St. Paul daily globe., 1884-11-07

But wish to say right here that these peo-
pie are far from being coarse or ignorant
They are notably otherWise-the women IN
particular remarkably refined and intellect
ual
The sisters outnumber the brethren as five
to one in every family, and this advantage
alone would perhaps keep the men rather in
the background; ;>but am strongly inclined
20 the opinion that. while the elders and q
few Others are naturally intelligent and we'll
educated, the majority are in all respects in
ferior to the women. AS Sister Elizabeth re-
marked with a twinkle in her eye, at is
womGn's daT here"
They arc extremely kind and courteous to
the brethren, however, and they never fail to
acknowledge the slightest service With a gen
tie Thank you kindly, brother" They look
after their wants, too, with motherly care,
each Of the elder sisters having the clothes
and general well being OF one or two broth
ers in her special charge.
According 20 the scripture injunction their
nay is nay, but their yea is not yea, but ye;
aud was told by one OF the sisters that It
was not her habit TO even write the "a, - but
/ think that does not prevail.
Their schools must be excellent, for the
children are well advanced in every branch.
Particular attention IS given 10 music. I am
sure / could not In any city school pick out
proportiOnate number OF boys and girls
who can sing as well as those children did.
And there IS no singing by note; even the
little ones read music readily. The piano
and other instruments are also taught
The proficiency in music is mainly owing
20 the fact that the teachers themselves have
had the best musical Instruction that could
be obtained in our cities, and they have for
years drilled the whole family two half-hours
daily. All sing, with very few exceptions,
aud It is remarkable how many really fine
voices there are.
Their anthems and hymns for church use
are written entirely by Shakers, and are, Of
course, peculiar. Most of the later are
choral, which they sing with great spirit
There is much repetition both OF music and
words, which seems a necessity when we
consider that the greater part Of their service
is singing.
II IS wonderful that they have the physical
strength to sing as they do. They sit and
sing, they march and sing, the kneel and
sing endless verses, and the last note is as
loud and clear as the first. Most OF their
hymns have a ring Of triumph and victory
about them, though some are exceedingly
sweet and tender. No one who hears the
Shakers can doubt that with them singing is
indeed worship.
We attended the regular church services
Sunday. Aside from the singing it consisted
Of short scripture reading, a short sermon
or address By the minister, ''Elder Henry"
they called him, and remarks by several
members.
Elder Henry Blinn, whose goodness shines
In every feature OF his frank and noble face,
Is the spiritual head Of the family. His man
ners are cultivated and agreeable, and he
certainly possesses the art Of conversation in
a high degree.
His sermon was interesting and scriptural
/ In fact, we heard nothing peculiar or new,
only that great prominence was given to the
necessity of pure life.
The women left their bonnets outside and
marched in with their heads uncovered, ex-
cept for the lace caps before referred to.
All remained standing through the first
/ part Of the service, aud they made q very
striking appearance. After the serman they
marched about in a sort of figure, singing
and waving or shaking" their hands with
/ palms upward.
This ''shaking'' was not at all what ex-
pected to see. There Is in all their service
nothing ludicrous or undignifed. Their fer
vor seems Ike true exhaltatiou Of spirtt-noi
at all like rant or excitement-and seems tC
find full expression in their singing and in
their faces, which are-especially those OF
the women-spiritual in the extreme.
AS the procession filed past us we were
struck by the extraordinary appearance OF
one woman whom we had not seen before
She was an elderly woman, but Brilliant,
handsome still, and of most queenly pres
senee. She was dressed in the regulation
Shaker garb, except that her grey gown wal
OF richer material, and to the regular elos'
cap WIS added a large lace veil whicl
crowned her regal head and fell gracefully
upon her shoulders. Her kerchief was o
white satin, whose creamy folds cOntrastet
well with her dark eyes and hair. II wa
Elderess Dorothy.
We learned her history afterward. Sht
came 10 the settlement when only eight year,
old, and for the past thirty years had beer
their queen and head-mOre than all thei
mother
She addressed few remarks to them be
fore the meeting closed, in which she called
them her chilren-her treasure. "a mother
children are her treasures the world over,
she said, 'and you are mine. Did no
bring you forth into the heavenly light will
throes Of more than heavenly light Will
throes Of more than mortal agonYl All you
lives have borne your sins and sOrrows on
my heart; your burdens have been mine
You are indeed my children, and your good
ness and happiness are my crown and re
ward"
She spoke with wonderful dignity and
tenderness, touching our hearts, stranger'
though we we're, with feeling of reverence
for her beautiful motherhood. After all ha,
she not known maternity In its highes
sense' Several Of the young sisters ''testi
fed" as they were moved. The first to speal
was young girl not more than sixteeT
years Of age. Nothing could be more ten
derly beautiful than her face. Her largl
dark eyes we're soft with tears, and her fun
red lips trembled as she spoke. She wa
very much in earnest, aud in
voice broken with sObs de
clarec her love for a holy life
and her determination to perseveie in it
She concluded in the softest, sweetest o
girlish accents: ST do love the virgin life
and do love you, dear brothers and sis
tersl" As she sat down an elder sister rose
and with gracious simplicity responded
"And we love you.'' Such responses ar
not unusual, and seem TO answer sOmewha
10 the amens OF the Methodists.
In closing they sang a hymn, repeating
the one verse many times; then kneeling
and singing still, they repeated it yet again
aud again.
Finally, closing their eyes as IN prayer
they sang it very softly and for the last time
/ shall never forget the looks Of exaltatiol
in the pale faces Of those women, or tn
strange feeling Of awe that came over me a
I held my breath TO catch the last faint whis
per Of the hymn. These were the words:
Watching and praying I fud you,
o my beloved, my own;
Trusting Fathers rich promise,
II will not leaye You alone,
] will not leave you alone.
Though through the desert lead.
Or apart In the mountain ye pray
For strenuth i'm the hour Of nesd-