Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-05
.RLerandria. MIY 1926.
SHAKER WORSHIP.

,. )
sort of enchantmen,, that mixtnre Of awe * de-
light, that kind Of celestial rapture; which we
now imagine every person will feel on first at
tending the Shaker Worship. We went with
those preiudices natural TO the world, but were
constrained TO forget them as long as the wor-
ship continued. II would not be easy, by any
description of ours, to convey TO the reader an
idea Of our feelings at the time.
These observations are suggested by Sum
day visit TO the Shakers of New Lebanon y.
The village itselfis like a well cultivated gar
den, and reminds you, as you pass along. that II
! is inhabited by different sort OF beings from
! the rest Of mankind AS if neatness about their
houses and lands, and perfection in their me-
chanic arts, were part Of their religion, every
thing relating to these things Will strike you
with pleasure, if not surprise. But the meeting
house is the most remarkable object, and In
many respects, surpasseS every other edihce Tor
divine worship in the country. IT IS very large
on the ground, and the roof which is convex, is
covered $50 we are told) with one entire sheet Of
tin, the different pieces being sOldered into one.
However this may be, il has very dazzling ap
pearance, when viewed in the sunshine. But il
YOU are struck with the outside Of the building,
you will be much more so on entering 1t. The
spacious roofs supported solely by its arch,
there being no, single post or column in the
interior, TO obstruct your views Of the inmates
and their exercises of worship The walls aud
the concave ceiling ale neatly painted Of green
color; and the floor is the most perfect in mate
rails, and workmanship, as well as neatness,
that can be imagined Indeed its appearance
is so smooth, and so inviting 10 the foot, that
we will venture to say, there is not damsel to
be found, who is fond Of tripping, "on the light
fantastic toe" who could forbear practising her
steps, did not the awful nature of the place for
bid the indulgence of any feeling allied to this
vain sublunary world
With politeness and attention to the COM
fort of strangers, not always manifested by 9TH
er sects, the cords people are largely accom-
modated with seats, and those Of the most con-
venient kind, for Witnessing the Shaker wor-
ship. And if you are not believer in that
mode Of worship, you will at least bear testimo-
nv to the kind and accommodating disposition
manifested BY the worshipers towards their
stranger guests.
The peculiarly Of the Shaker worship COR
sists in what is called iabouriag. This, as far as
we have had an opportunity TO observe It, is a
march and dance performed alternately, al
WAYS accompanied with singing, sometimes
with words, but more generally without. The
worshpine troops, if we may so call them, are
formed into two companies, one OF each sex, x
subdivided into sections Of four persons They
move round and round in a circle, having in
side choir Of singers Of both sexes, who stand
still, and only beat time with both hands in con-
cert with their voices. The most perfect uni
formity in the mode Of dress is observed to
each company; the males all laboring without
coats. and their shirt sleeves tied round just a.
boye the elbow with black or dark colored
riband; and the females clad in uniform loose
frocks, or robes, of snowy whiteness, with black
high.heeled shoes, and plain caps Of thin muslin
closely fitting their heads, and large handker-
chiefs covering their necks and shoulders UNI
starcbed, and of the same snowy whltenesS as
their robes and caps.
Beholding the females, or sisters, thus clad
seeing them move in long rows or chorS-hear-
ing their music, which differs from aught you
have heard in the worId-and all with the most
perfect regularity, decorum,and even solemnity,
il is somewhat difficult to persuade yourself,
that they are really beings OF earth, and you
are apt at first TO imagine yourself translated to
different sphere of existence. And SO pleas
ing, so solemn, so powerful the enchantment,
that suffering yourself to be guided by your
feelings, and giving the reins TO your imagina-
ton, you fell in no haste to bring back your
mind to the cold realities Of earth, and the dry
deductions OF reason.
We never saw any troops under so perfect
discipline. There isno bawling, no giving OF
orders, no getting out ofranks, no putting the
wrong foot forward AS soon as the music
strikes us, the whole band is, in motion, beating
time with their hands, and keeping time with
their feet They have sort OF bounding,
elastic step, quite different from that OF the sol
der of this world, who marching to the sound
of drum and fife, puts down his foot as il he
wished TO stick forever to the soil OF this lower
sphere.-W lille you behold the Shakers in this
exercise, accompanied with their singing, you
can hardly persuade yourself, that they are not
marching heavenward, and feel half tempted to
join in the procession.
To conclude, if it were right to give any ad-
vice, on the subject to those whose weapons
are carnal," or if itwere right to mention IN the
same sentence, those whose designs is TO save,
and those whose objest is to destroy, we should
recommend to our militia to SO to the Sha-
kers and learn Observation-Disclosures american.