluss willig; dein ambrosisches Thai 
 voll Honig und starkender Dufte ; allerlei Mohn, des Rebs und 
 Ruben Krauter, und Bliithen bestaubter Weizen und Roggen 
 staumeln verwebt unter einander in Freundschaft. Liebetrunken 
 befordern die lauen Liifte ihren geheimen Bund ; zu dem um- 
 athmenden schwellenden Friihling ernstlich lass nun horen die 
 Torue deines Gesangs, O, schone Harmonie, du rettende Gottin 
 der heilenden Krafte, der aromatischen Stande der Myrrhe. Der 
 Inhalt deiner Gesange ist Anmuth, sie erheben uns zum reizenden 
 Urbild, zur feinsten Empfindung und zum reinen Geschmack. 
 Du erhebst uns in Bliithen warmende Zonen, mildere Sonnen 
 entbluhen dir, duitende Rosen mitten im Paradiese der Flora: 
 lieblich tont deine Stimme in den Garten, wo in Amerikas Bii- 
 schen und Waldern die deutsche Nachtigall flothet ; reizend ist 
 deine Aussicht, suss dein Wohllaut, unter alien ist doch keine 
 so schon wie du. 
 
156 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Du himmlische Jungfrau von Edens Revier, 
 Zur heiligen Botschaft erlesen, 
 Entschwebest den niederen Gestalten allhier, 
 Verbindst dich mit hohren Wesen" 
 
 A third song fortells the extension of Harmonie's realm: 
 „Schwing' deinen schweren Flug, O, Harmonie! Du Zeiten- 
 Messerin, Du Ordnerin der irdischen und himmlischen Dinge. 
 Dein Geist wird noch tiber Lander und Stadt', und duftende Seen, 
 und schachtichte Berge schweben. Dein Feld ist gross und weit, 
 auf deiner Flur singt schon friih die angenehme Lerche; bald 
 werden suchen die Elenden Deinen Hain, und Dich finden im 
 lachenden Thale, wo alle Freuden sich sammeln, allwo schim- 
 mert dein herrlicher Strahl, begeisterer Menschen, vom allbe- 
 lebenden Licht und erquickender Warme. Noch alles erhalt Be- 
 wegung durch Dich, und Leben und Bildung. Du, Fruhling der 
 goldenen Zeit, Du vollendest den Wechsel der Zeit, treibst das 
 Leben an, am fruhen Morgen des Jahrs, dass es die Erde ent- 
 schliesse, und die wartende Keime. Willig befolgst Du, O, Har- 
 monie, Dein Amt, und lockst mit warmender Liebe glanzend 
 Saaten hervor, und brutest die schwellende Knospen, mit 
 welchen erwachst das Reich der Schonheit und Liebe. 
 
 Sieh, hier der Himmel ist auf Erden, 
 Durch Menschen sollen Menschen werden, 
 Wenn Macht und Weisheit sie regiert 
 Und Billigkeit das Zepter fuhrt." 
 
 In another manuscript book of Epple's Harmony is defined 
 as the revelation of God in nature : 
 
 „Schonheit ist das Gottliche in der Natur und Schopfung. 
 Mein Herz schauert Wonne vor der Grosse dieses Gedankens! 
 Und in was offenbart sich das Schone, das Gottliche? In Har- 
 monie. Was sehet, was horet, was fuhlt ihr da? Alles ist ganz 
 wahr, nothwendig, nicht ausgewiirfelt zu seinem Effect, sondern 
 berechnet ; kein Theil ist zu wenig, keins zu viel ; keiner verzehrt, 
 noch verschoben ; nichts eingestiickt, hoch aufgefluckt ; alles ein, 
 ein grosses zusammenhangendes, zusammenstimmendes, engver- 
 bundenes, und sich frei schwebendes ganzes ist Harmonie. 
 Welche Linien, welche Wendungen, welche leise Verbindungen 
 
The Harmony Society. 157 
 
 ohne Liicken ! Dein Lebensdrang, O Harmonic, ist Ausbreitung, 
 Ausdehnung, rastlose, unermiidct nimmcr stillstchende Be- 
 wegung! Siehe also Gott und Harmonie! Da, da wehen die 
 Abendwinde seiner Gegenwart. Harmonie voll Leben, ein all- 
 gebarender Friihling zum alios reifenden Sommer. Ohne Har- 
 monie gibts keine Schonheit ; Tlimmel und Erde sind darin zu- 
 sammengebunden. Da schwebt die wunderbare Schopfung auf 
 ihren Schwingen. Was ware Harmonie ohne Leben? 
 
 Mr. Henrici wrote a number of songs and poems. The fol- 
 lowing has been preserved: 
 
 „Veilchen, Rosen, Lilien, Nelken, 
 Wachsen, bliihen und verwelken ; 
 So auch Kinder, jung und schon, 
 Mussen oft gar bald vergehen. 
 
 Doch wenn sie hier fromm und gut, 
 Werden sie mit Jesu Blut 
 Rein gewaschen und geziert, 
 Und ins Paradies gefiihrt. 
 
 Wo sie denn erzogen werden 
 Besser, als hier auf der Erden, 
 Wo viel bose Menschen leben, 
 Die ein gottlos Beispiel geben. 
 
 Darum sollen wir nicht weinen, 
 Wenn der Herr den lieben Kleinen 
 Seine guten Engel schickt 
 Und sie der Gefahr entriickt. 
 
 Drum wollt' lieber jung ich sterben, 
 Als im Siindentod verderben. 
 Nur wer Jesu Wort hier halt, 
 Geht in eine bessre Welt. 
 
 Liebster Heiland, darum mache, 
 Dass ich allzeit bet' und wache, 
 Dass ich gottlos Wesen meide, 
 Mich von allem Bosen scheide. 
 
158 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Dann werd' ich der Eltern Freude, 
 Und des Heilands Kreuzesbeute, 
 Und sein mild vergossnes Blut 
 Gibt mir Trost und Kraft und Muth." 
 
 The following tribute in verse to Jonathan Lenz was written 
 by Mr. Duss, January 24, 1890: 
 
 BEGRABNISSLIED. 
 
 „Ein treuer Christ 
 
 Und guter Harmonist 
 
 Hat hier vollendet seinen Lauf; 
 
 Er hat auf Christus hin, 
 
 Gerichtet seinen Sinn, 
 
 Bis er ihn hat genommen auf. 
 
 Mit Worten und mit That 
 
 Er hier gewirket hat, 
 
 Den schmalen Weg sich hat erwahlt, 
 
 Und ist hier in der Zeit 
 
 Und dort in Ewigkeit 
 
 Zur auserwahlten Schaar gezahlt. 
 
 Die auferlegte Pflicht 
 
 Hat ihn erschrecket nicht, 
 
 Er schmiegte sich an Christo an, 
 
 Und, weil er so gemacht, 
 
 Jetzt da er es vollbracht, 
 
 Wird er dort seinen Lohn empfahn. 
 
 Wohl dem der's also macht, 
 Und hier durch diese Nacht 
 Empor zum hellen Lichte dringt; 
 So wird er hier und dort 
 Erfahren fort und fort, 
 Was ihm die Gnade Gottes bringt. 
 
 Herr, hilf, dass wir den Blick 
 Nicht wenden mehr zuriick ; 
 Dass wir mit voller Zuversicht 
 Und kindlichem Vertrauen, 
 Auf Jesum Christum bauen, 
 Denn er verlasset uns ja nicht. 
 
The Harmony Society. 159 
 
 Lass uns in dieser StuncT 
 
 Erneuern unsern Bund, 
 
 Zu leben wie es Dir gefallt, 
 
 Bis dass in jenem Land 
 
 Von Deiner Vaterhand 
 
 Ein jedes seine Kron' erhalt." 
 
 Mr. Duss also wrote the ,,Osterlied, geschrieben auf das 
 Osterfest, April 6, 1890/' 
 
 „Viel Segen diesem Feiertag, 
 Da kund ward fur und fur, 
 Welch' grosse Lieb' der Vater hat 
 Zu seinen Kindern hier. 
 
 Den eignen Sohn vorschont nicht hat, 
 Ihn gab zum Opfer dar, 
 Am dritten Tag, O welche Gnad/ 
 Erwecket wunderbar! 
 
 So ist uns heute kund gethan, 
 Dass die so heilig gehn 
 Den Wandel ihrer Lebensbahn 
 Auch werden auferstehen. 
 
 Und alle die da glaubig sind 
 Nicht soll'n verloren sein ; 
 Und jedes fromme Menschenkind 
 Zu ihm kann gehen ein. 
 
 Drum sei viel Dank, Lob, Preis und Ruhm, 
 Herr, heute Dir bereit't ! 
 Wir weihen uns Dir zum Eigenthum, 
 In Zeit und Ewigkeit !" 
 
 The Harmonists retained their Swabian dialect. With this 
 in the course of time, some English words were mixed, but not 
 many, owing to the slight contact of most of the members with 
 the outer world. Few traces of dialect appear in their corre- 
 spondence, which is either in normal German or in English. The 
 
160 The Harmony Society. 
 
 persons who conducted this correspondence, Frederick Rapp, 
 Gertrude Rapp, Mr. Baker, Mr. Henrici and Mr. Duss, had the 
 faculty of clear and forcible expression. Their business letters 
 are models of clearness and conciseness, and their personal let- 
 ters are graceful and polished. Mr. Henrici was a purist in style, 
 both in German and English. He frequently re-wrote a letter 
 several times before he was satisfied with it. 
 
 Early in the history of the Society, some effort was made 
 by the leaders to cultivate a purer German among the members, 
 as the following letter to Mr. Henrici shows : 
 
 „Economy, Februar 27, 1829. 
 Jacob ! 
 
 Es ist Dir bekannt, dass unser Vorsteher den Wunsch ge- 
 aussert, dass die sammtlichen Gemeinsglieder sich befleissen 
 moehten, ein reines Deutsch zu sprechen, und ihre angewohnte, 
 grobe, verdorbene Redensart zu verbessern. Du weisst, dass 
 manche,besonders junge Leute,sich den Vorsatz gemacht,seinem 
 Wunsch nachzukommen, und sich eine Zeitlang darin geubt 
 haben, aber leider zu bald wieder lassig wurden, und im alten 
 Weg angingen, wie zuvor. 
 
 Jede moralische Verbesserung, wie alle andere, hat einen 
 Anfang, der gemeinlich klein, und ofters schwierig ist, aber was 
 vermag der ernste Wille durch die Ausdauer, besonders wenn 
 sich mehrere zu einem Zweck vereinigen. 
 
 Du bist Lehrer und vielleicht der erste Mann in verschiedenen 
 Hinsichten, der besagte Verbesserung am ersten betreiben sollte. 
 Willst Du einen Anfang machen, so bin ich der zweite, der mit 
 einstimmt, und viele, besonders unsere Compagnie, treten bei. 
 Denke einmal dariiber nach und, wenn Du Lust hast, so mache 
 mir einen schriftlichen Vorschlag, wie die Sache am ftiglichsten 
 einzuleiten ware, damit unser Bestreben mit gutem Erfolg ge- 
 kront wird. 
 
 Dein Bruder, 
 
 R. L. BAKER." 
 
 But the project here suggested was not executed. Mr. Baker 
 himself in later years, when spiritual leader, preached to the peo- 
 ple in that Swabian dialect, the use of which he had once sought 
 to discontinue. 
 
The Harmony Society. l6l 
 
 The failure to distinguish between the surd and sonant stops, 
 and the consequent confusion of the symbols for these sounds, 
 appears frequently. In George Rapp's letter, of September 12, 
 1803, the forms occur: Lengester (Lancaster), Cumperland 
 (Cumberland), enthalden (enthalten), verhalden, Pabiere (Pa- 
 piere), Dantzet (tanzt), Zehenden (Zehnten). In this letter the 
 plural "Mann" (Manner) is used. In a poem by Jacob NefT, 1804, 
 occur: Basse (Passe), dessediren (dessertieren), pumben (pum- 
 pen), dreiben (treiben), Kreise (Greise), Sebratist (Sepratist). 
 He also uses the form "willt" (willst). Elsewhere are met: 
 Meiten (meiden), munder (munter), vertammen, Walter (Wil- 
 der). Frederick Rapp once writes "geloffen" (gelaufen). 
 
 English units of measure frequently occur in German letters: 
 Dollar, cent, section, acre. Other English expressions met with 
 are: Profit, agreement, trouble (Trubel), editor, presents, reels, 
 pattern, doubling and twisting machines. In conversation they 
 used "fence" (Fenz) for Zaun and "yard" for Hof. The out- 
 building in each yard used as a general store room was the 
 "Schopple" (shop). Beneath the "Schopple" was the "Ruben- 
 loch" a small cellar for beets, perhaps also potatoes or apples. 
 Little chickens were called "Henkele." They always got their 
 meat from the "Butscher" (butcher) at his "Schopp." The tin 
 shop was the "Blechnerschopp ;" "Stohr" was always used for 
 Laden. A clearing was a "Klaring" or "Klarung," a wood-pas- 
 ture a "Waldpaster." On the whole, the number of English 
 words in general use among them was comparatively small. 
 
 The fields they cleared they called : Gerbers Wiese, Gosen- 
 feld, Schmidtefeld, Brauns Klamme, Kalksfenklamme, Blumen- 
 thal, Zuckerthal — where they made maple sugar ; Hirschwanne, 
 where the last deer was shot, Hesslersthale. The north street of 
 the town was the "Rothe Gassle," so named from several build- 
 ings painted red. 
 
 It is just one hundred years since George Rapp led his fel- 
 low Separatists to America. The Society which they formed is 
 a unique example of the religious community. Throughout its 
 entire history, it has been directed by persons of unusual ability, 
 while the intelligence and culture of the members were equal or 
 superior to that of their neighbors. It is doubtful if any colony 
 
1 62 The Harmony Society. 
 
 of 700 persons in American history has comprised more general 
 intelligence and industrial efficiency. In business matters the 
 Society's name was synonymous with integrity. 
 
 The Harmony Society has almost passed away*, but its in- 
 fluence will long be felt. It was an important factor in the in- 
 dustrial development of Western Pennsylvania and Southern 
 Indiana. Its members were pioneers in the manufacture of cot- 
 ton and woolen goods, of oil, of silk, in the use of steam for 
 mnaufacturing purposes in the western country. To it the town 
 of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, owes its conception and estab- 
 lishment. 
 
 The opinion of Robert Owen, who purchased their Indiana 
 settlement, has been fully justified by the latter history of the 
 Society. "It is due to the Society who formed this settlement to 
 state that I have not yet met with more kind hearted, temperate 
 and industrious citizens, nor found men more sincere, upright 
 and honest in all their dealings, than the Harmonists."* 
 
 BIBLIOGRAPHY. 
 
 Reise Sr. Hoheit des Herzogs Bernhard zu Sachsen-Weimar- 
 
 Eisenach durch Nordamerika 1825 — 26. Herausgegeben von 
 
 Heinrich Luden. Weimar 1828, II. 
 Atlantic Monthly. May, 1866. The Harmonists. R. H. Davis. 
 The Harmony Society. Pittsburg, 1866. Aaron Williams, D. D. 
 Communistic Societies in the United States. By Charles Nord- 
 
 hoff (The Harmonists at Economy). New York. Harper 
 
 & Bros. 1875. 
 Scribner's Magazine. Vol. XVII, 703 (1879). The Harmonists 
 
 and George Rapp. By D. E. Nevin. 
 Aus der transatlantischen Gesellschaft, Nordamerikanische Kur- 
 
 turbilder. Von Karl Knortz (Die Christliche kommunisti- 
 
 sche Colonie der Rappisten). Leipzig, 1882. 
 George Rapp, Founder of the Harmony Society. By W. I. Da- 
 
 venny. In Magazine of Western History, II, 510 (1885.) 
 
 * April 15, 1904, one of the four members of the Society died. At 
 that date the survivors were Mrs. Susie C. Duss, Trustee, Franz Gillmann 
 and Barbara Bosch. 
 
 *The New Harmony Communities, p. 41. 
 
tools made; by the society. 
 
The Harmony Society. 163 
 
 American Magazine. The Harmonite Community. By H. D. 
 Mason. March, 1888. 
 
 Gelautert. Von Louise Zehnder-Weil. Stuttgart (Verlag von 
 D. Gundert). 1891. Zweite Auflage. 
 
 Amerikanische LeBensbilder oder Erlebnisse deutscher Auswan- 
 derer in Amerika. Von Louise Weil. 
 
 Canadian Magazine. VII. 199. Communistic Celebates at Econ- 
 omy, Pennsylvania. By M. T. Bayard. 
 
 American Communities. The Community of Economy. By 
 Hinds. Chicago, 1902. 
 
 The New Harmony Communities. By George Browning. Lock- 
 wood, Indianapolis, 1902. 
 
164 The Harmony Society. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 George Rapp and the Separatist Movement in Iptingen, Wurtem- 
 berg, from 1785 to 1805. 
 
 Ausziige aus alten Akten, besonders Kirchenconvents- 
 protokollen.* 
 
 1. „Iptingen, 15. April 1785. 
 
 Nachdem sich ein Separatist von hier mit seinem Eheweib 
 hervorgetan und sich solche beide nicht nur uberhaupt von der 
 Kirche, sondern auch von dem christlichen Gebrauch des heili- 
 gen Abendmahls abgesondert, so wurde kraft herzoglicher Ver- 
 ordnung der Separatist mit seinem Eheweib vorgefordert und 
 zu Protokoll vernommen: 
 
 (a) Wie er heisst und wie alt er ist? 
 
 Hans Jorg Rapp, Adams Sohn, Achtundzwanzig 
 Jahre. 
 Ob er ein Handswerkmann oder Bauer? 
 
 Des Handwerks ein Weber. 
 Wie sein vorhergehendes Leben gewesen? 
 
 Uebel, und er habe sich der Kirchenzucht nicht un- 
 terworfen, weshalb ihm der Pastor das Consilium gegeben, dies- 
 mal sollte er sich vom Abendmahl enthalten bis auf weitere Bes- 
 serung. 
 
 Ob er sich vollig und auf immer von der Kirche und 
 dem offentlichen Gebrauch des heiligen Abendmahls zu enthalten 
 gedenke? 
 
 Ja, auf immer. 
 
 ♦These excerpts from the local archives of Iptingen were obtained by 
 Professor Learned through the kindly efforts of Pastor Riethmtiller, of 
 Goechingen, from the late Pastor Elsenhans, of Iptingen. 
 
The Harmony Society. 
 
 Was er vor Anstosse deshalb habe? 
 
 Weil er die Quelle selbst gefunden habe und der 
 Korper selbst in Christo Jesu sei. 
 
 Ob er solches schriftlich von sich zu geben bereit sei? 
 Ja, er wolle solches bis Sonntag dem Pfarramt 
 uberreichen. 
 
 Ob er seine Principia ausbreite und andern beizubringen 
 suche? 
 
 Nein, wann ihn niemand frage, so sage er nichts. 
 Wer zu ihm komme? 
 
 Christian Hornle und Michael Conzelmann hier. 
 Zu wem er komme? 
 
 Er komme in gar kein Haus, weder in Christian 
 Hornles Haus. 
 
 Was er fur Biicher brauche? 
 
 Er habe gar kein Buch ausser seiner Mutter Bibel 
 und dem siebenten Teil Dr. Luthers Biicher. 
 
 Ob er keine Biicher sonst unter die Gemeinde, woher er 
 es auch habe, zu bringen trachte? 
 Nein. 
 Ob und wann und mit wem er Convent halte? 
 
 Bei Nacht gleich nach dem Nachtessen kommt 
 Christian Hornle und Michael Conzelmann bald am Dienstag, 
 bald Mittwoch oder Donnerstag zusammen und da halten sie eine 
 Betstunde miteinander. 
 
 Ob auch Fremde zu ihm kommen? 
 
 Nein. 
 Ob und wohin er am Sonn- und Feiertag auslaufe? 
 
 Weil es bisher Winter gewesen, so sei er nirgends 
 hingekommen. 
 
 Ob er etwas vom gemeinen Almosen geniesse? 
 Nein. 
 
 Ob er zum gemeinen Almosen beitrage? 
 
 Nein, ins Waisenhaus gebe er jahrlich etwas. 
 
 t. praevia praetectione : Johann Georg Rapp. 
 
1 66 The Harmony Society. 
 
 (b) Des Hans Jorg Eheweib. 
 
 Ob sie ihres Ehemanns Gesinnung sei wegen der ganz- 
 lichen Enthaltung von der Kirche und vom offentlichen Gebrauch 
 des heiligen Abendmahls? 
 
 Ja, so lang sie keinen Trieb in die Kirche zu gehen 
 in sich finde und keinen Trieb fiihle zum heiligen Abendmahl zu 
 gehen, so lang sei sie ihres Ehemannes Gesinnung. 
 
 Ob sie das von ihr selber thue oder ihrem Ehemann zu 
 Gefallen? 
 
 Sie thue es von ihr selber. 
 Was sie dann vor Ursache dazu habe? 
 
 Es sei ihr unertraglich, dass man wieder die Sepa- 
 ratisten predige. 
 
 Ob sie nicht wisse, dass ich (der Pfarrer) daftir zu 
 stehen habe, wann ich als ein stummer Hund der Spaltung in 
 der Kirche nicht wehre? 
 Ja. 
 Ob sie also auf obigem Satz beharre? 
 Ja, sie bleibe dabei. 
 
 t. praevia praetectione, 
 
 Christine Rappin. 
 Z. B. der Verhandlung, 
 
 Kirchenconvent : 
 
 M. Andreas Genter 
 Johann Georg Hacker, 
 Johann Friedrich Kramer, 
 Israel Schmid. 
 2. Erst am 23. Januar 1787 erfolgte auf Weisung des her- 
 zoglichen Consistoriums eine Mahnung an das „separatistische 
 Ehepaar und Consorten" von ihrer Gesinnung abzugehen, sich 
 wieder zur Kirche zu halten und „doch keine Versammlung hal- 
 ten zu wollen, welches der Kirche Gottes, mithin dem Reich Jesu 
 Christi, hochst nachteilig." 
 
 Dabei erklart Rapp er bleibe bei dem fruheren und er konne 
 sich zu der jetzigen Art in der Kirche nicht verstehen. 
 
 Was er meine? Es sei das, was in der Bibel stehe, nur ein 
 Zeugniss von dem selbststandigen Wort, das Niemand als er und 
 seine Briider kenne. Das Abendmahl sei ein Gotzendienst und 
 greuliche Lasterung. 
 
The Harmony Society. r 7 
 
 Er sage das nur unter den Briidern, aber die Versammlungen 
 lassen sie sich nicht wehren. Den Pfarrer erkenne er weder als 
 im Namen Gottes berufen und lehrend an, noch stehe ihm von 
 staatsweg geistliche Macht zu, namentlich konne er nimmer- 
 mehr in Gottes Namen Siinden losen und binden. 
 
 Ganz ahnlich spricht auch Christian Hornle, der einige Bu- 
 cher angibt, . . Berlenburger Bibel, . . und ein Buch von der Wi- 
 derbringung aller Dinge, und seine Ehefrau Susanne, wclche 
 tiberzeugt, dass ihr Mann „den rechten Weg" habe. 
 
 Michael Conzelmann : Die Kirche sei nicht die wahre, weil 
 nicht wiedergeboren ; die Bibel enthalte Geheimnisse und 
 Rathsel. 
 
 Ebenso Johannes Hornle; weniger entschieden die Ehefrau 
 Katharine des Schuhmacher Walz. 
 
 3. Da weitere Vorstellungen und Entscheid zttm Aufgeben 
 der Absonderung und besonders zur Abbitte des Rapp wegen 
 seiner Herabsetzung des Pfarrers erfolglos, wird am 17. Februar 
 1787 alles dem gemeinschaftlichen Oberamt iibergeben. 
 
 4. Hierher gehort der aus dem „Gemeinen Flecken Brauch- 
 buch" im Rathaus entnommene Gemeinschaftlich oberamtliche 
 Befehl die hiesigen Separatisten betreffend : 
 
 Mit innigster Betriibnis und Unwillen haben wir aus den 
 eingekommenen Berichten . . ersehen, was fur Eigenmachtigkei- 
 ten sich Hans Jorg Rapp, Christian Hornle, Michael Conzelmann 
 und Johannes Hornle in dem unsrer Aufsicht gnadigst anvertrau- 
 ten Amtsort Iptingen herausnehmen und was fur eine Zemittung 
 in Kirche, Schule und Polizei daher zu besorgen stehe. 
 
 Auswartige Separatisten verehren Gott in der Stille nach 
 ihren Begriffen, lassen die offentlichen Anstalten unangefochten 
 und ftigen sich den landesherrlichen Verordnungen mit dem 
 besten Willen. Wann aber Hans Jorg Rapp und seine An- 
 hanger dem vortrefflichen Generalrescript vom 10. Oktober 1743 
 schnurstracks zuwider handeln, den geistlichen Stand gar nicht 
 erkennen wollen, und was den weltlichen Stand anbetrifft, sich 
 erfrechen,derihnenvorgesetzten Ortsobrigkeit bei Publikationder 
 herrschaftlichen Verordnung zu antworten : ,,das lassen wir tins 
 nicht nehmen, das lassen wir tins nicht verbieten ;" wann sie von 
 der heilgen Bibel geringfiigig urteilen — wann sie das heilige 
 
1 68 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Abendmahl unbestimmt als ein Gotzenopfer lastern — warm sie 
 mit unertraglichem Stolz alles urn sich herum verdammen, die 
 Kirchganger offentlich fur Heuchler erklaren, sich (wie wir zu- 
 verlassig wissen) Anhanger und Jiinger zu werben suchen, allein 
 Herren sein, eine eigne Kirche statt der offentlichen Kirche, und 
 einen eignen Staat im Staat ausmachen wollen, .... so ist der 
 Name Separatist viel zu gelind fiir sie ; sie sind gefahrliche Storer 
 der offentlichen Kirche und Ordnung, folglich der Duldung un- 
 fahig und auf eine einstweilige Probe einer ernsthafteren Behand- 
 lung benotigt. 
 
 Demnach wollen wir zur Abwendung weiteren Unfugs fol- 
 gendes verordnen: 
 
 1. Die Leute sind in gleichem Grad unwissend und stolz, 
 daneben in ihren Angaben nicht redlich. Aus diesem Grund 
 halten wir fiir notig, dass unversehens zu gleicher Zeit in jedes 
 ihrer Hauser zwei Deligierte vom Magistrat geschickt werden, 
 die sich nach den vorhandenen Buchern umsehen, die Bibel, 
 Schulbiicher und anderen allgemeinen Erbauungsbiieher zu- 
 riicklassen, die ubrigen aber dem Pfarramt zur Einsicht uber- 
 liefern sollen. 
 
 2. Nach diesem wollen sich, wie bei Verfassung des Proto- 
 kolls, so auch nunmehr bei der Eroffnung unseres Bescheids die 
 geistliche und weltliche Gemeindevorsteher versammeln, die 
 oben benannten Manner nebst den separatistischen Weibern vor- 
 bescheiden und aus Vorstehendem ihnen zu erkennen geben, wie 
 wir die Sache ansehen und dass ihnen die biirgerlichen Beneficien 
 und namentlich die Holzgabe so lange zuruckbehalten werde, 
 bis sie sich eines Besseren begreifen und in Ordnung fiigen. So- 
 dann solle: 
 
 a. Hans Jorg Rapp seinen gegen den wohlverdienten heili- 
 gen Pfarrer, M. Genter, bezeugten Trotz demselben vor dem ge- 
 sessenen Gericht abbitten oder aber im Verweigerungsfall mit 
 verhaltnismassiger Einkerkerung abbtissen. 
 
 b. Nachstdem ware der Susanna, Christian Hornles Ehe- 
 weib zu erkennen zu geben, dass ihre elende Erklarung uns be- 
 sorgen mache, der Weg, von dem sie keinen Verstand habe, 
 mochte sie ins Tollhaus ftihren. 
 
The Harmony Society. 169 
 
 c. Vergcht sich in der Folge einer oder der andere erweis- 
 lich mit unziemlichen Reden oder gar mit Lasterung wicder die 
 heilige Schrift, Sakramente, Kirche, Predigtamt, herzogliche 
 Verordnung, so soil er unmittelbar nebst Bericht zum herzog- 
 lichen Oberamt Maulbronn wohl verwahrlich eingeliefert 
 werden. 
 
 d. Das langst verbotene Auslaufen an Sonn- und Feiertagen 
 muss nach den vorliegenden Verordnungen geriigt werden. 
 
 e. Der Umgang unter den offentlichen Gottesdiensten an 
 Sonn- und Feiertagen muss genau gehalten, notigenfalls mit meh- 
 reren Personen verstarkt, die Hauser der Widerspenstigen visi- 
 tirt, sie auseinander getrieben und Bosch von Wieresheim mit 
 Bedrohung der Einkerkerung auf den Wiederbetretungsfall zum 
 Daheimbleiben verwiesen werden. 
 
 Noch haben wir fur die Sonne des Christian Hornle zu 
 sorgen : 
 
 a. Den iojahrigen Sohn Israel wolle Herr Pastor von der 
 gottlichen Anordnung des Predigtamts, von dem Nutzen unse- 
 rer kirchlichen Verfassung und Anstalten, von dem schuldigen 
 Gehorsam gegen die Obrigkeit, von der Gefahr derer, die an- 
 dern Aergernis geben, liebreich belehren, um ihn zu tiberzeugen, 
 dass er Gott mehr gehorchen miisste als den Menschen, auch 
 seinen Eltern, sofort ihn zu rleissiger Besuchung der Kirche und 
 besonders zum Vorstehen in der Kinderlehre und Sonntags- 
 schule zu ermahnen. Folgt er aber nicht, so ist er kirchencon- 
 ventlich fur eine jede vorsatzliche Versaumnis den bekannten 
 Vorschriften gemiiss zu bestrafen. 
 
 b. Eine ahnliche Vorstellung solle der Schulmeister dem 
 Schulknaben machen und ihn de facto zum Rechnen anhalten. 
 
 Gott gebe, dass die offenbar irre gehenden Leute zur 
 Erkenntnis der Wahrheit kommen. 
 
 Wir gewartigen uns zu seiner Zeit weiteren Bericht von 
 dem Erfolg der Sachen und dieser unsrer einstweiligen Verfii- 
 gung. Uebrigens wird wegen der subordinationswidrigen ja 
 gotteslasterlichen Ausdriicke das weitere vorbehalten und auf 
 
170 The Harmony Society. 
 
 das kiinftige Benehmen dieser schwarmerischen Leute ausge- 
 setzt. 
 
 Maulbronn, den 8. Februar 1782. 
 
 Gemeinschaftliches Oberamt Maulbronn — Dtirrmenz. 
 Rumelin, M. Josef Friedr. Essich. 
 
 5. Erst unter dem 14. Marz 1788 findet sich wieder ein Ein- 
 trag von einem Verhor gegen ein neues Glied, Johann Georg 
 Waltz, mit der neuen Angabe, dass bei den Versammlungen 
 Rapple ein Kapitel aus dem Neuen oder auch Alten Testa- 
 ment erklare, wo ihm ein Aufschluss geschehe, besonders auch 
 aus der OfTenbarung Johannis. Es kommen auch Fremde ein, 
 zwei, drei bis flinf, zum Teil zehn bis zwolf Stunden her, deren 
 Namen er nicht kenne, er hore nur zu. 
 
 6. Bei einem besonderen Verhor 1790 gab der Separatist 
 Hornle an auf die Frage : 
 
 „Wie es der Separatisten in kurzer Zeit so viele geworden? 
 Sie seien fast zumal heraus kommen, da der Pfarrer einmal so 
 gegen sie gepredigt; da habe er die Sache mit dem Rapp, wel- 
 cher der erste gewesen, gepriift und so auch die andern, bis sie 
 alle von diesem Weg zur Seligkeit Ueberzeugung gewonnen." 
 
 Der Pfarrer rechtfertigt sich dariiber : Schon zu Anfang des 
 Jahres sei doch amtlich festgestellt worden, dass die und die sich 
 von der Kirche losgesagt, so habe nicht die Predigt an Invocavit 
 der Anlass zur Trennung sein konnen, vielmehr seien manche, 
 die hernach im Schwanken gewesen, ob sie jenen folgen wollen, 
 nach eigener Aussage wieder befestigt worden. Uebrigens wird 
 ihm dann doch besondere Vorsicht und Milde ans Herz gelegt. 
 7. In einem Protokoll vom 7. Juli 1792 werden als Ausspriiche 
 Rapps angefuhrt: 
 
 „Die Kirche sei ein Babel ;" „Die Kirche sei nicht von Gott, 
 sie sei vom Teufel ;" „von den PfafFen, die essen und trinken, 
 ihren Bauch masten und die Armen nicht versorgen;" „Wie 
 kann reines Wasser aus unlauteren Quellen kommen?" 
 
 Ferner wird in diesem Protokoll festgestellt, dass ihre Ver- 
 sammlungen bis tiber die Mitternacht hinaus wahren, dass jetzt 
 auch teils weither Fremde kommen: Wieresheim, Somersheim, 
 Illingen, Aurich (zwei Stunden), Calus, Gartringen, Nuhringen, 
 Ehningen (sechs Stunden stidlicher Gegend), Walddorf, Schorm- 
 
The Harmony Society. 17: 
 
 dorf, Striimpfelberg (zehn bis zwolf Stundcn ostlich; Romstal.) 
 Dreissig, ja, fiinfzig- bis sechzig Personen, so class Hornle am 
 heiligen Pfingstfest eine Diele zersagte, um Bankc zu machen. 
 
 8. Weil nun die Separatisten ihre Kinder nicht in die Schule 
 schickten, suchte man sie um desswillen zu strafen ; bei An- 
 setzung- von sechs Kreuzer Strafe erklarte Rapp hohnisch und 
 trotzig, er lass es zusammenkommen, bis er hundert Kreuzer 
 seien. 
 
 Ueber den Vorhalt, dass er niichtliche ungeordnete Ver- 
 sammlungen dulde, sagte er wieder trotzig, er schliesse sein 
 Haus vor keinem Menschen zu> der gerne zu ihm komme. 
 
 9. Die nachsten Protokolle und die niichste Zeit bieten 
 nicht viel Neues ; es scheint aber die Unordnung zugenommen 
 zu haben, sofern 
 
 a. Nun audi der Confirmandenunterricht und die Confirma- 
 tion verachtet wurde. 
 
 b. Auch andere Leute erklarten, wenn die Separatisten ihre 
 Kinder nicht in die Schule schicken und dariiber nicht gestraft 
 und gezwungen werden, so behalten sie ihre Kinder auch 
 daheim. 
 
 c. Die Umganger (eine friiher gebrauchliche Kirchenpoli- 
 zei, welche wiihrend der Gottesdienste iiberall nachsehen soil- 
 ten, ob in den Hausern und Strassen des Orts nichts sabbat- 
 widriges geschehe) erklarten, sie konnen ihr Amt nicht mehr aus- 
 richten, da Rapp sie zwei Teufelsboten genannt habe und ge- 
 droht, wenn sie wieder in ihre, der Separatisten, Versammlungen 
 kommen, so werden sie sehen, was geschehe ; auch habe, wenn 
 sie nicht die Separatisten zum Gehorsam oder wirksamer Strafe 
 bringen diirften, ihr ganzer Umgang, auch bei anderen, keinen 
 Wert. 
 
 Es ist von eigentlicher Bestrafung in den Protokollen wenig 
 zu lesen, nur einmal als Rapp vor dem Kirchenconvent wegen 
 liisterlicher Reden vorgeladen ist, gibt er an, ,,um dieser willen 
 sei er das letztemal nach Maulbonn citirt und von hochloblichem 
 Oberamt mit der Turmstrafe belegt worden." 
 
 10. Im Jahre 1798 erst werden Geldstrafen angesetzt und 
 zwar wegen zweimaliger eigenmachtiger Taufe ohne Not von 
 seiten des Vaters dem Kocher zehn Reichstaler. 
 
172 The Harmony Society. 
 
 Wegen fortgesetzter Schulversaumniss verschiedene ziem- 
 lich hohe Summen, so dem Rapp selber 136 Gulden 14 Kreuzer; 
 welche Strafen sie zu bezahlen willig versprachen. 
 
 Solche Taufen kommen nun bei mehreren vor von seiten der 
 Vater, auch bei einem schwarmerischen Schuhmacher Walz, der 
 sich im tibrigen nicht zu den Rappischen hielt. 
 
 Spater wird Rapp (Dezember 1799) einmal vorgeladen und 
 bestraft mit Geld wegen Holzsagens und -spaltens und Brannt- 
 weinbrennens am Sonntag, wobei er erklart, ,,der Sonntag ver- 
 binde keinen gewissenshalber zur Feier desselben, das sei eine 
 judische Ceremonie und innerhalb Hauses konne jeder tun was 
 er wolle, aber dennoch halten sie den Sonntag um der anderen 
 willen." Es wurde aber das nur als Ausflucht angesehen. 
 
 Weiter wurden vier Separatisten mit Geld bestraft, weil sie 
 am Karfreitag wahrend der Vormittagskirche von einem Hand- 
 ler Sichweine gekauft und sie unter der Kirche durch die Strassen 
 heimgetrieben haben. 
 
 11. 1802 und 1803 wiederholen sich ahnliche Protokolle, 
 dass von den Oberbehorden immer in derselben Weise Erhebun- 
 gen angeordnet werden, im ganzen dieselben Berichte kommen 
 und dann Mahnungen und Vorstellungen sich anschliessen. So 
 lautet ein Erlass : 
 
 „Friedrich der Zweite von Gottes Gnaden Herzog von 
 Wurttemberg und Teck: 
 
 Unsern Gruss zuvor, lieben Getreuen ! Wir haben bei uns- 
 rer herzoglichen Synode ausserdem, was in der diesjahrigen 
 Kirchenvisitationsrelation von Iptingen von dem daselbst immer 
 wachsenden Separatismus uns vorgekommen ist, noch weiter 
 von andern Seiten her in Erfahrung gebracht, dass die Iptinger 
 Separatisten grosse Zusammenkunfte halten, viele Fremde dazu- 
 kommen, und die Zahl oft liber 100 ansteige, dass Rapp das 
 heilge Abendmahl administrire, Opfer und manche andern Ge- 
 schenke erhebe und dass von da aus eine ausgebreitete Corre- 
 spondenz selbst ins Ausland geftihrt werde. Da nun sehr viel 
 daran gelegen ist von diesen Tatsachen Gewissheit und Beweise 
 zu erhalten, so wird Euch hiermit gnadigst aufgegeben, in der 
 Stille genaue Nachforschung anzustellen und das Erlernte gleich- 
 
The Harmony Society. 173 
 
 balden an unser Herzogliches Consistorium untertanigst zu be 
 
 richten. 
 
 Darin geschiehet unsre Meinung unci wir verbleiben Euch in 
 
 Gnaden gewogen. 
 
 Stuttgart, 14. Oktober 1802. 
 Dem Dekan in Diirrmenz und Oberamt in Maulbronn." 
 
 12. Unter 23. Juli 1803 wird ein neuer eindringlicher Yer- 
 such gemacht, „nach Abzug des Georg Rappen, der Haus und 
 Guter verkauft und um einen neuen Wohnsitz sich umsieht, „die 
 zuriickbleibenden Separatisten zur Ordnung, zur Beschrankung 
 ihrer Versammlungen auf die hiesigen Mitglieder und auf ge- 
 ordnete Stunden (weder wiihrend eines Gottesdienstes noch bei 
 Nacht) zu bewegen. 
 
 13. Bald kniipfen sich Verhandlungen an, dass ein Mann ohne 
 seine Frau nach Amerika will und zwar mit ihrer Genehmigung, 
 sic will jetzt noch nicht mit, vielleicht spater nachkommen. 
 Johann Georg Wild und Anna Maria Wild, den 4, April 1804. 
 
 Wer und wie viele Briider im Sommer 1804 dem Rapp ge- 
 folgt sind, lasst sich nicht bestimmen. Wahrscheinlich funf 
 Ehepaare, dreizehn Kinder, etliche ledige und die jetzt anzu- 
 fuhrende Flattich. 
 
 14. Spater will die Tochter dieses W'ild, Ehefrau des Jakob 
 Flattich, mit Vater und Briidern audi hinein, dabei hat sic 
 ihrem Mann bei verschiedenen Verkaufen Geld auf die Seite 
 getan, Kleider und Betten verkauft. Sie lasst sich nach mehr- 
 fachem Zureden zu dem Versprechen bringen, bei ihrem Ehe- 
 mann zu bleiben. Wie es aber darauf ankommt, geht sie doch 
 mit und hinterlasst nachstehenden Brief : 
 
 „Scheidebrief der Anna Maria Flattich geb. Wild, Iptingen, 
 28. April 1804. 
 
 Da Dir schon bekannt ist, dass ich mich der Separation 
 ganz ergeben und jetzt die Zeit vorhanden ist, da alle meine 
 Briider, mit denen ich verbunden bin, abreisen, so wirst Du 
 den Schluss selbst machen konnen, dass ich nicht mehr bei Dir 
 sein kann, sondern habe mir den Schluss selbst gemacht mit 
 meinen Briidern zu gehen, denn mein Dasein wiirde Dir nicht 
 mehr nutz sein, weil mein ganzes Herz in meine Briiderschaft 
 eingeleibt ist; um aber Dich nicht in eine gespannte Lage zu 
 
174 The Harmony Society. 
 
 setzen, sondern Dich Deinem eigiien Gutbefinden zu uberlassefl, 
 spreche ich Dich von alien den Pflichten, die Du als Ehemanrt 
 gegen mich gehabt und auf Dich genommen, wohlbedachtlich 
 ganz frei und los, so dass Du von heute an, Dich, wenn es Dir 
 beliebt, kannst in eine andere Verbindung oder Ehe einlassen, 
 wie und wann Du willst, und sehe unsre eheliche Verbindung 
 als nicht geschehen an. Ersuche daher alle Obrigkeit in diesem 
 Fach, dass sie diese rrieine Dif erlassene Freiheit mochten 
 giitigst angedeihen lassen, indem es mein ernster Entschluss 
 ist, mich niemalen in das eheliche Fach zu begeben, danke Dif 
 auch zugleich fur alle mir erwiesene Liebe und Freundschaft, 
 die Du mir getan. Solches bekenne ich mit meiner eignen 
 Namens unterschrift. 
 
 ANNA MARIA FLATTICHIN." 
 
 15. 1806 werden noch achtzehn Separatisten (acht Manner, 
 zehn Frauen) aufgezahlt, von denen ein Teil 1813 Und 1814 den 
 fniheren nach Amerika folgte, die iibrigen als die ruhigeren 
 offenbar allmahlich wieder Frieden mit der Landeskirche ge- 
 schlossen haben. 
 
 16. Einen gewissen Ausgleich der Gerechtigkit gibt, 
 nachdem wir die Sache bisher doch in der Hauptsache durch die 
 Brille des damaligen Pfarrer Genter (von dem Jahf 1803 ab, 
 Wiedersheim) gesehen haben, eine Bemerkung in einer Pfarr- 
 beschreibung (etwa aus den Jahren 1830 bis 1840) : 
 
 „Separatisten befinden sich etliche in der Gemeinde; diese 
 leiten ihren Ursprung daher: Pfarrer Gotz von hier bildete eine 
 Anzahl Pietisten, sein Nachfolger Genter als Feind der Pietisten 
 eiferte in jedem Gottesdienst gegen diese. Sie drohten ihm, 
 dass sie aus der Kirche bleiben mussten, wenn er nicht aufhorten 
 gegen sie zu eifern, aber fruchtlos, und so haben sie sich von 
 der Kirche getrennt. Nachher wurden sie durch den Einfluss 
 eines Rapps, der sich zum Chef aufgeworfen und sogar politische 
 Zwecke in seinen Plan aufgenommen, verschlimmert und als 
 dieser ftirchtete, man gehe ihm zu Leibe, so wartderte er mit 
 einem grossen Teil von ihnen nach Amerika aus, wo er jetzt 
 noch als Despot iiber die Gesellschaft, die sich Harmonie nennt, 
 herrscht und eine glanzende Rolle spielt." 
 
 17. Gegenwartig gibt es in der kleinen Gemeinde von 788 
 
Johann Georg Rapp's House in Iptingen. 
 
 View of Iptingen. 
 
The Harmony Society. 175 
 
 Seelen noch vier Gruppen neben den allgcmeinen Gemeinde 
 ghedern : Eine kleine altpictistische Gcmeinschaft (fiinf Man- 
 ner, zwolf Weiber), ferner eine Pregizerstunde (acht Miinner, 
 fiinfzehn bis zwanzig Weiber) beide im ganzen kirchenfreund- 
 lich, und eine methodistische Richtung (drei Manner, zehn bis 
 fiinfzehn Weiber, noch nicht ganz von der Landeskirche gelost.) 
 Die Rappische Zeit hat nur noch insofern ihre Wellenringe 
 bis in die Gegenwart hineingetrieben, als in den letzten Jahr- 
 zehnten bei nahender Auflosung der Economygesellschaft die 
 Erbhoffnung und Lust aufs hochste steigerte. Rapp, die mit 
 jener Familie verwandt waren, sind allerdings nicht mehr hier, 
 dagegen in Nussdorf und von manchen Orten Wtirttembergs, 
 ja Deutschlands, kommen Anfragen von Leuten, die Rapp 
 heissen oder einen Rapp zu Schwieger und Grossvater hatten ; 
 von hier waren es dann besonders die Hornlischen. Es wur- 
 den Stammbaume gefordert, wurden Advokaten Procente ver- 
 sprochen, alles umsonst. 
 
 18. Aus dem Rappischen Stammbaum. 
 
 I. 
 Nussdorf. 
 Hans Rapp, geb. 1620, ges. 1696. 
 Erste Frau (?) 
 Zweite Frau : Elisabeth, geb. Fiedler. 
 
 II. 
 
 Nussdorf. 
 Hans Jorg Rapp, copulirt 1677 mi ^ 
 Margrete Schuler. 
 
 Iptingen, hierher gezogen. 
 
 III. 
 
 Iptingen. 
 Hans Jorg Rapp, geb. 23. Oktober 1678; copulirt 
 1707 mit Barbara Rieger. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Hans Adam Rapp, geb. 13. Mai 1720; ges. 16. Mai 
 1771 ; copulirt 12. Oktober 1755 mit 
 Rosine Berger; ges. I. Februar 1796. 
 
176 The Harmony Society, 
 
 V. 
 
 1 Marie Dorothea Rapp, geb. 11. Oktober 1756. 
 
 2 Johann Georg Rapp, geb. 1. November 1757; ge& 
 Economy, 7. August 1847; copulirt 4. Februar 
 1783 mit Christine Benzinger. 
 
 Vater 1803, Mutter und Kinder 1804 nach Amerika, 
 
 3 Elise Dorothea Rapp, geb. 7. August 1760; copu- 
 lirt 27. November 1804; z °g 1817 niit ihrem Mann 
 nach Amerika. 
 
 4 Adam Rapp, geb. 9. Marz 1762, soil unterwegs nach 
 Amerika auf dem Schifr' gestorben sein. 
 
 5 Marie Barbara Rapp, geb. 21. Oktober 1765; 1817 
 nach Amerika ausgewandert. 
 
 VI 
 (Kinder von Johann Georg Rapp und Christina, seiner Frau.) 
 
 1 Johannes Rapp, geb. 22. Dezember 1783. 
 
 2 Rosine Rapp, geb. 10. Februar 1786. 
 
 Zu den Photographien bemerke ich (der Abschreiber) : 
 
 Auf dem Bild I. steht das Wohnhaus, soweit bekannt zu- 
 gleich auch Geburtshaus des Johann Georg Rapp, gross in der 
 Mitte, so dass die drei Fenster an der Giebelseite gegen die 
 Strasse und die zwei Fenster an der Langseite die Wohnraume 
 bilden. (Die hintere Seite mit dem Blumenbrett vor den Fen- 
 stern ist wieder eine eigne Wohnung, wenigstens jetzt.) Wo 
 jetzt die beiden Dachladen sind an der Giebelseite unter dem 
 Nistkastchen (Maisenkastchen) einer ofren, einer geschlossen, 
 seien damals auch Fenster eingesetzt gewesen und diese Kam- 
 mer bildete dann Rapps Studier- und Meditationsstube, wo er 
 seine Erleuchtungen erhielt. 
 
 Auf dem Bild II. ist das Haus Rapps mit dem Bleistiftstrich 
 angedeutet, wieder an dem Nistkastchen kenntlich aufgenom- 
 men, wie es im „Hintergassle" unseres Dorfleins steht. Dabei 
 ist das Ort von Sudost gegen Nordwest aufgenommen. 
 
 Auf der Ansichtskarte III. die von Norden nach Siiden 
 aufgenommen, ist Rapps Haus nicht mehr sichtbar es wiirde in 
 der Verlangerung des Pfeils links zwei Hauser breit weiter links 
 stehen. 
 
Americana Germanica 
 
 NEW SERIES 
 
 MONOGRAPHS DEVOTED TO THE COMPARATIVE STUDY OP THE 
 
 Literary, Linguistic and Other Cultural Relations 
 of Germany and America 
 
 EDITOR 
 
 MARION DEXTER LEARNED 
 University of Pennsylvania 
 
 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS 
 
 H. C. G. Brandt Julius Goebel 
 
 \Y. H. Carpenter J. T. Hatfield 
 
 W. H. Carruth W. T. Hewett 
 
 Hermann Collitz A. R. Hohlfeld 
 
 Starr W. Cutting Hugo K. Schilling 
 
 Daniel K. Dodge H. Schmidt- Wartenber< 
 
 A. B. Faust Hermann Schoenfeld 
 
 Kino Francke Calvin Thomas 
 
 Adolph Gerber \\. S. White 
 Henry Wood 
 
 philadelph i \ 
 AMERICANA GERMANICA PRESS 
 
 Berlin New York Leipzig 
 
 MAYER & MULLER CARL A. STERN F A BROCKHAUS 
 
 London Paris 
 
 REGAN, PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & CO., Ltd. II. LeSOUDIER 
 

 r