Darrow School - Shaker Post Yearbook (New Lebanon, NY)

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1936 The Peg Board The worshipers soon arose, and approached from opposite ends of the room, until the two front rows were within two yards of each other, the women modestly casting their eyes to the floor. The benches were then instantly removed. There they stood in silence, in serried columns like platoons in military, while two rows of men and women stood along the wall, facing the audience. From these came a grave personage, and standing in the centre of the worshipers, addressed them with a few words of exhortation. All stood in silence for a few minutes at the conclusion of his remarks, when they began to sing a hymn of several verses to a lively tune, and keeping time with their feet. In this, as in all of their songs and hymns, they did not pause at the end of each verse, but kept on without rest and with many repetitions until the whole hymn was completed. Elder Evans then came for- ward, and addressing a few words to the audience, asked them to regard the acts of worship before them with respectful attention. This request was unnecessary, for there was nothing in the entire performance calculated to elicit any other than feelings of deepest respect and serious contemplation. After two other brethren had given brief testimonies, the worshipers all turned their backs to the audience, except those of the two wall rows, and commenced a backward and forward march, or dance, in a regular springing step, keeping time to the music of their voices, while their hands hung closely to their sides. The wall rows alone kept time with their hands moving up and down, the palms turned upward. The singing appeared like a simple refrain and a chorus of too-ral-loo, too-ral-loo, while all 'the move- ments with hand, foot, and limb were graceful. The worshipers now stood in silence a few moments, when they commenced singing another hymn, with chorus like the last. When it was ended, they retired to each end of the room, the benches were replaced, and the men and women again sat down opposite each other. Elder Evans then came forward, and, in an able discourse of almost an hour, expounded the peculiar doctrines of the Shakers, especially that which relates to the duality of God as male and female, and the second advent of Christ upon earth in the person of Ann Lee, the founder of the Society. When he had ceased all the worshippers arose, the benches were removed, and they formed themselves into serried ranks as before. Then, with graceful motions, they gradually changed their position into circular form, all the while moving with springing step, in unison with a lively tune. In the centre stood twenty-four singers in a circle, twelve men and twelve women, and around them, in two concentric circles, marched and countermarched the remainder of the worshipers, the men three and the women two abreast. A brief pause and they commenced another lively tune and march, all keeping time with their hands moving up and down, and occasionally clapping them three or four times in concert. The women were now three and the men two abreast. When the hymn ceased, with a prolonged strain, they all turned their faces toward the inner circle of singers. After another pause the worshipers commenced a hymn in slow and plaintive strain. The music was unlike any thing I had ever heard, beautiful, impressive, and deeply solemn. As it died away, the clear musical voice of a female was heard from the external circle, telling, in joyful cadence, how happy she felt as a member of that pure and holy community. To this many among the worshipers gave words of hearty concurrence. Another sweet female voice then commenced a hymn in which Mother Ann was celebrated. The entire body of worshipers formed into a single line, marched slowly around the central circle of singers, and as the strain ceased their hands fell gracefully to their sides, their bodies were inclined gently forward, and their thin hands were slowly raised and clasped over the waist. After a brief pause they commenced singing a lively spiritual song. The worshipers now formed four circles, with the singers as the central one, and held each other by the hand, the men and women separately. These circles symbolized the four great Dispensa- tions-the first from Adam to Abraham, the second from Abraham to Jesus, the third from Jesus to Mother Ann, and the fourth the present, which they hold to be the mil- lennial period. In this hymn they sang of Union, as exhibited by their linked handsg and when it had ceased they all lifted up their hands, and gave a subdued shout-the shout of victory-the final victory of Christ in all the earth, and the triumphs of the Shaker, or Millennial Church. 51 A

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TI i5fPOE?BO6B fd A 19 3 6 Photograph by Winthrop B. Coffin, '36 Photograph by Winthrop B. Coffin, '36 BOARD WALK AND DIAGONAL BRACING THE CEILING SEEN BETNVEEN TIE BEAMS F- 4:5 K 5 ,...o.1..N.,.L. W. -sig - A-nl! IQLDIQRS' WINDOXV FOUNDATION AND PIERS ,.. l uv' Photograph by Winthrop B. Coffin, '36 Photograph by Winthrop B. Coffin, '36 PRINCE POST AND ROOF THE FORET

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The Peg Board 1936 Three or four more songs and hymns, withgraceful dances or marches, and the ceremonials drew to a close. While singing the last sweet song, the men and women took their respective places at each end of the room, and stood facing each other. Elder Evans then addressed a few words of encouragement to them, and stepping forward, thanked the audience for their kind attention, and informed them that the meeting was closed.' THE RELIGIOUS MARCH Reproduced from Harper's Magazine, XV Uuly 18573, 169. The Ministry House By VVINTHROP ENDICOTT, ,37 HE SMALL brick house to the right of the Main Dwelling House, which is now occupied by the headmaster of The Lebanon School and his family, was, in the days of the Shakers, the home of the elders and eldresses. The elders lived on the north side of the house, and the eldresses on the south side, which is warmer and more sheltered. The house still has many of its original furnishings, and those which are not original are at least of Shaker workmanship. There are numerous old chests, chairs, tables, beds and boxes which make the bedrooms and living rooms very attractive. Perhaps the most interesting article in the house is an old Shaker box, similar to the smaller ones which are quite common as sewing baskets today, lined with what appears to be an old Shaker herb and medicine catalogue. In- teresting also are the typical Shaker beds. They are small, almost like trundle-beds, and have wheels on each leg, so that they can be moved about without scratching the Hoors. The house itself, as has already been mentioned, is a small brick house. It was erected in about 187 5, replacing a former frame Ministry House which stood on the same site and was burned down in the great fire of February 6, 1875. The elders and eldresses took all their meals with the other members of the family, in the Main Dwelling House, so there was no need of a kitchen. Where the kitchen is today were formerly two workshops. The attic of the house was used merely 1. Harpefs Magazine XV CJuly 18573 pp. 167 ff. 52