Shaker Communities, United States
The American Shakers
A Celibate. Religious Community
Coeval with the American Republic: First Shaker Family formed at Watervliet. N. Y. 1776: First organized
shed at New Lebanon. N. Y.. 1788: Fifteen Shaker Societies
seven States of the
United States of America.
Beginnings.
"Shaking ANN LE er, England, 1750-l7 In religous reval o th
purpose of founding a Shaker Church in America. Eight remained faithfal. They were ANN LEE, William Lee,
James Whittaker, John Hocknell. James Shepherd, James Partington, Mary Partington. Nancy Lce.
Basic Pri ANN LEE'S TEAC ker Order.
VIRGIN PURITY, PEACE, JUSTICE, LOVE
expressed in CELIBATE LIFE, NON RESISTANCE, COMMUNITY OF GOODS, UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD
held to be the Divine Order of Society.
Resultant Beliefs and Practices Held as Ideals
TO BE ATTAINED IN THE INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY
ei n La
llworkig for ench sndd each for all
Property-No rich, no poor. Inu
Equality
WealthA United lnheritance.
Each using according to need.
Freedom of Sncech. Toleration in Thought and Religion óften nersecuted.
Temperaall SlaversC Ware. Habir Passion Peverty, Disease.
Pratical Beneolence Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,
True Democracy, Real Fraternity, Practical Living of the Golden Rule.
Religious Ideals and Worship.
All lile and activity animated by Christian Love is Worship. Shakers adore God as the Almighty Creator,
ntain of an d ai anifested in fulness in Jesus of Nazareth, also
Fou
ders in e Ne Creatin i t Christ csciusss awakens are Sons and Dahters of nd.
Spiritual man has, as his divine prerogative and highest destiny, to live in clear conception
mony with
and in active har-
The Life of the Spi
the form of expression is essential
Highest Good.
Practical Issues.
e
r lor all accerding to streneth and ability.
ands to work and hearts
God." (Ann Lee)
Opportunity for telectual and arlistic development, within the necessary limits prescribed by the common good.
Simplicity in dress, speech and manner
bits
Fdm from debt. worry and competition.
hahit
Government.
No Government, No God. No Body withouut a Head.
The Head of the Shaker Order is Christ. The Visible Human Representative is vested
na
Spiritual Lenders.
Temporal Leaders, of both sexes, Trustees, Deacons and Care-takers, in charge of Business and Industrial Interests.
f both sexes, a Ministry over Societies, Elders over Families
The Inner Life,
according to the Shaker Faith, is twofold, embracing
Repentance
h and unlaldment in the individual of the Christ Spirit, through living according to the
As opposed to the common life of haman generation and self6ch
teacangs ad practice of Jesus Christ.
Physical development, mental growth and spiritual unfoldment form the only rational basis for a harmonious
rt Sakeris are
k
and nappy
