Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-09-05
A CURIOUS SECT.

The Shakers of Northern Ohio---Their Peculiar
Belief, Dress, and Prsctces---Non- lntercourse
of the Sexes and Non-Intervention in PoIitica
Affairs.
Among the passengers discharged at
New York on the 9th of August, IVA,
from the vessel Marian, which had Just
arrived from Liverpool, says the Cleve-
land Herald, was small band of emil
grants fleeing from religious persecu-
ton III Eogland. The center and lead
ing spirit Of the group was Ann Lee,
then woman of about 80 years, who
had suffered much on account of her
peculiar views, and hoped in the new
world to fad the liberty of conscience
she had not been permitted to enjoy In
peace In her native land. This woman
organized several societies which
espoused her creed. The latter she
claimed to have evolved from a series of
visions witnessed by her while In prison
III 1770, she having been confined there
III on the charge OF violating the sanctity
of the Sabbath. These societies were
the beginning of an organization which
still exists under the name of "The
Shakers, an appellation which was APP
with which they were seized while under
the influence of the shades of the other
world phe original name was the
United Society of Believers"
To learn something of the history, re-
hgion, and customs of this peculiar sect,
a reporter yesterday visited one of their
settlements, located southeast of the city
at distance of about four miles from
Il. - 1
point within two miles of his destina-
ton the -gatherer overlook an old
man Of medium height, with slightly
bent form and long grizzly locks that,
despite his years, retained their original
darkness OF color. He was clad in the
ordinary costume OF laboring farmer,
and wore a nigh, broad brimmed
QUakerlsh hat which overshadowed a
kindly and inviting face. In response
TO various inquiries respecting the coun-
try and people roundabout, the wayfarer
was found to be Cornelius Bush, one of
the trustees of the property owned by
the Shakers, and a conversation was at
once entered into in regard to that
organization. Mr.. Bush said the So
ciety was confined exclusively to the
United States, having seventeen branch
es, or families, as they are termed,
III various parts of the country, four of
them being located in Ohio-one at
Union Village, Warren County; an
other at Water Vliet, near Dayton; the
third at Whitewater, Hamilton County,
and the fourth at North Union, Cuya-
hoga County. The entire membership
was stated to be about five thousand.
Being questioned as to the principles
on which the order is founded, Mr.. Bush
said that one of its cardinal tenets was
ceibacy. eve believe with St. Paul, !"
he continued. " that if virgin marries
she may do well, but If she remains sin
gle she viii do better"
"But III your settlements do not the
men and women mingle together ?"
Sc Yea: the men live on one side of the
house and the women IN the other The
women cook for the men and do other
tasks fit for their strength and the men
do the outdoor work. y
"'What is another principle of your
theory ?"
Community of goods and interests.
We hold no property Individually. Our
possessions are held by trustees whom
we appoint to conduct our temporal at
fairs. These manage our business with
the outer world. They or the agents
whom they appoint buy whatever we
may need and do not ourselves produce.
They dispose of our surplus products,
and, in fact, hold all we have in trust
for the common good.
''But who are your spiritual guides ?"
''The society IN general is divided in
to six bishoprics, in each of which are
two male and two female bishops. Each
community or family has four elders,
two of each sex. The bishops, who
hold their positions for life, choose their
own successors; that is, when one dies,
or some one retres, the vacancy is filed
by those remaining. OF course 1t must
be filled acceptably to the members of
the society, and when bishop Is ap-
pointed who does net give satisfaction it
is the duty of the other bishops to re-
move him and supply his place with the
proper person. The communities are
each given religious instruction and gui-
dance by four elders, when the order is
full, two of each sex The number is
sometimes less when there is lack OF
persons competent to fill the position.
They hold their positions for life, and
are appointed by the bishops.
From the equal prominence given to
man and woman in every respect the
correct inference was drawn that equal
ity Of the sexes is also governing prin-
ciple Of the Shakers.
The settlement was now in sight and
short walk down a lane brought the
pedestrians INTO the heart of it. There
were not more than dozen houses on
each side Of the road, and all were the
ordinary frame structures that may be
seen anywhere. The only brick struc
ture was one Of the first buildings TO be
seen on the right hand. 1t had the ap-
pearance Of a country schOol-hOuse, but
the idea that there could be children
among this body of celibates seemed SO
absurd that inquiry was made as to what
might be the purpose for which the
building was used.
"That is our school house. Our or
ganization admits widows and widowers
to membership, and as they frequently
oolZx