The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-10-22
1eIsCEELAwy.
TIE SHAKERS.

kefs nave es abliShcd themselves at liar
ward, in re6led situation, about 80
miles from Boston, in north west dl-
rection The settlement here, com
mcnced in 1870, under The minisiration
Of Ann Lee herself, who made II the
place Of her residence during two years.
The society now contains about two
hundred members, who hold in common
large aud valuable Tract OF land.
The Appearance of the village TO the
eye of the stranger is picturesque and
singular. Seated in n retired and soil
tary spot, Graded among the hills, The
mixture of large and spacious dwelling
houses painted yellow, with extensive
work shops and store houses OF deep REQ
colour, md The pure while OF the house
for devotional exercise, present n curl
Gus and remarkable view. The apnli-
CT Son OF wind 10 the motion Of machi-
merry, very rare in the interior of state
| Accounting with streams, forms n pronl-
nent object IN the landscape. Rich and
highly cultivated fields, extensive gar
dens, tourishng orchards, and green
forests, are blended in beautiful union
The buildings are principally clustered
together ON either side of hrcdJ street,
whose perfect neatnpss corresponds with
| the general air OF lasildlous order and
I cleanliness. Among them the meeting
house stands conspicuous. A recent Vi
sill afforded an opportunity Of whnesslne
the remarkable mode Of worship adopt
I'd by tins singular people. On arriving
AZ the village, shrll sound, not unlike
the melody OF a frightened fowl, gave
information that the public services
had commenced, On entering by the
door assigned to the male part Of the
congregation, a spectacle of no little no
velty was presented. In the centre Of II
spacious hall, whose floor was smooth
and white rs polished marble. stood The
elders of both sexes arranged in an oval
| figure. The brethren by twos' and the
sisters by three's were parading in kind
Of procession around them, and with a
step intermediate between the measured
tread Of a march and the livcler move
mcnts of a dance. The hands by n
singular gesture, beat time to the mt
singing and dancing seemed to form Il
chorus. On arriving TO IFS conclusion,
the column halted, every individual beaf
forward with gesture much like the
bow of the people of the world, and
the hands were not ungracefl!lly clasped
hefore.-After short pause, the sng-
| ing recommended, aud the assembly a.
gain moved on its circular COURSE. The
movement was pefiofmet " tn a grave
decorum which excluded every appear
ance of ridiculous effect. Much agility
was manifested by the young, MI the
old seemed habltually to fall into theex-
ercise the female portion Of the socie-
", possessed an elasticity of step and
grace OF motion not often seen in the
prouder halls where the yoiaries of plea
| sure bound To the merry notes Of tie Vi
81, amid the flntter of snowy dresses and
the bright glances Of sparkling eyes. \
|
prevailed. Every motion was regular
as the revolution of machinery. Ever,
foot fell with the cadence Of the sons
aud was lifted at its rising, At times
the arms were raised above the heaC
and the hands clasped together will
great energy. The labor of this exer
else continued about half an hour, whel
the congregation was formed by a stimuli
taueous movement, the brethren scpcrat
ed from the sisters, on opposite sides thu
hall, and facing each other, in lines cur,
wing inward, so as to leave Considera
: bic space between the Two grand diyi
SONS. The singing was resumed III thi
position, and on lis conclusion, bencbe
taken from tho wall were placed acros
the floor and the assembly was seated
After a short intervals speaker advan
ced into the area between the brethreI
and sisters and addressed himself 10 tn
people from the world, collected 10 wit
ness the peculiar worship, and was sic
cceded, after short eXhorlatIon by
. second. Both enforced, with more yea
than rhetorical grace, the necessity IL
repentance, oil taking up a cross aeains
sin,' denooncinc tho works of Anti
Christ, and lorsakiug the world 10 EMO
+ the pure light and suffer the ausleliile,
OF their community, and dwcIt with allac
tionale regard on the virtues and tn
, power Of the toundress OF the sect.
r tblrd speaker, after q few remarks I
the members Of the society, dismisse
the assembly. They retired throug
opposite doors, in little procession, t
> ,hcir dwellings.
, The commencement Of the exercis.
is by singing, while ARRANGED in the file
mentioned before. and is followed b
the uovpmeut i'm DroresslonS describe,