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Updated: June 23, 2025
Now they were here to unite their hands, and to declare the union of their hearts before the people. Then the eldress sat down and an elder arose, who bade the young people come forward to the centre of the line, where the elders and eldresses were sitting. He took his place behind them, and once more and for the last time he conjured them not to persist if they felt any doubt of themselves.
The Sisters assembled at the usual hour in the chapel; but not a word was said of the occurrence of the night. The nun was buried with ceremonies resembling those of Rome, and things went on as usual. The Mother Eldress, who was looked upon as a very saintly person, was at length taken ill, and Clara was ordered to attend on her.
She had disappeared after breakfast, while Susanna was helping Sister Tabitha with the beds and the dishes, but as she was the most docile of children, her mother never thought of anxiety. At nine o'clock Eldress Abby took Susanna to the laundry house, and there under a spreading maple were Sue and the two youngest little Shakeresses, children of seven and eight respectively.
Old Eldress Hannah's shrewd good-humor was as wholesome as a sound winter apple, and Nathan had a gayety Lewis had never suspected.
"I am not able to bear the Shaker life!" sighed Nathan. "Elder Gray allows there be such!" "Nor I," murmured Hetty. "Eldress Harriet knows I am no saint!" Hetty's head was now on Nathan's shoulder. The stiff Shaker cap had resisted bravely, but the girl's head had yielded to the sweet proximity.
Occasionally one of the members, more deeply moved than the rest, or perhaps in some tribulation of soul, asks the prayers of the others; or one comes to the front, and, bowing before the elder and eldress, begins to whirl, a singular exercise which is sometimes continued for a considerable time, and is a remarkable performance.
"There are roses on my cross most beautiful to see, As I turn from all the dross from which it sets me free," quoted Eldress Abby, devoutly.
"Yee," old Jane assented, "but He likes sense, Athalia, and there ain't any reason why two of us shouldn't take turns settin' up with her tonight." "This is my service," Athalia said, smiling joyously. Eldress Hannah, lying with closed eyes, said, suddenly: "Athalia, don't be foolish and conceited. You go right along to your bed; Jane and Mary'll look after me."
After the singing of a hymn, the elder usually makes a brief address upon holiness of living and consecration to God; he is followed by the eldress; and thereupon the ranks are broken, and a dozen of the brethren and sisters, forming a separate square on the floor, begin a lively hymn tune, in which all the rest join, marching around the room to a quick step, the women following the men, and all often clapping their hands.
"He can make the wrath of man to praise Him," Brother Nathan encouraged her. "Yee; but I never heard that He could make the foolishness of woman do it," the old woman said, grimly. As the brothers and sisters parted at the door of the sitting-room Brother Nathan plucked at the Eldress's sleeve; "Is she very wretched Lydia? Where is she now, Eldress? Poor Lydy! poor little Lydy!"
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