Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-09-02

Tho congregation remained seated in the
most profound silence for ten or fifteen min.
utcs. when male voice struck up choral
in which all who could sing joIned; while
singing, the Shakers stood in sections facing
each oihes. Tho music some OF /, rescm.
blcd the old fugue tunes oi years past, and
some the tunes which ono hears at Meth.
odlst Camp Meeting. This choral I've 80
II for want OF a better term.) was kept up
some ten minutes when it was allowed Co
die out with long drawn cadence that al.
most ended in a grOan. and we observed this
cadcncc at the close Of every tune. There
was silence for lew moments, when Mr.
John Came OF Canterbury, y. H., an elder.
ly Shaker stepped into the AREA, which par.
ted tho men from the women. The shakers
were seated, and Mr.. Came proceeded 10
address them briefly; his remark. being con-
fined to the promises held out in Scripture,
and 10 the certainty Of their iu6lmcnt with
those who KEEP, the Law and the Gospel
Again there was another choral or hymn
sung by the Shakers standing.
There was auo,ncr rest fora few moments
when the forms were removed from the cen.
,rc Of the room; (whila Mr.. Came was
speaking, the Shakers arranged their forms
s, ~ TO face ono anoihcr) the Shakers,
such Of them as had on tho coats, removed
them and hung them upon rails around tie
room they then arranged themselves, the
elders and older females forming the inner
or centre sections say six or cish, feet apart
with their backs to the spectators other
sections were formed 70 the righ. and LETT,
the leading men and women, until on the
extremes came the boys and girls, All facing
TO the western siic OF tie building. and
with their backs to the spectators. Then
four men and six women who were to sung
Tor the dancers were arranged 20 face
them anl thc spectators. when all was
right. male voice: that Of Mr.. Sawyer, n
leading man, struck up chorus NJ Cor *.
a=ple-" Sol sol la," or something like it,
and the dancers started with a measured
tread, raising and depressing thor hands,
and keeping time TO the music. The step
was very light with just the slightest ap.
proach to shuttle or ordinary dance; tho
Shakers speak ofita " laborins," /" no, dan.
cling. The dancers Us they moved up to
the singers and rc,arned turned 80 as TO
face the spectators; a rest was given. and
\ this movement was repeated two or three
times, and hymn was sung in one Of the
intervals. The Shakers wgrc then seated,
the forms being arranged as before, and Mr..
Came proceeded TO address the audience up
on the words. &" Go 10 the ant thou slug
gard" &c. His remarks were plain and
sensible and kind and concllatory, and Of a
character to do good, as they were addrcs.
sed TO the reason Of his auditors there was
no appeal to prejudice, ir them. But we
were somewhat surprised to notice defence
OF the confessional and an announcement, Of
the doctrine OF Pursatory. We were sur
pri.cd as we had never heard that the Sha-
kcr' had incorporated these doctrines into
their belief. We learn that the Confession
al is adopted by them; a, least 50 say gen
tlemen who are best acquainted with them.
There was nothing offensive in MIR. Games
manner Of putting bis points; he urged
that repentance was better here than here.
after, and that Christ was better Media.
tor than any mere mortal could bO. As
Mr.. Came states II, he divides the world in.
I to Shakers and Arninians. but he is liber.
al enough TO have his hearers initiate the
Saints, Of whatever name and profession
they may be. Mr.. Came spoke for perhaps
three quarters OF an hour.
Then alter brief pause, the chorus sing.
ers took positions in the centre of the room
/ in line, the men facing each other. and
the women facing women, the congrega-
ton formed circle about the singers by
twos,-oi course the men with men. and
women with women. A hymn with 'ueas-
ured metre was struck up by the chorus
singers. (ani during the closing exercises
all the music was given with words and not
simply as chorus,) aud the Shakers com.
mcnccd their stepping or "laboring" around
tie room. the whole company keeping time,
using their hands as we have before de'crib.
cd. THIS dance was severa! times repeat
cd, but with dilTcren, hymns, and differ
ont measure. Once while upon the floor
the whole body of Shakers joined in singing
choral. The au'iencc were then dismiss
ed wiihOu, any formaliiy, and the services
closed.
Il will bc observed that prayer dad not
cutter into the services, aud that singing,