The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-12

the shakers.
In the year 1747 few malcOntents, liv-
ing near Manchester, England, and be-
longing to the Quaker denomination, set
up for themselves an Independent organ
ization, at the same time assuming no
particular name, and assigning no rea-
son for their movement, save a little mis-
understanding. AS they would dance,
run and jump, they were called "Shak-
ers," by way of reproach. They were
laughed at, jeered at, and at last some
of them were arrested and thrown into
prison. Their persecution made them
thrive rather than Decline In TITO, ~
years after their first inception, and
while persecution was waxing tiercer,
one of their number, maiden known as
Anne Lee, protessed not only to have
received special divine revelation, but
a special divine mission, and with her
friends iinmigrated to America. In 1774
the Shakers landed at New York, and
proceeded Immediately up the Hudson
to place called Watervliet, seven miles
from Albany, where they settled.
From this colony the Shakers of the
United States have grown until they
number between 1000 and 5000, divided
into eighteen societies.
Their settlements number sometimes
as many as 500 members. These settle
ments are divided into ''families," each
family always varying in the number Of
its members, and each occupying one
large frame dwelling-house. The houses
are not remarkable for architectural
beauty, being both externally and intern
ally very plain, and rarely, if ever, paint
ed. Through the center of each house a
large hall may always be found.
On one side of these halls The houses
are devoted exclusively to the sleeping
apartments of the females, while on the
clusively to the sleeping apartments OF
the males. Originally agriculture was
the only kind of industry the Shakers
pursued; recently, however, they have
engaged extensively in dairying and in
the manufacture of brooms and drugs.
At New Lebanon alone the Shakers own
several thousand acres Of land, much Of
which is under an excellent state of cul-
tivation. Industry is one Of their cardi-
nal virtues, and idleness is reckoned as
very sinful. Neatness and order have
become two of their prominent'c 'cnarac-
teristlcs. Their worship consists in q
violent exercise of both soul and body.
Instructed by an elder or eldress, they
array themselves in long lines, the males
facing the females, and while standing
they listen to brief address from some
Shaker, upon doctrine or primitive vir-
tue, after which they begin marching
and singing; to use their own language,
they ego forth in the dances of them that
make merry" Their evolutions and
wonderful. By such physical exercises
excitement with them runs to very
high pitch.
Originally the Shakers divided the
creation into four cycles of time, but
now, under the teachings OF Father
Evans, their new leader, they claim that
there are to be seven cycles. The first
cycle they are about closing, and are
therefore about, to enter upon the second.
The sign of the first cycles elimination
they see in the dogma Of Papal infalli-
bility and in the ventilation OF such
scandals as have filled the newspapers
during the last summer. In this second
cycle they believe the doctrines of hui
man brotherhood, in which Christ in
structed Jesus, are to become thorough
Iy known, and that to Gods children
the earth is to be given for an everlast-
ing possession.
The spiritual and temporal offices Of
Shakerdom are shared mutually by Shak-
ers and Shakeresses. Their official titles
are elder and eldress, deacon and dea-
coness. The denomination is divided
into three classes, viz: Novitiates, jun
iors, and seniors, the first two being
simply probationary, while the third is
fully received of God, and enjoys the
highest type of spiritual happiness.
The Shakers recently held cOnven-
tion to commemorate the closing of the
first cycle and the dawning of the sec
ond, and a large number OF delegates,
male and female, attended it. They ex.
pounded their own doctrines, as well rs
discussed Christianity, Spiritualism, In
fidelity, and other social questions
There was choir singing of their own pc.
culiar songs and music, and they believe
that many disciples will be gained.