The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-09

Not Much IA for the shakers VINO mad to
Confess Thelr sins.

r. AWtMcab hAchN W.
The great Shaker fast day was the Sun
day before Christmas. Their theory was
hat the words Peace. goodwill to men"
should be taken literally. To this end,
writes a Shaker sister in Good Housekeeping,
a day was set apart when all grievances
must be settled, whether against man or
fate.
The rising bell rang at 4 o'clock on this
morning, and we were dressed and ready
when the half-past bell summoned us to
go 10 the meeting room, or hall, where we
had our services, during the winter when IL
was too colo to use the meeting house.
We stood in lows while the elder brother
e the orders for the day. Then some
one would be inspired by the spirit Of a
prophet, or of Mother Ann, or Of n OF
tho early elders, to exhort the faithful very
much in the manner OF a medium to-day.
The exercises lasted for an hour, during
which we either stood or knelt. After
that We dispersed to do the necessary
work Of the day. The brethren fed the
stock and MIXED, while the sisters made
the beds and cooked the breakfast, which
We ate, as usual, at half-past 9.
As soon as the meal was over we went to
our sitting room to retire. This simply
means that we sat in two rows, perfectly
quiet, u right thumbs folded over our
left, and meditated on the sins which we
were about to confess.
II any one nodded or fell asleep, as was
apt to be the case when we got up so very
early, she had to stand motionless by her
chair for the remainder of the hour. At
the end OF that time we were allowed to
read a sacred book or do any religious
writing. but all that day we were forbidden
to sing hymns or to talk together.
At II we marched silently down to the
din ing room and ate our dinner OF bread
aud water. Sometimes a sister would
80 far transgress As to sprinkle a little
salt on ner bread, which was a sin and must
be confessed with the rest.
The afternoon was spent like the forenoon,
and all through the day, one after another,
we were ent for by Eldress Joanna, to
make to her the most heart searching con-
fession of the whole twelve months.
We told her our trials As well as our sins,
and there was no event of our simple lives
which was too insignificant to consult her
about. II one sister had had some disagree
ment with another a reconciliation wa
arranged.
IL one was discontented, if she felt i'll, II
she thought the household duties allotted
to her were more than her share, II the
deaconesS in charge had not allowed her
new clothing when she thought she needed
il, this was the time to set forth such trials,
that the eldress might adjust matters,
and hat not an unkind or repining thought
might remain to mar the harmony OF the holy
Christmastide.
We must confess il il VIZ had been late
in rising, al meals or at devotions, IL we
had had any partial feeling for a brother,
if we had wasted anything, II we had hung
"a pair Of sisters stockings next to brothers
shirt when we put out the wash. if we had
longed to get letters from, or TO write them
10 our relatives and friends outside the
fold. If We had taken any pride in our per-
sonal appearance, OFF we had stepped
on a threshold.
This last may seem a venial offence. out
II was one Of the sacred orders that we
should step over the threshold, not on il.
There was an excellent reason for this, OF
course.
SO many careless feet would soon wear
down a threshold So that the cold air would
pour in under the door. and this was no
small consid Grafton in the winter, when
the halls were about as cold as out Of doors.
Moreover. a worn threshold spoils the APP
pearance Of a room. and il is a great deal If
work to put down a new one.
Such detailed confessions consumed a
very long dav. and it was dark and sup
per time before all we're finished After
tea we were ready 10 creep quietly to bed.