In a society of which you might be a member, with a full privilege to assist in its organization, you will be better able to choose those of congenial qualities for associates than you ever can in your present position, so that your life, after a while, may be select in its chosen companions, and a great deal more so in its general social features than now. Since I came here I find my ideas all changed in relation to this subject. Instead of the yoke that I felt would be on me, I find freedom--freedom to speak, to act, and a truly self-imposed government. The yoke I expected to find _is_ very easy and the burden is light. I enjoy my life and home. We have not much of worldly goods, but we are united and we look high up--some say to cloud-land; but I assure you that on the average there is nowhere a clearer-headed set of persons on social questions than here, and association is now to me the most beautiful thing on earth. The life and ideas are all one with harmony. Surely is it not better for me to begin life this way than with doubt and distrust of my fellows? Doubt begets doubt; faith begets faith; action begets action. If we can get enough persons to follow us, we can prove whether our ideas are true or not. Surely the dull, monotonous life of "religious communities" like the Moravians, Shakers, Rappites and others find followers; why not this bright, happy, cheering, frank life of ours? We are expecting a visit from Horace Greeley soon; I have never seen him, but we have heaps of strangers coming every day, some quite distinguished and some plain folks, but the average are wide-awake people. Truly your friend, JOHN C. FOSTER. _Letter on Social Equality._ BROOK FARM, MASS., Sept. 9, 1845. MY DEAR SISTER: Do not think that the great minds here teach _social equality_, as many seem to think they do. To hear outsiders talk one would imagine that the leaders want that all should be of the same pattern; that the tall geniuses should be cut down to an average, and the dwarfs set up on stilts to make them of the same height as the others. How far from it!