Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1883 — Shakers. [ARTICLE]

Shakers.

.The Shaker doctrines, as now formulated, present the following points: Belief in a God who is over all. That in the Godhead are the male and female principles, Father and Mother. That created by Him and sent forth by Him, are many spirits who will guide safely those to whom they were sent. The highest of these spirits is the Christ, first descending upon Jesus, who was the son of Mary and Joseph, and then upon Ann Lee. The direct guidance of every believer by the Christ order of spirits. The rejection of thejbooks called the holy scriptures es containing all the word of God. The consequent disuse of the sacraments commanded in the Bible. The enforcement of virgin purity, abstinence from and from all that offends against chastity. ■ A community of goods, of affection and interests. The following of the moral virtues, love, peace, justice, holiness, goodness, truth. Au open confession of every known sin. Temperance, noli-resistance, freedom from worldly ambition,