The record-union., 1891-03-16
WHITEWATER SHAKERS
They Have Lots of Good Things-B
liefS and Expectations.

People get tired OF life and rid them
selves of it. The tale of wreck is re-
lated every day. Some natures are not
strong enough to overcome the griefs and
succumb to them.
For such there is a retreat that would
almost have answered the longing of the
psalmist when he cried for lodge in
some vast wilderness where he might fl Y
on the wings of q dove and be forever at
rest. Some SIX or seven miles beyond
the village of Harrison is community
that is as much apart from the world in
all its purposes and desires as though 1t
were on some distant star. The Shaker
village of Whitewater is as distant from
the rest of the world as it can be. 1t is a
little world of its own.
The Shakers have some | 400 acres of as
fine farming land as can be found in the
State of Ohio. 1t is gently undulating,
rich and easily cultivated, and is well
above the valley of the Whitewater not
far off. The greater portion of the tract
has been cleared and would probably all
be titled were there enough of the good
people to give il attention. But for some
years the community has been losing in
numbers. The original ones have grown
old and passed away and not many have
come from the world to lead the life of
self-denial that the Shakers lead. To-day
there are less than seventy-five men,
women and children in the two villages
gether and the buildings and the farm
surrounding have been rented.
I'VE are just holding place ready for
the people when the Lord shall send
them to us,' said Elder Henry B. Bear,
the head man of the Center family 'We
feel no Encouragement because of our
present condition. Those of US who
want to go away and live in the world
meet with no opposition. All are free to
come or to go, just as they think best"
DO you not endeavor to make con-
verts ?' was asked.
"No; the world would not listen to us if
we did. Our religion is not attractive. 1t
requires sacrifices which few are willing
to make. The religions that are in vogue
now do not require as much of people as
those of olden times did and the world
has got used to easy and comfortable
forms that do not call for the relinquish-
ment of pleasures. Until the world gets
into different mood, it will be useless
for us to attempt to do any proselyting."
Elder Bear is a remarkably well-pre-
served man. Although quite far advanced
in years, he is as vigorous as young
man, his eye is as bright, his voice as
strong, his ideas as clear as young man.
For nearly forty-five years has he been a
Shaker. He and his wife and two chill
dren united with the community. His
wife, handsome old lady, still lives
One of his children is dead, and another,
son, has left the community and mar
ried.
HE often writes to me-" said the elder.
with pardonable pride, THAT he appre-
ciates the benefits of his Shaker training,
for it has kept him in the straight and mar
row path.''
The elder was asked if it had not been
hard for him to give up the family relations
and separate himself from his wife and
children.
mo, no." came the answer, with a
slight show of feeling. Il became con-
WINGED that it was the right thing for me
to do, and / would not lead life that |
was convinced was improper. Don't
think, though" he added, that my fam
lily relations were disagreeable, for they
were not"
us it not possible that some day you
Shakers will abandon the requirement of
cellbacy?" was asked.
Never. That is the main article of our
faith. Christ was a celibate, and we are
commanded to be like him in all things.
Marriage involves selfishneSs, and we
aim at entire unseltshness. There can
never be community of married people;
it would be impossible. Here we live as
real brothers and sisters, cultivating the
Christian graces unhampered by family
ties. 1t is the ideal life''
But if there were no family ties you
wouldn't be here.''
''Oh, well, )" answered the elder, naively,
''the time will never come when all the
people are celibates. But the world is
gradually getting to that stage of religious
advancement when it will turn to Shaker
ism. The great reform movements are
all in that direction. Womens rights,
temperance and all those find their per-
feet forms among the Shakers, and we
look for the coming of the day when our
numbers will greatly increase"
1t is easy for one to become Shaker.
Any one who can live among the others
without disturbing the peace of the com
munity can be admitted, no matter what
his beliefs. He need not even believe in
the existence of a God or of helln said
Elder Bear. 1--WE will trust that he will
receive the light of truth after he has
dwelt among u.s." Those having proper
ty turn it over to the community, but a
strict account is kept of it, and should
they leave it will be handed to them again.
a second covenant is taken by some,
by which property is donated to the com
munlty, and should they afterward leave
the community donates to them what is
deemed proper. Some are now in the
community who, after having united with
1t, left and went into the world and mar
rled, but who wearied of the tribulations
that beSet them and returned to the neace-
fulness of the Shakers
Whitewater village is well governed.
The eighteen buildings are large and COM
Portable, and even of an inviting coziness.
The grounds surrounding them are filled
with shade trees and flowers, and there is
good taste and an appreciation of the
beautiful manifested everywhere. The
houses are furnished plainly but neatly.
The food is the very best and it is of a
tempting variety. The men and women
OF the community are intelligent, and
they have very pleasant countenances,
and are disposed to cheerfulness. There
As not the least suggestion of austeritv or
religious cranlliness. The leading news
papers and magazines and scientific peri
odicals are subscribed for, and the Shak-
ers are well informed upon all topics.
Charles Ill. Sturr, one of the head men
of Center Village. showed the reporter
over the village. There is a large steam
laundry, with all improved appliances,
an immense barn for stock, numerous
poultry houses, a fine dairy, a school
house for the children, steam pump that
supplies water in abundance, a huge
grain barn. sheep stables, portable
steam engine for saving lumber, and four
tlsh ponds filled with German carp. The
large living houses are heated by fur
naces, and 1t may properly be said that
the Shakers of Whitewater Village enjoy
all the substantial comforts that can be
desired. They live plainly, but well, and
above all they lead lives that they believe
to be fitting preparation for the here
after.-CfRc11tndti TiiReS-Stdr.
The Grand Army.
The latest figures, which are for No