The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-17
THE NEW HEAD or THE SHAKERS
CHURCH.
Elder Daniel Boiler Resigns at tho Age or
90, and Elder Joseph Holden Succeeds.

DO, and Eldor Joseph Holden Succeeds.
WEST PrrTsF1ELD. July 13.-Elder Dan
lei Boiler. the head OF the Shaker Church in
America, has resigned his Office. Being almost
90 years Of age. the inflrmities OF body have
compelled him to relinauish position he has
held for almost fifty years. Elder Daniel comes
from sturdy kentucky stock. He was young
child when his parents united with the society
then forming at South Union. Attempts being
made at that time to enact laws hostile to the
interests Of believers by endeavoring to pro-
hibit the admission OF children and minors to
their ranks. young Daniel then only 10 years
of age. earnestly urged his father to take him
to one OF tho societies in the Eastern States
where more liberal spirit prevailed. In COM
pliance with this request, the father and his
enthusiastic son set out on their long journey
OF almost a thousand miles on foot.
With the exception OF an occasional ride
offered by driver Of an OK team. they
walked the whole distance. While father and
son. exilcs for conscence's sake. were pur-
suing their memorable journey. British can
non were assnuting Baltimore. and tho
National Capitol went up in fam es kindled by
hostile hands. But young Daniel felt. oven II
he was not clearly conscious OF it then. that
the warfare to which he was anxious to
devote himself required a finer heroism than
the profession OF arms. and an endurance
more rugged than tho length of q campaign in
the field. Upon their arrival at Mount Leba-
non they We're received with tender affection.
The father. after many years, of consccrated
labor. died in the faith: and tho son. when he
haa reached manh3od was called n iE2T "ns
he became the head OF the Church.
Elder Daniel is one Of the best EXAMPLES of
ton he received no literary training whatever:
but his mechanical talents found ready en-
the management Of the farm. Whatever posi-
ton no was placed in he was sure to give tho
best OF his abilities to the performance OF ms
duties. The characteristics which dist in
guishcd his direction of temporal affairs be-
tration OF tho spiritual concerns Of his people
His judgment was always impartial. being no
Tespsfter OF persons; ana wnii1 ne N has 81 a.
place whenever he felt that II was best to do
So. he has mover yielded to tho clamors Of
the fundamental principles Of the society; II"
has exercised his functions in a truly athery
rather than by authority. but when necessity
seemed to demand it hnconld be stern ana
firm AS rock. The gratitude and RESPECT OF
pose Of his declining years.
1t may be of interest to tho public to state
tho nature OF government and the Appoint.
mcnt of officials among believers. III" ehlet
authority is vested in IL ministry nsual!y com.
the si first St eI Ge Of That body is virtually the
promo leader: his decisions nr4 hhH!. otul-
narily. however nil orders and directions are
issued 10y the ministry in union ana WIN the
advice and consent Of II" lcniing elders ana
covenant members 81 the dillereht socieiios
from the beginning to max" n" nppolntmrnt
and enact no important icGlsihti1h Wlthout
the general union Hnn nsIe nd 81 electonearins
This sysl"In Of government is held to he
theOcratir or divine: not. indeed claiming
special ns SEPARATION or iniallibility for ITS opera
tons, but In the sons" that it acts from the
IA HI n
terost. simply Tor tho highest welfare of in
diviiua. family, or SoeIety. as far as human
The newly chosen leader is Joseph, Holden.
who has been Elder panisl's able coadIutor ior
ys.G s"" us51ff Is m 1at
worthy among all the brethren. Tho appoint
ment could not b" Improved unon unless the
iat aI t.En t nS larrett Billiard or Eiros
Anna White. Tho equality OF the sexes is q
T sy WTirnt wa head OF the churcn Tor
twenty years. and her administration was sue
cesfIu IN every r"1 r nHS wtIo ana r hs
memory is held in Affect onat. remembrance.
The induction L. olll.o Is u slmIls nnn"unnr-
appointment is made without any reference to
length OF tenure, it may extend through tho
form Of inability. or the incumbent may be re-
moved to give way 10 some ono Judged to he
n .d fsa are par
mount to private wishesand preferences.
III IL DO admitted that Sucn system OF al
ministration Is rational and divine. can tho
same 10 said OF the mode OF election OF the head
OF tho Church of England. for example
Mr. Gladstone appointed Or. Benson to that
high office. and when no notified tho chapter
OF the diocese of his pleasure those married
priests assembled clothed in their canonicals
chanting and praying and invok ing the Holy
Ghost to guide them in their election OF an
Archbishop. and. 10! II miracle happened tor
their choice fell upon Mr. Gladstones man.
who. by the, way. is a most estimaDlo and
happened Of the election q every, BIshop
historical fact that only ono chapter ever ven
tured to disregard the Governments mandate.
but when they received n peremptory com
nunication they hastened to rectify their
action. Can 1t be possible that the Holy Ghost
was coerced? What a travesty and mockery
OF pure religion those performances arsl
Or what shall We say of the recent proceed
ings at Minneapolis and Chicago. where ono
party shouted and yelled for its candidate for
twenty four minutes. and then the other party
yelled for its nominee for twenty-five minutes
Where was reason. argument. the diRnineLl
discussion Of principle that should distinguish
the deliberations OF tho representatives Of
many millions OF peoplel
unsuitable to society at large. but II it's lead;
ing prinoinle OF Justice and beneyolenoe should
find a full or expression In the conduct Of
rulers and the enactments OF lawmakers
throughoutihe world all mankind would be