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Show 188 . PRACTICAL WORKING OF * HE SYSTEM. but the exhibition of petty jealousies, envy, bickerings, and strife. Confidence - and sisterly affection among the different members of the family seeined pre- eminently conspicuous, and friendly intercourse among neighbours, with balls, parties, and merry- makings at each others' houses, formed a prominent and agreeable feature of the society. In these friendly reunions, the president, with his numerous family, mingled freely, and was ever an honoured and welcome guest, tempering by his presenoe the exuberant hilarity of the young, and not unfrequently closing with devotional exercises the gayety of a happy evening. There are many other curious points contained in their religious creed, but it is not my purpose here to write a theological treatise upon their views. The effect of the system, as may be welL sup* posed, is to render the people in. a high degree Separate and peculiar; and to- prevent, not only all amalgamation, but even any' intimate association, with other communities. To this irreconcilable difference, not in speculative opinion's only, but in habits, manners* and customs necessarily growing out of them, may, I think, in a great measure, be attributed the bitter hostility of the people among whom they formerly dwelt,* and which resulted in their forcible expulsion. The same Causes of social incompatibility which existed then, iixist now, and in much greater strength- the community being freed from the pressure of public opinion that then surrounded them; a! nd, although the. freest toleration is ( no doubt sincerely) proclaimed toward any who may choose to settle among, them, yet I do not tae how it is possible for the members of any other " Christian societies, all o^ which are theoretically and practically opposed to their views, to exist among thetn, without constant collision, jealousy, and strife: The result, therefore, must b£. the establishment'helre of a people of one faith, the fundamental principles of whose civil government will, under the lead of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, be framed to Accord with that faith, to build up and support it, and to exclude from' all participation in its administration every element that does not fully coincide with its requirements. When what is now but a Territory shall have become a sovereign State, with tfce uncontrolled poorer of making its own laws, this, will undoubtedly be done; and we shall then see in ear midst a State as different from the rest of the Union in faith, manners, and customs, as it is widely separated by the vast plains and inhospitable deports thai surround it. That such a State will soon be formed, no reflecting |