Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1875-05-12
terruption to usual vocatons. They
not regularly read the Bible.

which is found in every family hoA>e. II
the meeting house there are mcncialiv
benches, on which the people sit until all
are assembled. In the assembly hall there
are only Y seats ranged along the walls, and
the members of the family, rs they enter,
take their accustomed places, Standing in
tlic ranks which are formed for wor>iiii,
The men face the women. the older nleIl
and women IN the front. the elders stand
lnT 1t the head of the first rank \ SOME
what broad space or gangwly is left be
tween the two front ranks. After the
singing Of \ hymn. the elder usually
makes \ brief address upon the holiness
OF living and conservation to Cod: he is
followed hy the cldre>s; and tlerrupon H.,
ranks a:e broken and dozen OF the blctII-
zen and sisters, forming 4 separate square
upon the floor begin Il lively hymn tune.
IN which all the rest join. marching around
tn" room to Il qnick step the women io!-
lowing the men, and all often cllpp;ll ;
their hands.
The exercises are varied by reforming
the ranks; by speaking from men and
women; by singing and dancing Il, they
march, "aS David danced before the
Lord the dance being u kind of Il sIur-
tle. Occasionally. one Of the members,
more deeply moved than the rest, or per
llaps in some tribulltion of soul. asks th,.
prayers OF the others; or one comes 10 the
front. and, hOwing before the elder and
eldre~s. begins to whIrl, Il singular cxrr-
else winch IS sometimes continued tIr Il
considerable time, an is 1 rcnar4.lb!r
pert rnanCr. Then me brother or >i>-
ter Is impressed 10 deliver Il message Of
warning or comfort from the spirit land /:
Or some spirit asks the prayer, Of the
assembly. On such occasions the elder
asks AL to knccl in silent PRAYER. In the
marchin- and dancing; they II id their
hands before them. and make u motion -
If gathering something to themselves ::
this J. called gathering Il blessing. In
like manner, when any brother or sister
asks for their prayers or sympathy, they,
reversing their hands. pu>h toward HIM
that which he asks
All the movements are performed with
much precision AMI in exact ORDER:
thrir tunes are usually in quick TIM,
and the singers keep time admirably
The words OF the elder guido the meeting :
and At his bidding all di>pcr-c in i
somewhat summary manner. Ii is. | i, :
lievc. an object with them to vary the or
der Of their meetings. and thus give Ike
10 them
Elder Frederick gave II" Il ticc tina. |
WAS permitted To wljne>> tn tInrr;l. c..t,.-
monies OF Il departed sister. which Wcl,.
set for 10 o'clock, in thu. assembly room
lnd thItlIcr WAS accordingly cuu.lUctr,i
At lhe proper time 10y one o. the brttlI-
rem. The members came into the To IN
rapidly, and ranged themselves in ranks
the men and women on the opposite s.d,>
of tn" room and facing each uhtcr A..
stood up. there being no seats. \ bs!ct
adire,, by Elder Frederick opened the
services, after which there Was singing
different brethren and sister, spoke brict-
lv. a call WAS made to the spirit OF the d.
parted to communicate. and in The course
of the meeting a medium delivered some
words supposed 10 be from this source.
some memorial verses were read hv one
Of the sisters; and then the congregation
sera a. ed, after the notice had been given
that The body Of the dead sister would he
placed in the hail. where all could take :,
last look At her face. |, too, was asked t.
look the good brother WHO cunductrI me
to tn" plain, unpainted pine co.l;n rc-
marking. very S'.n>Iblv, that :" he .o y :
not OF muc! Importance after !: j. dad. '
The Shakers hold strongly 20 tile ,4ld-
II of women with M n, and look forward
TO the day when women shall. III the "'!:-
er world l. IN their own - j. tie. hp,I
Office rs We'll a. mon. "llc.r We find
The women !>t rs able rs n.ril in AL Dll~-
mess affairs. and far III ,rr >i.:r,iual' -
Suppose y woman wanted. in yuur ftmi.,
70 be a black smith. would y"u consent
asked; and he replied. ~. L,.-.tt~,.
this Wuud bring men and women mo rc-