The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1871-03-07

February "a, 1871.
Enron oF JouHNAL:
I Dear Sir.-The dwellers In our little
valley were dnly surprised aud delighted
ON being informed, week or so ago, that
the Shakers bad missionary designs upon
u. aud would appear among us in force
on Friday the % inst, to enlighten and
for aught we knew to convert us. Young
America began 10 whistle "shake away
\ Daniel" in uncoucealod glee, while old
er folks shook their heads a little over the
threatened Invasion. But we are like the
ancient Atheuiaus, greatly enjoying eth
er the telling or hearing of new things /;
and therefore a crowded house awaited the
coming of Friend Evans and his con-
freres.
/ presume the JOURNAL, Able Special
was present, but did not observe any
'chiel among rs taking notes, ;" and so
win send along my iottings which may he
cast into your "Balaam basket If the
Special has forestalled me.
The little church was packed to over
flowing at the appointed hour, eagerly
awaiting the arrival Of the deputation,
who had been holding a morning meeting
in Dandy. At length there came the un-
mistakable hustle which announces the
arrival of the dramotis personae, and in
a moment they stood before us--eight live
Shakers, evenly divided between the
male and female persuasions. The men
in dark blue overcoats and broad-brim-
med hats the women in dark drab cloaks
aud the well-known shaker bonnets.
These latter certainly did have a cool
look, bat each sister was provided with a
long white tippet, such as is known
among us Gentles as a cloud, but that
seems too airy and frivolous a name for
any Shaker habiliments. They immedi-
| ately proceeded TO take off their wrap
pings in the most business-like manner,
and presently stood before us in-wel,
unadorned beauty The brethren all have
dark wooden clothes Of peculiar cut,
and the snowiest Of linen, all precisely
alike, even TO the cropping of their hair
straight across their foreheads A man
who can submit 10 that STYLE Of hair cut
ting and escape a look of utter imbecility
must be good looking indeed The sis
tiers We're all attired in brown flannel
dresses, hanging in straight, statuesque
folds, little white silk shawls pinned about
their shoulders, white linen "chokerso
reaching nearly to their cars and sur
mounted by turnover collars, and snowy
book-muslin caps of simple, close.fitting
| fashion. A small white breakfast shawl
was worn by one or two. Again, say,
she must be a beautiful woman who
could endure the test Of this severely try
ing costume. There they stood, however,
= decidedly sensible, dignifed, respect
able-looking beyy Of people, despite the
unbccoming attire. They seated them
selves in o semicirce in chairs placed be.
fore the desk, and underwent with ap.
parent uncCnsciousness the scrutiny ofthe
hundreds Of curious eyes. Their spokes-
man was no less a parsonage than Mr..
Evans, the head of the Community. lie
stood before us a pleasant, frightened
man, somewhat past bis prime, but well
preserved, with a particularly cordial and
undesigning manner and "a smile that was
Child-like and bland We concluded.
however before he finished his discourse
that he bad other characteristics of the
well known Heather Chinee and under
stood his game right we'll He apologize
cd briefly for keeping the audience wait
ing, said they had come among us in an
sWer 10 a growing demand among the
people to know more Of their fraternity.
They were q simple ana truly moral''
people, knowing little Of the great world
They made 10 preteusions to eloquent
speech or artistic singing, They would
sing for ms. however, in their own simple I.
iashi0u--a manner, however, which then
found inspiring and ediging-and he
would tals with as OF the great truths Of I.
their belief ia a plain, straight forward
way. 50 then the brethren and sisters
arose sud favored us with some singing. .
They lad no books or the usual notes Of
musicians, except that one brother had
little memorandum book evidently con. /
tanning written verses. The sisters sang
entirely from memory, aud very excellent
memories they must have, for hymn fol-
lowed hymn--lengthy, monglouous. un-
lyrical-but with all Of which they seem
od perfectly familiar. Their voices were
simple, uneduasted, snd INCIDENTALLY
"feedy, but there was such serious.
correct. primitive ring to their rade mel
0dEsoue could not smile. nay, could find a
certain paihos ia 81 which might sooner
compel a tear. The words we're simple,
with much repetition, and 4 sort Of rytA-
mie movement nos unpleasant 20 the ear.
They might have been mig By ans sect
so faf - sentiment was concerned, sim
pie aseripi.oas Of praise to the Creator,
of their happiness il Ills king
dom % grace, rcuuaciations Of the world
and aspirations leaYenward
Then Mr.. Eysus began his discourse,
ind held biz audience for an hour and
lAlf IN elose attention, II not 10 admira- ,
ION. HI hs reyaN ~ fa flights ~ = le.ouensp !