The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-07

And fashions aside.
And take this monitor
Henceforth for your guide.
This is certainly explicit. Probably It is the
foundation for a foolish tale which is poured
into the ears OF intending visitors to the Shak-
ers. a tale repeated by outsiders. naturally.
There are people who tell you with big eyes
that when you eat a meal al the Shakers"
you must never take a bit more food than you
can eat. The writer was at the strangers
table at the North family not long ago when a
party Of summer visitors was present. It was
a lesson in exactness to see the scrupulous
care with which they studied the different
dishes. turned an inward eye. 80 to speak,
upon their appetite. and then sighed seriously
as they gagged their helps" as nearly as pos
sible to fit what they discovered OF hunger
within themselves. Observing the care-free
way In which the writer was appropriating the
various good things. these prepared visitors
whispered the awful consequences which
would follow the leaving OF anything on a
plate. The writer had enjoyed the Shaker
hospitality too often to do otherwise than take
another dose OF cream and smile contentedly.
but the newcomers were careful to leave their
platters as clean as il Jack Spratt and his wife
had been there.
The summer boarders at the hotel take q
great interest in the Shakers, and every Sum-
day morning a procession OF carriages starts
for the village. Last Sunday there was con-
sternation in one OF these carriages. When It
was half way to the meeting house" one per-
son who thought himself better informed than
the rest turned to the women in the back seat
and remarked:
You ladies know that you have to take of
your"
This appalling news came near breaking up
the expedition. but, after consultation. It finally
continued on6d ne q ITS way to the meeting, which was
The Shakers themselves are only amused by
these, absurdities; that is. as a rule. When
outside mistaken notions bring them. floods
more about them. Letters come to them by
write to say that they would Just love to end
their stormy lives in this haven Of peace and
: Ssxs m p dH fe at'f for P'f he s s9ahf It I Is ons. So ,S s RSt
the Shakers. for the soul. But the body has
plenty an {o Of tEa I'D cut w out for It nn to do; who would
like to drop into q Shaker village as into a sort
Of superfine asylum or almshouse. they don't
read "a the reply Witch Elder FFFederdieEs W VIEW Evans 20
sent to such a woman. She was 81 years old
fhsir " turn 14I had a ma sa%isdY and %l e had chil TRS; II oi
their own. They were In, good circumstances
Snd T % In .So stPhePoS5t x tlhGi5 b %9t h Ftb but b didn't
holds h6na 1an they I'm tfoH y mo1 aRd rs SO d ioa The ,eI mother,
Elder Evans thought:
DO, you know what spirit you are of and
into a family Of sixty men and women who are
seII,suRRP P9s g have 6W1s worked Eed the S.h lind they
planted orchards and vineyards and eat the
fruit OF them q people who make and mend
t WSsh o tEei el9 SRn siisS SSSt 5 56f tSei GT own fOq Sdb Snd
work without employing. a. single, servant.
= = They enjoy the fruits Of their own
And is IL not the same with yourself? In
youth YOU gave yourself to the world. and now
dren cast you off. They have the same right to
have children. the same duty TO keep the
world from running out that actpated Yourself.
them again by their own children, who will
leave them to go TO an institution for the care
cieqve 70 their own dear husbands and wives
and their own offspring.
and cared Tor you, and your children should
pay us for the same. should we not be the SER
gentlemen and ladies'? Thus. Instead Of The
Shaker, society being, the head, II would be.
come the taiIm,a rendezvous for the debris Of
unite with us as with any other religious order
and continue 70 care for Themselves outside OF
for all who may become mcmhers."
Not long ago Eldress Anna White received a
sociable communicatlon. telling how tho writer
lived with an assorted family Of cats. hons and
s StnSr her sFe9 fSe siiaf Sn9 b ssESd d F iSrojsob Ap song to
also a volume Of the inspired poems. and, ia a
happy thought OF. Z postscript. she further re-
quested tho rcmi ttanco Of "a barrel of butter
and cheese" She intimated that II these sam
pies 81 divine ~aniatus and dairy products were
satisfactory she would he willing to enliven the
village by her presence and that of her
Ones pen hats at the name Of Eldress Anna.
For almost half a century she has lived Mt
Mount Lebanon, aud in that time she has won
the love. and admiration of many n ~well-known
visitor from among the worlds people" A
Young woman Of excellent family, Of education.
OF fortune. Anna White entered the North fam
lily and has devoted her life Ia the principles
ana the practice OF Shnkerism. She has "A per-
magnetism and spirituaiity. 10 The Younger
sisters Of the North family. Of which she is
eIldress. she Is what they, call her-a mother,
tunato enough TO know her. she Is a memory
which rousestheir blase interest TO enthusiasm.
but an enthusiasm which is almost inarticulate
from its very intensity. IL Eldress Anna were
\ man, with, a mans opportunities and desire
Tor action, abe would put new life into the fall
1 ing body Of Shakerism.