The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-26
A Defence Of the shaxers.
COLUMBIA Hall LEBANON SPRINGS
CoIUnnA COUNTY, N. Y September -, 1859.


CoIUnniA COUNTY, N. September IL, 1859
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD.
fev Gays my attention di ected TO srti-
Gle which appeared in the Husson Fresmon relative to
supposed mysterious incident ssced With the leaving
boy Of tender years by two with the Shakers
Of this village under suspicious crcumstsnces and cal
cuAtsd to convey the impression that abduction and
SINISTER design had been enacted ,, the with the aid
and CONN., Of the Shakers H.yieg fmbibed favor
able opinion Of the benevolent spirit Of this peculiar sect
duipg residence Of several weeks the vicinity Of the
shakec village my curiosity aroused ct the insinua-
ton that the Shakers had been engaged in Transaction
10 pntsbls especially the stated that
raj gentlemen boarding at this bosl could aot, upoH
visitrg the Shakers obtain any nsorma'on as 10 the
pArentsge relations of the boy although they had
viou y pro,nfed il should BE- furnished Ny visits t.
this delightful retreat for seasons have brought
me frequent communication with some Of tho lead
ing nbers of this religious community and deemed
II iuat to all psrties seek interview with them,
aho them the srticls ia the Hudson freeman AID
the truth ofAe matter have asss and found toe
Edsrn OF community psrise ~ fraab and ex phoit
fr5 that the tran, on 20 f.r having the sem
bRce Of Oppression coercoa auother oil the nu-
usssnses of phiathrop,c eslns ~hish onarac-
trizs this singular The Doy rsfe aet to In tho
pewrpsper article Eot bounz Richsrd Bushnell.
eadbs shaker as alleged but tas father Of the boy,
living ia Yew York, made ssraest wrtten application
in last have him taken sad brought BY the
shssers stating that the boy had Mother and he tAe
f.,nel) crest deal from homo Alter several
n on hs consideration under u-seot appeals, the
shakers consented take tbs hog trial. father
accom- psnied his 10 the Sh aud he remained
with them for t.s weeks wAsa No wss sent back to
hi, father In New York, where he ns~ il
have read the written applications u che fathsr TO the
Shakers and s,py of the reey siso istsr from tho
father in which ne am sorry that You are not
disposed to give further trsi Of course have
kpg 70 Say but to thank you for kndassa hith
erto These prove Ss.xers are not sny
free from censurs in this matter Bat have Psrorasda
prase sortby act In returning tho Dor TO parent,
they consistently observed OF many judcious
regulations not to retain inus.tshs vicious chill
ha.s ham s.ssss 1
pupls of the exercises in the ei'sh bianchss o;
Of n:ss
Of attire healthy appearances. 10 TIE teachers
and scholars viii compare avosor u all tosss pAdcu
u with ths bert Of m chroi am not an
advocate defender of toos 81 s pesai.r tsnss OF
the Shakers, but my scqusinanss With .aen iussife.
the conviction that they moral ,e-coos sssnt
in their faith and prsciics chaiitt aud
perfect example of order. ols,aa.ss and method,
unob'rufve quiet in their aud iateresu,ss
attending th.ir wiAsut Interference in the
businsss OF other dgent IN we'll doicg and wrsng
VIZ DO one we are - f, me d.y ,insss Al
that DISGRACE humanity aud have races,
but the much abused and riaaued Sssksrs fer
ventJ pursued Inc placid and u their
way minstaripg the necessities Of their beings
and du, ing that long period giving Beautiful lustra
cath hundreds Of orphan and Ssasisu~ shiiss sup
ply irg beTsly oil the physical va1's cut vang their
moral and Industrious hA6its
leaving it entirely optional with The rssiosnts o. their
charity to quit the society," upss rsacaing maturity,
remain members.
An incident occurred few evenings since truly Illus
tstivs Of the hum pty Of the sh4ksrs Ssve geat
standing the porch Of this hotel whsa they
decent elderly female stting apparently in deep
affection surrounded BY three anal children irdisaunf
poverty and fesblenes the sdes usder years
Upon being accosed and ohsrss assistance she sA&
the children those Of her decsa ed ethAt their
father was hopeless drunkard, sod they were utterly
destt ute that the Shs kers had buUAney consented
"a al
inquiry to-day, ind this sts.ensat trus-tha. tbs,
children under the Of tse Shakers and have
been amply provided with every coastTt
Tbev thus removed from he example o. o.
PRAYED parent AID vicious world trsined upds~'
al influences, with every ply sal want graspitous
supplied This Is gsnuine Christian charity. let AN
religious sects 60 and do Likewise. AVlSIrEB