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

which his been formerly seen III other
societies. In those Tie singing com
menced. the whole assembly advnnceda
few paces with step Intermediate be-
tween walk and mn then making
tho shullling of the feet correspond to
the hating voices of the singers, lhr file
turned about, and ON arriving Ia The iirsl
lposiilon, again turned after a shuttle,
they aPain advanced, 10 return IL she
same manner.
On contemplating such an assembly
the spectator is irfesistib,y reminded of
the convent and monastery. The same
calm expression otrelieiouS devotion, as
soeiaied with the idea of a monk. is mn
pressed on many a fno countenancc,
where the indications of sincerity, intel-
! ligenee. nnd subdued passion, seemed
tunmlxed with Jesuiteal cunning or ny
lpocrisy. The ABSTRACTION from the
cares Of the world, conteppt oil lis plea
Stres, and pious eontenlmcnt, the essen-
tial characteristics Of the nun, the bride
of heaven were seated on many pale
face. Here, as within the gloomy walls
reared by the piciY or superstition OF
the catholic, the unhappy and disappoin-
ted may find an asylum. The sect Of
Believers rejecting that institution,
whose Inks connect the family Of man
in social intercourse, djsavowing the
hallowed influences of love on which So
cloty is dependent for existence and
preservation, regarding the rite of mar
riaee n the forbidden fruit whose ENJOY
mont was the great original sin that
drove our first parents from the bowers
Of paradise, draws It's recruits from The
community, whose foundation principle
! il Gisowns, and whose burdens il refuses
10 share, Possessed of great wealth in
common stock of property, il allures the
miserable Ia its bosom, and increases
IFS numbers from those who might free
themselves from despair by the strong
remedy of suicide, and rush into the
grave as Il sanctuary. When fortune
| has irowned on the effects of enterprise
aud industry where wife aud chill
dren have drank of the cup Of suffering,
an union with his family will secure an
ample and luxurious support. When
the widow has been lett destitute, with
| little ones crying for food, il is easy TO
conceive the motives which might bring
her 10 such "A society. Where The wife
/ has been the victim To The vices and
folies Of a proiligale husband, il IS not
! difficult To imagine the rcnsonS that
would lead hcr To The peaceful dwellings
of this people. External conformity TO
manners and ceremonies may ripen in
to conviction of their propflety, aud
those who came from want, may remain
for love. Others, doubtless, arc attrac-
ted by Tire belief III Tie efficacy Of austc-
rily and modification IN purifying the
heart, or OF the persuasion of the divine
mission of Ann Lee. On the whole,
il is well that such an association exists.
Its prevalence would subyen society
limited aud restrained, as It ever must
be, II IS made Nubservient to the designs
of social institutions and promotes hui
man happiness.
While the utmost regularity, industry
and order prevail IN the dwellings Of the
Shakers, tho most profound quiet is in
r the streets of their villages. The tra-
weller ever secs the sanc construction ot
, buildings, with double doors, for The
accommodation of tie two sexes. The
! same state of improvement isNlssiblc OF
! Their lands, aud equal nra'uese goinr
= through thcr whole establishments. H.
. passing their towns, the cheerful sbouu
= of children just let loose from school,
= are unheard there arc nos ehefub N.
@ chins irolic<lng on The green ordabblnl
in the pool, as happy as youth and sun
= shine can make them the feeble voice
- Of infancy IS not IN thelr dwellings, o
$ its tottering footsteps around the hearth
5 All is silent, in due order and flourish
5 ing; bnt il is as the maturity of an an
|. cient tree, without fresh shoots 10 sup
: ply its place when its dccnying branch
"A es shall he strcwed on the earth.