The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-08

tives here, and among them are several negroes who
are on perfect equality with their white brethren
There Is one here, q German, who was playmate
with Prince Albert when boy. They areas charita'
BILE and hoepitable people as exist in the world.
They treat strangers and visitors with grea!
kindness, and the poor wayfarer Is never turned
empty from their door. To-day poor lot OF
struggling Germans came along about dinner time.
and their bags filed with provisions by the good
ghalsers and they were sent on their way rejoicing.
tenn of education with other matters Of interest in
this vicinity. Z. e. B.
! SHAKER VILLAGE,
New LEBANON, June 2, 1858.
The Shaker School Revelations Confession
Shaker Fsed-Nesghboring Jealousy-Receptior
! of Tis,ters.
1t has been charged against this society that the
children placed under their care were brought up in
ignorance and without the benefits of school edu-
cation. yesterday visited in company with one Of
the brethren, the girls school in this village, and
was fully convinced Of the injustice Of this charge.
During the summer months a school is kept in con-
slant operation for the girls and in winter for the
boys the sexual ideas of the Shakers not allowing the
mingling of the two evenin study. The works used
found to be of the same character those ordinary
common schools, and the branches Of study the same
The instruction seemed quite as extensive, and
rather more thorough than have witnessed in many
Of the common schools OF the New England States.
There present in the school about thirty girls
between the ages Of seven and fifteen years, and
their progress in study was truly astonishing. They
are treated with mildness, and no corporal punish
ment is inflicted. Some of them were engaged in
drawing and painting maps and exhibited a
high degree Of proficiency. AT least two thirds of
these children found to be of foreign parentage,
principally English and Irish, and among them were
many bright eyes and happy faces that rather por-
tended departure from the Shaker faith when
they grow older. In connection with the usual
range OF studies, however, the children are taught
in some books peculiar to the society, in which
obedience to their elders and superiors are ncul-
Gated. should judge that the advantage tor intel
lectual culture, however, among the older members
OF the community were not very great, all books
and newspapers being subjected to a surveillance
OF the elders before they pass into the hands Of the
The elders, ministry, and members, profess to be
in constant direct communication with the spiritual
Spheres and to be in the continual receipt of reve-
lations from on high, which govern to great ex-
tent their actions Even Their songs and hymns,
words music and all they profess to receive by
direct revelation They say that the age of reve
lation and of miracle have not passed away, and
claim that they enjoy all the gifts of miracles and
tongues that were to be the signs that should fol-
low them that believe" Among their religious in
stitutions is that of the confessional each member
at short periods being required to confess his most
secret sins to God as they term it, sin the presence
Of his Witnesses
Shakers, if they do give up some of the good
things Of this life go in for OF the Others Their
tables are stored with the products Of their fine
kitchen garden, and the best of bread and meat,
cooked with the greatest neatness and care. |, as
outsider, take my meals alone, but they are fine.
Pure fresh milk on which the cream stands thicken-
ing, one OF your pure Orange county at four cents
quartz butter, tasting of the fresh grass and
slips asparagus, dressed with rich cream and but
ter; and pies most excellenty made. As / have
looked upon some of these luxures Of Shaker fare,
have said, Almost thou persuadest me to be a
Shaker
The Shakers literally obey the command " Let
your communications be yea, yea, and nay, nay"
these being the terms they use in common converse
tion-and all their simple unsophisticated manners,
cannot fail to win the respect and love of any one,
how much soever, he may differ with them in reli.
gous opinion. As general thing they are liked
and respected by their neighbors and what little ILL
feeling and jealousy does exist around them,
! have found to spring from a feeling of rivalry in
business matters or from religious bigotry. Some of
the churches around here object to cher purchasing
more land, because they place upon 1t class of set
tiers who will not support their systems Of religion
and therefore they have asked the Legislature to
curtail their right Of adding to their domain. This
ridiculous attempt was however, promptly frustrated
by the action Of the Legislature. The Shakers do
not vote or in any way participate in political mat
tiers.
The Shakers receive yisiters with great cordially,
and treat them with much kindness The lower part
of house in of the families is appropriated to
them, and of the brethren is detailed to attend
them. During their visit they have frequent oppor-
tunities for conversation with the elders and the
brethren and sisters, and have good opportunity
for becoming acquainted with the Shaker faith.
They are very communicative in this matter, and
always ready to give reason for the faith which
is in them' They have received here many very
distinguished visters from all parts Of the world all
of whom have been much pleased with the appear
ance Of this thrifty community. They do not, how
ever, like to receive visitors who come merely from
motives of curiosity.
This is delightful region of country. The Val
ley of Lebanon is one Of the most beautiful sections
in this whole State 1t is filed with thriving little
villages the inhabitants Of which are principally en-.
gagged in agricultural pursuits. railroad route has
been surveyed through this valley, intending to ex-
tend as far as Bennington, Vermont. A great por.
ton Of 1t is under contract and it will be completed
as far as Lebanon Springs, BY July, Of 1854; This
will be very valuable addition to the comforts Of
this part OF the State.
Thus have endeavored to give you in this series Of
letters true picture Of this singular people, idea
prejudices entertained against them have been en-
tirely disspated by my visit amongst them. That
they strictly honest and upright in all their deal
ings those who have dealt with them will testify;
that they actuated by q high religious principle
in giving up what the world holds most dear, think
their mode of life and actions exhibit and that they
are mistaken in many things, firmly believe.
shall long remember their kindness and attention,
and when struggling with the cares OF this every
day world, shall look back to the week spent here
as green spot in the desert of my life. May they
be blessed in their "outgoings and their mornings,
in their basket and their store" and would that the
kindly sympathes and earnest desire for right that
they exhibit, could be more deeply implanted and
more universally spread over our race And now
for the word again there to gointoa partial forget
fulness among its bufetings Of this modern Utopia.
Z. q. b.
THE following advertisement from Frapkiz's newspa-
per shows the locale Of the post Office and speed with
which the mail carried. little thn century
ago-0eobsr 81 1737:"Notce is hereby given that the
post Office Of Philadelphia Is kept at Frankns in
Market street. and that Henry Pratt IL appointed riding
pos for al stages between Philadelphia and New
port In Virginia, who sets out about the beginning Of
each month and returns In twenty days-by whom
gentlemen, merchants and others may have their letters
ID faithfully