, 1879-03-02

is forbidden, unless there exist prospects OF con-
version. The Sabbath lis observed very yclosely. No
DOCKS, e1ccpt}theY be th0se of the Society, arc
permitted TO be read No unnecessary work
can be performed If crops arc likely to incur
loss by pell, left, they may be gathered GU the
Sabbath, but, under Ordinary circumstances, not
even mouthful OF fruit which is gathered on
the Sabbath must be eaten. The Shaker has
peculiar touduess for the right Us contradistin-
guished from the left. The right foot must be
put forward in walking. The right horse must
be first harncssed; the right kuec must be first
bent In prayer, and the right foot first placed
ars provided for in the most careful and ac-
curate manner br strict rules.
Tile visible head of the Church is vested In
the ministry, which Is composed OF men and
women This ministry is an absolute autocracy,
and all appeals In matter OF business or other
wise arc taken to them.
Notwithstanding the reputation Of honesty
which the plan garb and solemn talk OF the
Shakers naturally CONVEYS, their nelghbors,
some OF them, complain Of certain small trans
actions which do not by any means appear ex-
actly square, They are generally quite GUM
u;psly devised and show simply a disposition
to thrive to the highest degree possible In their
communistic capacity
One man related to me his experience IN buy
ing horse. The Shaker wanted 5110 for the
horse. while the buyer was willing to give S1o0-
Neither would yield dollar. The Shaker, who
was, 1y tic way, an Elder, OR some other sucn
h}ph ,lrnitary, claimed that he was held to THIS
sum by the sisters. who were greatly attached
to the beast Finally i happy thought seemed
to strike the Elder. Lie proposed to sell the
horse for 3l0O, but requested MS soccial laFor
That the buyer advance $40 extra that nc Mi:ht
show 1t to the sisters, and then he would return
it, This was agreed to and the money advanced,
hut when the purchaser asked for its return
the Elder maintained that that was the sum
agreed upon in the trade, and would not listen
to the proposition to return the money.
Some years ago it was discovered oy some
quarry men, who had been prospecting, that
there was valuable quarry On the Shaker 1arm.
It would require considerable capital to open it
up. but these men could form company to do
tic work aud advance the money. Trusting III
the honor and honesty OF the Elder, simply
verbal bargain was made In regard to most Of
the arrangement, though contract was fixed
uo afterward. The quarry turned out great
SUCCESS, and after the first cost OF opening was
over the contractors made money last. Just at
this time other partes, seeing the success Of the
cptercrise, made higher bid for the stone than
tile contract called for. The Shakers tried to
cyadc the contract, und as an excuse 6au th4t
the Elder had no right to make bargain
which should waste their land. They said tllat
the ministry had been consulted and had Decided
that tho contract must he broken. a lawsuit
followed, which resulted In compromise. Of
course the brethren hold that these transactions
are Ill right, rs they simply Inconvenience the
Genti1es OF the world, and are for the good OF
the Lords people.
I simply give the above Us illustrations OF
what heard in the neighborhood, and as show
ing that the reputation OF the brethren is NOT
entirely without reproach- GARY.