USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol IX > Part 24
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We arrived at the village of Niskayuna about half past ten, just as the community were assembling for worship, and saw several lines or files of males and females, walking in pairs, through the fields towards the place of meeting. We entered with them the place of worship, which was a plain room of about 50 feet long, by 25 feet broad, without pulpit, pews, curtains, or any kind of furniture; plain benches being provided for seating the Shakers themselves, as well as the strangers who came to see them. Every part of the building or room was in the utmost perfection of cleanliness, and not a spect or particle of dust or dirt was anywhere visible.
For the strangers a number of benches were placed to accommodate about 200; and there were fully that num- ber of visitors, from the neighboring country, present. Of these, the males had to enter by one door, and the females by another, and each to remain separate during the service. Of the Shakers who joined in the worship, there were about 100 males, and 100 females. These entered also by different doors, and ranged themselves on benches in oblique lines from each end of the room, till they nearly met each other, when the space between the front row of each sex was triangular, the apex of the
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triangle being the place from whence the speakers ad- dressed the assembly on the floor. The constantly widening space caused by the diagonal lines of the two front rows, left an opening by which all the strangers, who came as spectators, could see the persons and coun- tenances of those who joined in the worship clearly and distinctly.
The males included several boys from 7 or 8 years old to 14-and so upwards to young men of 20; middle aged of 30 and 40, and elders of 50, 60 and 70; and there was the same diversity of ages among the females. But notwithstanding the difference of age in each, they were all dressed in one uniform fashion.
The dress of the men consisted of a white shirt, collar and white cravat, loose trowsers, and large waistcoat of deep, maroon colored stuff, like camlet or bombazin; the trowsers were so long as to touch the shoes, but there were neither straps to keep them down, nor braces to suspend them upwards. The waistcoat was of the old fashioned cut of the court dress, used a century or two ago-single breasted, with a deep waist cut away diagonally in front, and with long, low pockets. The waistcoat was not buttoned, but hung loose, showing the entire front or bosom of the shirt, and no coat or jacket of any kind was worn, so that all the men were literally in their shirt sleeves.
The dress of the women was entirely white; the gown was long and narrow, and the waist short, the sleeves tight, the bosom plain, and all attempt at gracefulness of form, or decorative ornament, scrupulously avoided. A small, clean muslin handkerchief or cape, was worn over the shoulders; and a cap of clean muslin, fitting closely to the face, with long descending lappets, covered the head; while the hair was put up in the plainest manner, and almost entirely concealed from view. On the left arm each female had a white napkin, neatly folded, and hanging over the arm; and the whole appearance of the congregation, notwithstanding its singularity, was im- pressive, from the purity and simplicity of their costume.
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The physiognomy of the men was more indicative of the enthusiastic temperament than that of the women; and they were also characterized by better animal con- dition as to health and strength, with less appearance of intellect. Among the women there were a few, especially among the younger portion, that were handsome; but the greater number were very plain, and the whole were even more pallid than American women, generally, with an appearance of langor, that betokened a morbid state of feeling, and very imperfect health.
The first half hour of the worship was passed in a profound silence; the men, as they entered, stepping as lightly as possible across the floor, to hang up their broad brimmed straw hats on the wall; and the women, as they entered, disposing of their plain straw bonnets, all of the same pattern, in a similar manner, and then taking their seats; the eldest of each sex occupying the front rows, opposite to each other, and the younger fill- ing up the benches behind them, and some sitting on the ground.
At the end of this half hour, one of the male elders rose, which was the signal for forming in ranks, when the benches were removed by the parties who sat on them, and ranged close to the wall, so as to leave the central part of the room clear. The lines were then formed, the men standing in rows, at one end of the room, and the women at the other, the front ranks of each nearly meeting in the centre.
One of the elders then addressed the worshipers, as dear brethern and sisters, and spoke for about five min- utes. The substance of his remarks was, that they ought all to rejoice at having the privilege to meet and worship God in their own way without interruption, and at the still greater privilege of being among the number of those who were especially called by God to come out from the world, and to put aside ungodliness and all worldly lusts. They were engaged in the work of God, and not in that of the world, and their happiness con- sisted in knowing and doing his will.
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The first speaker was followed by a second, who ex- pressed nearly the same sentiments in other words; and after a pause of a few minutes, the whole body sang to- gether a short hymn, of which I could only catch the first verse, which was thus:
"Oh! the precious work of God- It is pure !- it is pure ! I will rejoice, and lift my voice, To serve the Lord for evermore."
The singing was loud and harsh, without the least at- tempt at harmony, and the air was rude and wild. Not more than half the number of the congregation joined in this exercise, though there was no particular body as a choir to whom it was restricted; but every one seemed to pay the most devout attention.
Another elder then stepped into the front, and ad- dressed the strangers present. He said that it was very much the custom for strangers to come and visit them on the sabbath, though they rarely came on any other day; and as there were undoubtedly some pecularities in their worship, it was more than probable that curiosity was the leading motive that brought us there. To this they offered no impediment; for as they were not ashamed either of their opinions or practices, but rather rejoiced in them, they did not close their doors against any persons, but willingly admitted and accommodated as far as their space and means would allow, all who choose . to remain, provided they were silent and respectful; and when they found they could not be both, it was desirable they should withdraw.
He said, the world regarded them as madmen and fools, but so did the world esteem the early Christians. They knew, however, that they were sober and sincere; and the only difference between themselves and the world was, that the people of the world continued still to see things as through a glass, darkly, while God had called them out of the world to see things with all the fullness of the brightest day ; and that when our eyes were opened (for a day would come in which each would receive a
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call, and by his acceptance or rejection of that call his future destiny would be settled), we should look back upon the things of the world just as they themselves now did, as being nothing but a heap of vanities and empti- ness.
Another pause ensued; and then the whole assembly fell on their knees, and elevating their hands and arms, and making signs of beckoning or invitation, they sang in concert this verse:
" Come, holy angels, quickly come, And bring your purifying fire; Consume our lusts, in every home, And root out every foul desire.""
Some of the spectators looked at the female portion of the worshipers while they were singing this, and then at each other significantly; but upon the countenances of the singers themselves, whether male or female, not a trace could be seen of any other sentiment or feeling than that of the deepest gravity and devotion. At every close of this verse, which they repeated several times, they bowed their heads to the ground, those of the two front ranks of males and females almost touching each other; and at the termination of the whole, they remained on their knees for a few minutes, looking steadfastly on the ground, and buried in the most profound silence.
When they rose, another elder came forward, and a second time addressed the strangers; whether he was induced to do so from the significant looks interchanged among the spectators while the last verse was singing, I could not positively say; but it seemed to me probable, because he opened his speech, by observing, that many persons who came to see them, went away and calumni- ated them. Among other things, he said, it had been alleged that they did not live the life of purity which they pretended, but that their practices were contrary to their professions. This he declared to be untrue, and called heaven to witness the accuracy of his assertion. He said they labored honestly with their own hands to maintain
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themselves independently; and that between labor for subsistence and the worship of God, their time was wholly occupied, while they avoided and resisted all temptation, and kept themselves pure from all carnal defilement.
When he had ceased, one of the elders among the females, who appeared to be about sixty years of age, broke silence; and, addressing the assembly, said, she had been forty years a member of the community, but had never felt herself inspired to speak till the present moment. Now, however, she felt it her duty to unloose her tongue, and declare that these aspersions upon their purity were altogether unwarranted; that their brethren gave them only protection, for which they felt duly grateful; but that they neither sought for, nor asked, nor desired any thing from them in return; that the female part of the body on whose behalf she could speak, regarded themselves as chosen vessels set apart for the use and service of God alone; and they neither had, nor wished to have, any communication with men. This defense of the purity of the order was received by the females with the loudest and most enthusiastic acclama- tions and clapping of hands.
The assembly then formed itself into another order for the dancing, which is called by them labor, and from the zeal and animation with which all their movements are performed, it may well deserve that name. The males were first arranged in pairs, following each other like troops in a line of march; and when their number was completed, the females followed after, two and two, in the same manner. In this way they formed a complete circle round the open space of the room. In the centre of the whole was a small band of about half a dozen males and half a dozen females, who were there stationed to sing the tunes and mark the time; and these began to sing with a loud voice, and in quick time, like the Allegro of a Sonata, or the Vivace of a Canzonet, the following verse:
[ Annals, ix.]
28
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" Perpetual blessings do demand, Perpetual praise on every hand; Then leap for joy, with dance and song, To praise the Lord for ever."
The motion of the double line of worshipers, as they filed off before us, was something between a march and a dance. Their bodies were inclined forward like those of persons in the act of running; they kept the most perfect time with their feet, and beat the air with their hands, to the same measure. Some of the more robust and enthusiastic literally " leaped" so high, as to shake the room by the weight with which they fell to their feet on the floor; and others, though taking the matter more moderately, bore evident signs of the effects of the exercise and heat united on their persons. This first dance lasted about five minutes, and during the pause which succeeded, another short speech was made by one of the male elders, repeating the duty of congratulating themselves on the privileges they enjoyed.
The first dance was performed to the air of "Scots wha' ha'e wi' Wallace bled," but sung with great rapidity, such as is sometimes done, when it is converted into a quick march by a military band. The second dance was of still quicker measure ; and to the much less respectable old Eng- lish tune of "Nancy Dawson," which I had not heard for thirty years at least, though it was a popular song in my boyhood, among sailors especially ; and the last place on earth in which I should have expected to hear it revived, would have been among the Shakers in America. Yet so it was; and to this lively and merry tune, the whole body, now formed into three abreast, instead of two, literally scampered round the room in a quick gal- lopade, every individual of both choir and the dancers, singing with all their might these words:
" Press on, press on, ye chosen band, The angels go before ye; We're marching through Emanuel's land, Where saints shall sing in glory."
This exercise was continued for at least double the
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time of the former; and by it the worshipers were wrought up to such a pitch of fervor, that they were evi- dently on the point of some violent outbreak or paroxysm. Accordingly the whole assembly soon got into the "most admired disorder," each dancing to his own tune, and his own measure, and the females became perfectly un- governable. About half a dozen of these whirled them- selves round, in what opera dancers call a pirouette, performing at least fifty revolutions each, their arms ex- tended horizontally, their clothes being blown out like an air balloon all round their persons, their heads some- times falling on one side, and sometimes hanging forward on the bosom, till they would at length faint away in hysterical convulsions, and be caught in the arms of the surrounding dancers.
This, too, like the singing and dancing which preceded it, was accompanied by clapping of hands, to mark the time, while the same verse was constantly repeated, and at every repetition, with increased rapidity. Altogether the scene was one of the most extraordinary I had ever witnessed, and except among the howling dervishes of Bagdad and the whirling dervishes of Damascus, I re- member nothing in the remotest degree resembling it. It was well that the assembly was speedily after this dispersed; because I think another half hour would have carried the fervor so high, that it might have ended in scenes which would have astonished and disgusted the spectators, and not have been very honorable to the performers.
During the whole period of this worship, which lasted about two hours, I was endeavoring to settle in my mind the debatable question, of whether the people, whom I saw before me, were practicing a delusion on themselves, or endeavoring to impose upon and deceive others. I had had the same difficulty before in witnessing the fol- lies of the Christian devotees at Jerusalem and through- out the Holy Land, where the various sects of eastern Christians endeavor to outvie each other in the extrava- gancies of their penances and ceremonies. I had felt
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similar doubts when seeing the fantastic conduct of Mo- hammedan fakirs and dervishes in Egypt and Arabia, and Hindoo devotees in Bengal and Bombay. The con- clusion to which I came in all these cases was the same, namely, that there was much more of sincerity in their belief and conduct, 'than the world generally supposed; and that instead of attempting to dupe others, they were deluding themselves. The exceptions to this rule are so rare, as to form an inconsiderable fraction of the whole number; and, strange as such infatuation may appear, there has never yet been an age or country free from it, in some shape or other, as the history of the world abundantly testifies.
When the assembly had broken up, I sought and ob- tained an interview with one of the male elders, who readily answered all the inquiries I made of him; and on my expressing a desire to procure any authentic publica- tions which might be in existence, relative to the history aud peculiar views of their community, he referred me to the office of the village, where I went for that purpose. We were received here by one of the female Shakers, a well- grown and pretty young woman, of about twenty, with some color yet remaining in her cheek, dark and express- ive eyes, and a very cheerful and smiling countenance. Her conversation was intelligent, free from any appear- ance of restraint, and her manner most easy and natural. She readily answered our inquiries, and furnished me with four different works, published under the sanction of the community, and, therefore, to be relied on for their occuracy, as regarded the history, doctrines, and prac- tices of the sect. I expressed a wish, however, to obtain, in addition to these, a copy of the hymns sung by them during their worship; but she said, no copies of these had been published for the world. I requested her to ask of the elders, whether one used by themselves could be lent me for a few days, when it should be returned; but her application was unsuccessful, as the elders had objections to their being seen or circulated beyond the limits of their own community.
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On Monday, the 16th of July, we left Albany, to pay a visit to Mr. E. C. Delavan, at his country residence, near Ballston Springs, in Saratoga county, with whom we had promised to spend a week before going to the springs at Saratoga. We left Albany at 9 o'clock, by the rail road cars for Schenectady, and after a ride of about 16 miles, through a pleasant and fertile country, which occupied nearly an hour, we arrived at this city about 10 o'clock. On entering it we descended over a steep hill, by an inclined plain, which commences about a mile from the town, and the view from this elevation is commanding and agreeable.
Schenectady, which retains the Indian name of the settlement on which it was first built, is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Some authorities give it precedence, by a year or two, over Albany, make it therefore equal in antiquity with Jamestown, in Vir- ginia, which was settled in 1608; others consider it a year or two posterior to Albany, which was settled in 1612; either account, therefore, making it more than two centuries old, which, for America, is a high degree of antiquity.
Schenectady is seated on the banks of the river Mo- hawk, which winds in great beauty along the level plain whereon the city stands. Its incorporated extent is very considerable, comprehending, as we were told, a square of fifteen miles on each side; but, like Washington, neither occupied, nor ever likely to be built on, to one- third of its chartered dimensions.
The present population of Schenectady, after its two centuries of existence, does not embrace more than 6,000 persons; and there is perhaps no city of the same amount of inhabitants in all the state, that has been so stationary of late years, as this. It was burnt down by the Indians in 1690; and suffered considerable injury by a large fire in 1819-since which the buildings have assumed a more modern appearance than those of the old Dutch settlers, of which the town was before chiefly composed.
There is a Lyceum in the city, of a curiously mixed
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gothic architecture, but the principal establishment here is Union College, the president of which, the Rev. Dr. Nott, was the companion of our journey from Albany to Schenectady. This establishment is built on an eminence to the eastward of the city, of which, and the Mohawk river, it commands a fine view. The expense of its erec- tion and furniture, with all the necessary apparatus of education, has cost upwards of 300,000 dollars, or £60,- 000, the funds for which were partly advanced by the state, and partly raised by lotteries for that purpose, authorized by the state. The number of students in the college exceeds 200; and the expense of each student, including all charges, is about 150 dollars, or £30 per annum. Its religious and literary character ranks high among the public institutions of the Union, and it is consequently very popular with the community.
As the rail road for Utica and the west, branches off from this place, while that for Ballston and Saratoga goes on to the north, we had to change our cars, and found the facilities for this quite as great as any similar esta- blishment in England. By this train, which traveled at about the same rate as the former, twenty miles in the hour, we reached our destination about eleven o'clock; and finding Mr. Delavan waiting for us with a carriage, we were taken by him to his farm at Ballston Centre, and were cordially welcomed by his amiable wife and himself, as to our own home.
We remained at this agreeable and happy abode for about ten days, in the full enjoyment of the most de- lightful weather, pleasant rides and walks, books, occa- sional visitors, and frank hearted and intelligent enter- tainers, full of elevated thoughts and benevolent feelings, and never more happy than while projecting plans and indulging hopes for the improvement of the condition of society.
Mr. Delavan had been one of the first to commence the great work of temperance reform, in America, and had de- voted about seven years of active service, to the editorship of the Temperance Intelligencer and Recorder, published
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at Albany. In addition to this, he had expended, from his own private purse, upwards of 50,000 dollars, or £10,000 sterling, in support of the cause; and on resign- ing his situation as chairman of the executive committee of the Temperance society, in 1836, he presented the funds with a donation of 10,000 dollars more, to be ex- pended in establishing agencies for promoting temperance within the state of New York alone. During our stay here, he had been called off to Philadelphia to meet his colleagues, or brother members of the American Tem- perance Union, some of whom came from Virginia, others from Maryland, and others from equally distant points of the country, to confer together on a plan for exending the benefit of their labors to Europe, for placing some temperance documents in the hands of all the emigrants leaving England and elsewhere for the United States, and for bringing some plan to bear on the numerous class engaged in steam navigation on the western rivers of America.
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CITY OF ALBANY, 1823. [From the Albany Daily Advertiser. ]
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It can not have escaped the observation of any intel- ligent citizen that Albany has of late years been rapidly yet steadly improving in wealth and commercial and local advantages; the simple fact that the population has, without any artificial impulse, doubled since the last government census, is an unanswerable proof of solid prosperity.
Ten years ago and Albany was just beginning to recover from the effects of the pressure of the immediately preced- ing years-we have no doubt that in the extent and va- riety of alterations and improvements since then, no city in the Union has undergone greater changes.
Ten years ago and the now proud and beautiful Acade- mic square was a barren clay bank, variegated by an occassional saw-pit, or a group of reclining cows-then the whole of the upper part of Columbia street was a high hill unoccupied and impassable as a street, and the great- er part of Chapel street was in rainy wether a complete mud-hole.
Ten years ago, of the whole row of handsome dwellings now standing on the south side of the Capitol square, only one was then erected; then Daniels street did not exist, and the whole south part of Eagle street was a most unpromising ravine.
Ten years ago and juvenile sportsmen used to shoot snipe and other small game where now the grand canal pours its waters into the Hudson; of all that city that has since sprung up in that neighborhood, not a house was then standing, while in the south pasture, over whose vacant fields the various city regiments used to manœu- vre, we now see orderly platoons of handsome brick
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houses, and battalions of streets " dressed" with a beauti- ful regularity unattainable by their animated predeces- sor. In short, every quarter of the city, north, south, east and even the abused and despised west, gives token of sound and healty improvement.
Increased prosperity is accompanied by increased en- terprise. Thus we have witnessed the erection of the pier, the reclaiming of a very large extent of corporation lands from under water, and the readiness with which they were purchased and built upon, the leveling of hills, the opening and paving of new streets, the incorporation of banks, insurance and rail road companies, the opening of Clinton square, the institution of the Athe- neum and the Institute, the vast number of new build- ings, including churches, theatre, assembly rooms, cir- cus, the increased number of hotels of the first order, both as it regards size and internal arrangements, the city baths, the gradual enlargements of an admirable museum, the increased number and high standing of our clergy, advocates and physicians, the institution and successful operation of various societies, the patronage given to a large number of steamboats and traveling coaches, the erection of an extensive and costly City Hall, &c.
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