A concise, fact-driven look at the Shakers’ faith, governance, and daily life.
The excerpt presents the core beliefs and practical rules that shaped the United Society of Believers Called Shakers. It explains how faith, justice, temperance, and communal living guided members, along with the rules for admitting new members and organizing the society’s government.
Written to correct myths and provide clear information, this edition lays out the principles that defined the group, from the emphasis on innocence and love to the handling of property, marriage, and labor. It also describes how the society’s leadership and orders were structured to balance spiritual aims with communal duties.
- Learn the eight primary principles listed as the basis of the Shaker institution and how they relate to daily conduct.
- Understand how members were admitted, what commitments were expected, and how property and family matters were handled.
- See how governance worked, including the role of a ministry and the balance between spiritual and temporal concerns.
- Explore the book’s aim to present the Shakers fairly to the public and address common questions about their practices.
Ideal for readers of religious history and American social movements who want a clear, source-based overview of Shaker principles and organization.