Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-06-30
THE SHAKERS or MOUNT
LEBANON.


The snow was still upon the ground
when we made our long deferred visit
to the Shakers at Mount Lebanon
Our old friend, Elder Frederick W
Evans, welcomed us at the door, and
installed us in the visitors house ofthe
family over which he presides. Foi
inspecting the agriculture of tho socie.
ty in all its varied details, the time OF
our visit was not favorable, but enough
was seen to show that the reputation
Of the Shakers for thrift. Diligence
economy. and practical sense is not un.
deserved.
The village at Lebanon is occupied
by three families, as they are called
each one of them constituting a com.
plete and independent community.
though the relations between them arc
in every respect cooperative. The
official supervision of the Ministry as
the chief elders of the Shaker church
are called. extends through the whole
village.
The three communities at Lebanon
are known respectively as the North
family, the Church family and the South
family. The name of the Church fam
ily is derived from the fact that the
church building or the central place of
worship for the whole village, stands
among them. The number in each
family we did not ascertain. though
there is no secrecy about il but the
population of the whole village is some
thing like two hundred persons, in
cluding men, women and children
Each family has an Office and store of
its own, where its business affairs are
transacted, and there are, of course,
persons in each who are in charge OF
this part of the establishment but we
believe that Elder Frederick is quito
as frequently consulted upon matters
OF this sort by the other families, Us
upon spiritual subjects and questions
Of doctrine or discipline.
The Shaker farms at Lebanon are
situated upon the western slope of the
mountain, and the village is about n
mile from the railway station in the
valley below. The situation is exceed
ingly beautiful, and all its beauties are
visible from the home of the Shakers.
The soil is clayey and strong, but it
lies in the best exposure toward the
sun, is thoroughly drained by its posi-
ton, and must be earlier fitted for
ploughing and less exposed to frost
than most Of the land in the neighbor-
hood. The orchards had vigorous
and healthy look, which showed not
only that the care bestowed upon them
was constant and slsilful, but that the
land is good for fruit trees. Farming
is carried on, of course, mainly to furn-
ish supplies for the community, but q
very important industry is the raising
Of garden seeds for market Brooms
are also made for sale and, as our
readers are already aware, everything
produced by the Shakers is OF the best
quality, and every representation which
they make concerning their wares is
to be relied upon. The housesin which
they live are large wooden buildings.
four stories high, plain, spacious, and
thoroughly comfortable. The neat
ness with which they are kept cannot
be exceeded. The dwelling of the
North family is warmed by steam, and
ventilated in the most scientific and
effective manner according to n system
invented and applied by Elder Fred
ericls. The women live in one end of
the building and the men in the other.
The cooking for the community is per.
formed, Of course, in a single kitchen,
and throughout the establishment
everything sperfectin its way. Abun-
dance, order, thrift, and transcendent
cleanliness prevail everywhere. There
is nothing Tor decoration or for show
everything is for use and comfort, and
for the easy and economical perform
ance Of the work to be done. The
house for visitors, which is, of course
comparatively small, stands in the rear
OF the community house, and is of n
similar character in respect of its ac-
commodatlons and furniture. The
rooms, which are warmed by wood
fires IN soapstone stoves, have simple
movable rugs upon the floors, which
are OF hard Southern pine. Hero, too,
the ventilation is perfect, better in fact
than we have seen IN the most luxuri-
Gus city dwellings. The work shops,
wood sheds, barn, stables, wash house,
and poultry house of the family are
suitably placed, most OF them in the
rear OF the dwelling. The barn of the
North family IS celebrated among ag.
rlculturists; 1t is OF stone, some l75