Show A CURIOUS ry A considerable number of experiments nave have been tried in the united states looking lookin 1 s to the establishment of a community abich should live in such a manner as ag to reduce to a minimum the evils of life in this world and to provide in abundance this worlds goods generally there has been an attempt in connection with such experiments to put in practice some religious religions or philosophical theory which as aa the advocates believed would make men better and happier prominent among such societies may be men tinned the lebanon shakers such organizations usually have marked peculiarities in their mode of life and more especially in their re lilious vie views ws so conflict with the opinions of mankind in general that great numbers of people are not converted to membership one of these curious communities has built a village called amana situated about seventy five miles west of davenport iowa strictly speaking there are seven villages bu but t they tie lie close te ather and are called amana east west south middle and high amana and he the homestead each village consists of a 4 single street and the houses bouses are old fashioned quaintly furnished but comfortable homes domes the community nm ambers bers several hundred people and is the outgrowth of a small colony of religious devotees who came from germany in 1842 aua and settled near buffalo new york the organization grew and it became necessary to find a locati location od watch afforded more room nence hence the re removal to iowa christian metz the leader and founder ot of the colony claimed to be inspired and tp to give inspirational interpretations to passages ot of scripture he died in 1867 tap tae next bead of the society was a woman noman named barbara heyneman who also laid claim to inspiration and who died in ia 1882 at the present time the control of tb abc colony is said to be vested in ia a board of trustees the religion of the com coin tolerates but discourages inar tage regarding it as a necess necessary arv evil amusements are prohibited and the only musical instrument tolerated it is said is the flute photography photographs and pictures are objected to on the ground that they savor of idolatry property is owned in common each village manages its own affairs fairs If but all hii report at the head village what axe a e called the elders are a numerous class and are presumed to be men ot of great rest piety and to be called by inspiration A convert wishing to unite with the colony must put all his bis property into its common f und fund aud work two years without the allowance given to full fledged members should tie he at any time desire to sever his connection with the community be receives again trie toe amount he gave and is permitted to depart in peace I 1 the he people have good toed foed but they are very verv modest and unassuming in dress in fact the men pay little attention to the fit of their clothes and a sameness and marked plainness characterize the costumes of the ibe women the children are sent to schools provided tor for them but the curriculum is very much out of date A number of articles are manufactured among them flannel which has won a wide reputation agriculture is a leading pursuit boys and girls youths and maidens are kept spart apart the eject being to discourage matrimony A strong religious sentiment holds the colonists together and they present many characteristics teri te which are quaint and curious their villages are described as being so BO old fashioned and unique as to seem to belong to some past age |