The herald., 1896-01-31
A PECULIAR SECT
WHO AND WHAT ARE SHAKERS AND
THEIR PRACTICES
INTERVIEW WITH SHAKER DOCTOR
BIT OF INSTRUCTIVE READING
WHEREIN SHAKERS DIFFER
FROM GUAKERS

In view Of the fact that the entire city of Lo:
| Angeles seems topsy-turvy regarding The WONDER
fui work being done here by Shaker doctor, and
| thinking our many readers might like shor
sketch regarding who and what I he Shakers are a
| reporter of The Herald called on Shaker DR.. at
the Natick House, and making his wants
| known, was given pleasant reception. We found
the doctor 10 be highly-educatod, courteous gen.
teman. and well informed op the general topics of
the day, and kindly consented TO submit TO an In
terview, which we sure will prove Of as much
interest to our readers as it was to the reporter
| In answer to the question. "Who and what are
| the Shakers and in what do they differ from
| Quakers of William Penn's tme?" he said:
1.-THE Shakers are seceders of the Ouakers
| and differ from them in many particulars. The
| Shakers are communists in the strctest accepta
tion of this term. but must not be confonnded with
anarchists, as communism means 10 protect every
member of the community, while anarchism
means to tear down the present state of society.
Communism protects the most humble in health,
sickness, and burial of the dead. The property is
all held in common; owns a dollar indi
viduaily, but it is all held common fund. The
first law, and our laws are all unwrtten, Is to give
your heart TO God and your hands to labor-every
man, woman and child is placed in their proper
sphere according to their talents Some upon
farms, some on daries, and some in our workshops.
While the world has witnessed the rise, decline,
and fall of numerous organizations which have
proved failures, the shakers OF today stand as
monument of the first fruits of communism"
doctor, what Is the factor of their SUGGEST"
"In the first place belief is following n the
footsteps of the Master as worship the
God as the Hebrew and the same Saviour as the
Christian. As Christ is patron Of all virtues.
among which is celibacy not marrying"
"Do understand you to say the Shakers do not
marry?"
.They do not marry. Neither they given in
marriage, and will give you my honor there is
free love practiced among them"
doctor, you surprise me! How do you main.
tain your numerical strength"
awe take children OF worthy parents and edu-
cate them in peculiar belief"
''What stress do you lay on celibacy why do
you practice it,"
'They can lead more quiet peaceful life
celibates-"
ain what way?''
"In this way. There are many passions aroused
in matrimony, which dormant In celibacy,
among which avarIce, selfishness and jealousy.
In regard to avarioe, the shakers believe there
no pockets in shrouds. In selhshness, 1t has
place among us, as everything is equal foot
ing We are Jealous bur proud when one Sis
ter or brother shows superiority to another"
.what relation do the sexes occupy TO each
othere"
"rhe same relation existed in your family
until you left your home. The positions of hroth-
ers and sisters. While you severed your relations
when you lett home, continue as loug as life
lasts, with the relation OF brother and sister,"
"Cau men and women maintain their superior
ity to old age by living the life of a celibate?"
''Were permitted would refer with pride to
the number of prominent of America who
were raised shaker aud remained a Shaker until
death. [ might mention Samuel j. Tden, who
was raised a Shaker and buried Shaker in
Shaker burial grounds. one of the Judges on the
supreme bench today was raised Shaker and Is
still a Shaker. One of the most prominent and
leading men of California raised Il Shaker and
is still a Shaker. Asa Gray, the botauist,
raised Shaker and died one"
"Do you believe in education?"
eyes, we believe in education, moral. physical
mental and musical. Our system OF phi ySical edu.
cation consists in regular habits, eating, drinking
etc, and enables to show the greatest longevity
| of any people earth, we have numbers who
have attained the age of eighty, nuety and hun.
| dred."
! "What do the Shakers manufacturer"
| "Brooms, Jeans, satiuets, Shaker nannels. pre-
served fruits, canned fruits, and botanical med-
| cines.'
''Why 40 You claim superiority to medicnes?"
ave have taken the medical plants that are
rare from all parts of the earth and in botan-
| ica garden by cultivation and accmatiun have
| brought them to the greatest perfection"
| "What the politics and who is tue Shakers
| favorite candidate for PRESIDENT"
| "The Shakers are non com batants, believing
| that If you take their coat give them your
| jacket also. They non-resistant. opposed to
wars never fighting the battles of any flag under
| which their lot may be cast as a community. AS
individuals we furnished the Union army gen.
| erals who made their mark. We believe as shak-
| ers in living in peace with all mankind. We pay
| our taxes; never vote. Here Is direct OF
taxation without representation, and today the
Shakers are worth fifteen million dollars"
| "What do you think of the city OF Los a ngeles?,
| al have found its citizens warm hearted cour.
toous, and hospitahe people, and well represented
from all over the world by mine host D. IL Hart
of the Natck House, that stands second 10 none as
| a homelike caravansary in Los Angeles as he and
his worthy assistants have Just what a travelling
man needs Just where he can find IT, to make life
pleasant and agreeable under his hospitable roof 1t
Ye scribe not wishing to trespass further upop
the time of the worthy DOCTOR withdrew win
many regrets with many thoughts new To him
| and many thanks for the ntervisw.-Los Anpeies
| Herald.