UARMONISTS, a sect founded at Wfirtemberg by George and Frederick Rapp about 1787. The points of belief of the sect, as finally elaborated, are these: Adam was created a dual being, having within his own person both the sexual elements, and the Creator is of the same dual nature; if Adam had been satisfied to remain in his own original race he would have increased without the aid of woman, and brought forth beings like himself, but lie became discontented, and then the Creator separated his twofold nature, of the female element making woman to gratify Adam's desire, and therein consisted the fall of man; that the condition of celibacy is the most pleasing to God; that in the renewed world man will be restored to his dual God-like and Adam like condition; that the coming of Christ and time renovation of the world are near at hand; that we should be in constant readiness for this reappearance; that Jesus was of a dual nature, like Adam before the fall; that Christ taught a community of goods; that ultimately all mankind will find salvation ;—but only those who are celibates, and other wise conform to what they believe to be the commandments of Jesus, will be at once received into the company of Christ and his companions, and that offenders must undergo a probation for purification. They positively reject what is called spiritualism.
The early members were so much harassed by petty persecutions, chiefly from the regu lar churches, that in 1803 they determined to emigrate, and came to Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1805 they were firmly and prosperously established at Harmony, Butler co., Penn., where they remained ten years. Then they migrated to New Harmony, Ind., there until 1824, when they sold their land to Robert Owen, the socialist, and returned to Pennsylvania, establishing themselves at Economy, Beaver Co., 17 in. n.w. of Pittsburg. Here they have grown in wealth and decreased in numbers, for they ' have of late years sought no accessions. There are probably not more than 100 in the neat little village, and nearly all are old men. The German language is still used. They have much property in real estate, in coal mines, and they control, at Beaver Falls, the largest cutlery manufactory in the country.