OR THE

HISTORY OF THE SHAKERS;

INCLUDING A FORM POLITIC OF THEIR GOVERNMENT

AS

COUNCILS, ORDERS, GIFTS,

WITH AN EXPOSITION OF

The Five Orders of Shakerism,

AND ANN LEE'S

GRAND FOUNDATION VISION,

IN SEALED PAGES.

WITH SOME EXTRACTS FROM THEIR PRIVATE HYMNS
WHICH HAVE NEVER APPEARED BEFORE THE PUBLIC.

BY WILLIAM J. ĦASKETT,

FORMERLY OF THE SOCIETY OF SHAKERS.

PITTSFIELD :

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.

E. H. Walkley, Printer.

PUBLIC LIBRARY
251884

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

1902

Southern District of New York. ss.

BE IT REMEMBERED. That on the sixth day of July, A. D. 1827, in the 52nd year of the Independence of the United States of America, William J Haskett, of said District, hath deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as author, in the words following to wit:

Shakerism Unmasked, or the History of the Shakers; including a form politic of their government, as councils, orders, gifts, with an exposition of the five orders of Shakerism, and Ann Lee's grand foundation vision, in sealed pages, with some extracts from their private hymns, which have never appeared before the public, by William J Haskett, formerly of the Society of Shakers.

In conformity to the Act of Congress of the United States, entitled, An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned." And also an Act entitled, "An act supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of snch copies, during the time therein mentioned. and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints."

FRED. J. BETTS,

Clerk of the Southern District of New York.

DEDICATION.

TO ALL

WHO HOPE EARNESTLY, AND WAIT PATIENTLY,

FOR THE COMING OF THE

LORD JESUS CHRIST;

THIS WORK, IS MOST HUMBLY

DEDICATED.

m

BRETHREN,

I write of these things unto you, that

ye may not be deceived, for the great dragon, which would deceive the whole world, has been cast forth, and he seeketh whom he may devour.

For verily I say unto you, that he hath already come with signs, lying wonders and all deceivableness of unrighteousness; and doth speak lies in hypocrisy that he might not be revealed, and doth teach the doctrines of devils that he might deceive you.

The time shortly is, when he shall be cast down, and be destroyed by the brightness of the coming of the LORD JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith. That ye may all profit thereby, accept this labour of love, that the mystery of iniquity may, in part, be revealed, lest ye, also, be destroyed thereby : and hope steadfastly until He come, who shall wholly consume it, with the spirit of His mouth.

That the spirit of all truth may direct and guide you, until the glorious morn of His coming, is the heart's desire and prayer of him, who with all humility, subscribes himself,

THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

THE PUBLIC is here presented with an authen tic History, and candid representation of the character of that truly eccentric community, known as the UNITED SOCIETY OF SHAKERS.

Added to a collection of facts, which are connected with the history of this people, and with the course pursued by fanaticism, is, à general view of their Government, Constitution, and of the principles which constitute their profession.

The History was collated from the most authentic documents; and the Government of the Society, from the observation of the author, while a member of it. The author has taken a course, unprecedented by the writers on this subject, and