USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Shirley > History of the town of Shirley, Massachusetts, from its early settlement to A.D. 1882 > Part 20
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By a concentration of action-with appropriate rooms and convenient fixtures-they are able greatly to facilitate their culinary operations and other departments of female domestic industry, and thus secure comparatively large results with few hands. This gives the "kitchen sisters" full opportunities of leisure for pastime, social converse and enjoyment.
They study to supply themselves with wholesome and substantial food, avoiding all those luxuries that do not nourish but rather debilitate the physical system, dissipate the mind, and render both body and intellect heavy and helpless.
The dress of the Shakers may also be regarded as a pattern of neatness and singularity. It is, moreover, pro- motive of ease and comfort; it gives free action to the limbs and lungs, and restrains none of the animal func- tions. The body is thus left a fit temple for useful and holy thoughts. In a word, they leave the physical
*" Shakers' Compendium,". page 54. 1" Millennial Church," page 73.
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structure as nature formed it, and ignore all the plans of art to deform it.
Personal and general cleanliness is also a moral and religious duty with the Shakers. Their halls, their sitting- rooms, their dining apartments, the avenues to all their ' store-rooms, work-shops and gardens, are marked by a neatness that shows system, care and moral virtue. Visit them upon any day in the week, at any hour of the day, and when they are engaged in almost any employ- ment, and you will scarcely ever find them in dirty dishabille. The shirts and pants and frocks of the men are rarely soiled, and the plain linen caps and kerchiefs of the women never. They have been accused of obstinate singularity in departing so far from approved custom in the fashion of their apparel ; but in this regard they are almost the only consistent people that are to be found. They have not departed from the fashion of others, but others have departed from them. With a few immaterial changes their clothing is after the same model that gener- ally prevailed when they became an organized community. They have had the consistency and the virtue to maintain the same fashion of costume for more than a century ; while most of the people have become the dupes and the victims of English and French tailors and mantuamakers.
Although, in a social relation, they may lack that near · and ardent attachment that characterizes the family circle, they endeavor to supply the defect by bestowing an equal measure of affection on a larger number ; on a circle that embraces their entire religious community. They regard each other as spiritual brothers and sisters, "dearly beloved." They always meet with Christian greetings. They live in Christian affection. The aged have their wants supplied, and the burdens of winter-life lightened by the affectionate solicitude and love of younger brethren. The young have the guiding influence of mature years to direct their unprotected steps ; and, although they may be deprived of many comforts that are dearly prized by the world, they maintain among themselves a truly enviable
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social position, and enjoy the best elements of a social character.
The religious tenets of the Shakers have been epit- omized by one of their number as follows :
"We believe that the first light of salvation was given or made known to the patriarchs by promise; and that they who believed in the promise of Christ and were obedient to the command of God made known unto them, were the people of God, and were accepted by him as righteous, or perfect in their generation, according to the measure of light and truth manifested unto them: which were as waters to the ankles ;- signified by Ezekiel's vision of the holy waters (Ezekiel xlvii). And, although they could not receive regeneration, or the fulness of sal- vation, from the fleshly or fallen nature in this life,- because the fulness of time was not yet come that they should receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire,- yet Abraham, being called and chosen of God as the father of the faithful, was received into covenant relation with God by promise that in him and his seed all the fami- lies of the earth should be blessed. * *
"The second dispensation was the law that was given of God to Israel by the hand of Moses; which was a further manifestation of that salvation which was promised through Christ by the gospel, both in the order and ordi- nances instituted and given unto Israel as the church and people of God, according to that dispensation-which was as waters to the knees (Ezekiel xlvii, 4) ;- by which they were distinguished from all the families of the earth. For, while they were faithful and strictly obedient to all the commands, ordinances and statutes that God gave, they were approved of God according to the promise for life ; and blessings were promised unto them in the line of obedience-cursing and death in disobedience. * *
They who were wholly obedient to God, made known in that dispensation, were accepted as just or righteous. Yet, as that dispensation was short, they did not attain that sal- vation which was promised in the gospel; so that, as it respected the new birth or real purification of man from
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sin, the law made nothing perfect-but was a shadow of good things to come. Their only hope of eternal redemp- tion was in the promise of Christ, by the gospel, to be attained in the resurrection from the dead.
"The third dispensation was the gospel of Christ's first appearance in the flesh,-which was as water to the loins (Ezekiel xlvii, 4) ;- and that salvation which took place in consequence of his life, death, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father; being accepted in his obedience as the first born among many brethren, he received power and authority to administer the power of the resurrection and eternal judgment to all the children of men. So that he has become the author of eternal salvation unto all that obey him."
As, however, the vision of Ezekiel extended to a river that could not be passed over, but was composed of waters to swim in, the mystery was not finished with the first advent or appearance of Christ in the flesh; but a fourth dispensation was required, which was made in the second appearance of Christ, "or final display of God's grace to a fallen world; in which the mystery of God will be fin- ished, and a decisive work to the final salvation or damna- tion of all the children of men; which, according to the prophecies rightly calculated and truly understood, began in the year 1747, in the manner following : To a number in the manifestation of great light, and mighty trembling ; -by the invisible power of God, and visions, revelations, miracles and prophecies ;- which have progressively in- creased with the administrations of all those spiritual gifts that were administered to the apostles at the day of Pentecost. And these are a Comforter that has led us into all truth ; and which was promised to abide with the true church of Christ unto the end of the world ;- and by which we find baptism into Christ's death, death to all sin ; become alive to God by the power of Christ's resur- rection, which worketh in us mightily ;- by which a dispensation of the gospel is committed to us."*
*History of Shakerism, from Rupp's History of Religious Denominations in the United States.
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As has been said on a preceding page, Ann Lee was the acknowledged leader and spiritual mother of those who "in the manifestation of great light and mighty trembling" first came out from the world as witnesses of the practical truths of the gospel. In her Christ is be- lieved to have made his second advent to this world ; having made his first advent in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
We might quote many passages from their printed works in illustration of this important tenet of their faith, -all of which are backed up by an array of Scripture texts from the Psalms and prophets, and other parts of the divine word ;- but the following brief sentences are suf- ficiently explicit :
"That Christ has come the second time without sin unto salvation, and that he dwelt in Ann Lee, and was by and in her revealed to those who were looking for him as the chosen vessel appointed of God to that work, Shakers do not deny; else they had never made such clean and explicit publications to the world as they have. But with all this they do not expect to attain salvation by Ann Lee, and not by Jesus Christ; any more than the apostles and other Christians, because Jesus Christ re- vealed the Father to them, expected to obtain salvation by the man Jesus, and not by God the Lord, the Savior of Israel,-whom Jesus ever acknowledged as the doer of the work. They also acknowledged her as the spiritual parent ; and that she is the first mother in the new crea- tion, of all who are saved, as really as Jesus the Lord, hers and ours, is the first Father ; and that she is co-heiress with him, in the honor and glory of our redemption."*
"In her his sufferings appeared conspicuous ; in her the righteousness of Christ was clearly manifested to all her faithful followers. In her Christ was revealed the Lord from Heaven, a quickening Spirit; in her was renewed . his example of perfect obedience to the will of his
** 'Dunlavy's Manifesto," page 468.
.
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heavenly Father ; in her was revived the way of life and salvation by the cross ; and she plainly taught the impos- sibility of obtaining it in any other way. In her was wrought the complete redemption of the female; and through her ministration a way was opened for the restora- tion of the female character to its proper lot and dignity, from which it had been degraded by the transgression of the first woman."*
"As the first Eve, through the deceitful influence of the power of evil, was the first to violate the temple of chas- tity and to lead mankind into the work of generation, in actual disobedience to the positive command of God, and by this corrupted the work at the very fountain; so a female,-who was the natural offspring of the first Eve and under the same loss,-was the proper character to be em- powered to break the chain which binds mankind under that loss, and to take the lead in coming out of it. Ann Lee was the distinguished female that was chosen for that purpose ; and being wrought upon by the power of God she actually took up a final cross against that nature, and against all those propensities that lead to the gratification of it. And having received the spirit of Christ, by the operation of which her soul was purified from the fallen nature of the flesh, she rose superior to it; and by her example and testimony she actually led the way out of that nature and all its works, and was prepared to stand in a proper order to manifest the spirit of Christ in the female line. Hence the image and likeness of the Eternal Mother was formed in her, as the first-born Daughter, as really as the image of the Eternal Father was formed in the Lord Jesus, the first-born Son. Thus was she consti- tuted second heir in the covenant of promise, and was placed in a correspondent connection with Jesus Christ, as the second pillar of the church of God in the new crea- tion.
"We would by no means be understood to apply this character to the human tabernacle of Ann Lee ; that taber- nacle was but flesh and blood, like those of all other
*"Millennial Church," page 45.
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women ; but it was a chosen vessel occupied as an instru- ment, by the spirit of Christ, the Lord from Heaven, in which the second appearance of that divine Spirit was ushered into the world, in order to complete the manhood. It is this spirit which has constituted her immortal part the second pillar of the new and spiritual creation; it is this spirit which is the image and likeness of the Eternal Mother, and which is in reality the true bride of the Lamb, and the first Mother of all the children of Christ. The apostle saith, "We preach Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." But the spirit of wisdom in Christ could not be manifested in her true character on earth as the mother-spirit in the work of regeneration, until she was revealed in the female as a Mother in Christ."*
"The man found his lot and order in the first appearing of Christ, who appeared in the male, (in the person of Jesus,) which was the first gospel dispensation, or antitype of the first temple. But the second gospel dispensation, which was prefigured by the second temple, was mani- fested in the female, and was called the second appearing . of Christ, in which the woman, as well as the man, is restored to her proper lot and order in the new creation."t
Speaking, as he believed, by inspiration, a Shaker writer hath said; "It may truly be said of the Daughter of Zion, (that is MOTHER ANN LEE, ) that she represented the Spirit; for in her the spirit of Christ appeared, with a full and complete salvation for such as were willing to sac- rifice all to attain it. In her was displayed my sacred and saving power to search the hearts and penetrate into the souls of such as come before her, to much the greatest extent of any human being ever before sent forth, save the Lord Jesus Christ whom I sent on earth, saith the Lord, to begin the foundation of this kingdom, which is now completed, through and by the Daughter ; and upon which the building is now arising, forever more to stand ; against which the powers of earth and hell shall never prevail."#
*"Millennial Church," Page 265. tIbid, 173.
#"Sacred Roll," page III.
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The Shakers believe that to their "Mother". and several of her devoted followers have been imparted the gifts of prophecy, of working miracles and of inspiration. The writer last quoted hath also said, "Not so, saith the Creator of all things. Though I vested supernatural power in MOTHER ANN to work miracles, and that power is still retained in my holy church ; yet I suffer it not to be applied, in a natural point of view, to the external sight of men, only at my command ; whether it be much or little. And the opposition of an unbelieving world was so great that I suffered, in many instances, miraculous power to be displayed in a natural point of view, from the Queen of Zion and those with her, insomuch that the un- believing world acknowledged they knew there must be a supernatural agency attending them."*
Hence, though the Shakers receive the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the word of God and "the gospel of their salvation," they believe that they have re- ceived other communications from God, which they feel bound to reverence as inspiration. They hold that all true believers are in that resurrection state where they " neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." They believe that the faithful receive visits from heavenly messengers, while yet in the flesh, with whom they are permitted to talk "as a man talketh with his friend," and that they also hold vizible com- munion with the spirits of departed brethren who declare to them the mysteries and glories of the invisible world.
But the great and distinguishing tenet of the Shaker faith is the necessity of a life of celibacy, in order that as Christians they may secure to themselves that "holiness without which no man can see the Lord."
Such is the faith of this singular people; and it is held with a sincerity which is manifested in all their movements.
Their mode of worship is equally wide from the beaten track of most sects. Their church, or place of
*"Sacred Roll," page 118.
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assembling, is a large open hall, furnished oftentimes with only movable seats. The sexes enter by different doors, and arrange themselves in lines-the elders being in front -where they listen to a short opening address by one of their elders; after which they unite in a dance, regular, solemn, and uniformly in time with the harmony of some half-dozen selected singers. After this they fall into files of two abreast and march, keeping step with the music of some selected hymn, which is sung with much fervency of spirit. They then bring up their benches and seat themselves, while some one of their number interests them with a religious exhortation. They then rise and close their service with a song of praise. Everything is performed with decorum and solemnity. All classes, from the gray-haired of fourscore down to the child of five years, seem attentive and interested, whether they march or dance, or sing, or exhort. They uniformly wave their hands in concert with their music, and listen with pro- found attention to the harangues of their spiritual teachers. Ill, therefore, does it become outside lookers-on to question their policy, or doubt the sincerity of their motives.
The following additional account of the worship of the United Believers is from the "Berkshire American," and was published some thirty years since,-showing that more than one has been favorably impressed by the solem- nity of their religious exercises :
"We were, a short time since, very agreeably disap- pointed in regard to the worship of the Shakers. We did not anticipate that pleasing sort of enchantment, that mix- ture of awe and delight, that kind of celestial rapture which we now imagine every person will feel on first attending the Shakers' worship. We went with those prejudices which are natural to the world, but were con- strained to forget them so long as the worship continued. It would not be easy, by any description of ours, to convey to the reader an adequate idea of our feelings at the time.
"These observations were suggested by a Sunday visit to the Shakers of New Lebanon, New York. The
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village itself is like a well-cultivated garden, and reminds you as you pass along that it is inhabited by a different sort of beings from the rest of mankind, as though neat- ness about their houses and lands and perfection in the mechanic arts were a part of their religion. Everything relating to these things will strike you with pleasure if not surprise.
"But the meeting-house is the most remarkable object, and in many respects surpasses every other edifice for divine worship in the country. It is very large on the ground, convex, and covered (so we are told) with one entire sheet of tin, the different pieces being soldered together into one. However this may be, it has a very dazzling appearance when viewed in the sunshine; but if you are struck with the outside of the building you will be much more so on entering it. The spacious roof is sup- ported solely by its arch ; there being not a single post or column in the interior to obstruct your view of the inmates in their exercise of worship. The walls and the concave ceiling are neatly painted of a green color, and the floor is of the most perfect material and workmanship as well as neatness that can be imagined. Indeed, its appearance is so smooth and so inviting to the foot that we will venture to say there is not a damsel to be found, who is fond of practising her steps, who could forbear did not the. awful nature of the place forbid the indulgence of any feelings allied to this vain and sublunary world.
"With a politeness and attention to the convenience of strangers not always manifested by other sects, the "world's people" are largely accommodated with seats, and those of a most convenient kind, for witnessing their worship, and if you are not a believer in their mode of worship you will at least bear testimony to the kind and accommodating disposition manifested by the worshippers toward their stranger guests.
"The peculiarity of the Shaker worship consists in what is called laboring. This, as far as we had oppor- tunity to observe, is a march and dance, performed alter- nately, and always accompanied with singing. The
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worshipping troops, if we may so call them, are formed into two companies, one of each sex, and subdivided into sections of four persons. They move round and round in a circle, having inside a choir of singers of both sexes, who stand still and only beat time with their hands in concert with their voices.
"The most perfect uniformity in their dress is observed in each company. The males all labor without coats, and the females are clad in uniform loose frocks or robes, of snowy whiteness, with black high-heeled shoes, and plain caps of thin muslin closely fitting their heads, and ker- chiefs covering their necks and shoulders and of the same snowy whiteness as their robes and caps.
"Beholding the females (or sisters) thus clad, seeing them moving in long rows, hearing their music, which is different from aught we have heard in the world, and all of the most perfect regularity, decorum and solemnity, it is somewhat difficult to persuade yourself that they are real beings of earth, and you are apt at first to imagine yourself translated to a different sphere of existence ; and so pleasing, so solemn, and so powerful the enchantment that, suffering yourself to be guided by your feelings, and giving the rein to your imagination, you feel in no heart to bring back your mind to the cold realities of earth or the dry deductions of reason.
"We never saw any troops under so perfect discipline. There is no bawling, no giving orders, no putting the wrong foot forward ; as soon as the music strikes up the whole band is in motion, beating time with their hands and keeping time with their feet. They have a sort of bound- ing, elastic step, quite different from that of the soldier of the world, who marching to the sound of drum and fife puts down his foot as if he wished it to stick forever to the soil of this lower sphere. While you behold the Shakers in this, accompanied by their singing, you can hardly persuade yourself that they are not marching heavenward, and you are almost tempted to join in the procession. To conclude, if it were right to give any advice on the sub- ject, to those whose design it is to save and to those whose
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object it is to destroy, we would recommend to our militia to go to the Shakers and learn discipline."
This general sketch of the history and faith of the Shakers will be closed with a list of their printed works : "Testimony of Christ's Second Appearing,"-octavo, four editions ; "The Manifesto, or a Declaration of the Doc- trines and Practice of the Church of Christ," by John Dunlary,-two editions; "Summary View of the Millen- nial Church,"-two editions ; "Review of Mary M. Dyer's publication entitled "A Portraiture of Shakerism,'" - a tract; "Testimonies concerning the Character and Min- istry of Mother Ann Lee ;" "Juvenile Guide,"-a tract ; "Sacred and Divine Roll;" "Account of the Kentucky Revival,"-a tract; "Defence of the Order and Govern- ment of the Shakers,"-a tract; "Familiar Dialogues on Shakerism," by Fayette Mace; "Divine Book of Holy and Eternal Wisdom ;" "Brief Exposition of the Established Principles and Regulations of the Shakers,"-a tract ; "Circular Letter in Defence of the Shakers,"-a tract ; "Three Discourses on Shakerism," by Wm. Leonard ; "Tests of Divine Inspiration," by F. W. Evans; "Short Treatise on the Second Appearing of Christ," by F. W. Evans ;" "Millennial Praises, a Collection of Hymns ;" "Condition of Society, and its only Hope in Obeying the Everlasting Gospel,"-a tract; "Plain Evidences, -ex- tracts from Dunlary's Manifesto,"-a tract; "Some Lines in Verse about Shakers,"-a tract.
From this general survey of the origin and history of the Shakers, as a sect, the reader is invited to a brief notice of that branch of it that has been established in Shirley.
It has been declared, on a previous page, that when Ann Lee made her missionary tour through this part of the country she made a stop in Harvard; and there she lived and preached in a large "square house."*
Many persons from the neighborhood went to see her and hear her speak, some with a desire to find a purer
*See Appendix, W.
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faith and others out of curiosity. A portion of her hearers became believers in her mission; among whom were two farmers, who lived in the extreme southern part of Shirley. They were brothers-Elijah and Ivory Wild. These were joined by two other families living in Lancaster, immediately contiguous to the residences of the Wilds. Their names were John Warren and Nathan Willard. The farms of these four individuals were united in a joint- stock proprietary, and it forms the territory now owned and occupied by the Shirley Shakers. The two dwellings in which the Wilds lived are yet standing-time-worn and weather-beaten-amid the more imposing structures which the larger temporal means of these humble believers have enabled them to rear around. They contain the rooms in which their holy "Mother" discoursed to her spiritual children, in which her elders kneeled in prayer, and where they led in the sacred march and in the solemn dance.
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