Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-08-24
From The Massachusetts N rs
THE SHAKERS.

The singular society of people commonly called
Shakers, owes its establishment, IN America, TO 4
female. Ann Lee, the founlress of the discipline OF
the community, distinguished by the aheetionate,
and reycrental title Of : Mother," was the daugll.
ter of an honest and respectable blacksmith Of Man
chester, England, The employnent Of her eariy
wears in the busy industry Of manufacturing town,
however much it might have contributed 10 form
habits of diligence and irugaiity, did not afford the
opportunity OF acquiring even the slender learning
limited by reating and writing. An unfortunate
natri,uoual conncxon, whose offspring pefished IN
infancy, probably had an influence in the foundation
of the peculiar principles she taught. mind suscep-
tibn Of vivid impressions was easily acted ON by me
faryi.i couuence of the enthusiasts who sWarned IN
Europe during the rast century. When the progress
Of the kctorInaiion had broken the yoke OF popery,
apnullel the obligation to implicit belief IN all the
absurd things it pleased the Catholic Church to re-
ceye as truths and absolved human conscience from
the guardianship of the Romsh priesthood, the ne"
born freedom was celebrated by wild extravagancles
While the spirit OF inquiry, by natural rc-ac'soh'
received an impulse proporoned to ITS former re-
strant the fervor of religious, zeal broke out IN ex
traorinary manifestations Of gratitude for the great
or light supposed to be impaired. Fantasies mis-
took the workings Of excited imagination Tor inspi-
ration and the dreams Of earthly sense for VISIONS
! from heaven Acting under strong impressions OF
spernatural communications and divine reVeiatohs
the intenseness of devotion was exhibited IN severe
" exercises and violent bodily commissions. The cor
ruplions Of Christianity became scarcely less hume
rous, that the abuses Of reason which led to the
great EVOLUTION i'll religion. Among the countless
sects of the period one sprung up during 'he
powerful reviyals in Dauphny, which often eShi
biting those wonderful agations OF body and mn'
that first suggested the name Of Shakers 1t hei'
as principles that the end Of the world was near tht
second revelation Of tle Saviour rapidly approach
ing. the contamination of the prophecies was a
haal, and that singing, ant dancing were admlsspl'
! in the worship Of God. Suffering enough OF per
secution to give yigour to their society, they he'll
on their exercises untilthey were driven to England
% The sngulary Of their lives. and the eccentrcile
q Of their worship, brought on them the abuse OF tn
!, multitude, but they continued their operations, VIII
- sufficient increase of numbers to support their ex
nt istence. Ann Lee became convert 10 their zoe
- trncs and from The humble disciple soon took tn
~ lead among Them substituting her own views 10
y their tenets, and engrang her own notions on tn
h. isciplne they had adopted, aad ended by the clam
sd whch Is regarded by other Christians as monstror
:. and mpious, of being the Spirit Of Redemption.
of we believe the testimony OF her followers she eS
ne hibitcd dgnted beauty and glory OF conntenanc
" above the loneliness Of the children earth, wv