BRIEF EXPOSITION OF THE ESTABLISHED PRINCIPLES AND REGULATIONS OF THE UNITED SOCIETY OF BELIEVERS CALLED SHAKERS. The power of Truth is great, it must and will prevail, IMPROVED EDITION. NEW YORK: PRINTED BY EDWARD O. JENKINS, 1846. BIBLIOTHECA REGLA MONACENSIS. ADVERTISEMENT. THIS small publication has a twofold object. First, to exhibit the people commonly called Shakers, in their proper character, as citizens of the commonwealth, and under the influence and operation of its laws. In this view, it is presented to the statesman, whether legislator, lawyer, judge or jurist. Second, to solve the many questions proposed by the religious world, concerning these singular people, as a religious community. For this purpose, it is offered to the professors of religion, of all societies, and all candid inquirers. The EXPOSITION, in its first form, was hastily written for the purpose of obviating a defamatory bill presented to the Legislature of New York. It is now somewhat abridged, in order to comprise, in few words, the main points in question, and afford room for a more full and free discussion of those points, which may afford satisfaction to the intelligent and candid reader. |