, 1879-03-02

nlared in tho chair seats. The women then
begin the work Of putting the rooms IN otder'
and by o'clock all are ready Tor oreakiast'
which takes place without the least formality'
men and women eating at separate tables III the 13
same room, but in the utmost silence. -
Eneel in silence moment beiore the meal pe
rins. Dinner comes at II 1n, ano supper ~
U. ua All lights in the various ou1ldlh@s must
,Tla tnil OF The Shaker is not severe, and there
is ycry little com plaint, the Elder told me, in
regard to one having softer 1oo tnan anotIet.
SWn hod,'' he said, ''tlat toll should De Ia
pleasure, and to this cnd We work together
evenly aud easily"
WAX begins Immediately after the morning
meal is finished, and ample ',noonns. IS
taken in the middle OF tile day. Eegu!ar loFc-
men. called "carc- takers" have charge Of the
men and deal out the tasks.
u1Ie entertainments which We hare" SAID
the Elder, in answer to d question, "all come ~
tile evening" We read our evening Letters OF
consolation and comfort from other societies,
and read In our Society journals OF the progress
of the cause elsewhere. somctines Me sp npeuu a.,
gage In our social and religious dance or practice
On new hymns for our service
me Of the most peculiar things which 1
harmed was in rcEara to the special care that IS
+ taken to keep the brethren aud sisters At the1f
sr,rnner distance from each other. Brethren are
rrvrr ncrmisted to visit the sisters under
any circumstances, but on Sunday, nights ne
sisters, six or eight IN body, call upon thc
hrthren ir their rooms. On these occasions
sisters nlacc themselves in still row In chairs
aE,nr one side OF the room, while the brethren
ar,- in a similar row at the other side.
:tY,.o then converse in stilted manner In re-
1nr1j N the crops the weather, and the general
66rns1nncts OF the Society II, on any OF these
p.casinus a brother is seen to be taking special
interest in the cpnycrsatton OF any sister, or
iooks 1t her in sucha nayner as to particularly
attract attention, she snezer permitted to visit
that nartjcuiar room again.<-
Iie rules Of the Society are soTpthtng which
m one ean find ont, but they are simply known
~ he Of the most strict and studEd character.
II js to be supposed that they differ to certain
ertrnt with different communities.
I, in said that brethren aud sisters are not per
,nfttel to pass each other on the stairs; cannot
v,eit each others rooms except on business, aud
then can never stay more than fifteen minutes
at time, No brnthcr and sister can converse
| toocthcr alone. Every one is bound to report
| tn thc pru2eg authority the least violation OF
any of the rules, and this constant WatchIulness,
| fhe one upon another, is what keeps them pure
| more than anything else. A member cannot
| even leave the premises on which he belouGs
without obtaining permission Of the Elders. and
ibis is done by stating the business which calls
| hin away No conversation except the most
snrciuct ur1l discreet is permitted between thc
| members OF the different families. On inc
nrcu,lscs OF their own families brethren. but Ho1
! sisters are permitted to roam at will. NO mem
| ler is permitted to play with or particulars;
| fn,dle uny animal. All visiting from people Of
/ the world even from relatives u! Lie IursnteI5