The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-12

which could hardly be called melody. gesticu'
latine violently with their hands as before.
This was the music for the dancing. All
moved forward IN sort of shufa, step, some
Joining in the singing. and all gestlcuatlnR
with their hands in UNISON with the singers.
Moving forward step or two. all faced ABOUT
together aud shufaed back to the position
which they had occupied. This was continued
without variation at le:st half an hour, and 1t
WIS surprising as well az amusing to see with
what zest and energy some OF the Older breth7
rem aud sisters entered into the exercise.
THE MARCH ABOUND THE SANCTUARY.
Suddenly this ceremony also ceased at Usig-
nal from some one of the leaders, and all faced
again TO tie right in the same position ss Wnen
we entered the house. Aftei remaining in the
same meditauve, lmmobile position before des-
crlbed, for some moments, they began prepa,:
ration for another feature OF the worship. AZ
formed in column of fours, according to height,
|; the men in one column and the women IN an
other. Again the choir drawled on, their dole
full chants. and the column marched IN step 10
rhe music around the building, the women IN
reverse direction to that OF the men. Many
ioined in chanting the music. and all Kept
time to the air in the peculiar empbatlr ges-
ture Of tho hands and srms as before. For
hs;f au hour ut least did they thus marcl
around the hall the choir forming circle and
occup. ing q stationary position IN the centre
OF the floor, and at q signal all again assumed
the position thew had at first occupied, with
the precision OF soldiers.
THE END oF THE DANCE.
Again they stood for few moments as silent
"a 30 maoy statues. The plain, white pine
benches, which were piled one upon the other
about the sides Of the hall, were then taken
dow. and placed in position by the sisters aud
brethren respectively. Regularly and silently
as clockwork this was done. without any COM
mot on whatever. The men took their seats
first, and then noiselessly as 80 many ghosts.
the women glided to their proper places and
dropped on the benches. Both men and women
took from their pockets their large cotton hand
kerchiefs or napkins, which they spread on
their knees, and on which they rested their
hands.
THE PREACHING.
The preacher OF the community then stepped
forward in front Of the visitors, his oack to-
ward the members Of the society, and In q
calm. impassioue, manner be gan his discourse,
which was addressed entirely to the visitor g.
It was an artful. logical Argument in support OF
the Shaker creed; but although he spoke with
out notes, u was easv to see that the ADDRESS
had been carefully prepared for the occasl IN.
He studiously avoided reference to the dogma
OF the sect, and only alluded to those parts OF
their creed on whicn few persons would be In
clined to take issue. i was told, however,
that frequently the preachers Of the communi-
ty openly and theoretically proclaimed their
doctrine as the only true faith, AMI character
lied all other orders as heather. The remarks
OF the preacher concluded the devotional e1-
erclses OF the morning. One of the leaders
arose, simply remarked, "The meeting is now
dismissed" and then, without word beng
spoken or look OF recognition with one
another exchanged, the Shakers silently glided
out OF the hall, the women through one door,
and the nen through another.