COMMUNISTIC SOCIETIES. Social, and, frequently, religious associations based on the general principle of each member eontrilmting all his possessions, labor, and earnings to a com mon stock, in which all members share alike. As is pointed out more fully in the article COMMU NISM (q.v.), such expedients have been adopted tor the benefit of groups of individuals through out the entire course of history. In central Europe, during the Reformation, numerous com munistic organizations sprang up. notably the Taborites (q.v.l and their successors, the :Vora vians (q.v.). Later the teachings of Fourier and Saint-Simon on the Contim•nt and Kingsley and Hughes in England stimulated like move ments. During the past century the United States has been the scene of nearly all cornmunis tie organizations. a new country furnishing the best field. They characterize that stage in social evolution during which men are forced to group together into communities in order to provide for their mutual wants, and disappear with the appearance of more complex division of labor :11n1 more advanced social conditions. The more minilortant modern communistic societies are treated elsewhere under separate titles. See KORESHAN ECCLESIA SEPAR.iTISTS ; SHAKERS: PI:REF:MONISTS, etc.
Of the lesser communistic societies may be mentioned: (1) The Adonai kqionio. This so ciety was organized and incorporated in Peters ham, Mass., in 1876. Its religious principles are like those of the Adventists, among whom the movement originated. The communistic system is added, with recognition of an equal voice to men and women in the management. The society
ceased to exist in 1897. (2) The Altruists. This society is non-se•taxian and does not interfere with marriage or the family affairs of its mem I,ers. or with their opinions. .lien and women are accorded equal rights, and the governing body is ehosen by the vote of the majority. (3) The Amain: Commnnity, or True Inspiration Con grcgation. The first members of this society came from Germany, led by Christian Metz, of St rassburg, and fonuded the Community of Eben-Ezer, near Buffalo. N. Y., in 18-12. Be tween 1855 and 1865 they gradually removed to their present location, near Davenport. Iowa. They have no creed but the Bible, believing in its entire inspiration, that God still inspires His people and that their leaders for the time being are possessed by this gift. They hold the doc trines of the Trinity, justification by faith, the resurrection of the dead, and purification of the wicked by fire, but not that of eternal punish ment; are non-resistants, and approve of mar riage. are classified as of the hig,hest, middle, and children's orders, to the last of which those of the higher orders who fail are dropped till they amend. An examination of the spiritual condition of all the members is held at least once a year. Their regular religions ser vices include singing, reading from the Bible and the inspired hook, prayer, and exhortation. Temporal affairs are administered by a board of chosen by the members, to which women are not elected. •