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.....__,...____......---- FOR FARMER AND MECHANIC.
__
ocuotcb to 13olitic5, 3:ccum. - 3, titcrature, 11,)octrn, Illecbauico . , 'agriculture, tlic Diffuciion of ti9eful 3nformation, erencral Lintelliqencer_kmuocment, illartictrl,
ATOLUME VIII.
THE LE HIGH REGISTER
published in the Burbugh of Allen own, Lehigh
'County, Pa., curry W ednesday, by
A. L. 111111 E,
A $1 50 per annum, payable in advance, and
:2 00 if net paid until the end of the year. No
paper discontinued, until all arrearages are paid
except at the optoin of the proprietor.
la' Office in Hamilton Street, one door East of
the German Reformed Church, nearly opposite
the “Frridensbote" Office.
ciinsilluania
Ereinig, Ntligh and Breinig,
South East corner of
. 11amilt )1? andS'eventh
Street,rille»lown
Inform their friends and the public in gen
eral, that they have entered into Partner
ship in the
Merchant Tailoring Business,
t . 3
lately followed by Netir , ll and 13reinio, and intend
i.;7:*:;--•..i*4 continue the -. same more ex
•lZ -p tensive than ever. They
f i o
~ .1% therefore adopt this measure
4 , . ~i to inform theieold customers.
j , ' ' and "hundreds of new ones"
atil
that they will at their new
establishment, present the
Newest, and Fashionable Goods,
ever brought to this place, and having pur
chased in Philadelphia and New York
POP Cash,
it enables them to sell loner than any
other establishment of the kind in Allentown.
They have selected their Goods with an eye
to durability and fancy, and have none but
the liftest styles in the market. Their stock
01 Goods ninon(' other articles, consist of
Cloths of all colors and prices, Cassimers,
of French and American manufacturers ;
Vestinas, Silk Velvets, Satins, Silks, Wors
terd and other Llescriptions,figured and plain.
Shirts and Shirt-collars, Stocks, Cravats,
Handkerchiefs, Hose, Suspenders, &c., be
sides many other articles coining in their
line of business, and all will be sold at the
lowest prices. Their stock of
licatlytnade, Clothing,
comprises every thing in the clothing
from an over-coat down to an under-shirt,
made up after On, latest and niost fashiona
ble styles. Tficie stock being so exisive.
that none iv in leave it, unless titled froarthe
'•bottom to the top"
Customer Work,
twill be done up as usual, and for their work
they are willing to be held responsible, two
of the firm being practical wrukmen in the
"art of cutting," and all the work is made up
under their own supervision.
(They would also particularly inform
Country Nlerchants, that they are now Ft,
pared to sell at Wholesale and Retail, hav
ing the largest Stock of Sprinm and Summer
thine- on hand ever oaorpirin Allentown.
unit will be sold at reduc , cl prices.
Thankful for past favors they trust that
attention to business.• "small profits and
quick sales" will be the means of bringing
new customers to their establishment.
J .I.snAc BREINIG,
JOHN NELIGIk,
JOIIN L. BREINIG.
Allentown, Sept. 7 , 11—Gin
lIDDIM `:12.0134
The Best nod
Cheapest Stock of
Boots Shoes, Gal-
Not Ore tors, Gums, &c.,
in the city, at
Dunbarr's
76 South Second St. Phi!adelphia,
(corner of Carters Street.)
Being mostly of his own manufacture, he
guarrantees them to wear ; and will
sell—
wholesale or retail as cheap as the cheapest.
Easy Shoes for Old Ladies.
Plain and Fancy Boots, Shoes, Gaiters,
&c., always on hand in •great variety, for
Boys, Youth, Misscs and hildren.
Prices.—Ladies Gaiters, of every quality
and style, from SI to $2,50. Gents' Calf
Stein Boots, from $3 to $5, Patent Leather
Shoes-, Gaiter Boots, Congress Boots, But
ten Boots, &e., from $1,50 to 5-1,50.
Gum Boots, Shoes, Sandles, Clogs.,always
on hand.
rß'Old Gums bought and repaired.
June 29, 1851.
Thomas _Brown,
DENTAL SURGEON.
Attends to all operations on the
%ass.. Teeth in the most careful and sci
entific manner, and inserts Teeth on an en
tirely•neW and improved plan with contigu
ous Gums., These Teeth are far better and
superior to the best block cr single Gum
Teeth now'in use.
WPleese call and examine 4pecithens.
Office No. 15, West flamilton Street, (up
affairs,) opposite the . Odd Fellows' Hall.
Allentown, Nov. 9,11-3 m
A FAMILY NEWSPAPER.
CHEAP WATCHES,
1 1 :10(1i9 Zicuntrn,
At No. 21,
WEST HAMILTON STREET, A LLENTOWN
Good Watch Glasses 6.1
• ff l
kz922=2llE'r_.• lest Watch Glasses 121
YANKEE CLOCKS FROM 1.25 to 56,00
Joseph R. Ilko & Co.
Adopts this method to inform their friends
and the public in general, that they hay,'
lately established themselves in the above
business at
No. 21, WEST HAMILTON FTKEET,
where they will exhibit for sale an assort
ment of goods, lately purchased in New
York and Philadelphia. such as
C LOCKS WATCHES AND J wm.nr.
The following is a list of their articles and
prices :
Fine Gold Lapine Watches '2O to $.24
• Cetached " `!.5 to
" " full Jew'el. Pat. Lever- -111 to 75
" Hunting Case " " 45 to l 2
Silver Lavine WaCches 9to 12
" Detached " 12 to If;
" Patent Lever " 12 to 25
Hunting Pat. Lev. watches, 20 to 35
I Yankee Clocks, 1,25 to 3.00
Fi day ClockF,
" Iron Frame t , plendiclly
engraved 5 to 15
Gold Breast Pitts, from 50 cts. to $lO 00
" Ear rings 2 cts. to 10 00
He also keeps on hand a full
at,sortment of Gold and Silver spectacles and
Special)le Glasess, purses, port monies. &e
Musical instruments such as violins. vio.
lin strings, Musical Boxes, Accordians,t
II
of which arc sold at wholesale o,r retail.and
at prices far below what they ever were
sold in this place.
Persons in want of Jewelry will find it to
he their advant a ge to give them a call
purchasin , elsewhere, as they feel cnn
tid.•nt of satisfying all who may favar them
with their patronage. NI r. I hiel, i wi
li
known in this i .place as a sl.illiul mechanic,
:Id all his wort: will be warranted.
Every article sohl by them, is warranted
o be what it is sold for, and no ini:tahe
Clock and-watch makers thronghout the
country, will do well to give them a call
as they will sell at wholesale and retail eve
ry article kept in their lino (4 business.
EirThrough the aid of one of Bottum's
Patent improved universal Lathe Chucks.
they are to make repairs on clocks,
watches and all kinds of Jewelry, much
cheaper than the old way of Working, conse
quently this particular branch of the busi
ness Will tw. I,,lnuLtsully 01.1 A w "tad *luta,:
up on the most reasonable teirns
Allentown, June 11, 1551
WEEDER & BOYER,
co. 25, ll'est llit»iition street, 'Allentown
Thankful for past favors and
hoping by strict attention to busi
-07,,, ness and a desire to please, to mer
' it a continuance of the patronage
so liberally bestowed on lietn, and wishing
the people to understand th'Ofact, that they
are both PRACTICAL EIATTERS—both
having served a long apprenticeship at the
business and understanding the business
thoroughly in all its various branches—they
are confident they can MANUFACTURE
HATS of all kinds inferior to none in the
market, and also a little cheaper, because
they perform a great deal of the labor them
selves and buy their material front the impor
ters fur cash, and understanding the bust
ness they employ none but good workmen,
and doing a large business they can afford
to sell at small profits
These are some of the reasons why you
often hear the remark that “11,',ieder & Boy
er sell such beautiful flats at such astonish
ingly low prices. They always have the
latest Philadelphia and New York styles
on hand, so you need not be afraid of hav
ing an old fashioned Hat stuck on you.—
Give us a call. It don't matter what is the
shape of your head, we will insure a fit
reCountry Merchants 'would do well to
give us a call, as we will wholesale them
hats and caps cheaper than
. they
,can -get
them in the city. Also a large assortment
of all kinds of straw goods which they will
sell cheap. TERMS CASII.
Allentown, March 15. ¶—tf
A spiendidassortment of Frontand Parlor
Locks with mineral knobs, german Locks,
Latches, Bolts,Eliurres,Screws, Paint Brush
es, and a variety of other building Hard
ware just unpacking, and for sale cheaper
than ever by - _ _
Attention Customers!
To Builders.
O & .1 SAEGER.
1-1 y
January 19,1553.
ALLENTOWN, LEHIGH COUNTY, PA., SEPTEMBER G;1854.
-------
__
Ann Lee was a prostitute. and had been a i be of a sugar .scoop. without any trimming
camp woman in Burgovne's army ; and she, whatever. Of course,. it was not easy to
---
(E'rein :f
the Si. Louis IL publican.) with several others. were arrested, and judge of their relative beauty of form or
,
tlirown into jail at Albany and Poughkeep- face, since they, unlike their sex in general
Creed and Customs of the Shakers. s i t ,.instead of improving their natural beauty
. .
Ni.w I.rossosr, N. V., July 2:i. Of the truth . of these charges difr.frent and hiding their deformities, seemed to be
- perties have their opposite opinions to this `dressed on the opposite principle. Their
r.);(1 you ever hear of that singular people day ; the Shakers, of course, deny ing them, dresses appeared more like articles partly
called Shakers t For every one who comes and affirming that Ann Lee, whom they : finished and hung, Op the milliners' frame,
here, isits the Shakers.. The oldest socic- call "Mother Ann," was a mndel of purity, than adjusted to a Wotan frame. No rib
ty of this remarkable people is in this town of humility and charity. Their numbers bon, (tower. lace, border,. jewel, ring, brace
numbering about nine hundred. Their re- rapidly increased, especially as there broke let, or any other ornament was seen on any
ligious tenets, social arrangements and prat-' out about that time a remerkable religious i part of their person or dress. There tht y
tices, are so peculiar, that 1 Was ind iced to excitement, similar to which, some years sat, looking at each other, or on vacancy, or
visit them, for the purpose of inspecti their later, was witnessed in Kentucky. accompa- casting a furtive _glance occasionally at the
system of carrying out their doctrines and. nied with faintings, shoutings, fallings, and numerous companyof spectators.
practices. They discard marriage, prac
ether manifestations of excitt d feeling.— At length an old man arose and address
tice a community of goods, no one holding Their bodily affections were encouraged by HI a few words to the brethren and sisters,
any personal or pi-it-ate property. Every Ann Lee and her coadjutors. Many came exhorting them to seek for holiness in their
member is assured of a maintenance as long to her under extreme depression of mind, to worship. after which h l e said, "we will put
as he conforms to the rules of the society.— give an account of their sins. They were ouselves in order for labor." At once they
'They are divided into families, each family directed to!"open their minds," that is, to I all anise, and the benches were quickly re—
numbering one hundredandefifiy downward; make confession to her, or to one of the el-; moved, leaving a clear space. The floor
a nearly equal number of males and females ders, of all the particular sins which troubled was of incomparable smoothness, without
composing each family. They are neat, their consciences, after which they seemed paint, not a rail was to be seen. not the least
industrious, thriving, and happy. This"' to find relief. The converts held •Mother ! scratch, nor discoloration, nor joint, but as
ciety bolds al,out nine thousand acres of I 'Ann' and the elders in great veneration, fol- perfectly level, smooth and clean, and ap
land, noich of which is devoted to gardens. lowing their directions implicitly. : parent!) , unjointed as the most highly pol
" Shaker seals" and "Shaker herbs" are I In their religious belief, the Shakers' dif- ' ished table.
famous throughout the country, and large fer with ly from the orthodox standards.— 1 The men and women were soon arrang
quantities of tile latter are sent to England. They do not receive the Scriptures .as in-' ed in rank and file, each sex by themselves
The traveller, passing their village, is spired, excepting as to the principles they as before, standing three feet apart, facing
struck with the remarkableneatnees and contain. Tice divinity of Jesus Christ. and towards the elders and singers who stood on
quiet which every where prevails. 'l l j the doctrine' of atonement, they reject.— the ,opposite side from the spectators. An
roadside is cleared of all rubbish ; the fields They expect to be saved, not by faith, but elder now advanced to the rear of the Shale
are in perfect order; the buddings seem to by obedience. They consider• the human ers, and in front of the spectators, to whom
i have been painted but ytetterdn'y ; the cattle race, as fallen and depraved, in consequence he addrtdssed a few words by way of c.tu
are of the lineet foreign breeds ; i'vcrytning, of the sins of Adam and Eve, which they l tion. Ile said that they were now about to
has the appearance of thrift.. Enter the think uas untimely sensual intercourse.— engage in wor tip, anti as their form differ..
houses, the floors, tables, walls, are so shin- They reject the doctrine of the Trinity, and jed from that . others, he ped that decor
. iegly neat, as almost to forbid your entrance. • believe in a dual Gad, corresponding to the um ararprop es e: would be preserved.
;'Tice furniture is plain, most of it old-lash. male and female sexes in man. Christ. It was the custom of the Shakers; he ...said,
lotted ; but not a fly seems to have dared to they believe, has had four manifestations— to join with others in worship when among
: light on it, if indeed, a fly ever persumed to in Adam, in braliarn, in Jesus, and in Ann them, and he hoped that the same solemnity
enter their dweiliosts. i Lee. . would be observed in attending on their wor-
I 'acre are now In the Cult' d S;ateseif-: 1 " They profess to find their creel in the ship. Ile then returned to the front, and
i teen societies of Shaker:, being three in Bible, the reading of which they recommend immediately they commenced a chant, all
New York, four in Massachusetts, one in to all. They hold that no individual ought heating duly with both hands. Next, they
Connecticut„.two i n N ew - 1L,„,,,,,,hi c ,,, two to be the owner of any particular spot of commencetT singing another tune, and all
in Maine, four in Ohio and two in Kentucky, f land, but that the soil should be occupied I began to dance. It is impossible to d i ,
: numbering altogether about at ven s tlicusand ;in common. Marriage is Melt! to be either scribe the music, which must be appreaiit-
I souls. The society of this place e lts the , onlawlul and sinful, or, at least, injurious ed, and once heard will never be foreolteo.
oldest, rifest numerous and prlhaLly lh , * : and ued.'sirable—to be allowed only to • The notes were about the length of a quaver,
most wt al:hy. All th-it rent t'-: . . , :-c Is is I ' l her,. , who cannot control their p. , ssions.— and ran thus: to-re-do ; to-re-do; to-ro-do
incommnn,hyll."'jcittY•thec!'l'l.' Il a vil ' l7 a "They behove that the human race is to o do. At each three notes they all took
deed of trust. ; heit the per-anel property is '; ~,-„,,, to a , coi l by the general provelence three step forward; then three shuffles, or
held by (tch Initiiiy, respectively. Their o f Sh„lit,,i,,. They admit that inane stamps-, on the bail of the foot, then three
principles' lorta .1 the tak mg of oeury. so they ' smite!, people leave them, but they say that steps backward, then three shuifle-stamps,
never lend oft hie r , i.t, : eVcrl to Ule"Winid.6 , 11l alaitht every case it is to avoid 'this re- repeating each three times, then whet - line'i
I mph.," nor do the tilde:rent families take straint respecting marriage. If any wishthe same motions were performed once lac
pay of each other for any surplus articles to leave, fur this or any other reason, they t
ing, the. spectators ; then wheeling hack,
which one may let% eit the Miters need,' do so freely ; and if they leave peaceably, j they continued the same lejckward and for
' Tht it eoverioneet is peculiar. First. they tr.:will). receive some consideration for card stamp and shuffle. ( - q grey-InAdvil
there are fur "Infilistere," too u r ea an I two poet services, ihou:4ll they cannot compel it men, young, men; and boys,-all joined in the
women, WhO 114V0 the Tair , r.d !ari:ertotend- by I:e.y.CX ,2l CizT, about 100 of ach sex' being pres
mice of all the eenetit s. Each of these The gomer part, if not all of them, are
appoints his or her, euccessur, or in case one I able to read : but it is - easy to see that the
dies without making such appointment, it. mass are quite ignorant of what is going on
is 'made be the three survivors. 'These in the world. Their leaders are, however,
minister appoint the “elders" of the differ- well posted up in the current news of the
out societies, with the consent of its mem- day and all the common topics of intelli
bers ; and these appoint the stewards, su- ;:, , etice. On the table of one lay a copy of
perintendentsliana other tallbOrd Inat,2 ofii- the U. S. Census ; and on several the N.
eeee. nve,y department of labor has its Y. Tribune app. ared—a significant fact, by
foreman.:tn ,
e way. Some of them are well versed in
They never exercise the right of voting, too 1,,".., ,a .h.. I:111d. and have some knowl
hold no civil offices, are exempt front null- ,cze of a gerieral, history. u". ,‘, no 1 °-
Lary duty; and seek to keep entirely dear visien is made for a "learned oiler," wh ich
of the world's atiiiirs. Their numbers are t would be contrary to their principles, their
recruited by accessions, eometunes of stn- knot% letbse of books and of the affairs of the
gle persons in mature life, sometimes of world, is limited. They never contract
!Mollies, and sometime s by the gift of or- debts, nor own railroad or bank stocks,
pinto children. If a married couple join nor engage in trade or !Speculation ; but are
them, they are required to live seperately, shrewe 7 d at a bargain, sell at a high price.
though they may be iu the same house and are temperate, frugal, industrious and quiet.
eat at the same table. The children are No people are more punctilious than the
sent to school, where they are taught the Shakers in their worship. Therefore, al
rudiments Ma thoroughlinglish education. though the common report represented it to
! 'The dress of men, women and children 'be as grotesque as their doctrines are erro.
is neat, but very plain ; that of the fenedpis ; litmus, yet I overcame my repugnance to
!not adopted to set ofl the beauty of the face ; devote a portion 'of the Sabbath Lithe pur
-lor person, but rather to conceal it. They pose, so far as to ride over to their village in
are cheerful, sociable, kind nod 'One to : witness it,—an example which 1 by no
t
visitors always answering yea and nay to ; means commend to others, unless they have
-
i questions. . I as sound reason for it. -
The origin of the Shakers was about the 1 Their house of worship is a modern build
'time of the American Revolution, Several : ing, without steeple orbelhof wood, painted
persons, male and female, came from Eng:. I white, with bright green blinds and doors,
land, Who had been under the instruction of , the roof arched inside and out, covered with
the ii French Prophets," a fanatical sect tin, all neat and shining, as though it came
which arose in France, some individuals of f from the artist's hand but yesterday. The
whom crossed in England, and spread their ! main building- is 80 to 85 feet in length, and
tenets in that country. They professed to .60 in width, with a porch nt one end some
have revelations and work miracles, and to i :30 or 40 feet long. It stands broad side to
have obtained superior sanctity and addition- the street, in a richly trimmed green, en
al light front heaven. : closed by a neat fence. 'rile men (i. e. of
The most remarkable of those who came ' the world's people,) enter by one door, the
from England to this country, was a woman i women by another, and occupy separate
by the name of Ann Lee, who set up to be seats on the front broadside, extending over
a prophetess, at NVatervliet, near Albany.— the entire length of the main building which
This woman professed . to foretel future is in one room, and twenty feet of the width.
events, and discern spirits, to know thoughts On the other side are the Shakers,arranged
and past lives of others at first sight, and toon seats without backs, running crosswise
perform miracles. Several me , called -El- the hall, the men on one hand, the women
ders,' were associated with her, % eStogeth- on the other, facing each other, in the strict
er held tiwetings, teaching, exto • arid est silence. The men are dressed in jeans
traveling from place to place. pants, With dark vests open in front, (u. e.
This occetring while the country was dis- unbuttoned,) With broad shirt collars turned
tracted by the war of the revolution, caused down, no cravats. The women wear white
much excitement, and many attached them- dresses, without waists or belt, but gathered
selves to the new teachers. As they taught back under the arm pits, and thence han
\the sinfulness sinfulness of war, nod the unlawfulness ing in very particular folds to the feet,
of marriage, they
; became objects of suspi- which were shod with high heeled shoes.
cion to the Government. Rumors were cur- On their heads they wore fancy or lace cups
rent that they were British emissaries, that of no particular fashion or shape, unless it
fli~ccticu.cint c~ccticui
:1,50 to 6,60
T, -Gm
==l
After some ten or fifteen minutes thin
spent, all resumed their seats. Then the
elder walked twain to the rear of the Shak
ers, and facing the spectators, began to ad
dress the latter: - in favor of the shaker sys
tem, occupying from a half to three-fourths
of an hour. He began by saying that man
kind, in all nations, had always been like a
house divided against itself. It was so with
the t ancient nations, hence they 101 l ;'it was
tsts)ti
of o , u h r day a
o i.‘vl,.a n r d co u ntry.
e it e tr p y : m
e l n t
n t a he rre i l n u t i e l inter
est
so that he may get rich by setting their
quarrels. It is the interest of the doc
tor to keep men in ignorance of the means
of preserving health, that he may enrich
himself by prescribing for them when sick.
The interest of the land-holder is against
that of the tenant; the lender against that of
the borrower. Land, he said, ought to be
free ; every man shotild have as touch as he
could cultivate, and no more, which he said
was the command of God to the Jews:
When he had spoken at I•.thgth of these
evils, he started the inquiry, what must we
do to be saved! His main answer was, that
we must give up all individual property,
for, he said, that if any one retained five
dollars of his own, he could not enter the
kingdoinoof heaven. Then he had some
allusions to their bodily exercises in wor—
ship, which he defended by the example of
Miriam, the sister of Moses ; that of David,
who danced before the alter of God, and by
quoting sundry pasages of scripture exhort
ing to the praise of God in the dance.
Then they all arose, cleared the floor,
chanted, and commenced a dance of another
sort. The elders and singers, male and fe
male, to the number of fifteen or twenty,
formed a circle in the centre, the others
forming two circles around them. The out
er circle was made up, first of the then in
ranks, three abreast, then of the women, in
like order, the inner circle facing in the op
posite direction, two abreast. A lively
tune was set up, and all commenced a pe
culiar trot-lollopmg dance around the circle.
The men, some bent with age, some bandy
legged. some fat and pursy, followed by
young- men and hoary, with hair combed
smooth, and falling' in lank curls behind,
presented a spectacle as unique and ludi
crous as can easily be imagined. -
Just imagine one hundied men and as
many women, from eighty years of age
down to ten or twelve, dressed as I have de
scribed, treading a measure to music in a
sort of loping trot around the circle, each
NUMBER 4
beating time with both arms as far as to the
elbow'', the outer and inner circle in oppo
site dirictions and the other circle standing
in the centre. Can you imagine a more
singular method of worshiping God? All
at once every pair of hands is clapped, so
simultaneously that they went off with one
report. Then they all halted, each making
a very fair salon. with hands, and a moder
ate inclination of the head and body. After
this had been repented, with singing and
shouting interspersed several times, the
Shakers were nll drawn up in rank and file,
and a few words of exhortation were ad
dresseA to them by the same Elder. His
tune, manner and language were not very
different [ruin those of any .plain country
deacon, exhorter, or class leader. He ex
horted his brethern to persevere. to seek to
overcome the sins and lusts of the flesh, and
to keep themselves unspotted from the
world. This ended the worship, the whole
occupying about an hour and a half. The
spectators, numbering, perhaps four or five
hundred, returned, and the Shakers quietly
wii lid re tv.
No audible prayer was offered during the
services, the Shaker,;, like the Quakers,
holding to silent prayer ; though if anyone
of the elders feel "moved" to offer vocal
prayer, he is at liberty to do so, and some
times vocal prayers are offered. At their
meals no grace is said or :blessings asked
audibly, but all kneel.a moment in silence
before sitting, down at the table, and after
rising, up. et •
The form of worship is practiced, with
littic variation, every Sabbath, and on near
ly all the evenings of the week they hold
meetings. fur "exercise." Their dancing
is, as they say, the expression of religious
joy, or, us some explain it, a means of bod
ily - non tification and spiritual discipline.—
It is, probably, the jumpings and other bod
ily movements of the early converts. brought
to a system anltunder the control of the El
ders. The converts of Ann Lee were often
affected with bodily movements or "shak
ing' from which the term Shakers was
first applied to them in derision, by their op ,
posers, but is now accepted as the name by
which they are willing to be known. One
of the Eiders remarked to me, that their.
name. Shakers, was highly appropriate,
"for," said he, "we a're destined to shake
the earth." Another said that all the re,.
form movements of the day haVe sprung
front Shakerism, among which he enumer
ated with emphasis, the "land referm," ad
vocated by the New York Tribune, the
paper which they spoke of as an oracle, and
the most influential and widely circulated
in the country
It is evident that the Shakers eh increas
ing in wealth, but not in numbers. They
purchase all the land for sale which joins
:heir boundary. but it was evident that a
very large proportion of their numbers
were old persons. There were many old
men and a number of. boys, but few young
men. Tlwy generally had an effeminate,
wobegone, lack-lustre look, with phizzes!
denoting an eccentric, or fanatical sort of
mind. You could easily fancy yourself
among a gathering of Garrisons and Abby
non-resistance to liusey
not like to appear unrmllant, but as the
women haVe forsaken `•the vanities of the
world," they will not feel disparaged if I
',say that, either from the singularity of their,
attire, or some other cause, they are among
the least dangerously captivating of their
sex. Such figures and features as they hop
ped round the circle on their highhealed
shoes.
The Shakers, then, are ratterns of order,
neatness, industry. honesty, sobriety, quiet
ness, thrift, subordination and kindness.—•
It is a cardinal doctrine with thim, that it is
necessary to sacrifice this world for the sake
of happiness in the next. The great sacri
fice which they profess to make, is that of •
marrixte. This is even foremost in their
speecltrs and conversation.." Virgin puri
ty," their title to salvation. They seem to
make very little difliaence between mar
riage and unlawfht intercourse between the
sexes, though they generally advise those
to be married who cannot live a pure life
of celibacy. They have ,but a low opinion
of male or female purity out of,their socie
ties, yet it was easy to see that their thoughts
tenfold more nfold more occupied with impure im
aginations than are those of the (decent)
world's people. This is what might be ex
pected when the indulgence of an innocent .
appetite is denied on a self-righteous and fa
natical principle:
Such are the Shakers ,a peculiar people.
striving to obtain, by good works, that peace
of mind and conquest of the wort and the
flesh, which is to be obtained only b a con
trolling and purifying inward faith. Mr
ly unsound in doctrine, zealously endea .
ing to'persuade themselves of the truth of
what sound reason and the Scriptures alike •
condemn, practising rites and forms of wor
ship fantastic in the extreme, they yet claim
to be the saints of these latter days. They -
are a problem for the philosophical historief
an. Their system is so adjusted that eaOC,
part is recurring to every other and to <t ie '
whole.
There are secrets, like springs, to deep
for boring—woman's age is one of them.