The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-06-14

sttutlon, rejecting the highest credit on the wis
oom of its trainers, and forming remarkable
contrast with the spirit of religious intolerance and
b,gotry that characteriz most of the governments
of Europe
Ofthe various sects that have established them
selves in this coantry, encouraged by the perfect
freedom of religious belief one of the most extra
ordinary and interesting is the body com monty
called Shakers This sect has spread itself
over this and several of the New England States,
and is at present in flourshing and prosperous
condition. The founder was a woman named
Ann Lee, native Of England, who emigrated to
this country about the period ofthe Revolution and
who protested to represent in her own person, the
second appearance of Christ on earth She inn
mediately gained large lumber of followers.
and her doctrine spread with great rapidity From
that time to the present, various settlements have
been established throughout the United States
The principal feature in their organization is, the
doctrine of association. They live together in
communities, isolated from the rest of the world.
and the products of their industry 90 into common
stock, no person being suffered to own any pri.
vate property after once becoming a MEMBER
They serve probationary term upon first enter
ing settlement, during which time their proper
ty IS at their own disposal; but having once sign
ed the covenant, a necessary condition of men,
bership, their property is merged in the common
stock, and they no longer possess individual con-
troll over il. In this covenant is clause enjoininp
strict conformity to all the rules and regulations
of the society, and to such rules and orders
as the constituted elders may from time to
time promulge. The punishment consequent on
disobedience, or any other derelicton of duty is
on the moral suasion system, such as an iniunc-
ton OF silence, isolation from the rest ofthe men,
bers during meals, &C. &c. Celibacy is strictly
enIomed, and any transgression in this respect is
visited with expulsion from the settlement. The
enemies ofthe sect accuse them ofgross immoral
ity. would be unjust not to add that this charge
is vigorously denied.
The supreme power in the society is vested in
ministry consisting of two males and two fe-
males, one of whom is absolute and the other
three form sort of cabinet council. The ''frst
in the ministry" holds his Office for life, and his
death desgnates his successor. There is, besides,
an elder over each family settlement, who has
tile supervision of all its temporal affairs There
are in each " famy'' two deacons and two cor
responding female officers Of minor authority.
All these officers hold their rank at the will of the
" ministry
One OF the doctrines of the society is belief in
the divine authority of the ministry, and that its
members have direct communication with hca- |
The members are obliged to tell their &C ex-
perience" frequently TO the elders, who in their
turn communicate everything of importance to
the ministry. All family ties considered Sc
vered as soon person becomes member of
the society. When competent number have
passed through sufficient trial of their strength
in the junior order, (the probationary term,) and
are unitedly prepared to establish and support
church relations, the parties solemny announce
their faith, and the object Of their assocatng to-
gether In that order, they agree to live togethera
brethren and sisters OF one family, possessing one
consecrated interest" BY this covenant they
renqush all claims to personal property as wa
ges for their labor; and debar themselves, their
heirs, and assgn from all interest claim to
their property, the produce Of their industry
Members expelled for any offence, are, there
fore, debarred from claiming the property which
they might have invested in the funds of the
society, well from any remuneration for
their labor.
The religious exercises consist in the confess
sions which we have before mentioned, in silent
prayer, in dancing and whirling around on their
heels, and in various contortlons and convulsions
which ensue after they have exhausted them
selves in their circumgyrations. During these
convulsions they get into sort OF ectasy, In
which they profess TO become acquainted with the
transactions of the other world, and they pretend
to speak with certainty of the state of departed
souls. In those dances, from which has origina-
ted the name of Shakers" men and women
join promiscuously, varying their exercises with
/ singing and shouting, and sometimes with pecu-
liar sort of cry resembling the Indian YELL or war
whoop.
The Shakers distinguished for great cleanli-
ness and simplicity of dress, which is white; for
an evenness of temper, which the quiet of their
life is calculated to superinduce and for the prac
tice of hospitality. Their living is temperate,
their existence passes TRANQUILITY, unmarked by
excuses of any kind. They employ themselves
in the manufacture of breoms, cheese, woollen
I articles OF clothing, and other commodities.
\ The law passed by the Legislature of this State
in 1890, abolishing trusts, deprived the Trustees
of Shaker Societies of the right to hold property
in trust for the members of such societies; but
having petitioned; the Legislature to free them
from this trammel, an act was passed on the
18th April, 1885, exempting them from the opera
ton of the law of 1890, but limiting the beneficial
interest Of such societies in real personal pro-
perry, to an annual income value Of five thousand
dollars.
i The existence of such an isolated community
as that of the Shakers, in midst, is singular
feature in our social organization. A body ofmen
practising mode of life totally dissimilar to the
great mass of the people, and supporting their Or
ganizaton unmolested-the laws of our land be-
ing so modified as to secure to them the free en-
joyment of their peculiar opnons-such a cir
cumstance reflects the highest credit on our nsti-
tutions and legislation.
STEAMSHIP GREAT BRrTAIS-This vessel hence
the afternoon OF the 9Th instant, for Liverpool,
was seen ON the 10th, A. NJ, in lat 40 AZ, Ion.
IS IS, by the packet ship Wellington, arrived yes