Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-10-15
NO. XLVII.
II. 70 d 20. ..-Ll II ~ J.
The Shakers.
or forms for GOOD or evil. which

----,s-- The Shakers. .-s-.~-e
Among the many forms, for good or evil which
the natural religious sentiment in man has taken
there is none more calculated to excite astonish
lnent than that exhibited by the "Shakers," OF
I"Shaking Quakers," as they are indiAerenty
and vulgarly called In them this sentiment
has without doubt taken the most remarkable
form it has yet assumed among Christian COM
munities, as the ''howling" and '.dancing" Der
wishes present its most wonderful phase among
Mohammedans, and the Hindoo priests in the
! "agonies of incantation" among idolators. The
rise of Shakerism is q marvel that dispassionate
minds yet fail fully to comprehend. Its pro.
gress excites unaffected pity by the prosecutions
it at first encountered, and its present state
challenges sorrowful inquistion by the perseyer-
ing sef-abnegation it enjoins, the simplicity, so
worthy of better source, it secures, and the
mysterious economy upon which tits conducted.
| The Shakers have still several prosperous
communities in tbs United States. The first of
these was formed in l7T6 by Mother Ann Lee,
at Watervlet shout seven miles from Albany,
New York. The influence of Mother Lee was
secured upon her earliest followers by the belief
| in her divine mission, and the claim that the
second offering of Christ has already been full
filed" With the shocking delusion of this be-
lief we have nothing to do. The perversion of
A supposed prophecy is manifested in the express
'ion and its appropriation to the purpose indi-
Gated only shows how closely border the con-
zines of deluson and blasphemy.
Since the Shakers were first organized in New
York, three other societies have been established
in other parts of that State, two in Cincinnati,
four in Massachusetts, two in New Hampshire,
four in Ohio and two in Kentucky. -
The Shaker society in Mercer county, Ky,
was established in 1907, shortly after or during
the Kentucky revival" 1t now embraces five
families, and between three and four hundred
members. Two of these families are termed re-
ceiving families, into which persons who propose
TO join the society pass probationary season.
The three other families have passed to higher
order, at the head of which there are two men,
bers, who hold the property in perpetual trust,
and manage the business affairs of the society.
There are also two male and two female MEM
bers denominated the ministry, who are consul
ted in all important spiritual and temporal mat.
ters. They claim authority from the Scriptures
for their peculiar mode OF worship, which Is
chiefly by singing and dancing. They are spiri-
ualists according to the modern acceptation of
he term, and profess to be guided in many Of
world. To Judge them according to the Scrip
ture standard, 10y their fruits" there ore no
people living more strictly honest, upright and
rirtuous, and who live in greater love and har-
nony one with another; and we believe they
constitute the only organized body that has been
ong sustained, where the property is held in
common among its members, but with them the
,reat ruling passion of the human family, selfish.
less, appears to be entirely subdued."
The Shakers neither marry nor are given in
marriage. Their numbers are increased by the
ddtion of orphan children from the country
md the various cities around. These children
re brought up with the greatest tenderness and
are, and are educated in all the branches usual
" taught in the common schools. @
Of the peculiarities Of religious tenets held by
he Shakers, little is absolutely known. They
ave, it is stated, what is called Bible, but
whether it is single book generally received by
hem, or each community has special collection
If revelations we cannot say. A Lowell, Massa-
,husetts, paper speaks of Bible recently exam
ined. belonging to one of their communities
,ook not often allowed to be seen by the
worlds people," 1t is entitled, "a Holy, Sa-
cred and Divine Roll from the Lord God of Hea-
ven to the Inhabitants of the Earth, Revealed in
The Society at New Lebanon, Columbia county,
State of New York, United States of America"
1t pretends to be revelation, and the testimony
of eleven mighty angels is given, who attended
the writing Of the roll One of the angels is
named Console. c-Jao-mon-shue, and another
Pre-lne-f-nan-ves-te -va-ren-ve-ne. 1t is bound
in yellow, according to the order from on high.
The book appears to contain passages from
Scripture, altered, amended, enlarged, or cur
tailed, with original additions or improvements,
as they are probably deemed, to suit the peculiar
notions of the disciples of Anne Lee. 1t is n
very curious volume-even more remarkable,
though of less pretended antiquity than the Nor
mon Bbe. A copy is ordered to be sent to ev-
| cry king or potentate in Christendorn and one
| ent to the Governor of Canada, some time since,
was returned or refused.
How TO AVOID QUAReEL-Quarrels arise, in
an immense majority of instances, from letting
| hings 60 too far. Do not say this is obvious
md turn away. Try and cultivate your facul-
" of foresight. How often may man who
will give himself the trouble to think, stave OFF
miserable outburst OF uncharitableness, by
watching the turns of conversation, and hand
ling suggestions of the moment dexterously, 50 as
!, 70 make redeelning diversions in the talk Say
! I am talking TO you You are not precisely an
cry with me. No; but / foresee that if We push
matters very much father You may be; that the
| discussion Gf there be dscussion) will come TO
Ia pass in which the 'honor" of either combat
ant will be engaged, and retraction will be i'm
possible. Surely, if arm wise and kind, shall
put forth all my strength of brain to save you
and myself this possible pain, by shooting my
next arrow into the air. once saw fight inl-
pending between two boys, who perceived
were very unequsily, matched. The stronger
and bigger of tue two had on gorgeous new
cap. magnifcently tasselled, and proudly worn.
Just before the first blow was struck, took it
upon myself to remove the warriors helmet,
and flung it far away down the street. The mob
of boys assisting at the spectacle relished this
sudden turn in the entertainment, and gave
chase. The big boy released his prey to save
his darling cap. Something similar have often
done in conversation can assure you that the
recollection of such things is agreeable to me,
and wish others to taste the pleasure. Do not
say it is common thing; it is not common, be-
cause not one person in ten Thousand will take
the necessary trouble to make it common. Peo-
pie are sadly afraid of thinking too much about
each other, and scatter pain right and left by
little neglects and thoughtlessness which the
smallest amount of reflection would prevent
| Taits Magazine.
A KNIGHrY Nun. The following curious his.
tory of nun is travelling the rounds of newspa.
perdom, credited to Markham's Coco.
"There are two nunneries in Guamagga, San
ia Clara and Santa Teresa, the former of which
was the scene Of strange romance In 1917. q
young ensign in the Spanish army, having slain
his adversary in a duel, fled to the bishops pal.
ace for sanctuary. His name was Don Alonzo
! Diaz Remirez de Guzman, and he confessed "a
several other murders of the same fashionable
! kind. From various circumstances, however. the
suspicion of the bishop was aroused; and afte,
undergoing an examination, the youthful duelist
proved to be woman. A full confession then