souls is more numerous in this country than among any other Protestant people, may be distinctly stated. Our first reason may be called a political and economical one. To be freed from the cares and toils of the common duties of life is necessary to the development of the nobler powers of the soul. Here in the United States, competence is more easily acquired than in any other land, thanks to our political institutions and the advantages of our country; hence, those who feel strongly called to live a higher life have the leisure so necessary to their growth and develop ment. Many, in whom under less favorable circumstances, all instinct of a diviner life would be stifled and trodden out, here come to a full consciousness of their nobler powers and true destiny. Another reason, and one which may be called geographical, is, the nature and state of our country. It is not enough to be freed from care and toil for the development of our secret powers and aspirations after a purer and holier life -more is needed-silence, solitude is needed. Our country presents these to us with a lavish hand, and on the grandest scale, in her deep forests, her vast prairies, in her unexplored regions and uncultivated lands; these, with our sparse population, force a great part of our people to silence and into solitude. And these conditions give quiet and tranquillity to the mind, qualities which conduce, and so to speak, provoke man to the meditation and contemplation of his own nature, his destiny, and of God. For solitude gives birth to our nobler impulses, and nature rightly viewed leads upwards step by step, as it were, to our common Author, in whom all secrets are opened to our view. Such, and many such souls there are, who, "bold with divine affections" and "filled with mighty hopes," have endeavored to realize a better, purer and holier life, in our days and in our land. Among many such noble attempts, we shall give an account of two or three, as types and representatives of the tendencies of that class of men who would live and consecrate their lives to divine purposes. VII. Brook Farm. "To make some nook of God's creation a little fruitfuller, better, more worthy of God; to make some human hearts a little wiser, manfuller, happier ;-more blessed, less accursed! This is work for a God." CARLYLE. HIS thought has occupied the souls of many, THIS and several generous and heroic efforts have been made to realize and accomplish such a work. We have thought it best and more interesting to the reader, to let those who were engaged in these movements speak for themselves. Let us first give an idea of the location of Brook Farm, that what follows may be better understood. Brook Farm was situated at West Roxbury, about eight miles from the city of Boston. The place is one of great natural beauty, and the whole landscape is so rich and varied as to attract the notice even of casual visitors. The farm consisted of about two hundred acres of land, of as good quality as any in the neighborhood of Boston. Such was, in a few words, the locality of Brook Farm. "No man amongst us," says a writer, in speaking of the founder of Brook Farm, "is better acquainted with the various plans of world-reform which have been projected, from Plato's Republic to Fourier's Phalanx; but this establishment seems to be the result, not of his theorizing, but of a simple want of his, as a man and a Christian. He felt himself unable, in the existing social organization, to practise always according to his conceptions of Christianity. He could not maintain with his brethren those relations of love and equality which he felt were also needful to him for his own intellectual and moral growth and wellbeing. Moved by this feeling, he sought to create around him the circumstances which would respond to it, enable him to worship God and love his brother; and to love his brother in a truly Christian manner. A few men and women, of like views and feelings, grouped themselves around him, not as their master, but as their friend and brother; and the community of Brook Farm was established. The views and feelings, and wants of these men and women, are those of the great mass of all Christian communities;-the desire to realize the Christian Ideal." * Another writer, speaking of those who were engaged in the movement at Brook Farm, says: "They considered the possibility of making such industrial, social, and educational arrangements, as would simply promote economy, combine leisure for study with healthful and honest toil, avert collisions of caste, equalize refinements, awaken generous affections, diffuse courtesy, and sweeten and sanctify life as a whole." † A visitor to the community says: "There are seventeen associates; by means of the Farm they are able to pay the interest of the debt on the * O. K. Brownson. Wm. H. Channing. |