KOSMON ALMANAC.

The New Calendar.

BASED ON THE MOVEMENTS OF
OUR SOLAR PHALANX.

Eloih Symbol

ALSO, AN ACCOUNT OF

S H A L A M ,

THE FIRST COMMUNITY OF THE KIND IN ALL THE WORLD.
FAITHISTS IN JEHOVIH, THE CREATOR. THEIR SOLID
FRONT AGAINST WAR, EVEN IF FORCED IN
FRONT OF BATTLE. A PEOPLE OF PEACE.

KOSMON 37.



THE KOSMON CALENDAR.


The sun-belt of the earth, or, according to the ancients, the terrestrial zodiac, is usually embraced in 23½° north to 23½° south latitude. The north line is called the sun's minimum, and is the shortest day in the year. Whilst the sun is low in the south, he is said to be on his southern journey; i.e., he left the north some one hundred and eighty-two days prior, and it takes him a whole year to get back. But he rests himself about two days on the line 23½° south, and on the next day he resumes his journey toward the north. This day is, therefore, our New-Year's Day. Not always immediately after the northern line, but the declension after the southern line, must be our determination of New-Year's Day. In plain English, the shortest day with us is Old-Year's Day; the next day thereafter (generally) will be New-Year's Day. This sun-belt is subdivided into twelve signs (instead of calendar months), thus:--

These, then, shall be the moon's days (months). The first new moon's day after New-Year's Day shall be the beginning of the first month; and the completion of the fourth quarter of the moon shall be the completion of the first month, and shall be named First Month.

The next four quarters of the moon shall be the second month, and it shall be named Second Month.

And the next completed four quarters of the moon shall be named Third Month. And so on, to the completion of the year.

Such, then, shall be the months in any and every year; for these are the moon's times as Jehovih created them.

S H A L A M

The folowing letter explains itself:--

SHALAM, LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO.

My Dear Friend,--This being our New Year's (equivalent to Dec. 23, Christian calendar), I rejoice in writing you in reply to your many questions. They call it winter here now, but it is more like April in Ohio or New York. A glimmer of light like summer rests on Mount Kosmon (p. 332, v. 32, Oahspe), which lies a few miles distant in the south-west. A few miles farther off, but to the south-west, we behold the lofty, blue-like Mount Venus. This mount is the place where the government made its observations of the transit of Venus, and they were superior to the observations at all other stations on the globe. The people hereabouts quote this as a proof that the atmosphere is purer than anywhere else.

To the north stretches out the long valley of Shalam (Rio Grande), and a little eastward lies the variegated Mount Shalam. These beautiful mountains begin about five miles distant, but the summit stretches out some twelve to fifteen farther on. Then, still farther east, a break in the range shows us a long range of the Rocky Mountains, covered with snow (at this season). These are some seventy miles distant.

Due east of our camp lie the Organ Mountains, so named because their spires resemble the pipes of an organ. These are twenty-seven miles distant; but so clear is our atmosphere, that, when we ask our new-comers how far they think it is to the Organ Mountains, they say, "About five miles." These mountains form all the extravaganzas that an artist could desire. And, as for glorious sunrises and sunsets, this beats the world. If they were painted as they are, even artists would denounce the painting as unnaturally extravagant. But enough of this.

Our land, about fifteen hundred acres, is rich, and level as a floor, but has to be irrigated. The men are now building aqueducts for this purpose. There is plenty more land round here to be bought cheap. So we feel there is plenty of room here for a community of two or three thousand people. We design planting about fifty acres in grape-vines, for the raisin-grape. Also a large number of apple, peach, pear, and other kinds of fruit. Then, we shall raise some wheat, corn, beans, etc., for market. This valley will produce root-vegetables in great abundance; but, up to this time, they have been grown only in little, tiny patches by the Mexicans,--a sort of half-Indian race.

Yes, we are strictly herbivorants, or vegetarians, using neither fish, flesh, butter, nor milk; and we enjoy our diet. We also eat but two meals a day, and like the plan. We work in groups, and frequently change off, so that no part can be severe on anybody. But you must not lose sight of the fact that ours is a community not for ourselves, but for the children we are going to raise. We do not pretend that we are the real thing. Our work is to prepare the way for those who are to be grown up to it. We have no beer, wine, or other liquor on the place. Neither can you hear a word of profanity in all Shalam. Our little temple of worship is open every morning for all who desire to go in and pray. Then, we have our Sabbath day of worship also. We have a school for our children, and also a method of manual instruction. One night a week we hold prayer-meeting, one night entertainments, one night rehearsals and elocution, two nights music, etc.; so that all our time is taken up.

You ask what you should bring. I should say, clothing and bedding if you have them; warm clothing and warm bedding are necessary always in a southern climate. But do not forget this, that if you come, and bring any thing, give it all in to the fraternity as soon as you arrive, hoarding nothing for yourself. It is not because the fraternity needs it, or wants it; for you can give away all you have before you come if you choose. They will supply you if necessary. But no selfishness must manifest in an applicant. In regard to work, we have enough to do for any and all who may come. We have no rules compelling work. Settle up all your affairs with the world before you come. Or you can assign the same to our Outer Council. Then, again, if you have any family-ties that you cannot forsake, you had better not come, otherwise you would not be happy. We want people whose whole hearts are here. A person who says, "I would like to live a little while in Shalam, to see how I should like it," is not ready to come. But a person who says, "I go not for myself, but to work, and establish a place for foundlings," is quite ready for Shalam.

You ask me about your friend, who has lived ten years in a community, and who wants to come to give us valuable advice and experience. I would say, "When we need him, I'll let you know."

Next, you ask us for our constitution and by-laws. Well, we have none. Neither have we any leader or superintendent. We have an Inner Council, with chiefs for each group, and a chief over all. We thus find concentration of our wants, desires, etc., expressed in a single head, in strict accord with the whole council. We are thus the most complete unit imaginable.

Now, in reference to coming here. Come on the A., T., and Santa Fee R.R., getting off at Dona Ana, which is a mile and a half from Shalam. Leave your trunk with the Mexican at the railroad, and then walk out; and we will send a team for the trunk. I forgot to say that Dona Ana is just fifty miles north of El Paso, Texas.

Ever yours, etc.


Did you ever think how much the American people work for the animal world? To raise hogs, cattle, calves, mutton, poultry, etc., constitutes half of a farmer's labor. Think also of the amount of consumption in grain and vegetables to feed these. Were these farmers vegetarians, they could live well on half the labor they now expend. Then, again, when we contemplate the number of butchers, and traffickers in flesh, the scene becomes truly apalling. Were all these laborers to go into the fields, and there cultivate vegetables and fruits, the price of living in the great cities would be reduced by more than one-half. Then our people would begin to be clean and healthy. No small-pox or fever would molest them. The desire for intoxicating drinks would pass away. Police would become useless.

But what is the use of writing this matter up? The only way to bring about these great reforms is to go away from the world,--live the life as we live it in Shalam.


SHAKERS.--Shakerism has demonstrated the advantage of communal over isolated labor. They have no poor. The goods they sell have a good name.


PHILOSOPHICAL.--"What! work all my life in a community, for nothing, and only get my food and clothes!" Vanderbilt, on his death-bed, said: "Alas! I have worked hard all my days, and got only my food and clothes for it."


SHALAM PHILOSOPHY.

"Do not assert any thing unless you can prove it."
"Never belittle what another says."
"Never take exceptions to what another says for opposition's sake." "Never take exceptions for sake of showing you cannot be led."
"What can I say that will make others rejoice?"
"He who will argue, is he not selfish? To stand up for one's own philosophy, is this not as selfish as to stand up for property?"
"To learn to know that we may be mistaken, who could act on this, and offend his neighbor?"
"How can there be individual or isolated ascension in heaven? Would we not desire our loved ones to go upward with us forever?"
"If ye cannot live in peace in a brotherhood on earth, neither shall ye find a brotherhood of peace and love in heaven."
"He who labors for himself in this world, shall find few friends in heaven."
"Are we not all eggs? and is not death our hatching out?"
"Jehovih saith, Man I created as a spirit; but I gave him a corporeal body, that he might learn corporeal things. Death I made, that man might rise in spirit, and inherit My etherean worlds in the firmament of heaven."


We often receive letters like this:--

Dear Mary,--Do write me all about the Faithists, and Shalam in particular. How far are you from the railroad and the post-office, and from some Christian church? and do you dress in uniform, or like the Shakers? My husband and I try to live good Christian lives, and we are wonderfully interested in your noble work. But we can't, and, what's more, we won't, do without meat and eggs. If we should conclude to join you, my husband wants to know if you object to cigars. He says no one must interfere with his liberty in this. I hope you will love him when you get acquainted with him. Tell me all about Oahspe, the New Bible. The old one is good enough for us. I know I would not believe in the new one. If we bring our baby (he is fourteen months old) when we come to visit you, do you provide us a nurse, or must we bring one? I am pretty sure we'll join; and I think, if we do, we can influence a good many more to join, etc.

(Signed) JESSIE.

[Answer to Jessie.]

DEAR _____ _____,--The facts of your own questions would preclude your becoming a Faithist, much less a member of our fraternity. We admit no Christians. Their faith being in Christ, let them go to Christ. Jehovih, the Creator, is sufficient unto His own works. We regard Christianity as a form of idolatry. It breeds contention, disputes, and war wherever it goes. We are strictly vegetarians. We practisethe commandments,--to love Jehovih above all else, and one another as much as ourselves. We return good for evil, if it happens to come with our new-comers, and we soon win them. We have no servants for you, nor for ourselves. We are all equal. As to Oahspe, please send to "The Oahspe Association," 128 West 34th Street, New York, and get a copy, and read it. We regard your influence to induce people to join us as gratuitous. We rest our faith in that respect upon Jehovih.

Yours, etc. MARY.


THE FAITHISTS dwelling in Shalam say to all who may see this, Our home is open to all who feel inspired to come and live the life. Are you tired of the world? Come. Have you no home compatible with living a high and pure life? Come. Do you desire companions who are pure and good? Come. Are you willing to lend a willing hand to do something? Come. Do you desire to live where you will never smell tobacco, beer, or whiskey? Come. For particulars, please address

MRS. F. SWEET, Secretary O. C., Shalam, Las Cruces, New Mexico.


CURIOUS NOTIONS:--Many people have had a notion that the work of the Faithists was merely to build some sort of orphan or foundling home. Another notion has been, that our American republican government was the highest order of government. Even many people of intelligence do not know what a fraternal government is.


FAITHISTS' WORK.--In Shalam we shall raise from two to three thousand foundlings and orphans. We shall not only educate them in books equal to the highest places of learning in the United States, but we shall also teach them how to work at all kinds of trades and occupations. We shall raise them vegetarians; never feed them on fish nor flesh, nor beer nor wine nor whiskey, nor even to see these things consumed by other people. Neither shall they see people use tobacco nor opium, nor hear profane language. When they have grown to be men and women, they can, if they choose, remain here as long as they live. This will be one fraternity. The Faithists will multiply these fraternities until they stretch all over the country; until they ultimately carry away the foundlings and orphans from the great Christian cities, where up to this time thousands of these little creatures die every year from neglect, and where even the few who are now saved grow up to be paupers or criminals.


MARRIAGE.--The Faithists are monogamists in the strictest sense, though some of them are celibates.