THE SHAKE .

 

“ I\VILL SHAKE ALL NATIONS, AND THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS SHALL COME; AND I WILL FILL THIS HOUSE WITH GLORY, SAITII THE LORD.”

Published Monthly, by and under the direction of the Mt. Lebanon Bishoprie.

VOL. II.
G. A. LUMAS, Enrron.

SHAKERS, ALBANY CO., N. Y., JANUARY, 1872. V" 1

F1]«‘T‘l’ CEN'l‘S.1’1iR ANNUM.

The Coming Millennium.

THE SHAKER, to its friends of 1872,
greeting, with thanks to its friends of 1871,
and to the press, by whom it has been re-
ceived with so much courtesy, and treated
with so great tenderness, if not kindness,
these are due in an especial manner.

lVe feel that the mission of THE SHAKER
is coincident with that of Jesus and his
twelve apostles in the year one. Jesus,
when perfected, represented a sphere that
was “far above all heavens.” The twelve
apostles represented the kingdom of heaven
upon earth as it culminated in the Pente-
costal Church.

The condition of the world, to-day, is
strictly analagous to what obtained under
the Roman empire: The same general ex-
pectation of some radical impending change,
something that would overturn and supplant
existing systems. Then, as new, science
dominated over religion; skepticism over
theology; inherent abstract rights over or-
ganized Wrongs. Spiritualism and spiritual
manifestations permeated society through
and through. A more subtle and powerful
spirit, that should effect the long-looked-
for revolution, and the agents through
which it would operate, had already been
in their midst for a generation; the many
knew it not, and the few who did, were
opposed and persecuted.

The kingdom of heaven, as established
within and among the apostles, and in a
more expanded form after the death of
Jesus, was a condition where good and
evil, light and darkness, were mingled
together; yet where the good, and true,
and right, predominated over their oppo-
sites. Jesus, who founded this kingdom,
has been worshiped by millions as God,
because the race has ever identified the
most perfect correspondent of Deity, with
which nature or the mundane world fur-
nished it, with God himself.

The twelve apostles personatcd the twelve
foundational principles of the Christian
system; and they also embodied in their
character the fundamental principles of the
Jewish dispensation. “Other foundation
than these, can no man lay” for the com-
ing millennial order.

The past twelve numbers of THE
SHAKER have been devoted to the eluci-

dation of the above named principles, and
of the history of their effects upon and
among mankind. These comprise the mis-
sion of Jesus, and of the twelve men whom
he has immortalized, by whose means have
been effected the revolutionary turnings
and overturnings of all human, earthly
institutions for the last eighteen centuries,
from the year one to 1770. The spirit and
principles of the Christ-world, comniingled
with worldly elements, have hitherto ulti-

‘mated themselves only in man governments.

About the year 1770, another influx from
the Christ-world, coming down through the
spiritual world, there using as a medium
the Pentecostal Church, which was removed
from the earth when the compound heathen-
Christian governments, made its continued
existence impossible, except in the dis-
jointed, distorted form of the monastic
orders, and in the two witnesses, struggling
to preserve the seed of the “kingdom of
heaven ” on earth, and chanting a continual
prayer for its reappearance.

In answer to that universal prayer, “ the
kingdom came” at the time appointed, as
demonstrated by Cummings and Shimeall,
and thousands of the literary and religious
chronologists——the great lights of Christen-
dom——about the year 1770. But this time,
the agent unexpectedly proved to be a
female, and not the reappearance under
the physical resurrection doctrine of the
identical man Jesus. Through this female,
the dual nature of Diety was revealed, and
formed a proper logical basis for all govern-
ments of a dual humanity, in accordance
with which seventy pcntecostal communi-
ties arose in America, being cotemporary
with the United States Government. The
history of these two governments will run
parallel like the history of Esau and his
descendants—the Mohammedan powers;
and the history of Jacob and his posterity
——the Israelitish powers, or Jewish people.

THE SHAKER, or spiritual order of celi-
bacy unites, as was never attempted by the
monastic orders, the two powers of human-
ity—-male and fe1nale——in one community,
under a parental government of father and
mother, as types of the Father and Mother
God.

The second, or United States Govern-
ment, or natural order of propagation, will

ultimately be fashioned after the pattern of
the Mosaic nation in the wilderness, and in
their early history in the land of Canaan.
The same principles embodied in the Jewish
laws respecting property-——right to the land,
agriculture, dietetics, physiology, and of
the sexual relations pertaining to reproduc-
tion, and the rights and privileges of
woman. The same knowledge and use
of spiritualism, as the only legitimate war
agent, also as an agent for the discovery
and punishment of individual criminals, as
well as ungodly nations.

Thus will the Millennium be actualized
on the earth, by the Christ-spirit acting
through the agency or mediumship of the
Gentile Pentecostal Church. The prophet
“ saw the hands of a man under the wings
of the cherubim ”—-—the earthly government
for the order of propagation subordinate
to, and protected by a spiritual order, as
the spiritual order will be subordinate to,
and protected by the earthly order——indi-
vidualized identities, like Esau and Jacob ;
yet like them brothers, “the elder serving
the younger.” Esau possessed the physi-
cal power, Jacob the spiritual.

In the earthly government, the. Lord
shall rule in righteousness; for men and
women will be equally represented in oflices,
as in the taxes and burthens. The love
of God towards their children, sons and
daughters of their own creating, will cause
the life elements to be common and free to
all. External “wars will cease to the ends
of the earth," because the reproductive
powers will be under governmental control,
for the production of perfect men and
women. Hence, the war power will be
transferred to the earthly government in
the spirit world; as illustrated in the his-
tory of Is1'ael. The powers and principles
of both orders, as they exist in the spirit
world, are seeking to incarnate themselves
upon earth, in the S/zczlrer C/Lu/rch and in
the United States Government; by the
divine Spirit, through the agency of Spirit-
ualism, this will be accomplished, and “ the
powers of the world to come,” are even
now working mightily to this end.

The talented, but erratic Francis Train,
is a spiritual medium for the much abused
and down-trodden Irish, who have passed
into the spiritual world, in an unsubdued
worldly spirit; they seek vengeance on

2

THE SIIAKER.

their enemies in this world; and in a re-
bellion of their countrymen, they would
stimulate and instigate them to acts of
rapine and violence, congenial to their own
passions.

Victoria VVoodhull is a medium of the
other sex, for the corresponding mission to
Americans. These two, according to their
own predictions, are the next presidents of
the United States. They will be largely
assisted, from the other world to realize
and fulfill their own prophecies.

At a public dinner, given by the Emperor
of Russia, he confessed with the simplicity
of a child, what was confirmed by the‘Em-
press, and other members of their suite;
that he was influenced by spirits, through
the American medium, Home, to emanci-
pate the twenty millions of serfs: and that
the spirits helped and sustained him in the
accomplishment of the arduous undertak-
ing.

Prince Albert and Queen Victoria were
spiritualists; and skeptics are calling her
crazy, and seeking to dethrone her upon
that ground.

Lincoln and Stanton were spiritualists,
to our personal knowledge; and to the
spirits, were due the emancipation of sla-
very, and the final success of the North.

England, to-day, must recognize the
power of the spiritual world, and bow
before it, by letting her government be
fashioned after the “pattern shown in the
Mount,” or share the fate of France. She
has “taken the sword” externally, and is
perishing by it. Her priests, for the sal-
vation of her soul; her doctors, for the cure
of her body; her lawyers, for the protec-
tion of her property; her army and navy,
for her defense against her enemies (created
by her own wickedness), are eating her up.
Her own sons and daughters are her worst
enemies, being despoiled of their inherent
rights. These, inspired from the unseen
world, through its thousands of circles,
are enthusiastically demanding that none
shall possess who do not help to create.
They claim the land as belonging to the
English, the Irish, the Scottish, and the
VVelsh, without distinction of sex. In a
word, the time has come for the founding
of the spiritual order, in England; and
parallel with that, will go forth spiritual
agents, that cannot be over-awed, over-
reaehed, over-powered, nor checkmated by
human authority or subterfuges; “until
the Lord rain righteousness upon” the
earthly government of England, founded
upon millennial principles.

As before stated, both the earthly and
spiritual orders and governments are now
in full, successful operation in the spiritual
world; and, unless human beings on earth
can overthrow and destory these; the influ-
ences therefrom will continue to descend

to earth, as “ refreshings from the presence
of the Lord,” and demanding the restitu-
tion and restoration of all truth there con-
centrated, that “God has ever spoken by
the mouths of all His holy prophets ” among
all nations, and among all peoples, since
the World began ; until every true principle
that has been, and every prophecy of good
that is to be, shall also be concentrated in
“ this generation.” And the little SHAKER
will yet, more than heretofore, become a
medium of “the Spirit and the Bride, who
say Come; and let him that heareth, say
come,” and work out their own salvation,
by helping to build the temple of the Lord
-—a Celibate Church on earth, and to estab-
lishthe millennium among the nations.

F-. W. E.

Humility and Prayer.

0 Heaven I we seek thy choicest gifts

Of mutchless worth, and beauty rare——

The gifts of sweet humility, and prayer.

0, may we walk where these abound,

And seek the blessings flowing there-

The joys of true humility, and prayer.

All graces pure, may we possess,

The spotless robe which angels wear-—
Tl1at’s framed in deep liumility, and prayer!
May Heaven’s sacred gems adorn

The crown, which by the cross, we’ll hear-
Secured by labor, faith and hope-and prayer.
Far down in Zion’s peaceful vale,

Let every child of God repair-—

There bow in praise, humility, and prayer.
United in true Christian love-

Joined, heart and hand, we’ll gather there,
And pour forth, in humility, a prayer,

That will ascend, unto the throne

Of him, who sits in glory there,

To bless all souls, who ask of him, in prayer.
0 precious gifts l divinely given,

Blest seasons here-—1'oretaste of heaven !
WVe’ll cherish these with love and care,

And. trusting in Humility and Prayer.

EMILY SMITH, Mt. L.

 

The Prospective Era.

The Fatherhood and Motherhood of man, is
God; his pristine home is Heaven! VVidely
strayed and lost from God, man has been wan-
dering in the dark mazes of folly and sin for
ages ; his soul sighing, pining, dying.

In tender mercy to the wandering children,
God hath long since sent forth to mana degree
of light, a pole—sta.r (His revealed lVill), a
compass (conscience), and guide (Christ’s ex-
ample), to lead the Wanderers home. But, as
on the physical plane, man, when lost, travels
in a circle; so, in like manner, man’s progress
mentally, and especially spiritually, has been
circuitous, or, at best, spirally, for unnumbered
ages. VVhile reason teaches that the least
fatiguing course in the pursuit of truth and
heaven, is direct, yet, the whole history of
man’s progress, thus far, shows his travel to
have been spirally, as round a cone; and,
though convinced that the easiest means of ele-
vation from a low state of degradation is
directly up the even grade of an inclined plane;
in other words, pursuing directly from one
stage of virtue, to another, still more excellent,
yet man’s travel, out of nature’s loss, has been
undulating; sometimes asscending the hill of

redemption, then descending again towards
degradation, loss and shame, seeming to weary
of direct elevation even in the attainment of
bliss.

As a consequence, thus far, the progress of
the race in redemption and virtue, has been
slow and tedious; but a brighter day is dawn’-
ing, and cheered by the rays of its rising sun,
let us, by their light, review the past and dis-

cover the development of the future weal of

humanity.

In man’s onward career in redemption the
“ Te damn” of the Adamie dispensation has
been passed. The impressive mellowing tones
of the Sacred Anthem of the N oachian period
have died away, having lifted man a little to a
higher level of earthly righteousness. The
needful but sober song of Moses, with its
Levitical harmonies and stem legalities, is still
rolling its echoes back and forth upon the
Worldly order, yet on the generative plane,
giving tone to moral law, and pointing to a
higher standard of excellence. VVhile the
sweet angelic song of the Lamb (the testimony
of Jesus Christ), is heralding its ringing inspi-
rations, and with its trumpet—tongue calling
together sin—sick souls to meet with the assem-
blage of Angels in the Kingdom of God, sing-
ing the joyous anthem of “ Peace on earth,
good will to all natio11s.” Angels in Heaven
and saints on earth are chanting the welcome
tones of a present salvation from sin, and the
soul-thrilling rhapsodies of the Angel-life lived
here on earth! VVhile the Worshiper at Zion’s
shrine is filled with prophetic inspirations and
heavenly visions of the glory of this prospec-
tive era in man’s redemption, the multitude err
in still lingering in the dispensations of the past,
feeding on dried fruits from the ripened harvests
of by—gone eras ; hence their religion is power-
less for salvation, insipid and uhrefreshing to
the soul. While God’s increasing work is
moving on for the harvesting of the ripened
clusters of the vines of the earth (natural
families), cutting them off from the generative
life, with all its righteousness, and preparing
them to become garnered into the kingdom of
God. This is the work of the angels, seen by
the revelator, John.

Let us look to the betokening signs of the
swiftly advancing approach of this kingdom,
and find an inspiration of encouraging hope;
while the Day of the Lord, to the worldly man
or to the halting Christian, is a day of darkness
and no brightness in it; because such see only
by its advent the loss of carnal pleasure and
self-will, with all that weds and tethers the
soul to an earthly sphere-a worldly life.
Jesus‘ said: “ Ye can discern the face of the
sky, can ye not discern the signs of the
times ?”

Man’s soul and spirit, as well as his physical
frame are longing and yearning for their devel-
opment and redemption from the thraldom of
the curse of sin. God hath provided the means
to answer this demand; humanity is seeking
them, and will enjoy them, and the day of its
advent and power is dawning ; this is the proph-
ecy written on all the phases of man’s progress
that have been passed through, and now borne
on the foreheads of the van-guard of human
redemption.

The rapid strides of man’s modern progress

TI-IE SHAKER.

3

in science and art, ministering to the develop-
ment of physical and mental comfort, is pro-
phetic of a parallel rapidity of the march of
spiritual progress to satisfy the yearning and
and pressing demands of the soul. Revealed
religion has been given of God to bring man’s
soul home to its Creator; yet, like every gift
from God to man, it has been subjected to
adultery! Everything that man hath touched
he hath adulterated! But one of the pawn
strains of the Mosaic song was: “ T hon shalt
not commit adultery ;” and our Saviour hath
come to fulfill that law. Let the Children of
Zion be glad, for there is a growing evidence
of the redemption of his pledge! The adulter-
ated religions of human production, numbered
by hundreds, have, one after another, perished
from the view; and the remnant are rapidly
coming into disrepute, because of their want of
salt. But, in them all, there have been ele-
ments of salvation which will all be conserved
by that religion of full and free salvation
sounded forth in the “ Song of the Lamb” on
Mount Zion!

The scientific discoveries and developments
of the day, as the electric telegraph, steam loco-
motion, etc., are all sympathetically linking
the kingdoms of the earth; and their powers
are yet to be felt spiritually, as really as now,
physically and mentally; for they are giving
character and tone to mind, and through mind
to the soul. They are developing a universal
interest in human prosperity not bounded
by national caste, color nor education.
They are contributing to the development
of a sensitiveness of spiritual feeling—a
quickness of receptivity of goodness. The
angels of God are pouring out an inspira-
tion that will fledge the wings of the soul, and
render it impatient of a plodding pace in the
work" of redemption from sin; and soon the
progressive march of religious truth and power
will be seen moving with an electric speed to
satisfy the quickened soul’s demands. It is
the prophetic promise of the coming era.

The progressing man is not, will not, cannot
be satisfied with a religion that leaves the soul
unfitted for Heaven. The adulteration of reli-
gion has been so great that even the element of
spirituality has been drained from its c11p. The
manifestations of spiritualism in these prophetic
days throughout the World, is the usher of a
new soul-life into humanity—a life in God.
And although in its varied phases of progress,
human folly and sin are manifest also, discover-
ing that adultery hath likewise set her hostile
plough into the fruitful soil, yet’ angels are sing-
ing the song of Moses from Sinai; and, quick-
ened With gospel fire from the heavenly altar,
are ringing out: “ Thou shalt not commit
” a.nd many souls will hear and heed
its heavenly trumpet.

There is a spiritual baptism of heavenly fire,
a spiritual life in the consumption and death of
a carnal life, now kindling in the elements of

adultery ;

religious power, that is destined to consume the

world of iniquitous adultery, the birth of the
creations of fallen man ! Its advent is near at
hand; it is the power of the coming day of the
Lord, now speedily approaching. This destruc-
tion of the world——the corrupted nature of man,
by the fire of the cross of Christ, is the “end

of the world,” predicted by our Lord and
Saviour; it is the prophetic boon of heavenly
promise, clearing the way for the building of
the kingdom of God on earth, as his will is
done in Heaven; while the consumption of
the literal earth by elemental fire, as the grand
climax of the judgment day, is an invention of
human theology never recognized by the coun-
sels of God.

But, in the judgment day of the Lord, now
dawning, “ Light is sown for the righteous;”
peace for the pure in heart; joy and rejoicing
at the judgment throne for the souls whose
books of life by themselves are opened to God’s
witnesses, by an honest confession of every sin,
and whose repentance is witnessed by the fact
that they go forth to duty in life, and “ sin no
more.”

The theology of man’s adulterated spiritual-
ism hath broken down the barriers between
sin and righteousness, hell and heaven, and
reduced to one common level of justification the
sinner and the saint; the common and enormous
evils of humanity, with the most exalted right-
eousness, purity and godliness manifest in
human life; but God’s law to man has been
operating to separate to Himself all souls who
would obey his voice through his anointed
teachers, and come away from the sinful state
of man; and God’s work is not to be thwarted
by an avalanche of human theology, affirming
that “ Whatever is, is right,” making God the
author of sin! God recognizes sin in the hu-
man family, and man as the simzer; and the
subject of suffering for it, is not himself, nor
some foreign devil; but the devil of man’s own
erring self-will ! And the light of ' the day of
God now dawning, discovers a clean separation
between him who serveth God, and him that
serveth him not ; and a wide distance between
the world of wickedness, and the kidgdom of
God and its righteousness I It discovers a real,
veritable hell ; and, though not the theological
lake of fire and brimstone, yet a state of soul-
sufferings and agonies, of disobedient and re-
bellious sinners, grievous to contemplate, and
terrible to endure ! It reveals a veritable
heaven, and that upon earth, too, the state and
dwelling place of the pure in heart, who crucify
the nature of sin by rigid self-denial, and sac-
rifice sinful pleasures for the higher joys of
immortal life. 4

The inspirations of “the song of the Lamb ”
are leading forth a people out from the worldly
plane of generation and lust; separating them
from the elements of Ca-7'7l(ll life, an soul death,
to be, not only God’s people, but God’s peculiar
people, zealous of good works; the objects of
his peculiar favor and blessing; not the boun-
ties of partiality, but the just rewards of
righteousness and godly obedience.

These are they who stand with the Lamb on
Mount Z ion, clad in white robes—the righ teens-
ness of saints. These are arisen with Christ
from the sink of human corruption by following
the Lamb whithersoever he goeth ; these are
the redeemed from among men, on the genera-
tive plane, and dwell in the kingdom of God;
in one perpetual, glorious day——the day of the
Lord Almighty~whose sun of righteousnes
and heavenly light and glory shall set no more
forever ! GILES B. AVERY.

Earth-Growth—~Sou1-Progress.

“God 1':-rined man of the dust of the grronnrl. and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man
became a living soul." Gen. iii. 8.

It has been, to some, mysterious, when
people of strong minds dispute the scripture
which says: God formed men of earth, and
the great book of nature proves it.

Our race, animals of every grade, and vege-
tables of every species, are simply dust. Taking
a view of the decorations of royalty, the pride
of palaces and cities, endless forms of fancy
and fashion, heaps of gold in a thousand cof-
fers, with all things terrestrial which man be-
comes wedded to, “dust they are and unto
dust they 7‘etm'n.”

\Vhen man enters wedlock, by labor and
care he may surround himself and his house-

hold with treasures and comforts, but they re:

turn to dust. VVhen he plants the germ for
another existence, we must remember it was
created by a natural law fashioned from his
subsistence. The mother grows that germ into
infant maturity on the subsistence she draws
from the same great reservoir through allithe
changes of gestation. Thus, by a changeless
law, she clothes it, strengthens it, and forms it
into a being which, like Adam the first, is
created from the dust. Thus all nature de-
clares that God not only formed the first man
of the dust, but his whole race by generations
are drawn from the dust as he was. ‘We may
also easily discern that unborn millions with-
out form still lay in the dust waiting to be
called forth, to be constructed and reconstructed
by natural law into living specimens of indi-
viduality. ‘When an infant is forming into
life, God, through the agency of a mother,
breathes life into it, till it comes into the world
and can do so for itself; then it gradually be-
comes a conscious or living soul, as. dark,
natural and depraved as the beings who gave
it existence. .

God is in the very breath that quickens the
infant into life, as it did Adam, and that breath
finally inspires all to feel that they, too, be-
come living souls. The poor Indian and the
Scriptures declare that God is in the atmos-
phere or wind, and they are right ; for our first
parents said: “ \Ve heard the voice of the Lord
God, walking (among the trees of) the garden
in the cool (margin or wind) of the day.”
From that period till now, the man of earth
receives his revelations through nature’s ele-
ments. The skeptic, when raising his under-
standing no higher than the foregoing, rests at
ease in Infidelity. But there is a brighter page
in the chapter. Man in his male and female
capacity is emphatically the tree of the knowl-
edge of good and evil. The germs for the
whole race of Adam, body and soul, were
placed in the earth by an all-Wise Creator, to
come out from the lowest earth-state, and arise
to the highest heavenly state, that they
might pass through all changing scenes and
study all truth and law, from the lowest to
the highest known to men and angels. In his
first lessons he can comprehend natural law,
morals, intellectual science; and with the in-
tuition of a seer can feel immortality strug-
gling within him.

Paul, under heaven’s own inspiration, gives
us the key to unlock the formation of the first

4:

THE SHAKE_R

heavenly world We are to enter, when he says :
“ The invisible things of God are clearly seen,
being understood by the things which are
made.” Or, in other words, the next higher
state, which to the earthly man is invisible, is
mapped out and fashioned like this. This be-
ing the infant; that, the higher school of
knowledge. Ministering angels reach down
from thence to help all, who in this world cry
for assistance. From this invisible source,
sages, bards, seers and just men receive divine
illuminations. Prophets, apostles, witnesses
and leading messengers in God’s orders, from
age to age, have been privileged often to stand
face to face with higher, more advanced spirits
from the better land. These messengers of
progressive truth, from regions of light, con-
solidated into heavenly form, have given to
better men and women, beautiful revelations of
priceless value to advance and raise up the race.
God’s suffering children, through all ages, have
joined hands with these messengers, and have
been helped up step by step ’till they have with
Abraham caught a view of the holier city
which hath foundations; and as Daniel de-
clared: “ Many of those that sleep in the dust
of the earth shall awake,” and arise to a holier
resurrection by these heavenly visitations.
WM. LEONARD.

Social Life.

 

A large number of persons who have visited
Shaker Societies during past years, as well as
the present season, have written lengthy articles,
in which, from their own stand—point, they have
striven to delineate the mode of worship, man-
ners, habits, and life of the Shaker fraternity.

Some of high intellectual culture, and pro-
gressed spiritual ideas, have been candid in
their statements, and as far as they had time
and opportunity to gain correct information,
were truthful and just, as historians. Others,
less candid and more unprogressed, have failed
to appreciate our efforts invthe work of moral
and spiritual reform, and have sought, more to
please the fancy of the novel—loving multitude,
and pander to the tastes of the fashionable elite
of the community, rather than to do justice to
their own better feelings, or to those whom
they ignorantly, if not willfully undertake to
represent. But we observe, as old theologies
give place to reason, and sectarian prejudice
disappears, there. is not much controversy
between the Shaker who reasons, and those
Whom reason is shaking. Thanks to the pew-
ers above—-—the good ministering angels, who
penetrate with their candle of truth many a
darkened chamber, arousing the latent energies
of souls, filling them With new light and kind-
ling a fire that 'will eventually burn up the
World in them.

As the spiritual life of the believers is hid
from the natural, superficial observer, so also
is theirisocial life a paradox, for both are
closely allied, and belong together. It remains
for those who have participated in the benefits
of this social, communistic life——who have per-
formed the duties pertaining thereto, and who,
by practical experience, know its worth, to
speak concerning it.

Our social interests demand that we build
each other up in our most holy faith; that we

L.....-.

labor in spirit for divine power, for light and
truth from on high, for new life, which bids us
lay asidelthe death-garments of sin and heed
the spirit’s voice that calls: “ Come forth!”
Also, to devote our physical strength, unself-
ishly to build up the new earth upon which the
heavens must rest. “ Hands to work and
hearts to God,” is our motto. This consecrated
labor is sacred; whatever is done, should be
done with the view of honoring God, having
reference to the upbuilding of his work, and
promoting his cause in the earth, by forming a
humanitarian horne——a home for the body and
the soul. Holiness unto the Lord is the inscrip-
tion which everything should bear in the saint’s
home. The benefits derived from this social
relation are many; friendships are formed that
are true and lasting. In prosperity and adver-
sity, in sickness and health they never fail.
Those who are devoted to true principles, are
also devoted to those who love and abide in
those principles ; and they are as guiding stars
through the journey of life, shining the most
brilliantly when the storms of life are severest.
Thus do We reap, by the relinquishment of the
natural relationships of earth, a higher and
more enduring substance of love, emanating
from a fountain that is never dry; for from
thence floweth “the river whose waters maketh
glad.” V

Some view the self-denying Shaker’sihome
as drear and lonely, filled with disappointment;
just as though the greatest amount of happiness
is derived from self—indulgence! VVhen, in
reality, that is the greatest cause of misery;
and the source to which inharmony, unrest and
sorrow may be traced. Carnal or unchristian
pleasures find no place in the social life of the
Shakers. Many infer, from the fact, that as
the marriage relation does not exist on the
plane where we have chosen to dwell, every
enjoyment, intellectual and social, is abolished.
This is a very natural and unspiritual conclu-
sion.

We not only sing, “ I want to be an angel,”
but we are working out the Angel character, so
that we may sing and act as do the Ange1s—live
as they live, and we find no sadness in it——it is
real pleasure!

Social life among the Shakers is free and
broad, bounded only by the law of chastity,
which is not bondage, but freedom to those
who from true principle seek the higher life on
a spiritual plane.

It is not strange that Celibates among the
Shakers to-day, should be ranked with Celi-
bates of the past, who were necessitated, in
order to keep their vows of chastity, to seclude
themselves in some recluse of the mountain,
lonely cave, or gather within the cloistered
walls of amonastery, wearing sad countenances
—-fearing to smile, lest some unhallowed influ-
ence should creep over them. ‘

Not so with those whom resurrection power
has baptized, and lifted up from the natural into
the spiritual order.

Innocence and simplicity form the credentials
to this new spiritual home, as truly as to the
desired, future home in the spirit spheres.

Mutual condescension supports, and gives
impetus to healthy action in the brotherhood
and sisterhood, and we often feel that all of

God’s unperverted creation rejoices with us in
this pure,‘ harmonial home. The birds chaunt
their musical lays, the mountains break forth
into singing, and the little hills rejoice on every
side. The heavenly messengers, who guide and
guard this goodly heritage, are seen “leaping
upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills,”
and we fear not to leap and skip With them.

“ O, for a thousand tongues to sing
Our great Redeemer’s praise.”

ANNA WHITE, Mt. L.

ANIMADVERSIVE.

Our leader, in Sept. No. 1871. has been the subject
of much valuable criticism ; our object being therein,
to urge the necessity of worshiping the Christ-princt
pie, and not the person of Jesus; and to worship this
)l'l11Cl])lC in whom. and wherever it is manifested.

he critics have almost invariably concluded, with us,
thnt.Jesus was not, but became the Christ-tlie first
born of many Chi-ists—ou1' cxamplei-_: and Saviour
only. as We follow his example. The following “child
of promise,” from The Am.\S'pz'1‘1'tuaZ'ist, bearing on the
same subject, is from the pen ofthat exalted spiritual-
ist, J. M. Peebles. *‘

Jesus a Sinner!

Religions originating in the past--all more or
less ideal--rest upon the testimonies of tradi-
tion. The credulous are the most devoted. In
the ratio that knowledge increases, faith di-
minishes. Those who know the most believe
the least. The conflict of the ages is upon us.
The dead, stoutly refusing to bury its dead, the
mouldy yesterdays are in close battle array
with the vigorous, out-pushing to-days. God
or no God, Jesus or no Jesus, immortality or
a dreamless nonentity—which ?

This weird drama, involving the political,
social and religious, is becoming deeply interest-
ing. The tendencyjs towards the utilitarian.
This speaking present, bristling “whys ” and
insisting upon proof, demands the practical and
substantial. All sudcessful religious movements
must poise themselves upon principles and point
to facts-—well-authenticated facts, as well as
appeal to reason and sentiment. Men generally
cultivate the reasoning and women the emo-
tional side of religion.

Right balance evolves high moral power.
Jesus, a gentle, beautiful and womanly man,
was a religious Jew. All religious systems of
the past had their sacraments. Baptism in
some form has ever been considered a sacra-
ment. That distinguished writer upon “reli-
gious beliefs,” S. Baring Gould, M. A., says:
“Baptismal ceremonials include all purifica-
tions. The idea that man is held back from
perfect union with God by his imperfection,
uncleanness, sin, is widely diffused and mani-
fests its existence by water, blood and fire bap-
tisms.”

. The waters of the Ganges were believed to
have a purifying effect. Under its rippling
surface old and young were plunged. In

. Egypt, proud of her Nile, the dead were washed

from their sins by Osiris; and accordingly,
upon Sarchophagi, Osiris is represented pour-

ing water upon candidates in a kneeling posture, .

just as they enter the land of shades. The
Zend ceremonials of A the Persians abound in
the uses of baptismal waters to wash away sin.
“ Every purification,” said Servius, “is made
either with water, or with fire, or with air.”
Paul speaks of Israel as having been “ baptized
in the cloud and in the sea.” Even the Romans
practiced the rite of baptism; and Juvenal
criticised and satirized those who sought to

‘ seemingly learn in no other school.

THE 

5

“ Wash away their sins by dipping their heads
thrice in the Tiber.” Jesus, a Palestinian
Hebrew, born subject to the requirements of
the Mosaic law, must needs be baptized for
purification and the washing away of sin,
according to the Israelitish understanding of
the ordinance. But, if he was not a sinner,
why should he have submitted to baptism by
water? Matthew says: “ Then went out to
him Jerusalem, and all J udea, and all the region
round about Jordan, and were baptized of him
in Jordan, confessing their sins.” Mark
assures us that, “ John preached the baptism of
repentance for the remission of sins.” And in
this wilderness John baptized Jesus in Jordan.
Therefore, as baptism'was understood to be the
“ washing away of sin,” it is clear that Jesus
was a sinner! Nothing upon theological
grounds could be more absurd than the baptism
of a saint. Sinners, and sinners alone, were
called upon to repent and submit to baptismal
purifications, or the washing away of sins.

Many scriptural passages besides these re-
cording the impulsive “ sceurging of the money-
changers,” and the rude “cursing of the fig-
tree,” point to the imperfections and sins of
Jesus. The apostolic assurance that he should
“ come the second time without sin unto salva-
tion,” has some reference, at least, to his first
coming as the “child that grew and Waxed
strong”—-the child both -of promise and pre-
natal tendencies. “ Call not thou me good,”
said the Nazarene, “ none is good but one, and
that is God.” Good and evil are rclationally
opposite, evil being synonymous with imperfec-
tion and sin.

The New Testament further declares that
Jesus “learned obedience by the things he
suffered.” Obedience is the most effectually
learned by disobedience. The child learns to
keep the finger from the candle by first burning
it. The suffering consequent upon violated law,
is teaching both severe and sound. Some can
“ He was
made perfect,” writes an apostle, “through
suffering.” The phrase “made perfect,” im-
plies previous imperfection, and imperfectionis
sin. He was also called “the first begotten
from the dead ;” but how begotten from the
dead unless h27m.seI “once dead in trespasses
and sins ?”

From the ‘recorded textual teachings that
Jesus refused to be called “good,” that he
scoiii-gs:(l the money—changers; that he cursed
a fig—tree; that he learned obedience; that he
was made perfect; that he went to John to be
baptized of him in Jordan, as did other Syrian
sinners from Jerusalem and all J udea, “con-
fessing their sins ”; there is no other legitimate
inference than that he was a sisrmeI'——oui‘ elder
brother and fellow-sinner, Jesus, “touched with
our infirmaties!”

Mark well we have been treating of Joshua,
the carpenter’s son, whose name, when Grecian-
ized, became ..l»>.~r::.~:. l\'ol:. a word have we
written of Jesus Chr27st.

This opens a new

chapter. The word Christ signifies the Messi-‘i

anic, the anointed, the consecrated. Christ,
or the Christ principle, is divine. After Jesus
was baptized, confessinr his sins, the “' heavens
were opened” and the Clmlst spirit from the
heaven of the C'h7'z'st angels, descended upon

him, and a voice came saying, “ this is my be-
loved Son, in whom I ‘am well pleasec .” N ow
we have Jesus Christ “bur exainpler,” who
ministered true love and sympathy. The ser-
mon on the Mount stands out unequaled. Its
burden is blessings; its inspirations love. To
love those who love us is simply reciprocity,
and may be prompted alone by policy. But to
love our enemies»-to love and do good to those
who hate us, is principle, is Christ—like.
Thanks, then, be unto C'hrz'st, who giveth us
the victory.

God’s Will be Done.

Say to the torrent : “ Stay then on the hill 1”

The torrent replies : " I’m obeying God’s will.”

Say to the rivulet, mnrmuring by :

“ Be still for a moment!” and it will reply:

“ I must not, I will not, I cannot be still,

‘-’ I must be in motion, and doing God‘s will!”

Say to the sunbeam : "\Vithdraw thy bright ray "’
The sunbeam replies: “ God's laws, I obey.”

Then say to the \\'hirlwind, uprooting the trees-

To the hurricane raging, or the mild, whispering

breeze-—
To the river, the lake, or the ocean : “ Be still !”
Their response is forthcoming : “ VV'e are doing
Gpd’s will !"

To the tear, as it wells from the grief-stricken heart-—
Or, with joy overflows. as rich treasures impart-—
How idle, how needless, how fruitless and vain,

To say to that tear : “ Return thou again !”

That tear, in the language of heaven, will say:

“ Created I was, God’s laws to obey.”

The vitals, which, panting for the life-giving air-
The heart with its throbbings, and the sigh of despair;
The deep pangs of remorse on the guilt-laden soul-
lIow vain the endeavor, these things to control !
Those pangs, and those Vitals-\that heart and that sigh,
In emphatic language, will surely reply:

“ Unyielding obedience, by night and by day,

“ To the mandates of God, we are taught, and obey!”

 

 

From the smallest of insects, revealed to our sight ;

Or the greatest of angels, in power and might—--

Or the earth in her orbit, the sun, moon or stars,

Or great Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus or l\Iars—-

All matter. all being, all spirit shall say:

“ Forever the mandates of God we obey !”

Then how foolish, self-righteous, irreverent in man,

To think, in his wisdom, to better the plan !

Rather learn to be humble, to love and to pray-

The laws of his Maker to know, and obey-

To feel it his duty, his privilege, his sl1rine—

To say: " Thy will, Father, be done, and not mine !”
E. E. Fnosr.

Progression.

What does this word mean ? It means change
from a lower to a higher condition.

Politically, it means to leave behind old
party issues and join hands with those who are
the most advanced in the great principles of
reform; and were we to predict, we would say
that the party destined to rule America is that
party who are the most progressive, and that
party will yet be made up of the most progres-
sive of all parties,without regard to sex or color.
Progression is the spirit of the age and order of
the day—-—to advance forward is the watchword !

T heologicarlly, it means to leave behind old
stereotyped creeds of false religions, which had
their origin in the dark ages, and which stand
directly opposed to the increase of light and
truth, which are dawning upon the earth. It
means, that when we have considered the truth
and meaning of any proposition, however new,
if it tends to purity and is accompanied with
the evidence and accords with our reason and
highest convictions of right, we should implicitly
believe and obey, however contrary it may be
to our former opinion or that of others.

llforally, it means to leave behind all bad
habits, lying, fault-finding, back-biting, evil
speaking one of another; all slander, proceed-
ing from envy, should be laid aside. “ Thou shalt
not bear false witness against they neighbor ”
was a command in the Jewish decalogue, and
should not be violated by those calling them-
selves Christians.

Spiritually, it means resurrection——a rising
out of the flesh into the spirit; out of the
earthly into the heavenly ; out of darkness into
light; out of ignorance into knowledge; out
of the rudimental into the angel order; out of
persons into principles ; out of the human into
the divine ; out of malice and hatred into char-
ity and love; out of sin and selfishness into a
life of purity and holiness. Just in propor-
tion as these principles are carried out practi-
cally, mankind will progress into one universal
brotherhood and an enduring peace. . This is
what we call progression in the right direction.

J. S. Pnnscorr.

 

What do We Worship?

EDITOR or “ THE SHAKER :” Mr ESTEEMED
BROTHER IN CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP :——Re-
eently, while re-reading the editorial in the
September number of THE SHAKER, in which
the question is put, “ Which shall We worship,
persons or principles ?” I fell into the following
train of thought concerning worship:

If we ask, VVhat is worship? the answer
would undoubtedly be : Gimng the heart’s
strongest aficctions to some object earthly or
heavenly, human or divine. The element of
worship is inherent in every human being.
Objects of Worship are many and varied, from
savageism to saintism. The pen of the historian
has made apathway up through a labyrinth of
strange experiences during the ages past; and
aided by the reflex of present revelation, natural
and spiritual, we are enabled to go back to our
antecedents, and learn somewhat of their status,
habits ‘ of life, and modes of thought, and
thereby can measui'e the discreet degrees of
growth, from point to point, or from cycle to
cycle, in human progress.

It is said that “ God created the heavens and
the earth, the sea and the dry land,” and gave
his decrees concerning them, and pronounced
all very good as they came from his hand. “ The
heavens declare the glory of God, and the
firmament showeth his handiwork,” sang the
sweet‘ psalmist of Israel, while he called upon
the sun, moon and stars, the hills and moun-
tains, rivers and streams, birds of the air, the
fishes of the sea, and the beasts of the field, to
praise God, all of which, in their turn, have
been deified and worshiped by man.

Is what we call idol-worship, Whether in the
form of a molten calf, an image, sculptured from
the rock, the sacred beasts and birds, or the
sun and his satellites, the grossest form of wor-
ship? Many of the heathen Gods were,
without doubt, only symbols to the worshiper,
pointing to a higher divinity; we will call them
materialistic worshipers. .And, inasmuch as
God pronounced the matter good which they
afterwards converted into genii, perhaps it is
not so much Wonder after all that they fell into
error and displaced what God had put into

\

6

THE SHAKER.

order, and made confusion in the elements,
just as thousands of ignorant, undeveloped
children have done, who did not comprehend
their parents’ designs. It appears to me, that
whatever uplifts tl1e spirit above the sensuous
plane of thoughts and action most effectually,
is the most worthy of the heart’s affections;
and whatever leads to sensuality and those
passions which God did not create, and never
pronounced good, which are fed and strength-
ened from the hells beneath, should be the most
abhorrent to an intelligent, human soul.

Some individuals are constitutionally more
devotional than others ; thus it is with nations ;
but, taken as a whole, We are all worshipers in
some form. VVorship is a component part of
our being; and all have an ideal god or gods,
before whom to bow and pay homage. Not
the lowest worship is that which “ sees God in
clouds and hears Him in the winds.”

In this enlightened age and nation, where
there is so much freedom, expansion of thought,
and religious culture, would we not spurn the
idea of making brazen images for worship?
And yet are there no sculptured works of art
extant to-day, which are not only admired but
worshiped? If the knee does not bend before
them, the affections are placed upon them.

How many, in our own time, eonsecrate their
lives and give their power unto the god of war,
and seek to satiate their ambitious desires by
becoming heroes in battle! and with hands yet
dripping in the blood of those who were inno-
cent of crime, and had never done an injury to
them or their country, but who were forced to
the cannon’s mouth by the cruel mandates of
the war-power—-how such will exult in their
conquests, and the people throughout the length
and breadth of the land, sing praises to them,
and do them great honor!

Where is‘ the Christian’s God while all this
is being enacted ? Do we say that antagonistic
elements have so convulsed the ruling powers
of earth, that this is mercy’s means to establish
justice and equity in the land; and that such
mighty upheavings and earth—throes are for the
purification of the people ? Alas for humanity’s
redemption, if it can only be wrought out by
the sword! Again: Is not fashion the great
Moloch of the day ? and at his altar do not all,
from the prince to the peasant, how the knee
and worship? Is not honesty, chastity, and
integrity sacrificed there ? No matter how
absurd and unphilosophical the fashion may
be, those who are not found in it are contemned;
and, rather than endure the scorn of those who
revel in luxury and wealth, and crush with
the weight of public opinion, they sell their
virtue and go down to the chambers of death!
And while the god of war and the goddess of
fashion are so faithfully served; the fires of
sensuality will never be extinguished; the hells
will be supplied with plenty of fuel to keep
them burning!

But while we look with deep pity upon those
who, instead of standing in moral rectitude, on
middle groundibetween the higher and lower
spheres, are descending downward below “the
beasts that perish,” we look with joy and hope
upon a large band of earnest laborers in the
field of moral reform and spiritual progress,
who are putting forth their best energies to

better the condition of humanity. The hosts,
who inhabit the spirit rea.lms, are marshaling
their armies, and preparing to do battle on the
higher plane of spiritual truth; not with carnal
weapons will they be found fighting, yet by the
aid of spiritual power they will conquer.
Ascending scales are already placed by the
united effort of men and angels, which reach
from earth to heaven. Thousands of hands
and hearts are reaching up to angel spheres,
“Give us food that perisheth not;
clothe us with robes such as angels wear, even
virgin purity, at the expense of all thoseezvorldly
lusts which war against the soul’s peace, which
have myriads of worshipers.” While they
reach upward, God’s ministers of love are
reaching down to clasp their hands and lift
them up to higher and still higher degrees on
the upward scale; that they also may in turn
become ministers of saving power and grace to
other souls; and as they rise into the etherial
and divine elements, the clearer and more per-
fect their vision becomes, and the easier it is to
comprehend the great Cause of all causes, who
dwells in the most interior heaven of all hcayens,
and is the central sun from which alllight and
truth radiate and to which all converge, there
the true God is worshiped in spirit and in truth.
A. DOOLITTLE.

Heavenly Love.

crying :

When man woke to life, from the plastic
clay, he was but animal; when God breathed
into his nostrils the breath of love, he became
a living soul. Without love, man would have
been a savage, and the earth a wilderness.
Unrestrained by its benign influence, his bad
passions would have become lawless deprada-
tions upon earth, and the harvest of death,
through man, would have kept pace with the
harvest of life through his Creator. But,
thank God for the gift of His spirit of love, to
soothe and restrain the perverse instincts of
man’s nature. As the planets, with all their
fearful velocity and awful momentum, are yet
held, by the silent force of the sun’s attrac-
tion, within the path markedrout for them by
Deity, so with the bad passions of man; they
are subject to the law of love, and, however
wide the sphere of their departure, they can-
not resist her influence, and will yield, even at
their aphelion, to the omnipotence of her con-
trol. T’

In the physical universe the law of gravity
is not more illimitable in its empire, nor more
universal in its controlling influence, than the
law of love in the universe of sentient exist-
ences.

Wherever being is, or space unfolds,
There love exists. inspires, controls.

“Then the morning stars sang together for
joy, love was there, as she will be, when their
requiem is sung—ruler of the spheres.

All that God has ever made, loves and does
him full reverence, save only man.

Love is man’s only entirely unselfish at-
tribute. He may be honest from policy; be-
nevolent for the relief of unpleasant sensations
that wretchedness awakens; beneficent for the
glory following it; prayerful that he may avert
hell, or purchase Heaven; but to love and
cherish his fellow man as himself, is to be
more than human—this is divine.

»

Love is a true friend that never forsakes us
while God is with us. VVhen our horizon is
overshadowed with darkness, there will love
be to give each cloud 9. silver lining. Love
with us, our star of hope shall never set, nor
our skies ever be without the bow of promise!
VVhose love rules, the skies are all serene;
with moon and stars brightly shining, as the
greater and lesser angels that proclaim the
glory of God. VVhen hate usurps, then fierce
winds, dread thunders, red lightnings flashing,
hold fearful revelry.

Love is day, bright, beautiful ; hate is night,
chaotic, fearful; love is life, glorious, immor-
tal ; hate is death, impenitent, terrible; love is
the tropic with its balmy breezes, spicy groves,
sparkling fountains, singing birgls and golden
skies ; hate is the poles with their icebergs and
frozen solitudes, where the sun never rises, nor
darkness ever sets.

To love only those that love us, our fathers,
mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters and
friends, is purely selfish, and wholly human;
to recognize all mankind as our brotherhood,
is Godlike; the one is the genial Warmth 01
the domestic fireside, diffusing cheer and solace
to ourself, family and friends; the other the sun-—
fit emblem of its Creator——-dispersing light and
heat to cheer and solace the whole human race.

To love those only who are lovely or ad-
mirable, is equally unchristian. VVe must
love all, and most especially those who would
most profit by our love. lVherever love will
encourage the timid or reclaim the backslider,
warm the cold, or melt the stony heart, hu-
manize the savage, or christianize the moralist,
there is the place, then is the time, and those
are the proper objects of our love.

Love is the mightiest of all magicians. At
her touch the lion becomes a lamb; the stubborn
rock gushes with sweet waters ; the dumb
speak; the deaf hear; the blind see; the desert
buds and blossoms an oasis of beauty, and man
and angels rejoice that Jesus died not in vain.

God made happiness, and the only conditions
on which it is attainable; and man might as
well attempt to stay the comet in its flight, as
to attain happiness on any other terms. God’s
law of happiness is love.

W'aken the illustrious tenants of the tombs;
the renowned lawgivers ; the all—co'nquering he-
roes; all who worshiped at the temple of fame,
and they will tell us that the dazzling heights
they had attained above their fellow men, only
enabled them to observe, the more conspicu-
ously, the road to happiness they had so vainly
sought, winding through lowly valleys down
beneath their feet. They had toiled from
youth to age for fame as the most certain means
of happiness, and died broken hearted, that
they had lived in vain——in vain because they
had only learned how to use, not love their
fellow men. Their dearly-bought fame, like
their shadows, followed them only to the tomb,
and disappointment is the only epitaph upon
their monuments that the touch of time has
not obliterated!

Love has a magnetic atmosphere of its own,
that attracts to itself everything good and
pure, and repels everything unholy and im-
pure. In the presence of one filled with pure,
heavenly love, we cannot but feel its inspira-
tion, and become better by its influence.

THE SHAKER

. '7

Jesus did not convert his followers by his
eloquence, but won them by his love. When
he spoke to them, with the force of reason, of
their lost condition, they only feared him;
when he spoke to them With the power of love,
they adored him.

In the ministry to his fellows, love is the
only agency confided to man that is irresistible
in its force, and infallible in its operation upon
the human heart. Armed with this, he goes
forth a conqueror, and doubts flee before him
as darkness before the rising sun.

Like calorie and electricity, love permeates
all things—no heart so hard but it will pene-
trate—-no spirit so stubborn but it will subdue.

Steel and gunpowder may kill the body, but
cannot harm the soul; they may subjugate,
but cannot reform; they may afflict, but love
is the only power that can save the world.

If we would that our pathway through this
world be one of pleasantness and peace; that
our every pulse shall throb with joy; that all
the golden hours that may come to us here
shall be laden with happiness; if we would
that our eyes be opened that we may see, and
our ears unstopped that we may hear the angels
of light, as they sing the songs of the redeemed
around the throne of God, then let pure,
heavenly love be and abide with us, and become
our guiding star to the better land—-from the
spheres of the lustful and unregenerate.

E.’ T. LEGGETT.

Love to God.

“ VVith all thy heart.”

Love is natural to the human heart. Ex-
tremely diflicult is it, if not impossible, to find
an individual that does not cherish affection
for some person or thing. It matters not into
What paths of error and sin one has strayed,
there is still in the inmost soul a spot that is
capable of being affected by the sweeter emo-
tions. ls it necessary to refer to more than
one example to prove this statement? Can
the gall of hatred be more intense in bitterness
than that engendered by religious bigotry?
And yet, when indulged in to its utmost limit,
its innocent victim recognized, by his prayer
for the forgiveness of his murderers, pleading
their capacity for something infinitely better.

Love is as varied in its kinds as the indi-
viduals who exercise it, and of every possible
degree. How strong is the affection of some
mothers for their children!_ They are ready, at
all times, to sacrifice their own lives for the
welfare of such. But in others how weak the
tie that binds them to their offspring! What
indifference to their Welfare, if not positive
aversion towards them! And yet these same
parents will exhibit an enthusiastic admiration
of a dress, a flower, or apiece of music. It is
said the celebrated Madame de Stael could pass
through a country of the most enchanting
natural scenery, without being attracted in the
least by its loveliness. And yet she was a
woman of wonderful natural endowments, and
of great culture. She possessed a. love of the
beautiful, but it was that beauty which is dis-
played in man rather than that which is without
him. Intellect possessed charms for her that
external nature did not; and she could be
enthusiastic over that which pertained to hu-

manity-—-its antiquities, its literature of all
kinds, its past history or present condition.

Love will increase by cultivation, not in the
same degree in all, for there must be recognized
a natural difference in the faculty of loving
possessed by different persons as in everything
else pertaining to human nature ; yet it will
“ grow with one’s growth and strengthen with
his strength,” if carefully and constantly cher-
ished. It is often very feeble in its manifesta-
tions, and its possessors, instead of - fanning
into greater life the p11re flame, allow it to be-
come wholly obscured by carelessness, or else,
by their excesses, to degenerate into that which
is altogether unworthy of the name. “Love
suffereth long and is kind,” but that which is
allowed to take its place soon changes. to aver-
sion and hatred. Genuine love, is free from
every taint of impurity, and those who possess
it in its fullness “love each other with a pure
heart fervently.”

Love always has g0a.dne.9s as its supreme
object; hence God, who is love, is the Sn-
premely Good. The human heart that is im-
bued with love cannot fail to love the Infinitely
Good. It recognizes God everywhere, and
adores him with an unerring instinct as well as
with the force of the highest reason. It per-
ceives the Adorable in created beings, especially
in such as by increasing culture exhibit the
divine traits in their greatest perfection, whether
physical, intellectual or moral; and in loving
them, love the Divine. It perceives him in the
various divinely established relations—father,
mother, sister and brother; but especially
where these relations, by the purity and per-

those subsisting in the eternal abodes. It sees
him in the outward universe——in the unnum-
bered worlds that move forever around and
among each other with so nice adjustment; in
the sublimity of mountain scenery; in the
beauty of field and forest, lake and river, tree,
shrub and flower; as well in the varied sounds
that charm the ear, the colors that delight the
eye, or the fragrance that pleases the sense of
smell, as in those things that appeal to the in-
most faculties of the soul——purity, truth, meek-
ness, kindness and benevolence.

The emotions enkindled by the contempla-
tion of such things are all of a joyous nature.
Love is joy to the soul. It is quietness and
assurance fonever. There is nothing in it de-
basing, but that which is perpetually elevating.
It changes from glory to glory by the inspira-
tions of the Divine Spirit; so that its first
degrees, or the feeble flickerings of its primi-
tive light, become lost in the splendor of that
which succeeds them, and which will forever
succeed; for love to God, who is infinite and
eternal, must be perpetually increasing, and
the soul whose love at first seemed weak and
variable, will, ultimately, by constant growth,
become strong and unchanging in love as God
himself, so that he could no more transgress
the divine law, or fall short of its requirements,
than he could annihilate a world.

Such is the nature of Christian love, that
which was manifested by Jesus Christ while
upon the earth, and which has been experi-
enced by multitudes who have followed him in
the regeneration, or the new life of love. This

manency of the connecting ties, shadow forth‘

love is consistent with everything that is ex-
cellent in the universe, and is incompatible
only with sin. “All things are yours,” is the
emphatic language of the Apostle addressed to
Christians. All things, whether on earth or
in heaven; for he whom they love with un-
ceasing adoration has all things in himself—an
infinite store-—which he bestows with unstinted
hand upon such as are “made partakers of the
Divine Nature, having escaped the corruptions
that are in the world through lust.”
W. H. B.

Religious Organization — Shaker
Homes.

A retrospective view of past eras shows that
erring humanity has wrought much in bar-
mony in the world, and builded that which
must be pulled down and cast away to give
place to something better, more enduring, as
the race advances to more progressed condi-
tions. ‘

The past has had its prophets and prophet-
esses; with eagle eyes they pierced the future;
and while their hearts were touched a.nd quick-
ened by inspirational power, they foretold the
coming of a day when the Highest would be-
gin to show his city which in the Apocalypse
is called the New Jerusalem. God’s city,
builded in the heavens, coming down from Him
to earth, “ where discipline should be kept in
peace,” and the sound of war would not be
heard, and wherein Wisdom would hide his
treasures from the carnally wise and sensually
corrupt, and reveal them to the pure in
heart, and the meek should possess them. And
the Apostle Paul, by faith, saw a perfected,
organized body, having one Lord, one faith
and one baptism, in perfect unity of feeling,
having progressed beyond the childhood con-
dition of being tossed and carried about with
every wind of doctrine; a body having many
members working effectually for the increase
of the whole, inone fitly joined compact.

Such an organization, founded upon divine
revelation, is beginning to be known, and as
in the harvest the wheat of the husbandman
appears, so in due time God is revealed as
Father and Mother. N 0 longer we cry Abba,
Father; now, true, legitimate sons and daugh-
ters are brought .forth and commenced to build
the New Jerusalem according to the pattern
formed in the heavens. The lessons of past
ages have not been wasted. The present is a
time of deep searching and inquiry, and to a
great extent, of religious aspiration; and thou-
sands are positive dissenters from all popular
creeds, and are seeking for an organization
that shall combine the eficiency, purity and
simplicity of the true church of Christ. The
light of divine truth is shining upon humanity,
and a spiritual power is at work that will
shake the false systems that man has builded.
Those who inhabit the New Jerusalem, or
Shaker Order, must leave the old, and become
new creatures in Christ, having their affections
placed on things above—forsaking the acciden-
tal or partial relationships of earth, and form-
ing the perfect Christian character by living
like angels in the resurrection heavens. The
ties and affections which bind kindred relations
together on the natural plane, are good and

8

THE SHAKER.

useful in their place ; but that which was even
once glorious, by the law of progression ceases

' to be glorious, as that Which is freedom to-day
may become bondage to-morrow.

The spiritual elements are full of signs, which
give promise of a greater fulfillment of prophecy
than has yet been given—-“ the heavens hast-
eth ”—the angels work, and mortals must
work. The spirits call for more of the angelic,

less of the Adamic. Vile‘ need to learn to
“ dwell in everlasting burnings,” until self-
pride and all that is not godly and true is con-
sumed in the soul. Those who learn to praise
God in the fires of truth, will become so puri-
fied and refined as to reflect the image of the
purifier. Such, whether on earth or in the
spirit spheres, Will form a heavenly home of
peace, founded upon eternal principles.
JANE KNIGHT.

The Shakers.

 

 

PAST——PRESENT—-FUTURE.

Shaker life contains nothing so mysterious
but which can be fully understood by its sub-
jects. It makes no promises of rewards, nor
punishments, excepting the effects of practical
life as led by mankind in particular. V/Vhoever
can look for the just recompense of their doings,
without that , expectation of favor, mythical
theologians instruct, are men of reason, far
removed from superstitious, man-made creeds.
And this class have made, are sustaining, and
are ripening to sustain, the Shaker Order.

In the autumn of 1776, a half~dozen individ-
uals, from England, entered the wilderness of
W'atervliet, N. 37., built their log house, and
began a life of religious communism, similar
to the primitive Christians, relying upon direct
communication from the angel-spheres for the
knowledge how to do and to be.

They had a testimony to impart, that they
knew would be very unpalatable to all, except-
ing those who had become so thoroughly dis-
gusted with sensuality, and who felt themselves
lost to all spirituality ; with no hopes of gain-
ing power over that nor improving in this by
adherence to the theologies of the times. For-
tunately, of this number, there were a few.
The times seemed unpropitious for their mis-
sion. ‘War was uppermost in the minds of the
people. Their gospel taught purity and peace;
and those who, from religious motives, would
not fight, were despised, fully as much, as are
those in our times who will not marry from the
same motives. Since the days of Jesus, the
World has never seen a Church begin and Sue-
ceed, which had so little Worldly sympathy, nor
Whose future seemed so full of despair.

This “little flock ” boldly enunciated their
testimony—which, cutting keenly those de-
sires worldly people love best, raised a storm
of persecution; and, for years, they suffered
abuses that the people of to-day would hardly
believe. The Church grew. Its’ adherents
were a noble class of people, religiously in-
clined——from that class that were “ poor in
spirit” and in temporal things. By united
efforts, industry, and complete trust in Provi-
dence, they soon had a competence, and in less
than thirty years inaugurated fifty or more
communities, or large families, containing more
than a thousand persons, with real estate ex-

.__\_

ceeding a million of dollars’ value. Their
object was two-fold : First, the accomplishment
of their own salvation, beginning with their
thoughts and feelings, and continuing to the
ends of their fingers-—-and they found much
salvation Worked out at their fingers’ ends.
Secondly, they determined to found institutions
where those, who were overtaken by the same
convictions as themselves, could gather together
and more successfully achieve the practical
results of the cross—-Salvation. To the Shakers
of the past,
run SHAKERS OF THE PRESENT

owe a wonderful debt of gratitude. Counting
back fifty years, and those things that were
necessarily neglected, in order to establish
homes for the body as well as paths for the
soul, began to appear as possible and necessary.

Schools for mental discipline began to assume
an importance, second only to those valued sea-
sons-—deep labors for the purification of the
heart. Still the same motto is held now, as of
yore: “ Seek first the kingdom of God,” before
expecting “ aught else should be added.” And
could our ancestors have gained for us, an
advancement of soul equal to the homes they
have provided for us (and this anti-christian
idea, “ Jesus paid it all, ete.,” is very preva-
lent), then we might, long since, have added
many things which those not of us complain
because we have not, and do not realize the
Wherefore. VVe have, unreasonably, been
charged with despising progression into the arts
and sciences of the day. “ Have you libraries,
pianos, Greek, Latin, and aesthetic literature
and manners?” is the very common‘ inquiry!
But, “What is your soul-advancement E” is
abroad, begging investigators! Little as we
have progressed into music, letters and arts, we
yetrealize how true it is, these things do not
bring purification——it is “the spirit, Christ, that
giveth life !” and other specifications of educa-
tion are secondary, and we have an eternity to
acquire them; we never expect to die! lVe
are, at times, the subjects of a withdrawal of
spiritual light; the present is such a season
with the Shakers; but as surely as morning
succeeds the night, and spring the winter, so
surely do we know an increasing light is at
hand. lVe need not half the faith, fortitude
nor endurance our spiritual ancestors had, for
/with our very favorable surrounding comforts
We can “ wait upon the Lord ” in all confidence,
though many have permitted their lights to grow
dim, and themselves “to go out from among us.”
Darkness does not reign supreme, as in some
past Shaker-history it has so appeared; we
are more favored; we are just as hopeful; and
the world at large needs om‘ tcst2'm0ng/, much
more than we need members! We are supposed
to be wealthy by many : excepting the millions
of dollars’ worth of real estate we possess, this
is not true. The majority of Shaker Commu-
nities have a very lean bank account—in fact,
many individuals in New York city could buy
out the whole number of Communities, if we
would sell.’ Just why We do not make more
money, must be left for another article to show.
\Ve are already experiencing the fulfillment of
our founder: “ Souls will flock to you like
doves to their cots, by hundreds and by thou-
sands !” and we have seen more than this num-

ber flocking to Shaker principles for years!
and, at the same time, we have too many flock-
ing to our temporal doors, who have only those
seven principles at heart--five leaves and two
fishes. Of \
THE SIIAKEBS or THE FUTURE

we need only say a few words. Reasoning
from causes to their effects, we will not be
Charged with speculation. Vile are witnesses
of ripe scholarship, in all that adorns earthly
life, very common among the people: Arts,
sciences, mechanics, aesthetics, etc., are educat-
ing the masses. These are finding their theol-
ogy is not religion ; that religion has salvation in
it ; that salvation will appear as a positive neces-
sity; for they will be touched by the quicken-
ing power of the Spirit of God, that will cause
all earthly acquirements to appear: as dross in
comparison to the salvation of the angel-life.
Spiritualism will be the science of a new con-
dition ; and, all other pursuits neglected until
this condition is reached, the use of acquired
abilities will return, and together with their
souls, be consecrated to the pure purposes of
God. We are few and ignorant now; by-the-
by we shall be the many and of the most wise
on the earth! And as, in the spiritual heav-
ens there are more souls than in earth and hell
together, so will these heavens baptize and con-
secrate the useful of the earth. And none
need fear our numerical force, any more than
our poverty of numbers; for “ Christians
never did, never can fight.” *

B6" Bound copies of the iirst volume of THE
SIIAKER, may be obtained by application to the
President Editor. Price, Two Dollars ; extra binding,
Three Dollars; unbound, 75 cents.

355° Any parties sincerely solieitous of a thorough
explanation of Shaker views of religion; and who
would willingly bear the expenses, in trrmsitu, of a
Lecturer, to discourse upon “Religious Commun-
ism; ” or “Ann Lee and the People called SIzaK'ers,"’
may conimunieate with this Office. G. A. Lomas,
Shakers, Albany Co., N. Y.

Deceased at Mt. L., Nov. 7, Mary E. Oliphant, aged ‘.26.

“ “ “ “ 26. Jane Ann O’Hare, “ 26.

Deceased at Shakers, N. Y., Nov. 29, Margaretta Lan-
nuir, aged 70. '

MEMBERS’ or soemrr '
flppointed to answer Corresprrndents, among
whom are the Board of Editors.

Elclerl“. W. Evans. Mt. Lebanon, Columbia 00., N.Y.
“ Issachar Bates, Shakers, N. Y.
“ Calvin G. Reed, Mt. Morris, Livingston Co.,
N. Y.
“ Simon Mabee, West Pittsfield, Mass.
“ Stoughton Kellogg, Thonipsonville, Conn.,
Shakers.
“ Albert Battles, Tyringham, Berkshire Co.,
Mass.
“ Wm. Leonard, Ayer, Mass.. Shakers.
“ Jonas Nutting, Shirley Village, Middlesex Co.,
Mass.
“ Nehemiah Trnll, Shaker Village, Merrimack
Co., N. H. .
“ Henry Cummings, Enfield, Grafton Co., N. H.
“ John B. Vance, Alfred, Shakers, York Co., Me.
“ . Alonzo Gilman, W’ est Gloucester, Cumberland
Co., Me., Shakers.
“ Chas. Clapp, Union Village, Warren Co., 0.,
Shakers.

“ Ezra Sherman, Preston, Hamilton Co., 01110,.

Shakers.
“ Stephen Ball, Dayton. Shakers, Ohio.
“ Jacob Kulp, Pleasant Hill, Mercer Co., Ky.
“ J. R. Eades, South Union. Logan Co., Ky.
“ J. S. Prescott, Cleveland, Ohio, Shakers.