The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-06

SHAxHR VILLAGE,

Our Shaker C0rrespemasncs
SHAKHR VILLAGE,
NEW LEBANON, May 40, 1853.
Shaker Wowsaip-1ne Shaker Sistrs-SAakr Ser
~oss-Ssssi~g, Damcing, o~d SAsgssg-Sis-
gsiar Procesdiwgs-1hs Shaker Faith.
The clear sunshine and pure mountain air are not
the only pecuarties Of this region of country, and
though these might well tempt the stied inhabitants
OF cities to come and participate in their freshness
and receive their nvigoratng influences, the lover Of
the curious will find in the singular people who in
habit this village to interest him, and more to
enjoy, than even the balmy fragrance of the noun
tain air as il comes to him laden with the perfume
Of fruit blossoms and wild flowers. am spending a
few days with the Shakers; and as they are people
about whom little is known, and of whom much has
been said through ignorance, l have thought that
your thousands Of readers might be interested in
some sketches Of them, their faith mode of worship,
manners, mode Of life, peculiar ideas, and labors,
written by one who has every facility afforded him
Tor seeing all that is to be seen With this idea
purpose furnishing you, while l remain here, few
letters giving information in regard to this peculiar
people.
have just returned from the Shaker meeting.
Every Sunday at ten O'Clock all the families of which
this village is composed meet in the church, which
practising their peculiar form of worship. About
this time l seated myself upon one Of the high
benches appropriated to sisters to watch the move
ments as they were developed. The church is large
wooden building, very neatly built, with an arched
roof, and capable of holding about thousand peo-
pie. The floor was Imprinted and uncarpeted, but
as clean and shining as constant sweeping ndscrub-
bling could make it. Around the sides of the walls
were fastened little pegs for the brethren to hang
their hats and the sisters their bonnets upon; and
upon one side row Of raised seats placed for
sisters, some fifty Of whom were present the ladies
and gentlemen, however being required to sit apart
An air Of the greatest neatness and simplicity pervad
ed the church. little after ten o'clock the breth-
rem and sisters began to enter the males coming in at
one door and the females at another. The men wore
the usual Shaker garb OF long drab coats blue vests
brown pantaloons, and clean white neckerchiefs,
with wide collars turned them. AS they entered
they hung their hats and also took off their coats and
hung them, upon the pegs around the walls. The
women looked though each individual one had just
been taken from very clean handbook, where she
had been sealed up and lying unrufed and free from
the jotng Of the world since the day of her crea-
ton. They were dressed with long purple coored
gowns, the wrists of which nearly w to their
their bosoms and covering their shoulders and caps
Of the same material, OF an almost inconcelvable
wilderness. To one who had been accustomed, how
ever, to see the bellies CT Broadway, question Of
some moment might arise on looking at these dam
sells. 1t scarcely seemed possible that they were of
the sane physical formation as their city sisters
seeming to be very much OF size from head to foot
and came to the conclusion that to rob woman OF
her hustle was 70 take away much of her power of
beauty and OF figure, and that our city DANES whose
forms are SO captivating and divine mi ght If clothed
rs were these Shaker sisters present salient
points than they did.
AS they came in, the men and women seated them
selves facing each other upon benches ranged along
the body OF the church and when they had gathered
to the number of about two hundred the exercises
commenced The women, when seated, showing
only their white caps and handkerchief looked like
sheet OF virgin siew on which red Footprints had
been stamped; they were Of all ages and sizes from
pretty little girls up TO aged matrons ana al wore an
air Ct Peaceful content upon their countenances.
When eated, the men and women kept their hands
folded IN their laps After sitting while in silence
at word rom one OF the elders all aad placed
back all, The benches, ii formed in rows stand
ing about SIX deel-the inch aud women still facing
each cher One oI the elders then stepped into the
opening, and made the following remarks -
We - es Ell With NE privilege seting
here sorspp Gol h, 10 We ha 20 conn eth the
desle g NOT hip bp Ia prtanu ia teuth Ii j. great
pTivilas - epjy to fee that all aboring with
one spot desne that may all feel devoted, and
make n hsrnR cceptable God, hat u M enjoy
tia blessings of salvation The dvpe bes lug ~hea
We CIV ~ soul BODY an spi'it % the ~crsap Of
and pue hearts, those wko pur sway the world
those wso hsvs received The sith in Cnist; ap
pesrne All receive the blessing We JOY e4tess
pryie. Of airy oul In the world othsf- eve.
been sssed rs with the true light of gospel
Salvst is act savaon from the punis IL OF sin
but irom sin ITSELF There ~rs many who desire 10 b.
saeG ifeu The of siD-woo de- ire enjoy
Sun 81 get r'a o. ITS pnn.-ne" We who have re eived
the truth IA chrsts seconi pIaripg saved seom
sins here and from the usts Of me aesh and the Sord
Chris has called IRON the wicked aud corrupt
WoIa 10 bear eros, and ouy those who deny them
seiye I'D cruelty th,ir lasts ard affections really
enjoy the ~orship of God deie hat shall lay
Aside every thing c~rDsl and earthly ia the worship OF
God, and then we shall recei the blessing
At the close of these remarks hymn was sung all
joining and keeping time to the music by a low
shutting Of the feet. Another Elder then said -
We have come together to gam bessing-to gather
increa'e OF good. Goo is good and 10 worshpnng him
Ike tho.e who thirsty. and have to
f,unisin 10 drink. souls mo desire = Worship God
wish T. drink of the fountain of redemption aud with
such thee - great uriiy o. strength and purpose
Uniou q numbers is UNION Of strength b-ren the
people o. Co sIe p.custi bles ed They have
evil that other people blessed With by their
union a. Interests In things both spiritual AID temporal
Real religion does not merely have reference the sp
ritual of man, bat 70 his shcie beiog
True religion is designed 70 increase the 81 humsn
happiness sl things 1t is the called to
bes that brings ha ppine-s In the day.
when tie spritual world is all in commo,ion the
churches unsettitg and hesving like sho the
stormy bsws, we see that the people Of Cos are firm
and MN oveo as rock m the ocean which The wave
cannot b esk. We ought not TO be uninndfa of this
great blessing is good ,hiog to be enlg ia
faith but it is better thiog live from day
TO sy iha; IA tn in practice IL lot in agi
tation that find happine s bat in firm and psteot
reliance the goodness o. God We have fythug
to make happy. God has given all ,e desire,
and can be IS good desire and it only remains
for 70 work out salvation from day to day.
At the close of these remarks the women laid
down their handkerchiefs, and number Of both
sexes having gone to tie wall formed themselves in
q line along it, while the remainder faced toward
them. Tn Sc along the wall then struck up very
lively, inspiriting tune, which seemed to be cross
between Yankee Doodle" and High Betty Mar
TIM and the main body of the brethren and sisters
commenced dancing to and fro, executing the
double shuttle with the precision Of dancing masters
and keeping most excellent time The music that
was sung Of an entirely peculiar nature, and
was admirably adapted for dancing. No words
we're sung with 1t. This exercise continued
about five minutes, when all stopped to rest, and
soon another tune struck up, and they went at
II again. This time, alter dancing up to the wall,
they would all turn towards and come dancing nm