USA > Ohio > Shakers of Ohio; fugitive papers concerning the Shakers of Ohio, with unpublished manuscripts > Part 34
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fell, into my possession. They had been preserved by James S. Prescott.
"The Sacred Roll and Book" was introduced at Union Vil- lage September 11, 1843, and read in part on that day. On No- vember 19 following, Elder John Martin read a long epistle from Canterbury, N. H., concerning it, and also an order for distrib- uting it to the various states, nations, etc. The books, after 40 days' travel, arrived at Union Village on December 23, and on January 6, 1844, two copies were sent to Governor Shannon of Ohio. I find no reference to the "Divine Book of Holy Wisdom," although a large consignment was received.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION.
Very early in the history of the spiritual revelations an order came to Union Village from Mount Lebanon, New York, that whatsoever was made known by the spirit should be recorded. This was carefully done, but all the books devoted to that purpose have disappeared, save part 2 of volume J of the Spiritual Jour- nal, beginning July 6, 1845, and continuing to the end. As Oliver C. Hampton declares in his manuscript History of the Society that "the veil of oblivion" should be drawn over some of the extravagances of that time, and they should "rest in eternal sleep," added to which the fact that some two or three years ago a lot of manuscripts were purposely destroyed, it is presumable that the holocaust contained the missing documents. Volume J, Spiritual Journal, now in my temporary possession, is in the hand- writing of Charles D. Hampton, father of Oliver. It is 'the most legible of any manuscript I ever saw. In short all the Shaker manuscripts are very legible. The Church Records from July 2, 1843, to August 1, 1856, is also the manuscript of Dr. Hampton. From 1815 to 1843 the same book was kept by Andrew C. Hous- ton. The main source of our information is derived from this record. Oliver C. Hampton's manuscript is derived both from memory and the records kept during the passing of the events. I have received valuable reminiscences from Sister Susannah C. Liddell, who was born near Union Village, June 4, 1824, and joined the society in 1835, and has continued her membership
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ever since: For many years she was a teacher. She possesses an intelligent, spiritual, sweet face, and is held in the greatest respect by her co-religionists. Her honesty goes unquestioned in the community.
RELIGIOUS REVIVAL.
The soil for the advent of spiritualism was in part prepared by the most remarkable revival of religion that ever occurred in Union Village. This "season of refreshing" began Sunday, Feb- ruary 5, 1837, and was due to the reading of an old sermon once delivered in the East by Eldress Lucy Wright. Freegift Wells, then first in the lot of the ministry, read the sermon in a very solemn and impressive manner, and followed it up by strongly urging upon his hearers the necessity of gaining the gift of re- pentance, humility and a deeper inward work. On the following Sunday (February 12) the church meeting "was the most extraor- dinary of the kind that we ever witnessed in this place, attended with mortifying and humiliating gifts, calculated to unfetter and free souls and enable them to serve God in spirit and in truth. Surely the Spirit of the Lord is striving wonderfully with this people." On March 27 the "meeting was overwhelming in point of spiritual gifts and sensations. The heartfelt humility and con- trition, together with the many melting expressions of thankful- ness and love to the way of God, caused the tears to flow." Thus inaugurated, the revival continued for many weeks without ces- sation, growing more intense with every succeeding meeting. The Ministry from the other societies came and attended these meetings and, partaking of the same spirit, carried the influence to their respective communities. Before the enthusiasm of this revival had died out, the outbreak of spiritualism at Watervleit, N. Y., had taken place. The first notice of this phenomenon occurs in the Church Journal for January 15, 1838: "Two letters read from the East, giving extraordinary accounts of a great work of God commencing among them of late, attended with many bodily operations of the power of God, and many super- natural gifts, among which visions and trances are very common, as well as other supernatural and apostolic gifts."
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OUTBREAK AT UNION VILLAGE.
The ten years' revel of spiritualism was first directed by Freegift Wells and then by John Martin, both of whom were deeply imbued with its influence. The first named guided the movement until July 9, 1843. He was a short, corpulent man, rather jolly in his temperament, but intellectually weak. The ministry of nearly all the Shaker societies from 1835 to 1850 appear to have been decidedly weak. The extravagances noted at Union Village during this period prove that the Ministry had lost all control and allowed matters to drift. The polity of Shaker- ism must of necessity bring weak men to the front. The Mount Lebanon Ministry appoints its own successors, and the sub-Min- istry is selected with a view to carrying out the edict of the head man. This would not necessarily happen in every instance. It would be safe to affirm that Shakerism at Union Village reached its zenith under David Darrow. Besides being a man of intelli- gence, strong will and a good heart, he had the thorough drill given him as an officer in the American Revolution, which he applied wisely to those over whom he had charge. The weak- ness-some would call it shrewdness-of the presiding elder was too often exhibited in the directing of the visionist to accomplish his purpose.
Reports from various committees had reached Union Village of the wonderful transactions there takingplace. The people won- dered why they were denied the phenomenon, and looked anx- iously for the spirit to descend upon them. South Union and Pleas- ant Hill, in Kentucky, were aglow with visions. The first intel- ligent outbreak at Union Village occurred on August 26, 1838. On that day "Elder Freegift read a letter from the Ministry at Pleasant Hill, and after reading he spoke some concerning this marvelous work of God that was going on in other societies of believers, and said confidently that we should be visited in like manner without doubt. After he had concluded a song was pitched up and shaking commenced, and it appeared almost like electricity ; the power of God seemed to shower upon the assem- bly, and to a number it appeared to be irresistible. It affected a large proportion of the assembly more or less." About this time
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involuntary exercises, such as jerks, occurred in a few instances. During the latter part of October "several individuals heard heavenly sounds of trumpets, instrumental music, singing," etc. For November 18 we have the record that "the supernatural work of God (called "Mother's* Work") in its new increase, has now broken out into an open flame in the young order of believers at the West Section. The powerful bodily operations and heart- searching conviction that accompanies it baffles all attempts at . description." For November 20 the record states that "some-
times the visionist will lie for hours abstracted from things of time."
With two exceptions the Church Journal is silent as to the names of those through whom the revelations came. Elizabeth Wait was "taken under supernatural operations and power of extraordinary character" on November 26, 1838, and Vincy Mc- Nemar "was taken under operations, such as turning, falling into trance and singing new songs some time previous to this date; but there is as yet comparatively little of this work in the chh. to what prevails in the young order."
From Miss Liddell I learn that the first manifestation at Union Village was through Amittie Ann Miller, then five years of age. She came into a room where some of the sisters were at work, and looking up she exclaimed, "Oh, how pretty! Oh, how pretty !" and at once commenced to spin around, which was con- tinued for an hour, repeating all the time the above exclamation. This influence did not leave her until two days after. When of age Miss Miller left the society. Among the very first visionists were Eliza Hampton, aged 10, left the society; Harriet Collins went away ; Margaret O'Brian, left, returned and then left again ; Mary Ellen Grover and Mary Ann Jennings. The last named had the greatest gifts of all. In 1840 the spiritual work took on an extraordinary form, which was called "Holy Wisdom's Visit," and was felt throughout all the societies. While this lasted every family at Union Village assembled in meeting one hour every day, and all received Mother Wisdom's mark on the forehead. And
* Reference is here made to Holy Spirit.
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the same questions* were asked of each one separately. The sole medium in this work was Mary Ann Jennings. She kneeled in the aisle of the meeting-house, and as Mother Wisdom called the name the owner thereof came forth, and with closed eyes kneeled
* The questions asked were as follows:
"Do you sense and feel that you have come to kneel down before- the judgment seat of your Eternal Mother Wisdom?
Are you thankful that I have come?
Do you believe that I am sent by the Lord Jehovah in union with: my anointed ?
Have you confessed and righted every wrong and prepared your- soul to meet me?
Do you love and respect the gift I have sent ?
Do you believe in the wonderful work of God that has commenced' in my Zion?
Are you willing to receive whatever mark I have brought to set. upon you ?
Do you honor and respect my chosen and beloved?
Do you believe my gift is placed in them ?
Will you be subject to them in all things?
Are you willing to drink of the cup of deep tribulation which I have prepared ?
Do you desire above all things to receive the mark of my name?
Are you willing to sacrifice and give up all to be owned and acepted of me?
Are you willing to receive the mark of name from your beloved elders ?
Will you receive in thankfulness ?
Are you willing to bow your soul in low humiliation and thank- fulness for the mark that is sealed upon you ?
Will you ever walk worthy of the mark that is sealed upon you? Will you be faithful and never, never forsake the way of God?
Are you thankful for the gifts I have given you?
Will you keep them pure and holy?
Will you remember and keep the words I have spoken to you in. this my solemn day of judgment ?
Do you believe I am your Mother?
Do you believe I have come to comfort the poor and needy and the afflicted?"
These questions I have in the handwriting of Eldress Malinda. Watts. She was a sister of Elder Ashbel Kitchell, and was reputed to have been a woman of great intellectual power and devoted to the cause she had espoused. There is nothing in the questions, but evidently- framed to suit the caprice of Freegift Wells.
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before the medium and answered the several questions as pro- pounded. The medium remained kneeling during the entire hour on the successive days, while the visitation lasted. Though the seer's eyes remained closed while kneeling in the aisle, yet she knew the one who approached, no matter how quiet the step. Nor in her arduous task was she ever known to be in the least exhausted. She was sent to South Union, Kentucky, there to continue her work, as none could be found in that society equal to the labor. When she returned to Union Village she felt that her gift had spent its force. Still she would speak in the assembly and relate messages of encouragement, love, hope and blessing. She was a gentle and kind girl and well-beloved at the West Brick family, where she resided. At the age of 15 she abandoned the society. Among the boys were John Ross, aged 7, who lay in a trance 373 hours, and Reason Nace, aged 9. Elizabeth Wait died ' a Shaker, September 26, 1839. The power that exercised the ·sensitive was called a "gift." The gifts consisted in visions, music, angelic songs, and repeating such revelations as had been given them. The greater number of these individuals were not reliable, and most of them soon withdrew from the order. When the person would be seized with "a gift," that moment the body would fall to the floor and become perfectly rigid.
During the early stages of these manifestations the phenom- ·ena consisted of bodily operations, visions, new and heavenly songs, and powerful testimonies "against sin, hypocrisy and in- sincerity." But about the beginning of April, 1839, the work took on a phase which was pushed to an extreme, in several directions, which the leaders appeared unwilling to interfere with or prevent.
EXTRAVAGANT ACTIONS.
In all probability the most extravagant actions reached their .culmination during the year 1839. Just what these actions were may never be known. Oliver C. Hampton, in his MS. history, speaks of them as "indiscretions" which were "finally corrected, ·condoned and reconciled among all parties." He further states, in viewing the whole period of the prevalence of Spiritualism, "in looking back over the whole ground covered by it, we are able to see many things which happened during its advent that were
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the consequences of a want of wisdom in the Leaders of the So- ciety ; yet when these untoward features are allowed their full weight and measure, there still remains a precious residuum, vastly outweighing all the more eccentric, and, in some cases, unfortunate features of this work amongst us."
There were phenomena difficult to account for. As an ex- ample take the case of Elder William Reynolds, who became first in the ministry in 1875. During a portion of the time mentioned he lived with the West Family, and for a period of three years, every Sunday he would turn over and over like a cart wheel from the residence to the church. On leaving the church he would be seized with the same impulse, which at times would . take him to "Jehovah's Chosen Square," notwithstanding all his power to prevent the same. At this unusual and unseemly prac- tice he was intensely mortified. The power controlling him was- so great that at times he would turn over fences, just as though they were naught.
Miss Liddell informs me of a strange gift possessed by her- self. In due course of time the spirits would write letters in an unknown tongue. One of these letters was communicated at Mount Lebanon, where it was translated, and the interpretation written out in full. The spirit letter was sent to Freegift Wells, who placed it within his vest pocket, buttoned his coat over it and then went to the school-room. Arriving there he said, "What do you see?" Miss Liddell, still in her teens, replied, "I see a { letter in your vest pocket." "Read it," commanded the elder. · She read it and wrote it out in full. This was forwarded to Mount Lebanon, and on comparing it with the translation there, both agreed exactly in every particular. It was then that Elder Wells determined on a quick method of communicating with Mount Lebanon. He wrote a letter, pinned it near the left shoulder of Miss Liddell's dress, and commanded her to take it to Mount Lebanon. She was not only nonplussed, but greatly grieved, and bursting into tears, went to her eldress, and stated the case. The eldress kindly told her to go to her room and re- main quiet. She obeyed, threw herself on her cot and after hav- ing composed herself, she felt her body lifted up and then passed out of the window, and rapidly glided over the earth, pass-
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ing rivers, cities and forests, until she came to the community at Mount Lebanon. When she arrived there no one noticed her. She passed on until she came to a very large house and entered the doorway. Here she saw two young Sisters who recognized and spoke to her. One of them unpinned the message, when Miss Liddell immediately glided back to Union Village. In due course of mail Elder Wells received an answer to the message. So delighted was he with the success of his enterprise that he sent Miss Liddell on a second errand. On her way back she be- came greatly frightend by being pursued by an immense animal in shape like a hog. She then absolutely refused ever to go on a similar errand.
The operations appear to have been manifold. For Dec. 6, 1838, it is rcorded that "public meeting to-day presented a scene hitherto unparalleled for involuntary operations, especially among the Sisters ; a large number came into the meeting house shaking, bowing and jerking, and continued at it throughout meeting with additional power and velocity and returned home under simi- lar operations ; there was no attempt to form into ranks till near the close of meeting, and even then, many went whithersoever they were carried by this miraculous impulse."
On January 13, 1839, a number of boys, 6, 8, 10 and 12 "year old, were carried out of time, and many times be in the company of departed friends who were well known to us; they would bring and take love from and to the spiritual world, and learn songs from good spirits and angels, and sing them uncon- sciously (to all appearance) until those of us in time would learn them and unite in the strain. They would sometimes see beautiful spacious mansions, and see the angelic hosts in their beautiful worship." On March 3rd, there were about 20 in the trance state in public meeting, and on the 10th nearly 60 messages were received from the world of spirits. The following notice taken from the Record for July 18, 1839, exhibits some of the extreme measures to which the Believers were subjected :
"The exercises in our meetings are mostly very simple and morti- fying. These gifts are often prescribed to us by revelation. We are numberless times required by messages of inspiration to stoop down and eat simplicity off of the floor. and a vast many other little requisitions
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that have no kind of agreement with what the wise of this world call even common sense :- Nay, they are revolting to the wisdom and pride of man: and to this end are they given, no doubt, to mortify and subdue the haughty pride of man."
EXTRAORDINARY CREDULITY.
That the great majority were exceedingly credulous is given over and over again in the MS. records. The following extract from the Church Journal for July 1, 1840, may be used in evi- dence :
"This evening the Church met at the meeting house, in pursu- ance of a message from Mother Ann-requesting us to meet and labor, in particular, for a further increase in the power and gifts of God. There was a general attendance of the chh. and it was thought, that in some respects, the meeting exceeded any one we ever saw. There was one gift which presented a solemn scene: viz., a young visionist girl about 15 .- being inspired, received, and administered a gift to the people from mother: namely: that there was a large spring in the midst of the meeting house, that the Eldership were to form in a circle around the spring: and mother's children that were justified might come for- ward (2 or 3 at a time) and kneel down in the spring, and the elders were to mark them : this was attended to by the whole assembly." Another visionist had the Society drinking at a fountain near the corner of the church building. Credulity will farther be illustrated under proper se- lections.
PUBLIC EXCLUDED.
It is probable that many of these strange transactions had been witnessed by the public, and finally, some of the cooler heads, realizing that Believers were making themselves ob- jects of derision to the outside world, deemed it necessary to make certain absolute restrictions. Hence, in the "Western Star," published at Lebanon, for July 22, 1842, a notice was given to the public, which is here transcribed :
"TO THE PUBLIC."
It becomes our duty, as acting Trustees of the United Society at Union Village (commonly called Shakers), to give information that the Public Meetings will be discontinued in this Society thro'out the season and probably for one year or more to come. The Society feel it to be their duty to God, in a special manner at the present time, to
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spend the Sacred Day of His appointment in solemn prayer and sup- plication that we may be enabled to walk more closely with our God and thereby merit His blessing and protection to preserve us from all sin and its consequent condemnation. And we are called and required by His Holy Angels to spend every day of our lives in the solemn fear of God, and in a special manner His Holy Sabbath in walking softly and humbly before Him; and to enable us to offer acceptable Offerings of prayer and thanksgiving to a pure and Holy God. But we regret to say, that for some years past many have thronged our Meetings, with no higher motives, than to pass time away, and satisfy and amuse a vain curiosity at the expense of the peace and repose of those who assembled with sincere and honest hearts, to devote themselves to the solemn wor- ship of God, and in sacred reverence to His Holy Son, the Savior of fallen Man ;- before whom we are called, in a special manner to walk softly and humbly, and to watch and pray without ceasing.
"We are the friends and well-wishers of all mankind, and deeply de- plore the unhappy condition of lost Man, and we shall, and do pray to. God without ceasing, for their and our redemption and restoration. But it is thro" the revealed will of God only, that all the inhabitants of the Earth can be protected; and in disobedience to the same, shall we with all the rest of the human Family be left to drink deeply of his rolling judgments, which slumber not, but are even now at the door -sent forth from Him in whose Hands we all are, and whose mercy every soul will yet most humbly implore, who finds a mansion in His. Kingdom of peace. Under these considerations, we think it more con- sistent with our present duty, to hold our meetings retired from the world of mankind, that we may feel more perfectly devoted and given up to prayer and supplication to seek the mercy and favor of God, than to be thronged and disturbed by a giddy multitude, who, in general, re- sort here for no good purpose .- But all such as desire information re- specting the religious faith and principles of the Society, will be duly attended to when they apply .- To prevent disappointing sincere and well' disposed persons who might come from a distance to attend. our meetings, together with a short statement of our reasons, is the object of the present notice.
"DANIEL BOYD, "ITHAMAR JOHNSON, "DAVID PARKHURST."
"Union Village, July 18, 1842."
The Church Journal for Aug. 7, 1842, contains the follow- ing :
"This morning the two following Commandments, received from the Savior, were set up in the form of Public Notices, in little frames cov-
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ered with glass. One was set up near the paling in front of the meeting house, and the other was similarly situated in front of the office.
'A COMMANDMENT FROM THE HOLY SAVIOR, REVEALED BY DIVINE IN- SPIRATION, JULY 21, 1842.
"Thus saith the Holy Savior: Enter not into this holy sanctuary, nor open the gates of the enclosure: for I have taken up my abode in this place. And for the purification of Zion, I have caused her doors to be shut, and her gates closed, that none but my chosen people may enter in. Many who have come to this holy place, have come with un- clean hands and defiled hearts, to make sport of the work of God! There- fore I have caused the doors of this Holy Sanctuary to be closed against all strangers And now as an evidence to the children of men that I have taken up my abode in this place; I have caused Sign to be erected here, with my Commandment written upon it. Enter not into this holy Sanctuary, to disturb the peace of my chosen people; but go your way and the gospel will be preached to you in due season. No one that will obey my counsel, and go their way in peace, shall ever suffer losy for the same; for I will reward them, and call them to my feast. when the time has come. But on them that break over the bounds wh ch I have set, and fear not to disobey my words, there shall come sore affliction and distress."
'A COMMANDMENT FROM THE HOLY SAVIOR, REVEALED BY DIVINE IN- SPIRATION, JULY 21, 1842.
"Thus saith the Holy Savior: There is a place of trade and public business. But enter it not on the holy Sabbath. For this day is set apart for my people to worship the living God, undisturbed by the cares and burdens of earthly things. Yea, this day I require my peculiar people in this Holy Zion, to be entirely excluded from the world: Therefore enter not upon this consecrated ground on the holy Sabbath. Yea, fear ye to break my commandments, or to make light of everything that is here done in my name, lest there be sore and heavy judgments sent on you for the same. Yea I say, let all be careful how they speak con- cerning this Holy Zion; for the time may yet come, when you will humbly seek for a home in this retired mansion, to escape the judg- ments and afflictions that are rolling on the wicked. When you enter into this holy ground (between Sabbaths) to do business with my people; be quiet and still; do your duty and go away peaceably and you shall find favor in my sight. But if you come merely to make sport and run over order, then you shall not prosper; but all that you do, will prove a curse on your own hands. Now I say, let all believe, and regard the words that I have spoken; for Zion shall flourish, while the lofty towers of Babel shall be broken to pieces."
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