CONTENTS.

PART I-FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES.

CONVERSATION I.

Definition of terms and appellation-Generic meaning of Socialism-Who

are Socialists, and who Anti-Socialists—Different kinds of Socialists-Un-

just to lump all together-Why retain these oft misunderstood terms,

Socialism and Socialist-What the terms Christian and Practical denote,

as designating our kind of Socialism-Essential principles of the Christian

Religion the basis of our Socialism-What Religion is in general, and

what the Christian Religion is in particular-Whence the Christian Re-

ligion is to be learned, viz., the Scriptures-Why Christ left no elaborate

Writings, and why we have such brief records-the Christian Religion a

universal, perfect and immortal one.

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CONVERSATION II.

Who or what is Christ-Origin and definition of the name Christ-Old

Testament prophecies concerning Christ-Jesus of Nazareth applied these

and similar predictions to himself—The proofs of it-Was Jesus Christ

divine or human-The divine and human natures were both manifested

in him-the exterior Christ, and the interior Christ-The Christ-form of

divine manifestations-Explanations called for—The numberless earths

and heavens-The Infinitarium of universes-God exclusively local no

where-His manifestations of himself by means of his Christ-hood; also

his subordinate and less personal manifestations through the Holy Ghost

-Precise explanations of meaning and idea on all these points.
34

CONVERSATION III.

Inquirer recapitulates the principal positions and ideas which he under-

stands Expositor to have set forth in the preceding Conversation, and

Expositor pronounces the statement of them to be correct-Is there any

difference in essence between the interior and exterior Christ-Between

the Infinite Father-Spirit, the Christ-Spirit and the Holy Ghost ?-Ex-

planatory replications-Inquirer calls for passages of Scripture which

speak of the Christ-Spirit as existing prior to and distinct from the man

Christ Jesus-Given-Light of the Christ-Spirit universal in a greater or

less degree; allusion to Pythagoras, Confucius, &c. &c.-How to determ-

ine as to what is Christ-like wherever found-Passages of Scripture

showing the Deific Personality of the Christ-Spirit speaking through, yet

as above the Christ-man-Some passages in which the exterior Christ or

mere man spoke-Some in which the Christ-Spirit and Holy Ghost ap-

pear to be the same in essence—Conclusion respecting Christ and the

necessity of his Religion to man's individual and social regeneration.. 44

CONVERSATION IV.

Statement of essential divine principles given in a Table of three general

Divisions-I. Principles of Theological Truth-II. Principles of Personal

Righteousness-III-Principles of Social Order--Explanations of certain

terms--1st Principle considered--2d Principle considered--3d Principle

considered.

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CONVERSATION V.

The 4th principle of Theological Truth considered-Inquiries answered

respecting the existence of evil angels and spirits; respecting the resur-

rection of the mortal body, Christ's body &c.; and respecting the general

resurrection-Manifestive resurrections, as distinguished from the uni-

versal, absolute resurrection-5th principle of Theological Truth consid-

ered, with the proper qualifications thereof.

CONVERSATION VI.

65

The 6th principle of Expositor's Table considered-Sample of proof texts-

What is meant by divine retribution-Inquiry about natural laws an-

swered-Characteristics of a perfect retribution-Inquiry about endless

punishment answered--The day of judgment-The 7th principle consid-

ered-What spiritual regeneration is; definitions and explanations-

Sample of proof texts-Extreme doctrines of total native depravity and

perfect native purity both discarded-True doctrine defined, with sundry

answers to inquiries.
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CONVERSATION VII.

The struggle of human nature from its lowest state of imperfection, internal

and external, through the long career of progress upward to harmony with

God-Scriptures relating to this struggle-The final universal triumph of

Good over evil proved to be a cardinal truth of the Christian Religion-

Inquirer's objections and difficulties answered; showing that God's con-

stitution of the universes, under conditions of progress from the lowest

imperfection to final perfection, with all their variety of contrast, is an

all-wise system-Quotations from Pope and from Thompson.

CONVERSATION VIII. .

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Expositor is prepared to take up the Principles of Personal Righteousness—

Inquirer calls for more critical definitions of the term principle, &c.—

Definitions given-What true personal righteousness is-The eight

principles of it repeated-The 1st, Reverence for the divine &c. consider-

ered-Meaning of the terms in which this principle is stated-Radical

distinction shown between the Divine Nature and external Nature; also

between spiritual and material realities-Co-eternity of God, Soul-Spirit

and Matter-Distinctions between them-The seven grades of Matter,

also of Soul-Spirit-Constitution of the Infinitarium-Cycles of existence

-The ultimate perfection of the soul-The six Infinities-Explanation

respecting true Reverence as a principle-Subject to be concluded in the

next Conversation.

101

CONVERSATION IX.

Consideration of Reverence for the Divine and spiritual concluded—2d. Self-

denial for righteousness' sake expounded-3d. Justice to all beings unfold-

ed-4th. Truth in all manifestations of mind illustrated-5th. Love in all

spiritual relations considered, with sundry explanations, applications,

proofs and confirmations.

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CONVERSATION X.

Principle 6th of Personal Righteousness considered, viz: Purity in all

things-The 7th considered, viz: Patience in all right aims and pursuits-

The 8th explained and established, viz: Unceasing progress towards per-

fection-All universes, and individuations of Soul-Spirit and Matter

thereto belonging, have their Cycles of revolution-their generation,

progress, perfection and dissolution-Man's progress through all states of

being, from animal imperfection up to celestial and divine perfection-The

great principle of unceasing progress towards perfection plainly one of the

Christian Religion--Principles recapitulated.

CONVERSATION XI.

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The Principles of Social Order--The 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th Principles of

Social Order successively considered-The 6th Principle criticised, de-

fended and demonstrated.

134

CONVERSATION XII.

The 6th Principle of Social Order further criticised and defended-The 7th

Principle taken up, expounded and proved-The 8th Principle considered

and demonstrated-End of Part I.

PART II-CONSTITUTIONAL POLITY.

147

CONVERSATION I.

What is meant by Constitutional Polity-The grand aim of the new Social

System, viz: the promotion and harmonization of all real human interests

-The seven spheres of human interest, viz: Individuality, Connubial-

ity, Consanguinity, Congeniality, Federality, Humanity and Universality

-The wants, rights and duties of Individuality, &c. &c.

Constitution of The Practical Christian Republic.

CONVERSATION II.

165

Inquirer expresses his admiration of the Constitution-Proposes questions,

difficulties and objections which he has heard raised, to call out a full

exposition of the Document-The title "Practical Christian Republic"

explained and defended-Article I. defended against the objection that too

much is proposed, too wide a grasp of objects attempted-Article II.

taken up, "Principles"-Objections of a human governmentist, of an

individual sovereignty ite-Minor difficulties allowable as to explicatory

ideas of fundamentals-Constitution open to amendment, progress a fun-

damental, secession a right-Creedo-phobia — Article III. taken up,

"Rights"-Rights limited only by divine principles, broad scope of rights

in this Republic-Property rights, the leveller's selfishness-Right to

enjoy particular friendships.
190

The IVth Article of the Constitution taken up, "Membership"-The Seven

Circles, viz: the Adoptive, Unitive, Preceptive, Communitive, Expan-

sive, Charitive and Parentive, their uses and advantages set forth-the Vth

article taken up, “Organization,” relating to the various constituent and

confederate bodies of our Republic--Proposed Constitution for a Parochial

Community-Also one for a Rural Community-Published Constitution

and Enactments of The Hopedale Community referred to as a good sam-

ple of the Joint Stock Community organization.
206

CONVERSATION IV."

Expositor refers to the Constitution and Enactments of The Hopedale Com-

munity, which Inquirer has had under examination, as presenting an