268 INCREASING WEALTH OF THE SHAKERS. 



u Christ in the female sex.&quot; As the natural birth 

 requires the co-operation of the two sexes,- so the work 

 of regeneration and the new birth could not be accom 

 plished until the second appearing of Christ in the per 

 son of Ann Lee ! 



This is much the same sort of stuff as Joe Smith tells 

 his Mormons about the necessity of the American Christ 

 which had been revealed in his own person. 



When any one joins the Society, he must be free from 

 debt ; and when, after the necessary probation, he signs 

 the covenant, he gives up the use and benefit of his pro 

 perty and his own services to the common support of the 

 order, or family. Members occasionally leave them, 

 however. In such cases it has been the custom to pro 

 vide for them, on their retirement, to an extent approach 

 ing to the pecuniary or other benefits they have bestowed 

 on the community. But, of course, such retirements are 

 neither contemplated nor encouraged. 



Their wealth is increasing, as one would expect, from 

 such a system administered by prudent hands 5 and con 

 siderable jealousy has been excited against them by the 

 idea that they might acquire a predominating local or 

 county influence, which by-and-by might be brought to 

 bear upon the elections. A law, passed in 1839, already 

 renders it illegal for any one of their societies to hold 

 real or personal property, either directly or indirectly, 

 the annual value of which, after deducting necessary 

 expenses, shall exceed 5000 dollars ; and prohibits any 

 person from being a trustee for more than one society 

 at the same time. This law has not been violated ; and 

 it will probably be many years yet, before any injury to 

 the political rights of the people of the State can be 

 seriously apprehended from this peaceful though foolish 

 sect, 



I found a number of boys in one of the work-rooms 

 busy packing up seeds and herbs. They appeared 



