ls at the common
table, yet exceptions were allowed in certain cases. It was affirmed
that with this division of labor and a common table, the cost of board
for a single individual per week did not exceed fifty cents.

The Association had under cultivation several hundred acres of land and
were now putting flour mills in operation. Goods were purchased at
wholesale by the Association and re-sold to individuals at the same
rate. A school had been established and was under the care of a very
competent teacher. Thus, externally, everything appeared to promise well
and the people seemed orderly and happy. But, like all other enterprises
of the same character, selfishness and corruption finally crept in, and
the institution fell into decay, and ultimately disappeared.

The people of Ceresco were always gratified to receive the attention of
the outside world, and their hospitalities were proverbial. And, though
not a few of the leading men were professed Infidels, they always
received ministers gladly and treated them with consideration. They were
specially gratified to have religious services held among them, and the
ringing of the bell would generally insure a good audience. The dining
hall was used as a Chapel until a more convenient place was provided in
the erection of a large school house.

Here in the low, long hall I held forth on the following Sabbath. The
position was an awkward one. The table stood in the middle of the hall,
reaching from one end to the other. The congregation was seated on each
side in long rows. The preacher stood at the head of the table and threw
his message along the narrow defile, greatly to his own annoyance, if
not the discomfort of the people. To me the task was exceedingly
disagreeable. My thin, feminine voice seemed to spend its volume before
it had reached the middle of the line. Then, my rapid manner of speaking
seemed to send the words in wild confusion into the distant part of the
hall. But I soon learned to gauge my voice to the place, and,
thereafter, I enjoyed unusual freedom of speech.

At the close of the services, the table was spread for dinner. I was
assigned the head of the table, with the President of the Association at
my right, and the Vice President at my left. Both of these gentlemen
were decidedly Infidel in their views, and have since become somewhat
distinguished as champions of Unbelief. They always treated me with
courtesy, however, and sought to make my visits