The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-09-21 00:00:00

THE SHAKERS.

For a considerable time, as the public are aware,
Mrs. Girling and her "family," as she terms them, of
about 80 per Bows belonging
.to the peculiar sect known
as "Shakers," have been occupying cold and in--
hospitable quarters in fields and strips of waste land at
Vag's-lane, near Lvraington, Hants, the only resource
they had after their eviction from an encampment in
the neighbourhood. On reading the accounts which
have from time to time appeared in the daily papers
of the great hardships they have endured, Mr. W. P.
Warner, of the "Welsh Harp," Hendon, wrote to
Mrs. Girling and offered her and her friends the use
of the Grand Stand and other premises on his race-
course at Kingsbury. To this invitation Mrs. Girling
sent the following reply :

"By the road, Vag's-lane, Hadle, near Lymington, Hants,
Sept. 7.—Sir,—ln answer to your letter I thank you for your
offer of help in event of my coming for a time to Hendon;
but I would ask you if you understand the class of people we
are, and how many we number, and how we live? We are eighty
in number, ages from eight years to seventy, all Christian
people, with no creed, or doctrine, or form, but a real enjoy-
ment of a Christ within. Our law of working is one for
anbther. The men work on the land, but not for masters.
If we should come, we cannot work for a living except in a
spiritual way, in which, if I am rightly informed, there is a
large field for labour. Will you please send me word with a
few particulars regarding your places, as you will remember
that in our present position we have no means of living but
what comes by the law of faith. It would cost me a great
deal to get to Hendon. I suppose there is no furniture or
household accommodation at the race-course. Should there
not be any I should have to bring some. An answer by
return will oblige, yours truly, M. A. GIRLING."

On receipt of the above Mr. Warner immediately set
on foot a subscription to meet the more immediate and
pressing wants of Mrs. Girling and her " family "
until the necessary arrangements for their journey to
Hendon could be made. His appeal was so promptly
and generally responded to that in a day or two it
amounted to a considerable sum, whereupon Mr.
Warner again communicated with Mrs. Girling, and
received the following reply :

" Slr,—Your letter of this morning meets with returning
gratitude. As regards room, I think it will meet my wants
as far as I could expect to be met under present circum-
stances. As to the expenses of travelling, I would do with
as little furniture as poEsible to save travelling expenses.
Perhaps if we could come up, the railway company would
contract for the family, being SO in number. lam afraid it
would take a great deal—not leas than £6O or £7O. If you
will send me full details I can then shape my course accord-
ingly, as the will of God may be. With thanks, I remain,
truly and faithfully yours, M. A. GIRLING."

The arrangements for housing and feeding these
singular people have all but been completed. The
Grand Stand of the Kingsbury Racecourse has been
c,nverted into a temporary hotel, containing abundant
dormitory accommodation, as well as a large room
which will be used as a refectory. Mrs. Girling and
her " family " are expected to reach Hendon in the
course of the present week.