The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-06-18


"The word of the Lord.
"Here is my living fountain saith the Holy One Of Is
rael and here where shall set up my Kingdom forever
and holy laws to all nations Of the earth.
sand say, whatsoever shall presume put their hands
upon this stone step their feet within the spot where
have caused thu posts to be set up when their hands
unclean and their nearts impure, shall in day or
other feel the rod of my severity and fall under awful
curse, which shall in my own time come uron
them Even !, the Great | am-the Eternal, Almighty.
an Overrulpg Power OF Heaven nd Earth"
my word is truth--Amen."
On the north side of the monument is this in
scrlptlon,
Written and placed here,
OntheHoly Mount,
BY The Command Of
Dun LohD AND SAvoRl
July, 1912.
Engraven at New Lebanon.
Erected here
July 25th.
"Done ut New Lebanon by command Of our Lord and
Savior. Erected here July 26th, lS42"
Adjoining the monument are five short posts, erect
ed about two feet hlRh and about six feet apart TO
which are fastened four heavy panks painted white
making five sided yard or basin, OF which the
monument constitutes one OF the sides Around
the monument is very neat substantial fence,
painted white, about four feet high, which en-
closes just one half an acre. This fence has
four gates facing the points OF the compass
Leading from the western gateis road about twelve
PAGES broad, perfectly smooth and even, and
bordered on each side. by spruce trees, about
| sixteen PAGES apart. About forty rods from the
monument, as you travel down this road, you reach
another gate, which is opened with many cere-
monies, as the Shakers enter it their way to the
monument. From this gate the road continues
down the mountain into the Shaker village. When
| arrived on the mountain found the brethren and
sisters their knees in front of this last mentioned
gate After engaging In seeming silent prayer, and
singing once or twice, one OF the elders very
lemny opened the gate, and led the congregation
forward, each bowling low as they passed through.
When they reached the gate at the fence which en-
closes the monument, they again Frustrated them
selves and after going through similar ceremony,
at the other, this gate also Enclosed, and all
Immediately pressed round the monument with
singing, shouting, and with dances. As soon all
had got their places, they commenced singing a
chant, OF which could gather only these Words
"Oh! Lord give me wisdom Oh, give me strength to
/ direct my needy children on earh"
As soon this chant ended, one Of the Shakers
| spoke with loud voice. and said, Elder Brother,
will you give us OF the holy waters 10 drlnkF" An
aged man then stepped forward in front of the mo-
nument, and dipping his hand into the empty basin,
he apparently applied vessel to his I 3, and took
a long, hearty draught OF water, after which he
handed it TO Others who seemed to drink their fill;
even the little boys and girls, apparently nine orten
years old, rolled in their fingers, and appeared 10
drink with as much satisfaction as they would have
done, had it been real water, and dare say there
was sufficient stretch OF the imagination in their
down draughts of pure and holy water; or there may
possibly have been something in it, which we who
stood outside of the '.holy ground could not dis
soV5r 81 Shaken cd hey had all bsl t % FILL
wash us with the holy waters!" The same old man
then appeared TO take up water in MS hands, and
throw IT over those who stood next to him, passing
round the basin, and serving those who stood next
to HIM as he passed them. They have the art of
imitation very perfect, they did in reality feel the
waters rushing over them, tor every one gave shud
der and made every motion that person would ifa
cold stream of water should be thrown over them OH
hot day. And not only did it affect the person
next the elder BROTHER but all who stood immediate
ly behind were affected in the same manner, and, as
theu ofO | chnuId vply dee he nd
most person seemed to be overwhelmed with
rushing Of waters at the same moment with him
who stood next to the Imaginary fountain. There
seemed TO be something very exhillratng in the
drinking and washing with these waters, tor they
Immediately struck up lively tune, commencing
with the words
'March ye on march ye oni
Ohmy beloved children, &C."
And forming four deep, they marched around the
monument with quick step, and to appearance,
light hearts. An old man then stepped out of the
ranks and addressed the spectators saying that "they
came there to worship the only true God, and not
to bow down TO images, or to do anything unseemly
in the sight OF their Creator" He very politely in
vi,ed those who felt in their hearts so disposed, TO
pariake vith them in their worship, could they do
so con sce ntiously" "He was glad, he said. to
his lends and neighbors there, and hoped they did
not come to make light of what they saw and
heard" After giving us good counsel and advice,
he stepped back into the ranks, and they common
ced another quick step to the tune of.o
"Come 1! come! my little few,
MAJ CHI on to the land oil peace.
Press on to the living fountsin, &C."
| young man was then led forward, who com.
menced exhorung IN loud voice, saying first, that
his name was "James Whitaker" Now, inasmuch
| as the said James Whitaker was one OF the first
| followers of Ann Lee, and came from Englnnd in
| the same ship with her; and moreover died many
| years ago, and inasmuch also, the young man
who spoke is called Lewis Lockwood, il can only
ne accounted Tor except by supposng that the spirit
OF "Father James" had entered the body Of the
young man, and impeIed him to speak as he was
moved by the spirit The amount Of his inspiration
was that he had appeared amongst the bre and
sisters TO them from the evils Of the world and
to promise many good things to come. upon those
who kept steadast TO the faith: But the great OBJ
ectof his appearance was TO deliver TO them golden
chain with which 10 bind the Elders in a bond of
union, which all the powers of darkness could not
dissolve He declared that he had the chain with
him. and 81 deliver il, he said, ''to this Elder bro
ther who Is worthy to receive it." / did not see
the chain, but dare they received tas obser-
we'd them very busy binding the Elders toge Their with
it; and the texture OF the chain might have been
very small, and too minulely put together for the
eyes of sworldly man" to see IT. besldes,you must
recollect was outside OF the lence.
The other ceremonies were very much as they
were accustomed to perform while they held pub
lie meetings at the church, except an exhibition
which would perhaps look silly TO most worlds
people" yet there was something solemn In it; and
as have no doubt that they are sincere in what
they do, and esteem IT duty to do so, think every
one should have charity, and not condemn 100
hastily, actions, which seem TO us unbecomipg, De-
cause they are something which we have been un-
accustomed to see. This exercise was the result OF
an exclamation OF one of the number, VINO SAID,
Father William says, let every one endeavor 10
act az much like fools they can ); and Judging
from the manner IN which they complied with this
REQUEST of Father William, believe every one did
their best The men aud women put their fingers
in their mouths, and talked glbberlsn TO each other,
twisting their faces and bodies into the most
seemly and ludcrous forms and attitudes that ever
saw They spoke to each other as children would
talk hive years of age, yet not half sensible, and
each one sirvcd apparently TO make themselves ap-
pear much like an iDhabitant OF mad-house as
possible.
II is well worth the trouble of visiting the monu.
ment on pleasant Sunday, to observe the ways OF