Historical dictionary of the Shakers / Stephen J. Paterwic.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Paterwic, Stephen.

Contributor:

Class of 1924 Book Fund.

Series:

Historical dictionaries of religions, philosophies, and movements ; no. 87.

Historical dictionaries of religions, philosophies, and movements ; no. 87

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Shakers--History--Dictionaries.

Shakers.

History.

Genre:

Dictionaries.

Physical Description:

xli, 326 pages ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Scarecrow Press, 2008.

Summary:

The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, commonly known as the Shakers, followed Mother Ann Lee to the United States in 1774 when life in England became too difficult. Here they established several colonies whose governing principles included celibacy and agrarian communal living. Even at its peak, however, Shakerism claimed only about 4,500 members. Today, except for one active community in Sabbathday Lake, Maine, the great villages are diminished, but the Shakers made an enduring impact on the religion and culture of the United States.

This Historical Dictionary of the Shakers relates the history of this fascinating group through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and more than 200 cross-referenced dictionary entries on Shaker communities, industries, individual families, and important people. Every definition, biography, and point of history was submitted to the Shakers at Sabbathday Lake for their review before being included for publication. As such, the voice of contemporary Shakers is found in this dictionary, and they have given it their unequivocal endorsement.

Contents:

The Dictionary 1

A List of Those Who Served in the Gospel Ministry 255

B Covenant or Constitution of the Church of the United Society in the Town of New Gloucester, 3 December 1832 262

C Conditional, Probationary, or Novitiate Covenant 276

D Current Rules Governing How the Shakers Live 278

E Daily Schedule of a Shaker 289

F Format of a Shaker Worship Service 291.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 293-325).

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Class of 1924 Book Fund.

ISBN:

9780810859593

0810859599

OCLC:

213384847