Agapemonitis . μόνη , home), founded in 1846 by the vicar Henry James Prince ( Henry James Prince , 1811–1899) and Samuel Starkey, who existed until the death of his last adept in 1956.
The society was a commune of wealthy people of both sexes over 24 years old who settled on the site of a former Catholic monastery, in the middle of a rich valley in Charlynch, not far from Spaxton in Somerset .
The head of the commune, Henry Prince, who was revered for his divine incarnation, had spiritual brides from unmarried women, members of the sect. Because of the suspicion that their connection was also physical, in 1849 the sect was investigated, and the name of the society became a household name for any group professing the principles of free love .
Content
History
Commune
It consisted of a number of vast and elegant buildings surrounded by a rampart that exceeded the usual ramparts around the English estates. In the center of the buildings, in the Gothic villa on a small hill, lived the head of the sect, Henry Prince. The monastery chapel housed a banquet hall with the inscription “Long live holy love!” In addition, there were residential buildings for members of the community, stables, sheds and a house.
Membership
In the summer of 1849, the number of members reached 60; the number of married and unmarried was almost equal, and all were wealthy people. There were no members under 24 years old. Women and men were short cut. The sect included several priests formerly belonging to the Church of England ; one doctor; Attorney in charge of the legal affairs of the company; civilian officer; farmer and others
The family lived carefree, earning income from significant capital laid in an English bank. The property was common; the superior disposed of it; the table was also shared.
Dogmas
The sect did not have specific dogmas. The members of the family of love recognized themselves as Trinitarians , professed an apostolic symbol and separated from the Anglican church rather because of disagreement with its foundations, rather than with the main provisions. They claimed that in every way they praise God, that the Day of forgiveness has passed, and the Day of Judgment will come, that every action entails its inevitable consequences, which make up a reward or punishment for people, that they act as God has commanded, and receive reward for their affairs through their own feelings. They rejected prayers , but sometimes performed hymns in the open air. They did not distinguish between Sunday and other days.
Realizing God as life, bliss and love, they refused prayers and fasts ; relations between men and women were based on mutual affection, which determined their duration; but simultaneous communication with two women was not allowed. If anyone dared to enter into a love relationship outside their "home", he was arrested and forcefully returned to the "Aganemon".
1849 Corollary
At first it was a subject of strong public curiosity. But in 1849 the “family of love” underwent an investigation that cast doubt on the disinterestedness of society and especially its head. Prince had previously been a vicar in Charlinche and received only 40 pounds a year, and the founding of Agapemon significantly improved his condition.
Literature
- Agapemon // Encyclopedic Dictionary compiled by Russian scientists and writers. St. Petersburg, 1861.