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

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The Peg Board 1936 optimistically to hope and trust in it. The proof of its perfect goodness is worth seeking for the faith in it, when established is the only source and sustenance of soul peace. Jesus taught us to pray for the Kingdom of God's righteousness within usg and we may find it when we have understood what its existence requires. The worship of God is the first re- quirement. The love of each other among mankind is the second. To look for the good in everyone is then a privilege and a duty. That we may not see it at any time merely shows our inability. But the fact of a ruling God insures the goodness of everything. R. R. M. 'jr' THE DAIRY Photograph by Winthrop B. Coffin, 'as Elisha Blakemaxfs Journal ISTER Emma has recently discovered the journal of Elisha Blakeman, who was a member of the Church Family, and has kindly made its contents available for the Peg Board. Brother Blakeman had charge ofthe boys in the Church Family and directed them in their work outside of school. It has not yet been possible to examine this journal with thoroughness, but we shall quote a few entries and the poem written by Blakeman when he reached the age of fifty. This poem, here published for the first time, reflects the fine and noble qualities of the true Shaker spirit: june xo, 1867 Clean out sheep hovels to-day. E' scatters corn at the Hatch lot, in the cornfield, poisoned with ext. of Ignatia bean-to kill crows-they have pulled up a great deal of corn. Sept. Io, 1867 ' E'and seven boys go to Whiting's pond for pleasure etc. get some of that important commodity-Andrew Fortier took us down-and we came back on the South Mountain, i. Elisha. 80

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1936 The Peg Board wrote she believed she would turn her out, and when I was out of business and money, I prayed God lo Help me to make my mother comfortable, ...... I was immediately given a thought which was followed by others which overcame all the difficulties at which all marvelled. I write this which was a deliverance to me like that of Israel from Egypt. May I never forget it or the goodness of God at that particular time. Sister Emma says that Arthur Ewell came to Mount Lebanon from the Harvard Shakers, when they closed the Square House. He was not a Shaker, but was in close contact with them from the year of his mother's death in 1902 until T907 at which date he removed to Mt. Lebanon. Some time before 1902 he married. This is only conjecture, for there is no record of this under- taking in any of the available note-books, and it is likely that, had it been in the period between 1902 to 1907, he would have made some entry to that effect. At all events, on Sept. 23, 1907, Monday eve. he makes the following entry: One week ago H. 81 I left for Mt. Lebanon, returned today. Many divine blessings have come meantime to us, most marvelous, and unexpected, and needed-Thanks to God. Eldress Anna went Sat. Sep. 21. IQO7-Oh Friday 20 Sep. Elder bro't good news. This good news must have been that he and H., who was his wife ', were able to move to Mt. Lebanon, for his next entry reads: Octo. 20. 1907. Sunday. P.M. Mount Lebanon. Slight snow fall today. Melted as it came. We came to Ann Lee Cottage Octo. 1 1907. I spoke in meeting today-as Elder Timothy invited any to do so. The No. family did not attend. We supped at their house on Fri. last-and I related anecdotes of the Old Oaken Bucket-and days of the civil war. At Mt. Lebanon Dr. Arthur Ewell taught mathematics. Sister Emma speaks of him as a brilliant man and excellent teacher, who could teach the dull as well as the bright. He was constantly awake to the differences in his pupils and treated them as individuals in dealing with their separate problems. He was never idle. Beside teaching he was always ready to do all manner of other work. He would crack butternuts, help Emilia in the dairy, or even carry mail to Lebanon Springs. He considered no form of endeavor as unworthy of the effort he put into it. He continued his spiritual science with interruptions until the end. In his last note-book, among his incomprehensible chemico-spiritual ,calculations we find this paragraph, which may give some idea of the mind and belief of the man: Learning that we have an anticipative nature which is called spiritual, we try to satisfy the conditions of the natural material life in a way to philosophically harmonize our conduct as the plan of God provides. In the mathematical law of Evolution we saw the course of the salvation of Christ. It is well to observe the logical necessity for such a course as indicated in ordinary experience, thereby confirming the deductions of the Evolution law in the case of Christian Salvation. This is based on the knowledge of God's relation to us and of ours to him. This is so valuable as to demand evidence of it. The awful and tremendous power in the world of matter, and the subtle power of thoughts and de- sires show this executive manifestation to any observer attending to it. The wonderful nature of things of every kind with which we'are acquainted shows that the governing power is managed in a masterful and excellent way such as suggests an infinite intelligence. All this display of rational action includes blessed features as of loving kindness and of tender mercies. We do not see this at first till our spiritual consciousness has been called out. The more we discern its necessity for our happiness, we are led the more to seek 8. Sister Emma states that Dr. Ewell came to Mt. Lebanon with the three Bush sisters, who were the founders of Belvidere Seminary Names of two were Harriet CDL Ewel1's wife? and Belle. Name of third sister not known. CAuthor's Nobel. 79

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1936 The Peg Board trying the endurance of our legs. E bought each boy an 8 cent maplesugar cake at the S.F.' office. Sept. 19, 1867 Secretary Stanton and Co. here to pay us a visit. November 18, 1867 Boys commence going to school for this season. March xo, 1869 E. Fifty years old this day. Thus half a cent'ry has vanished away And here I am, with the dear little boys, Enduring with patience their prattle and noiseg Fourteen in number, and quite good they are, This truth with pleasure, I now do declare, And may they all live in peace love and joy And in Mother's gospel their time well employ. I love them sincerely, and for them I live, To help them to God my time freely give. To see them increasing in virtue and loveg Fills me with thanks to my Father above, And though they have failings, yet I can see Goodness enough to endear them to me, An old man, full of sorrows and tears, Old-though I've seen but just fifty yearsg Old-for disease hath prey'd on me long, But God is my help-in Him I am strong. And thus I am able to work, sing and pray, Rejoicing in goodness each live-long day. The Mount Lebanon Antiquarian Society T ONE of the early meetings of the Union, Mr. Cowardin suggested that there be formed here at school a society for the preservation of the innumerable Shaker antiquities to be found at Mount Lebanon. His suggestion was met with enthusiastic approval, and arrangements were made for a meeting at a future date of those interested. Those who appeared at the meeting set about to elect ofiicers and decide other prominent questions concerning the actions of the society. The officers elected were Douglas H, West, president, Charles T. Davenport, vice-president: and Samuel Pendleton Cowardin III, secretary and treasurer. Members other than those con- nected with The Lebanon School are to be classified as associate members. The following is a list of the charter members of the Mount Lebanon Antiquarian Society: Winthrop B. Coffin, Henry M. Colvin, S. P. Cowardin, Jr., S. P. Cowardin III, Charles Davenport, Winthrop Endi- cott, James D. Fryer, McLean Griffin, Nathaniel Grifiin, Thomas O. Grisell, Sinclair D. Hart, Miss Dorothea B. Hendricks, Charles H. Jones, Mrs. Charles H. Jones, Donald McConaughy, Jr., Richard R. Miller, Mrs. Ellen S. Muller, John Nicholson III, Charles Rhodes, Lee Sumner Richards, Ir., Dutton Smith, Frederick Tillinghast III, John A. Vreeland, Jr., Douglas H. West, Eugene S. West. The Society aims to work to preserve any and all antiquities to be found here in our colony, and will gratefully receive any contributions from outsiders. Any person, whether he be con- nected with the school or not, is eligible for associate membership. It is the hope of the members to work towards building up our collection of antiquities which is now housed in the museum 1 The South Family. 81