Wilmington journal., 1873-07-04
righted, l gained admittance to the

flgnted, l. gained abundance to the
church. L found myself within alarge
hall, with painted benches on one side
for the Shaker worshipers and settees,
on the other, for the worlds people.
The mascUllnes were seated near the
door which they entered, and from
that position could cast sly glances to
| the opposite entrance, around which
the female portion of the congregation
were gathered. The church floor was
waxed and 50 bright it shone, that L
could almost see my face in it. The
walls and ceiling were white as the
driven snow, showing that the Shakers
| not only 2)rC0ch "cleanllneSS next to
Godiiness,' but practice it. L had
barely time to make these few obser-
yations, when hustle at the door an
noun"ed the arrival Of the Shakers.
In they came, twenty men IN one door
and twice as many women in the
other. Ali took seats Oh the benches,
folded their hands and sat for about
five minutes as motionlcss as statues.
The men wore light blue pants and
| vests and plum-colored coats. 4 row
of hooks, on one side of the wall. re-
celved their broad-rim straw hats. The
women wore neat, prlm dresses of
never-varying slate color, white linen
kerchiefs and lace caps. Their faces
We're very pale, yet upon them rested
look OF cOntentment and mild sereni-
ty, which an observer could not fail to
notice. The death-like stiffness which
they preserved must come to an end
and it was broken at length by one of
the elders, tall, stout man with long
gray hair floating over his shoulders,
Ixrt,1 r~oyy n Io4 oil e.{x
up. After standing for a moment or
two i'll silence all joined i'll song.
Some OF the women had fine voices
and many OF them seemed inspired
The rich sound filled the hall and the
listeners with rapture. The chorus,
'I-et us be marching on our way,
Awake III t.non strong,
With virgins bright we will unite
And join the heavenly thrUng,
Is still ringing in my ears. AS soon as
they had finished the song they folded
their hands and stood motionlesS.
The elder, before referred to, then
addressed the congregation III q quiet
conversational tone. He took for a
subject. BLESSED are. the Peace Max
ers, and spoke at length on the bar
barity of war and strife and the evils
resulting thercfrom. peace said he,
Is noble, triumph over tie lusts of tie
flesh is GOI-iike, and seif-sacritice elo-
Yates us to Heaven" He was very in
telllgent, and the arguments lie used |
were substantial and to the point. |
linen came another song, and this time |
they marched as they sang, accompany |
ing their steps and voice to Il peenliar I
OF the hands, throwing them |
up and down III Il strange but very !
graceful manner. This over, one of |
the women made 4 short address. She |
sad she had shut herself from the !
world to escape strife and corruption. !
She wished TO live a pure life, a life |
that should fit her for the higher life |
to come, and such a preparation could |
not be male until the world and its
vanltles had been renowned. After
she had finished. the morning services
clOGeu with another marching song.
\ OF 4 few eXclamatlOnS of wonder were
heard from strangers, and many COM
ments were made on the order and
of everything connected with
these strange people. The Shakers are
by those familiar with
their daily lie as thrifty, Industrious
and hOspltable. The poor and needy
III the neighbOrlloOd have much cause
to bless them. The WON III do the
house work and take care of the dairy,
while the men perform the labor on
the extensive farm. The management
Of the society is intrusted to trustees,
through whom al business must be
Ae they practice ecibacy,
their sect can only he pelpetuated by
adopting the children of the world.
T4cy are truly Il strange people, but
their views, peculiar rs they are, must
ON respect from thehumility
md simple goodness in which they are
clothed. came away greatly i'm
pressed with what / saw and heard
ma | shall not soon forget the day |
went to the Shaker meeting.
WANDEHING MINsrRFL.