Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-08-24

simple and easy manners, fair features, and much
ingenuity III reasoning. The best evidence Of the I
power she possessed is found in the fact, that many
persons IN her native country gathered TO the society,"
and the usual marks OF notice, from those lncensed
with the strange principles were bestowed in the {
shape Of insults, Imprisonment, and outrage ON per-
son Il property Toescape from these evils she emil
grated, in l774, to America, and the first settlement
Was soon after commenced at Watervliet, near Al
bany, in the woods of township, then in the wild
erness state The ambition of notorety and the de-
sire 10 gain pfoseiytes did not permit her, OF herio-
lowers to REMAIN inactive, Their eXertiuns drew
down great outrages. 1t was forgotten that brutal
force encourages obstinacy, while it fails to convince
Of error. The sect, which, if permitted to con-
tlnue unmo! ..sted must soon have expired. without
leaving an example of their order to excite curos-
ty in our times, derived ygor from the opposition 1t
encountered TO PROSTATE its existence. Ann Lee
died in 1884 leaving iourshing community to
draw support from society, whose great law Is dis
owned and by the prohibition OF marriage, seek to
exngush.
/ There are now, in the United States more than
1000 Shakers or as they choose to be denoninated,
members of the g hlillenal Church, or United So
ciety Of Believers" according to their own compu-
tations. In 1880, the society consisted OF 10 or II
persons only all emigranis from England. Con
siderng the situation Of the country, it is renarka-
Bile that the anti-popuation principle should have
4 of hands is most needed to extend the empire OF
cultivation over the waste. The oldest and largest
society in the Western States, is at Union, III ONO,
containing about 500 members. Another, In the
same State, at Watersiict consists of 100 persons.
In Kentucky, at Pleasant Hill, are between and
hundred at South Union, nearly 400. In Indiana
at West Union, near Vinccnnes, are more than 200
Persons who have embraced the faith scattered
various places, too far separated to unite IN COM
! rnunties distinct from the world. In the Eastern
5iates the most considerable settlement is at New
5 Lebanon, in New York, about 25 miles Southeast
! from Albany, containing of old and young. male and
female nearly 6Oo The eldest Society at W ater-
vilet about miles Northwest from Albany, has a
church of more than 200. In Canterbury, IN New
a Hampshire are upwards of 900; and Enfield, il
= that State contains 200 more of the persuasion II
Maine, there are two settlements, at Alfred, zoo
New Gloucester, 15l members.
The State of Massachusetts, contains four villages:
- One at Hancock in the County of Berkshire, which
e has population Of 500, situated only three miles
y distant from New Lebanon. 1t afforded refuge io
9 those of the denomination who fed from the burdei
= imposed on their consciences by AN Act OF the Le
r. gslature Of New York subjecting them to military
y duty Another Settlement at fyrngham, & miles
u South from Hancock, has 500 inhabitants. The VII
70 lage 1T Shirley, in the County of Mlddlcsex a
ne bout miles West from Harvard, contains about l5(
= members.
tie In the County of Worcester the Shakers have
III established themselves at Harvard. in retired STU
on alton about go miles distant from Boston, ina North
p west direction. The settlement here, commenced
he in 1885, under the mnistration Of Ann Lee herself
IN who made it the place OF her residence during tw
SIS wears The Society now contains about 600 mem
" bers, who hold in large and valuable trac
ne Of land.
re- The appearance of the village to the eye OF tn
1'ii stranger is picturesque and singular Seated III
.ll..I ttA
e. mixture of large and spacious dweng-houses pam
Oh ted yellow. with extensive work shops and stor
re- houses ofdeep retcolor. and the pure white OF III
eH house for devotional eXerslse, present curious al
al remarkable view. The application of wind to Il
ms motion of machinery, very rare in the interior OF
P State Astounding with streams, forms prominent OF
ois ect in the landscape. Rich and highly cultivate
OF fields, extensive gardens. fourshng orchards an
ms, green forests are blended in beautiful union.
ere buildings are principally clustered together ON eht
or side of broad street, whose perfect nealhess co
me- responds with the general air OF fastldons order an
the cleanliness. Among them the meeting mouse s'ah'
less conspicuous recent visit afforded an emporium
the ty of witnessing the remarkable mode OF worSh
ihi- adopted by this singular people On arriving to
1Ind village, shr sound, not unlike the melody OF
ied frightened fowl gave information that the publ
the services of the Sabbath had commenced. On ene
ch ug by the door assigned the male part of the col
at gresatun spectacle Of no little move ty was pr
ible senle,l. In the centre of spacious hall. VINO
Ser floor was smooth and white as polished maj
,eid the elders Of both arranged IN an ova' sui
and The brethren by twos and the sisters by three'
tiles were parading in kind Of procession around Their
the and with step intermediate between the measure
With tread Of march and the OF auane
ex- The hands, by singular sestures pcdl ',''e " "
lor- music ct the hymn, OF Wl.lch the "otas s'i5 a.
the dancng'' seemed to form chorus. On arriving
for its conclusion the column halted, every iniVan
the bent forward with gesture nucn my WV Nv" q,