moonkyi WESLEY ON METHODISM 941 



sorevexed. But suspicions of this kind made little impression upon 

 bis intoxicated understanding-; the fanaticism which he had excited in 

 others was now reacting upon himself. How should it have been other- 

 wise? A Quaker, who was present at one meeting and inveighed 

 against what he called the dissimulation of these creatures, caught 

 the contagious emotion himself, and even while he was biting his lips 

 and knitting his brows, dropped down as if he had been struck by light- 

 ning." (Southey's Wesley.) 



SHAKERS 



About the year 1750 there originated in England another peculiar 

 body of sectarians calling themselves the "United Society of Believers in 

 Christ's Second Appearing," but commonly known, for obvious reasons, 

 as Shakers. Their chief prophetess and founder was " Mother" Ann Lee, 

 whom they claim as the actual reincarnation of Christ. They claim also 

 the inspiration of prophecy, the gift of healing, and sometimes even 

 the gift of tongues, and believe in the reality of constant intercourse 

 with the spirit world through visions. In consequence of persecution 

 in England, on account of their public dancing, shouting, and shaking, 

 they removed to this country about 1780 and settled at New Lebanon, 

 New York, where the society still keeps up its organization. 



The best idea of the Shakers is given in a small volume by Evans, 

 who was himself a member of the sect. Speaking of the convulsive 

 manifestations among them, lie says: ''Sometimes, after sitting awhile 

 in silent meditation, they were seized with a mighty trembling, under 

 which they would often express the indignation of Cod against all sin. 

 At other times they were exercised with singing, shouting, and leaping 

 for joy at the near prospect of salvation. They were often exercised 

 with great agitation of body and limbs, shaking, running, and walking 

 the floor, with a variety of other operations and signs, swiftly passing 

 and repassing each other like clouds agitated with a mighty wind. 

 These exercises, so strange in the eyes of the beholders, brought upon 

 them the appellation of Shakers, which lias been their most common 

 name of distinction ever since." With regard to their dancing, he 

 says: "It is pretty generally known that the Shakers serve God by 

 singing and dancing; but why they practice this mode of worship is 

 not so generally understood. . . . When sin is fully removed, by 

 confessing and forsaking it, the cause of heaviness, gloom, and sorrow 

 is gone, and joy and rejoicing, and thanksgiving and praise are then 

 the spontaneous effects of a true spirit of devotion. And whatever 

 manner the spirit may dictate, or whatever the form into which the 

 spirit may lead, it is acceptable to Him from whom the spirit proceeds." 

 On one particular occasion, "previous to our coming we called a meet 

 iug and there was [sic] so many gifts (such as prophecies, revelations. 

 visions, and dreams) in continuation of a former revelation for us to 

 come that, some could hardly wait for others to tell their gifts. We had 

 a joyful meeting and danced till morning." 



