New-York tribune., 1874-11-23
RELIGIOUS ANOMALIES.
NEw-LEBANoN SHAKERS AT srENwAY

NEW-LEBANON SHAKERS AT STEINWAY
HALL.
ANN LEE, THE FOUNDER OF THE sEcr-PECUIIAR
TENErs-DREss AND CUsroMs-THREE SESSIONS
wITHMANY SHORT TALKS.
The peculiarities of the religious system of
the Shakers have given them prominence sect
than there numerical strength ever would have
gained for them They number certainly less than 60o
athough their organization formed century and
quarter ago. Mother Ann Lse. she Is called, Is recog
nzed as the founder Of the Shaker faith She born
IN Manchester England in I74s and early In life became
member OF q society formed by James wardley,
preacher OF the doctrines OF the French Prophets Many
OF these people. who were millenarans. were driven
from France by persecution. and spread their
views through all England. wardleys fol-
lowers were gathered mainly from the So
cety OF Friends, and account OF their re-
gous exeesses and physi agitaions known as
"shaking Quakers." Ann Lee who remarkable
woman in many respects, became leader Of this
society," Her religious exercises" in which, while la
boring under great excitcment blood often
to exude from the of the s considered by
Der followers "evidences OF great spiritual fervor
In ITO she began to have visions. The authorizes i'm
pfisoned her as fanatic. After leaving prison she
tnued to gain still greater ascendency her fol-
lowers They acknowledged her to be incarnation OF
the Divine, and accepted the title which she
gave herself" Aun, tho Word" Among the
! revelations which she professed to have re-
ceived was one forbdding matrimOny, which she de-
nounced as the root Of human depravity." Her
attacks on the institution Of marriage subjected her to
second term Of imprisonment. On her release she re-
turned to the warfare in the Society with renewed en-
ergy, and the next time shut up In madhonse.
These prosecutions induced her to eDigate to America
and she announced a special revelation from heaven
directing this step. She landed In New-York with
eral OF her adherents, in 177i, and established
congregation ut Watervliet, near Albany
which she called "The Church Of Christs
Second Appearing" She formally dissolved the
marriage connection she had formed early In life. and
gave her attention exclusively TO the propagation OF her
religious vews She soon gathered about her large
number OF members and founded the hourshng society
| OF New Lebanon. Among the converts was Baptist
minister who remained Shaker only q short time. He
published pamphlet against the sect. In which he says
There attended this infauation an nexpca5e agency
upon the body to which he himself was subjected that
affected the suddenly and forcbly like the
electric fluid, and was followed by tremblings
and the complete deprivation Of strength" Con-
trary to her predictions that she would never see
DEATH but be taken TO Heaven In the twinkng Of
eye" Ann Lee died at Watervliet in 1874, closing
remarkable career She was an uneducated woman.
yet she ha1 strong powers Of mind. and an niexble
will compelling unquestioned obedience from her dsci-
pies. The popularity OF the Shaker system or faith is
that they consider themselves living now IN the mil
lennal state In which there is neither marrying nor
giving marriage" Cebacy is, therefore, condition
Of membership They inveigh against marriage in terms
which are by means choice. and sometimes exceed
ngly disgusting. They believe that long the pres
ent association OF the established by society
cOntnue4 mankind rise to higher llfe They
look forward therefore, 10 period when the pcrpetua-
ton OF the human shall and all human beings
shall become " as the angels In heaven"
company OF Shakers from Now-Lebanon, numbering
1G, OF whom four elders and three female elders
kD,n haaA Anff
NOyitate Order OF the sect In this country set forth at
Stenway Hall yesterday during O morning. an after
noon and evening their peculiar tenets AT
each Of the sessions the body OK the house was we'll
filed. The audiences seemed to be quito equally
divided into two parts, on side being those who
merely through curiosity or for amusement, and
on tho other sober people who for various reasons
wished to know the character and purpose OF the Sect
The discussion as 1t was called was rather series OF
addresses BY the learned In order subjects Illus
trating their beliefs. snch as "True Religion
BASED on Physiology" "Spirtualism a Science.
not q Religion;" "will shaGerism Depopuate
tho wordP "Tne equality Of woman recognized. but
all offices of Government to be held by the unmarried
intellectual celibaes" The dress aud Of the
party from their peculiarity and the attention they
attracted. deserve comment o. the mon, all except two
were in the prime Of manhood. + Elch wora his hair
long In the neck combed straight down over the brow
and cut stra ht abOut midway on the forehead
face closely shaved, save little tufts OF Deari
IN front OF the ears. All OF them were sun-burnei
brown-handel men. Their dress consisted OF coat OF
blue CLOTH clerical in cut. bntoning close up TO tile
throat and with long skirts; trousers or the sans or or
dark brown. and collars and cravat Of the choker"
variety. When In the street they wear gray felt
hats with broad brms. Tdo women wore plain lace caps
dresses OF dark material without Insier eyod OF
ornameuts white sawis. Instead or shaws the re-
male elders sacks OF the material fastened
with plain pearl buttons. Occasionally they east thelr
fusn lu hl1IIQ N
ina way that Indicated curiosity struggling with what
they considered proper indifference to such Worldu
ness. or nearly every member or the party IL may
be said that the life OF serepression they lead has
stamped It's impress the features for the deep hard
over the softer elements OF human character
Each OF the addresses WAS preceded by song In
ratons Of the sect were Of course The
no;e songs Of which ahe o se
reminded one Of watts's hymns. They were sung to
mental accomoaniment. II IL had not been FOR the
earnesLness OF the worshpers the hymns would nave
been very monotonous Each singer kept time by rising
on his or her toes and rang back on the heels with
perfect regularity. There were no sweet voices Out
the effect was partly counterbalanced BY their inva-
rlaby singing together in perfect The songs were
applauded by the audience. and once 10 te atclnoh
the singers were induced to repeat hymn py more pro-
Dr. E. p Miller Of this city present at all the ses
sons and acted as Chairman by Introducing the speak
ers. At the morning session. after singing Elder Aoert
LD0ms, whose standing in the sect Is nex hit VI l1r
Evans in the leadership OF the Novltate ofder was III
tr0duced.
His address was composed OF sketch OF Ann Lee,
whom ho called ian undauned prophecies ald savior
her and race" and OF dehnon ana defehse Oi
the sbaker doctrines Most OF the paper was deyoeu
to the biographical SKETCH The latter part OF the paper
answer to the query, VINO are the Shakeisi was
couched in commonplace, moderate terms win VEN OF
quiet humor running throaghit lie FIST gave - Joshua
Bilhngss" definition "Tae Shakers are manufacturers
OF almighty good brooms and pedders OF miscra1ie
Door grape vines at dollar foot" he SAID that me
common impression was that they were people VINO
broadDrimmed hats and sugar.scoop Dohhcts anu
who don't marry" Tnen he gave their own: y ihc
Shakers are people whose lifeline Is In agreement
with certain Chrstidn prlnciples introduced or fofod
total extinction from the practice OF the race Ihese