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

as they claim, the brethren and sisters live
together in spiritual order and social rela-
ton.
cHE PLACES OF WORSHIP.
Each dwelling contains large meeting room
sufficiently spacious to accommodate all the
members of the family, and in this room thoy
assemble several times q week for worship, and
from twice to thrice week they have reunioa
meetings in their private rooms, where from
tour % eight or ten Of the brethren and sisters
spend al hour or SO sitting together in devo-
tlonal conversation and singing.
- THE WORKSHOPS. a-..rl
There Gre 9is0 h the gytttsurelit large build
1ngS containing numerous workshops connect
ed WITH each family, one for the men the other
for tho women. In these various branches of
manufacture are carried on. consisting OF neces-
sary articles for home consumption and for sale.
They have all the mechanical trades necessary
to meet the inam ediate wants of q fannily, but
are largely dependent upon the neighoOring
villages and cities for the improved implements
which render modern agriculture sue ,essful.
AaRioULTURE AND HoRTICULrURE.
Hitherto horticulture has been the leading
business in most Of the Shaker societies, but
recently they are turning their attention con-
siderably to agriculture. The society sat New
Lebanon owns about 6GOO acres Of land, q largs
beng very mountainous. The rest is devoted
to agriculture and horticusture.f
IN THE HOUSE OF woRsHle.
AS we drove up TO the Shaker ''meeting.
house;' largo rectangular, plain wooden
building, with convex root, their singing
their devotional exercises. although it was not
yet ten O'Clock in the morning. We alghted
IN front OF the church. and entered, our wives
through the door on one side Of the sanctu Try,
Many visitors we're in the house, and an usher
gave rs seats allotted to those who are not of
The "persuasio1." These seats are plain
wooden benches, and differ from those used BY
10 Akor noovvo Svak ktpok
piled with e back.
When we entered the ssmeeting-h we
conld hardly suppress a smile. Ranged IN line
across the room -one row behind another, 40.
cordluG to height the men on one side OF the
house, the women on the other, they stood IN
their quaint costumes. their faces cast down,
their eyes on the tloOr. The men wore coats,
pantaloons. and waistcoats Of tho same materi.
belly pattern, With standing collar reaching
to the ear, waistc0at buttoned close to the
throat. with standing collar and combinations
of the most liberal d,mensions. About their
at least half yard OF muslin.
The women we,e neatly attired in gowns OF
90 ne light lead.colored material reaching to
the feet, and guiltless OF expansion by criuo-
bosom, q white keTchief or small shawl. Each
one, from the oldest wrinkled old woman 70
the youngest child. wore close fitting white
ted nos Ie over Tao
pleted tbs heacdress. The hair OF the women
was cut short and tnclosed ina small brown
nss; nes; TIE BAR ofths men yas cut close to the
ed to grow long behind tho ears. In some
cases IT fell in tangled. tufted locks upon the
shoulder. 9t
THE MANNER OF WORSHIP.
We had been seated but q few moments wher,
two of the sisters and brethren. acting as Sead-
ers, began in slow. drawling. sirg-sona tone
to chant one OF their peculiar songs or hymns,
the words OF which We could not distingnish.
All the worshippers at once Joined In. moving
down in unison with the music. Several songs
were thus supg-the peculiar gesture OF the
open hsDd being ono Of the ceremonies Of their
service After this ceremony. one Of the lead
ers stepped from the .sc.. .s..a. Z
-position on the door midway bstween the
separated sexes, spoke D few words OF exhorta-
ton, admonishing the me nbers Of the society
70 70 i've .q asroay snd cling ast e the tenets
" took his place again in the ranks and was
followed by, others In a similar strain s,a
THE sHAxEa sHurxLs DANCE.
During this time the w0rshippers stood Inn
mobile; With eyes dxed on the floor aud hands
humility. Not once did ona oI' them rsove .nr
lit the eye the right or Iefts In tine fnter-
walls Of their service yOu could hAye heard a
snlp: But th,s Was only the irss part of she
ssrvico. Suddenly, at q signal from one OF the
leaders, All faced TO the left--with the precis-
ION OF drilled soldiers their backs TO the spec
other, there was act,vs preparation FOR the
shufds dance, which is Also q part OF their de.
voti0nal excfcise, All entered into si,is dance
with spi1t. come Of the brethren pulled on
% walls s 81 e sd II was gSs tss asoa o
brethren 10 diyest themselves og fhsiY coats
and sonnetiniss sesir waistcoat Also. on ths