The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-10-23
THE MINNES0TIAN.
Peculiarittes of the Shakers.

A correspondent of the New York Times re-
Gently visited Lebanon Springs and the Shaker
Village near by. The writer thus pleasantly
describes what he saw and heard during the
Sabbath spent with this family" of six hund-
red:
We attended their religious service on Sab
bath About three hundred spectators
g worlds people"-were present, and witnessed
their singular ceremonies without the slightest
indecorum. To do this required no small de-
gree of selfcommand. 1t was amusing to see
gentlemen with their wives, ascending the
church steps with alacrity, and find for one or
the other "tabOo;" as upon one door is in
scribed admission for "MALEs," upon the other,
" FEMALES" For the time being, all must be,
to this extent, "Shakers."
1t was an interesting moment, when. at the
extreme end of the spacious audience room.
(some 20 by 80 feet,) door opened, and with
the stiffness of the grave, one and another fe-
male-rObcd in what we readily would mistake
for the habilaments of the narrow-house, =
gllded on tip-tOe into the room. Simultaneous
ly, from an opposite door, as distant as possible,
entered with measured tread, the opposite SEX
Soon the two bodies were brought up in col
umns, face to face, like two cOntending armies
An old man of dignifed mein and noble brow,
called to their remembrance their Indebtedness
to the preserving hand of q Heavenly Father.
Another speaker came forward and addressed a
few words to their g intelligent and sober-mind-
ed visitors" and the two armies were in mo-
ton. The men, TO facilitate their movements.
had taken off their coats. We were looking
for disastrous results from their determined
charge" when, before coming in actual con-
tact, they suddenly halted, and, still facing
each other, they receded a few PAGES, and so
again advanced, stamping in time to a wild
and peculiar melody. Occasionally, with all
the precision OF the images on the hand organ,
they turned upon the heel marched back with
rapid step or hop, marking the time heavily
with the palms of the hands as well as feet
After pause, and brief sensible address, they
again formed circles within circles, marching
and counter marching through intricate figures,
singing hymns vociferously as before.
Happy day; happy hour;
Blessed work; blessed power"
All extended their hads before them, moving
or shaking them up and down. Their palms
were held upwards, with care, as if making an
otrng. Upon the arm Of every female was
the snow-white kerchief
The preacher came forward and directed to
us long and able discourse. He was evident
ly well-read, and quoted repeatedly from many
of the best writer's in our language.
The verse was quoted, I" | am the resurrection
and the lfe;' and another, (entirely disregard
ing the conteXt,) "i in the resurrection they are
neither married, nor given in marriage ergo,
those who are in Christ are unmarried, in
other words are Shakers
That many or most of his arguments were
fallacous. need not be said; yet there was an
ability there which will make an occasional
convert among the listening "world's people,
The scrupulOus neatness of their buildings, and
indeed Of everything pertaining to these people,
need not be mentioned