Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-09-12
THE ALFRED SHAKERS.
A Quaint Body Now Dying Out in
Maine Village.

Alfred, Me-, Sept. 11.-Upon hill
overlooking half dozen townships i've
the Alfred Shakers-New England S
parent society and one OF the h'os'
flourishing communities in that Pc
culiar faith destined, it seems, to die.
The location is superb At the base
of the hill ripples blue Massabesic'
once the home water of the tribe us
name commentaries. In the east gilnts
RunSanut pond, shimmering and pierre
ing the woodlands like a silvery ar
row. Westward rise the hoary heads
of tho White Mountains, like frosted
fists against the sky. And the keen eye
,,arce;ves calls of craft on the Atlantic,
some Is miles away.
Upon this spot, so beautifully
blessed by nature, the Alfred society
was founded 120 years ago, by Jealous
John Barnes, close friend and
staunch disciple Of Ann Lee, the found
er and patron saint of Shakerism. One
of his first converts, it is interesting
to note, was EliphaZ Ring of Poland,
who gave his Poland farm, including
the site of the famous Poland Spring
property, valued at round million,
for land in Alfred. owned by the
grandfather of Hiram Kicker Mr..
Rings newly acquired farm was pre-
scented to the society and became the
nucleus of it's present extensive estate.
The population, now mainly re-
cruited from charitable institutions for
homeless boys and girls, has waXed ana
waned until not more than half a hum
dred residents remain, but vested in
terests, conserved by prudent trustees
are expanded in village with roomy,
substantial houses. thanking BROAD
elm-arched streets. 1t is supplied by
an excellent system Of waterworks and
houses of prayer and worldly educa-
ton equal the thrifty New Englander's
ideal
AS farmers, the Shakers are famed.
Their religion is "outlandish" in the
neighboring villagers estimation, but
he owns their enterprise in filling the
soil. The latest approved methods
and machinery are used and only the
wrath of nature balks their Wooing OF
generous harvests. At county fairs
the Shaker exhibit is often first in the
Judges eye and blooded Shaker cattle,
housed with comfort many "kingly
citizens never know, rarely fail to
wear a ribbon.
The sisters, meek, mild-mannered wo-
men, in poke-bonnets and gowns of
gray, are never idle. Though the law
of Lee forbids family life, all houses
are kept with scrupulous care; big
dairies are managed in model fashion.
and an astonishing quantity of odd.
60, ic,t ryr
the women's sale-room in the village
are exhibited embroidered knick-
knacks, also brought to fashionable
resorts, north and south, by agents of
the society.
In the village school, nominally con-
trolled by the municipal school board,
which always elects a sister named by
the elders to teach, score of young
sters learn the three RS" prelimi-
nary to their education in hearty Ia
bor Even the leading elder works
with his hands and their motto, zone
for all and all for one" is literally APP
piled.
Social life the Shaker, whose expert
ence is limited to village routine, does
not know. Forbidden to marry, the
sexes seldom meet outside the church.
Their rites are very lively and exceed
ingly peculiar. Years ago the people of
surrounding towns liked to visit Shak-
er hill or a Sunday afternoon and at
terd religious services, as the pilgrim
to Revere Shoots the shoots" I'M
pertinent curiosity obliged the elders to
restrict attendance to their own.
Special guests, however, are still adj
mitted and the writer saw that unique
Shaker dance so puZzlng to the unini-
tated.
The congregation was rigidly divided.
On one side We're benches for the sis
ters; the other side was allotted to the
brothers. Fer time the assemblage
sat in silence, then rose as by common
impulse and stood in long lines while
the benches We're removed. Running
down the center of the floor was 4 line
of block pegs, eQuidiStant and made
even with the surface, to assist the
front ranks in forming straight lines.
From his place in The centre an elder
delivered few words Of eXhortation.
stating delights of the true life" and
warning against lures of the world.
They concentrated briefly and then a
woman led a sprightly hymn. sung
vigorously by the entire congregation
while they marked time with rocking
movement of the body When singing
ceased another elder delivered a brief
address, followed by the exciting cere-
mony.
In chorus the brothers began a hymn
and led circling march in column,
two abreast. the sisters following in
sections. three abreast. In the march
was a waving movement of the hands
by drawing them inward and occasion
ally all clapped hands in perfect con-
cert repeating in resounding rounds
As they marched and countermarched
the worshippers frequently changed
positions, the brothers increasing their
column TO three abreast while the sis
tiers diminished theirs to two. Leading
singers stood in the centre and the
others encircled them twice in march
ing. Eventually the major body form
ed in single file and made four circles
symboical of the four great dispense
tons eXpounded by Shakerism. In