Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1841-11-23

they we're singing this, and then al each
other significantly; but upon the counte-
nances Of the singers themselves, wheth-
er male or female, not trace could be
seen Of any other sentiment or feeling
than that ofthe deepest gravity and devO.
ton. At every close of this verse, which
they repeated several times, they bowed
their heads 10 the ground, those of the
two front ranks Of males ard females al
most touching each other; and at the ter
minaiiOn of the whole, they remained on
their knees for a few minutes, looking
steadfastly on the ground, and buried in
the most profound silence.
When they rose, another elder came
forward and a second time addressed the
strangers; whether he was induced 10 do
SO from the significant looks interchan-
ged among the spectators while the last
verse was singing, IcouId not positively
say; but il seemed TO me probable, be-
cause he opened his speech by observing
that many persons who came 10 see them
went away and illuminated them. A.
mong ether things, he sid it had been al
legged that they did not live the life of pu-
rily which they pretended, but that their
practices were contrary 10 their probes
sions. This he declared to be untrue,
and called Heaven to witness the accura-
cy of his assertion. He said they la5ored
honestly with their own hands 10 main
tain themselves independently; and that,
between abour for subsistence and the
worship of God, their time was wholly
occupied, while they avoided and resisted
all temptation, and kept themselves pure
from all carnal defIemeut.
When he had ceased, one of the elders
among the females, who appeared to be
about sixty years of age, broke silence,
and, addressing the assembly, said she
had been forty years member Of the
community, but had never felt herself in.
spired TO speak till Inc present moment.
Now however, she felt it her duty 10 un-
loose her tongue, and declare that these
asoersions upon their purity were alto
gether unwarranted; that their brathren
gave them only protection, for which they
felt duly grateful; but that they neither
sodeht for, nor asked, nor desired any
thing from them in return; that the le-
male part of the body, on whose behalf
she could speak, regarded themselves as
chosen vessels, set apart for the use and
service of God alone; and they neither
had, nor wished to have, any Communca'
ton With msn. This defence Of the puri-
ty OF the order was received by the fe-
males with the loudest and most en;husi-
astc accamations aud clapping of hands.
The Assembly then formed itself into
another order for the dancing, which is
called by them "labour," and from the
zeal and animation with which all their
movements are performed, il may wall
deserve that name. The males were first
arranged in pairs, followed each other
like troops in line OF march; and when
their number was completed, the females
followed after, two and two, in the same
manner. In this way they formed com
plete circle round the open space OF the
room. In the centre of the whole, was a
small band Of about half dozen males
and halfa dozen females, who were there
stationed to sing the tunes aud mark the
time; and these began TO sing with loud
voice and in quick time, like the allegro
of sonata, or the vivace Of a canEonet,
tae following verse:
"PerpetuaI blessings do demand
PerpetUaLp praise on eUery hand;
Then leap fer joy, Nth dance and song,
To praise tie LoraJoreUsr."
The motion of the double line of wor'
shippers as they filed off before US, was
something bstyeen a march and dance.
Their bodies were clined forward, like
those of persons in the act OF runnng;they
kept the most perfect tine with their feet,
and beat the air with their hands to the
same measure. Some Of the more robust
and enthusiastic literally "lSapsd" so
high as to shake the room by the weight
with which they fell to their feet on the
floor; and others, though taking the mat
ter more moderately, bore evident Signs
of the effects Of the exercise and heat
united on their persons. The first dance
lasted about FIVE minutes, and during the
pause which succeeded, another short
sDeecA was made by one Of the male ell
ders, repeating the duty ofCongraiulating
themselves on the privilege they enjoy
ed.
The first dance was performed TO the
air of"Scots, wha' haze wiz Wallace bled," "
but sung with great rapidity, such as is
sometimes dome when it is converted in
TO quick march by military band. The
second dance was of still quicker meas.
ure. and to the much less respectable old
EagIsh tune Of "Nancy Dawson" which
| had notheard for thirty years at least,
though it was popular song in my boy
hood, among sailors especially; and the
last place on earth in which / should
have expected 10 hear It reviVEd, would
lL.,o koan sroon0 fha Shakers in AnePi.