Upload
not-happening
View
214
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
1/33PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
A declaration of the society of people, (commonly called Shakers,)
: shewing their reasons for refusing to aid or abet the cause of war
and bloodshed, by bearing arms, paying fines, hiring substitutes,
or rendering any equivalent for military services.
Shakers.Albany : Printed by E. & E. Hosford, State-Street, 1815.
http://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.69015000000501
Public Domain
http://www.hathitrust.org/access_use#pd
We have d etermined this work to be in the public domain,
meaning that it is not subject to copyright. Users are
free to copy, use, and redistribute the work in part or
in whole. It is possible that current copyright holders,
heirs or the estate of the authors of individual portions
of the work, such as illustrations or photographs, assert
copyrights over these portions. Depending on the nature
of subsequent use that is made, additional rights mayneed to be obtained independently of anything we can
address.
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
2/33PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
3/33
P
1
(Q-;
WILLIAML.(1LF.1~\ENTsLIBRARY OF
AMERICANIII STORYUMVERSITYy/MICHIGANL
22:1.
1- ww wv rrww-I1
wvrr "1"
"IPublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
4/33PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
5/33PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
6/33PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
7/33PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
8/33
DECLARATION
THE SOCIETY OFPEOPLE,
(COMMONLYCALLED SHAKERS,)
THEIRREASONS FOR REFUSING T0AID0RABETTHE-CAUSEOF WAR AND BLOODSHED,
BEARING ARMS, PAYING FINES,HIRING SUBSTITUTES, 0R. RENDERING '
ANYEQUIVALENT FORMILITARY SERVICES
.flLBflJVY;
PRINTED BY E. & E. HOSFORD, STATE-STREET.
W1815,
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
9/33
-~""""'Jnu
ML.-P.H1-'' mf'c LILBk )7fl
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
10/33
I_Ran60h! Q-(rrr'rv L.-" Q) rI bid/1
QM- DECLARATION.-II'J/7.5"? 8'1
flWE theElders andDeaconsor TrusteesoftheSociety*ofBelievers (commonly called Shakers) of New-Lebanon and Wa-1tervliet, in the StateofNew-York, havingtaken into our most
seriousconsideration thestate ofourSociety, asitrespects the
unhappy war in which this countryisengaged, taketheliberty
forand in behalf of the Society, to address thefollowing senti
ments to thecivil andmilitaryofficers ofthis State, asour reasons
for refusing toaidor abetthe cause ofwar and bloodshed, by
hearing arms, paying military fines, hiring substitutes orrender
ingany equivalent formilitary services. -
Our objections arefounded on asense ofdutytoGod, to our
selves and to our fellow-creatures; and aresupportedfirst, by
divine revelation; second, by thenatural rightsofman; third,
bythe Constitution and fundamental laws ofour country.1. Our duty to Godis paramount to all other duties; and is
made known tous bytherevelation of divine light only, This
being given ofGod, establishes inusaprinciple fromwhich we
cannot deviate without a direct violation of that law whichis
plantedin our souls bythe fingerofGodhimself, and which weproperly call Conscience, or the throne ofGod in theheart ofman. This duty maybegreat orsmall inproportion to the de
gree of lightgiven: for, to whom much is given, ofhim shallbe muchrequired; and towhomlittle isgiven, ofhim littleshallberequired.
Itisimmaterialtous,in whatwayor manner themindandwillofGodis revealed tous, provided we areconvinced thatit is, intruth, hismindand will; perfect obedience thereunto being ourindispensable duty. ThatGodhasrequiredofus to abstainfromallactsofviolence against thelivesof ourfellow-creatures, is atruthin which weare asfirmly established as we arethat there
* Though the BelieversofNew-Lebanon andYVatervliet formtwo Societies ; yetwehavechosen toadoptthe term Society,in the singular, as com
prehendingallofourcommunity inthis State, whoareassociated upon theprinciplesofajoint compact.
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
11/33
is a God, who hasrevealed himself inhis Son JesusChrist, and
through him to all his true followers. Considering ourselvescalled tobe such, and having enlisted under thebannersof this
King ofkings and Lord of lords, who has expresslydeclaredthat his Kingdom is notof this world, andwhich he assigns asareason that his servants wouldnotfight, wefeel ourselves im
pelled, by the most sacred and solemn obligations, to abstainfrom all actsthat tend to aidorabetthe cause of war.Therefore, beingfully convinced of thecall ofGodtous, we
consider itour indispensable duty toobeythis call, and tosacri
ficeeveryother consideration that may stand in competitionwith
it. And beingcalled into theKingdom of Christ nowestablishedonearth,* it isrequiredofus to be faithful soldiersin his cause,even atthe expense of ourlives. We cannot therefore renderservme toany authority which stands incompetitionwithhiswill.
He has expressly declared that, The Son ofman came not todestroymens lives, but to save themnl' And it is evident that,both
in precept and example, be utterly forbidall actsof violence
against thelives of mankind.
Butit may be objected bythe advocatesofWar,that warshave
not only been tolerated, but even authorizedby God himself;
manyexamples ofwhich are recorded in the sacred writings, un
dertheMosaic dispensation. True; butitoughtto beconsider-redthatwars arising from the ambitious and revengefulpassions
ofmankind, orevenfromtheprofessedly more reasonable causes
ofsupporting and defending certain supposed rights, (whetherreal or imaginary,) differ very essentially from wars authorized
bythecommand ofGod. Those wars, authorized underthe dis-
pensation of typesand shadows, were figurativezl. of the spiritual
warfare ofGods people against thecorrupt and contentious pas
sionsofhuman nature, which must be subdued byand in every
true followerofChrist. AnditisevidentthatwhenChristcame,
heabolished thelawoftypes and shadows, and established anewlaw for thegovernment ofhis followers, and said,
Ye have
heard that it hath been said, [under the law] Thou shalt love
thy neighbour and hatethine enemy: ButIsay unto you, Loveyour enemies, bless them that curseyou, &c.|| This wecan
* TheKingdom ofheaven iswithin or amongyou. Luke xvii. 21.
1' Lukeix. 56. =l=Heb.x.I. Heb.viii. 610. IllMatt. v.43, 44.
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
12/33
notdo while we are promoting theirdestruction. Putup thy
swordinto the sheath Thoushalt not kill.* This command
ofourCreator, no human authoritycandisannu]. Nonebuthe
thatgavelife, can give authority totakeitaway.
Christ is called ThePrince qf/zeace ,-r
andhiswork was toput
an end to war, and establish aKingdom of peace. And as we
are called tobe the subjectsofhis Kingdom, we feel it
ourdutytoobeythe laws of the King of Kings, rather than theauthority
ofanyearthly governmentwhichtendstocounteract hisprecepts.
.And shouldwe onceconsentto aid thecauseof war, weshould,
from that moment, view ourselves as .traitors to the causeofChrist; andas such, shouldjustlyforfeitandinevitably lose the
life of Christ outofoursouls.
It may beasked,Cannot amanbe aChristian,andyetbeararmsindefenceofhis countryi Towhich weanswer, Christ has ex-
'
presslysaid, N0man can serve two masters.t Andevery rational manwill readily acknowledge that itisimpossiblefor asol
diertoservethecause of two governments, whose interests, in
stitutions andcivil policyarealtogetherincompatible with each]
other. Is itnot thenmuchmore inconsistent, yea, impossible,
for asoldier of thePrince ofpeace, whose divineMasters poli-jcy istosave lifeand diffuse theblessingsofpeace and happiness, ".
toservethecauseofthePrince ofwar and bloodshed, or of anylearthly government whose object is todestroy life, and which
must naturally extend the calamities ofwar and misery amongmankind ?
i
ThePrinceofpeace hasplainly said, MyKingdom is notof
thisworld. IfmyKingdom were ofthis World, thenwould myservants fight. Therefore, because hisKingdom isnotof this
1
world, his servants cannotbe allowed tofight. Follow me
Every onethat is[zerfectshall beashis master. Anditisevidenththat theApostles andprimitiveChristiansdidfollow his example,
weregoverned byhis laws and precepts, andwouldnottake 3.!ms,noraidthecauseofwar; but when called uponfor thatpurpose,
theyanswered, We arealready soldiers of
Christ, and cannot
serve any other power.1l This refusal on theirpart was one
principal causeofpersecution, and oftencostthem their lives.
*Johnxviii. 11. Ex. xx. 13.1'Isa. ix. 6
.:tMatt.vi. 24.
Johnxviii, 36. [1 Lukevi. 40. 'fl\Vrights Martyrology, vol.I
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
13/33
As before observed, we have enlisted under the banners of
Christ ; hence we consider ourselves ashis soldiers, engaged inhiscause ; and thereforecannot swerve fromour duty assuch, to
I serve any cause incompatible withhis. Ifitshould be asked,What is our warfare, seeing we claim the character of soldiers 3
We answer, Ourwarfare isthe warfare ofChrist, thegreat Cap
tainofoursalvation. Itisawarfare against thedarkness ofthiswvorld. Andthis warfare we maintain bysetting the example in
our lives, conduct and conversation, in all things, ofsubduing
Handgoverningtheevil passions andpropensitiesofhumannature,
l'which are productiveof sin and misery, of which the spirit of'
war is theworst; beingthe cause of thegreatest calamities and' themost multiplied distresses that everwere inflictedupon the
human race. Therefdre wecannot deviatefrom a course oflife
which has atendencytodiminish these calamities, withoutbeingtraitors tohimwho hascalled and chosen us. Agreeable tothis
isthe language of theApostle, when hesays, The weapons of
Hour warfare are notcarnal. Wewrestle notagainstflesh and
blood, butagainst the rulers of the darkness of thisworld,&G."*
Itmay be said, Ifall thepeople inthe United States were ofthisopinion, and actedupon these principles, the enemy would
overcomethe country. We answer ; Thispleaissimilartothat
of theJewsagainstJesus Christ, viz. Ifwelethimthus alone,
allmen will believe onhim; and theRomanswill come andtakeawayour placeandnation.1' Thisplea of theJews is anunde
niable proof that thedisciples ofJesus would not bear arms;
for otherwisethey might have been as serviceable against the
Romans as theirunbelieving neighbours. Yet, notwithstanding
this hostile plea of the Jews against the Saviour of the world,
itis evident thatthevery causeoftheir place and nations being
taken awaybythe Romans, was their rejecting the day oftheirvisitation, and persecuting thepromisedMessiah andhis follow
ersi Andweare firmly persuaded thatthose whosubject themselves to thecross ofChrist, andafter his example, subduethose
evil propensities which lead towarand strife, render more es
sential service totheir country than they possibly could do by
"2Cor. Iii-4'. Ephe- vi, 12. 1' John xi. 48.
t SeeChrists lamentationeverJerusalem. Luke xix. 414-1.
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
14/33
bearing arms and aiding war. Foritmustbe granted, that tomlive such alife, requires asuperior degree ofvirtue; and God
himself declared to Abraham, that ten righteous souls would
have saved Sodom from destruction .1
Butit maybeasked, Shall wenot defend ourselves in timeof
actual invasion 2 Ormustwehazard theconquest and destruc~
tion ofour country byatenaciousadherence to theseprinciples'?
1
Will ourreligionprotectus ? 1bWeanswer; Were mankind divested ofpride and ambition,
itall wars wouldcease. The professors ofChristianity are look-
Lingfor atimewhen, according to ancientprediction, there shall
beuniversalpeace; when implementsofwarshall betransform-
ed intoimplementsof peace. Buthow is this great eventto beE
brought about? We believe, beyondall controversy, that God
hascalledus tothisverywork ; and thatit is requiredof us to i
settheexampleofpeace, and to maintain itatallhazards. And I
though the work, in its present stage, may appear very small
and inconsiderable, perhaps even contemptible in the eyes ofmankind; yetit ought to be remembered thatevery important
dispensation ofthe work ofGod, always hadasmall beginning,andincreased through the labours and example ofits subjects. ,1
As we areconfident that theallimportantare hascommenced,I
whichin itsprogresswillfullyestablish that universal peace, so
longpredicted; so we are equallyconfident, that every faithfulsubject ofthis work will be protected bythe interposition ofheaven, without theuse ofarms. And would anycountry ornation conform to the principles ofperfectjlistice and moralrec
titude, and confide in the protection ofDivine Providence, in-_
steadofrelyingon theforceofarms, they might be aswellprotected inthisday, as in ancient dispensations. Foritis worthyof observation, thatunderthedispensation oftypesandshadows,
when wars were tolerated bydivine authority, the greatest de
liverances were wrought without the use of sword or spear.WVitness thedeliverance ofthechildrenofIsrael from theEgyp- ,_tians; andalso thatofthekingdomof Judah, underthereign of lJehoshaphat, fromthegreatest coalition thatperhaps ever exist- r
T Gm- xviii, 32, .
i
l
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
15/33
ed;* withmanyinstances of thelike nature, recordedin the sacred writings, and otherancient records, as well asothers ofa
|more recent date. It is therefore evident, that the injustice,
1 prideandambition ofman, inconfidingin his own. strength, isthevery cause ofhis notreceivingthe protectionofanover-ruling
'Providence against his enemies inthis day.
II Upon theprinciple ofrights, asserted in the act ofourAcountry called the DeclarationofIndependence, andwhich are
;thereintermed unalienable, wefeelourselvesauthorizedtomaintain, Thatal!souls whom Godhas created arefree, and have aright tobelieveaccording to their own conviction, and to act ac
'~cording totheirownfaith. Agreeable tothisright, weconsiderourselvesatfull liberty toworshipGodaccording to thedictatesofourown consciences, and to devote ourselves and services to
7
himin'whateverway and manner we believe to bemostagreeable
Ito hiswill. Hence we feel ourselvesfullyauthorizedto dissolve' all engagements, whethernatural, civilor political, that mayin'I terferewith, orobstructus inour obedience to therequirement
10four divine Lord and Master; and upon this plain principle,
thatwe oughttoobeyGodratherthanman. Andwhoeverwould
I forciblyhinder orimpedeany person from thus acting, would,
in sodoing, subvertthe right ofconscience, and actin direct0pposition tothe fundamental principles ofevery freegovernment.
Inpursuanceofthisrighttherefore,and from asettled convictionthat itistherequirement ofGod, we havesolemnlydedica
ted and devoted ourselves and services, together with all our
temporal interest, to sacredand charitable purposes. And by a
written Covenant we havestipulated theobjectand manner of
thisdedication, and solemnly bound ourselvesto the sacred per
formance of the same :as may be seen inthe following extracts
from the said Covenant.ART.IV. We solemnlyandconscientiouslydedicate, de
lvote
and giveup ourselves and services, togetherwithall our
*Jehoshaphat commandedanarmyof 1,160,000 men, besidesthose who
were settoguardthe fenced cities. See 2Chron. xvii. 14to theend. Yet,
notwithstanding this immense militaryforce, he said, We havenomight
againstthis great company that comethagainst us. See chap. xx. 12.
Hencewe may conclude that.the coalition formed against him must have
been without aparallel.'
a
l
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
16/33
temporalinterest, toGod and his people ;tobe under the
care}
anddirection of such Elders, Deacons orTrustees ashavebeen,
or may hereafter be established in the saidSociety, according to
thefirstArticle ofthis Covenant.ART. VI. We further covenant and agree, that itis,and
shallbethespecialduty oftheDeacons or Trustees to ap
propriate, use and improve the saidjoint interest,'for the benefit.of the said Society, forthe reliefofthepoor, andforsuch other
charitable andreligious purposes asthegospel mayrequire, and
the said Deacons orTrustees, intheirwisdom, shall seefit: Pro- i
aided nevertheless, that allthe transactions ofthe said Deacons -
orTrustees, intheiruse, management and disposal oftheafore-d
Saidjoint interest, shall befor thebenefit and privilege, and in
behalfofthe whole body of said Society, (to which the said
Deacons orTrustees are, and shall be held responsible,) andnot
for any personal orprivate interest, object orpurposewhatever.
ART.VIII. We do, by virtue ofthis Covenant, solemnly and conscientiously, jointly and individually, for our
selves, our heirs and assigns, promise and declare, 'in thepresenceofGod and eachother, and toall men, that wewillneverhereafter, neitherdirectlynorindirectly, make nor require any
account ofanyinterest, property, labour or service, which has'
been, ormay be devoted by us, or anyofus, to the purposes
"ano
44;
i
aforesaid; norbring any charge
ofdebtordamage,
norholdanydemandwhatever againstthe said Society, noragainst anymem-
i
heror members thereof, on account ofanypropertyor service
given, rendered, devoted orconsecrated to the aforesaid sacred
andcharitable purposes.
()ur persons and propertyhaving been, for manyyears, thus
devoted andconsecrated toGod, we cannot therefore appropriate
either to anyusenotcomprehended in this Covenant, without
committing thecrimeof sacrilege :.norcan itberequiredbyany
existing lawofman. In all agesofthe world, both under thelawand gospel, and evenamong heathen nations, whatever has
beendevotedtosacred and pious uses, has been regarded as
consecrated and irredeemable.'
In theLevitical lawitwasdeclired,that whatever wasdevoted
I
I
to sacred use, whether persons orproperty, should never be re;
2
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
17/33
lileemed; and because it was consecrated to the Lord, it was
lthenrefflrth considere'd as dead to every other end andpurpose.
11And sbtehacious werethe Jewsofthis principle, thattheycon
sidered nocalamity so great, and nocrime soawfulas theviola
tionofconsecrated property. Suchproperty, amongthem, was
often signallyprotected, or theviolation of itsignally punished
by the interposition ofDivine power. Witness the calamitybrought upon thePhilistines, forseizing andcarrying away the
Arkof theLord, in thedays of the prophet Samuel:* andalsothe miraculous protectionofthe treasures, whichhad beencon
secrated tosacred andcharitable purposes, inthe Temple atJe~
ijrusalem,in thedaysofOnias the highpriest: Hence the sa
ncredTempleandits consecrated treasureswereheld in thehighestveneration, bythat chosen people, solong as they continued
towalkinobedience to the divine laws and precepts, enjoined
uponthembytheir great Law-giver.
l Itis unnecessary tomultiply examplesinsupportof thisprinciple, sinceitis a well known truth, thatconsecrated property,
jby
the general consentofmankind, in all ages, has beenheld sa
credto the purpose for which itwas devoted. As the Jewish
[dispensation was typical of the dispensation ofthe gospel, in
which the true Church ofChrist is considered asthe sacred
, TempleofGod, and the consecrated property ofthemembersi
its visible treasure ;so we viewthisTempleanditstreasure, asmuchmore sacred than that ofthe Jews, as the substance is
more sacred thanitsshadow. '
Objections maybe raised against thetotalandabsolute conse'
crationof the property and personal services of awhole socie
ty;that itis inconsistentwithcivil policy, andmay proveinjurious to the community, and therefore cannotbe authorized by
Divine Providence :thatnootherdenomination ofchristians ev
erpretended toassume the privilege ofdevoting thewhole pro
Perty oftheir society, and all their personal servicesto sacred
uses :that theministersofreligion and acertain portion ofpro
perty, fordivine services,being allthat isgenerallyfound neces~
saryto be devoted tosacred purposes.
Thatsuch aconsecration is inconsistent with good policy,or
injurious tothecommunity, isan objection without anyfounda*1Sam. ch.v. 1' 2Mace. ch.iii.
a
l
I
_*_
a
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
18/33
_-_-
|_n.
.if
tionin truth :factsprove thereverse, aswill soonappear. The ,example ofothers, unless it canbe proved to bemorevirtue-u.
thanour own, can form no objection against us. It certainlyl'argues agreater degree ofvirtuefor aman todevotehis when
service and propertyto sacred purposes, than a[zart only; and r.
he isasfully authorized, bothbythelaws ofG01) and therights
ofman, todothe former as thelatter. Itmust be granted thatone manhasasgood arightto dedicate himself and service tothe
Lordas another. Hehas also as good aright todevote his pro},
pertyashis services. Anda whole Society musthave as good a
rightas anindividualto dothe same: forevery true follower ol
Christ is apractical preacher of righteousness tothefallen rac
ofman: as saith theApostle, Ye are achosen generation, *
royal priesthood?"E Having therefore apartinthisministry an
priesthood, theyhave amoral and religious right toclaiman ex
"
emption frompolitical and military affairs. Convinced that w
arecalled ofGod into thisdistinguishedwork, therefore; agree
able tothis calling, wehave anddo abstainfrom the politics 0b
the world, and fromallthe honoursand emoluments ofoffice.
This refusalon ourparttointermeddle withpolitical affairs is
bysome, made an objection toour claim to therightofexemption frommilitary services, uponthegroundthatifpeace beounobject, we oughtto aid itscausebyvoting forsuch publicofli
cers aswill be disposed to promotethatobject. But should wedothis, we should unquestionably have no moreclaim to the
right ofexemption than any other people ;since we should
thereby involve ourselves inthe political affairsoftheworld, and
consequently obligate ourselves, equallywith them, to supportthemeasures ofgovernment, which may tend to war aswellastopeace. But itought to beremembered that Christ has
said,
MyKingdom isnotofthis world. And we cannot, as we
have already shewn, intermeddle with theaffairsofboth. Thecandid will therefore readily acknowledge that this refusal isaclearevidenceofoursincere andentire devotion tothe service of1God ;since itmust appear obvious toeveryone, thatotherwise
we should naturally be as ambitious of honor and distinction in
thepolitical world as the rest ofour fellow men. So farthen
*1Pet. 9. l
l
l
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
19/33
~rom beingan objection toourclaim, it isanadditional proofof,' hejustice and equity of it.
2 Itmaybe saidby some,thatour object inclaiming an exemptionfrommilitary services, and from paying anequivalent, pro
gteeds
from aparsimoniousdesire of screening ourselves from
ublicexpenses. Butnoperson who is acquainted withour Society, can reasonably draw this conclusion; because such must
now thatwe havegiven sufficient proof tothecontrary.
\Ve ~donot wish tomake anostentatious display ofourliberal
ity, by proclaiming to the world our acts ofbenevolence and
inharity ; butas a reasonable plea of therightof exemption from
ylnilitary services, we deem it expedient to showthatwehave
rendered more essential service toour country, bythe nature
landtendency of ourinstitutions, andbyour voluntary actsofbe
nevolence, than-we possibly coulddoby supportingthe war,even
"ifitwere notcontrary toourfaith.
#
In thefirst place, bymaintaining our ownpoor, the towns to
ltvhich
we belong are wholly released fromthatcharge; which
lJrobably wouldbe much moreevery yearthan theamount ofour
[annualmusterfines. This mayeasily be conceived byconsider
'ngtheexpenseofsupporting thenumber of paupers thatwould
probably be found among upwards of sixhundred people, allow
rmg them tobe on an
average withthe
ordinary state
ofsociety.Secondly. Aspublic donations for thereliefofthesulfering
inhabitants ofNew-York, Portsmouth, and other places, who
had been distressed by
pestilential fevers, fire, war, earth
quakes,* 8:0. we have sent, from time to time, in money, pro
visions, &c. to the amountofnearly fourthousanddollars, exclu
sive ofprivate donations and continual acts of charity tothesuf
fering poor, thewidowand thefatherless within our vicinity, and
\to other objects ofcharity, who are continuallyapplyingfor as
sistance from various partsof'
the country, theamount ofwhich
icannot
becorrectlyascertained, but at averymoderatecalculation
mustexceed 1000 dollars ayearn?
Thirdly. The money expended and labour performed, in
imaking andrepairing the public roads and building bridges inI
ll " This alludes to the inhabitants of Caraccas, inSouth-America, who
Buffered byEarthquakes.
all yThis reckoned for30years past, amounts to more than 30,000 dollars.
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
20/33
our vicinity, over and above ourlegaltaxation, allowingfiveshil
lingsforeachdayswork,amounts tomorethanfourthousanddol
lars.
Fourthly. Those whom we send out asmissionaries, instead
oftaking contributions from others, orbeingchargeable tothose
among whom theyare sent, theirexpenses are defrayed by theSociety. Inthiswaywe have expendedmanythousands ofdollars.
\Vhen it isconsidered thatthese sums, thus expended, are
notdrawn from the avails of tradeorthe profitsofspeculation;
(forwith thesewehave nothing to do;) but are the fruits ofhon
estindustry, it will readily be acknouledged, by every candid,
considerate person, thatthe consecration of our propertyand
personal services tosacred and benevolent purposes, sofarfrom
being inconsistent withgood policy,orinjurious to the commu
nity,isin fact,directly the reverse. Butaswe have performed
these acts agreeable to our ownfaith and sense ofduty to God
andman, we claim nohonouron thisaccount: nor aretheymen
tioned with anyother view than as proofs ofour sincerity, and
evidences of ourjust claim totheright ofexemption from that
service which iscontrary toevery feeling ofour souls, and which
unavoidably deprives usofproperty devoted tosacred and ben
evolent purposes. Webelieve these things are not generallyknown andconsidered?
* Whatever some may imagine to thecontrary, we as apeople, arenot
exempt from those calamities which unavoidably attend a state ofWar. AlargeSocietyofour people inthe IndianaTerritory has suffered much. In
thetime ofGeneral Harrisons campaign against the lndrans, several divi
sions ofhis army, atdifferenttimes, encamped inthatSociety; in conse
quence ofwhich they suffered the lossofnearlyalltheir livmg, and the
wholeSociety,which consisted ofnearly 400people were obligedtoperform
a journeyofseveral hundred miles through the Wilderness, under great
suiferingsand difficulty, toseek ashelter among the Brethrenoftheir own
Society, inthe statesofOhioand Kentucky. Theirdamageand loss, \Vthh.consistedmostlyingrain, cattle and other articles ofprovisron, consumed
and taken awaybythe army, exclusiveofwhat was paid for, was supposed
to exceed 10,000 dollars; the whole of Wthll was borne without assist
ance from any other source than thepeople ofour denomination. The
Weightof these things We feel; and we arenot idle spectators of themul
tiplied calamities which areVisited upon mankmd; and as our duty re
quires, we faithfully endeavour to alleviate the sulferings ofour fellow
ereatures, notbysaying, Beyefedandbe ye clothch; but by actually min:._L__.A
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
21/33
__
But it isargued thatgovernment isnecessary forthe protection ofcivil society, and therefore must be supported; that we
are asmuchprotected by the government, and can aswell avail
ourselves oftheprotection of thecivil lawasany other people;
and therefore ought to hearour proportion of the public bur
thens. _Weanswer inthewords of theApostle, We knowthatthe
lawisgood, ifaman useit lawfully; knowingthis,thatthelaneisnot madeforarighteousman, butforthe lawless and disobedi
ent.* Those who will not be governed by thelaw ofChrist,
must submit to the laws of man. But there isno needof the
compulsionofhuman lawstogovern thosewho aregoverned bythe lawsof Christ : fortheyviolate nolaw, noreven disobey any,
thatdoes not stand incompetitionwiththe lawofGod.
Wegrant that civil government isnecessary in the presentstateoftheworld. Anditis totheprovidential workofGodwe
owe theestablishment ofthose benign institutionsbywhich our
civil and religious rightsareprotected; we have a right,there
fore,toavailourselves ofthese ;and for thecivilprotection which
theyafford us, we willingly render tribute to whom tribute is
due. Forthis wehavethe example ofChrist, who permitted
Peter topaytributefor him aswell asforhimself?
Butitis said, civilgovernment cannot be supported without
military aid; and if the government which protects ourcivilrights,is exposed toforeign invasion, why should we not defend
itby forceofarms 3 To which weanswer.
Aswe are thesubjects of theKingdom ofChrist, who have
separated ourselves from the politicsofearthly governments;
we have therefore nothing to dowiththeirprotection and defence
against foreigninvasion. The only benefit weclaimofthegov
ernmentis,protection against theabuses ofthose lawless mem
bers ofsocietywho violate its internal regulations. Forthis wepayliberally; and whatmore canjustly berequiredofus? We
arethefriends of ourcountry anditsgovernment; but we are
alsothefriends of man : andthe principlesof trueChristianity
inculcate universal benevolence andgoodwill to allthe human
neverbeenany expensetothe government, for wehave never employed its
aidin theregulationorsupportofour ownconcerns.
" 1Tim.i. 8, 9. 1'Matt. xvii. 27.
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
22/33
family; therefore we cannot, bya partial connection with one
community, assistinthedestruction ofanother. But if the sub
jectsof anygovernment think war to be necessary, orfortheir
interest, and havegiven thegovernment power todeclare it,
they
have a right,according totheirownlaws, to make war and sup
port it,
andon themrests the responsibility. Itisnotfor usto
direct theconduct ofthosewhose faith it
is
to bear arms andshedblood ;weare not calledtocondemnthem; totheirown master
they stand orfall. All weclaim islibertyofconscience forour
selves; and weare willingthat all others should enjoythe same.
We are however, farfrombelieving war to'benecessary forthe
supportof civil government. It isworthyofremark that, ac
cording toall ole records ofhistory, both ancient and modern,
thosenationswhich have most cultivated theartsof war, andfor
aseason, havehad thegreatest success in arms, have eventually
metwith themost signal destruction bythe same means. Onthe other hand, thosenationswhich havebeen themost averse to
war, andwhosechiefobjecthasbeen to cultivate theartsofpeace
and cherish theprinciples ofvirtue, haveenjoyed the greatest
tranquility, and the highest degree ofnational prosperity. Many
examples mightbe adducedtoprove thetruth ofthis remark,
whicharepowerful evidences thatthe spiritofwar,insteadofbe
ing abenefit, ismost destructive to anation. Thisalso verifies
the words ofSolomon, He thatdiggeth apit, shall fall therein;
and those ofChrist, They that take the sword, shall perish bythesword. .
It isgrantedby some,thatweoughtto beexempt from personal services; but still they-insist thatwe ought topay a tax as an
equivalent. Butwewould ask, What isthis butindirectly supportingthe causeofwar? And should weconsent to do this, it
would be avirtualacknowledgement, thatgovernment has arighttorequire oursupportof acause which our consciences con
demn :or inotherwords, thatliberty ofconscience isnotournat
uralright; butmay be purchased of government at astatedprice. Such aconcessioninvolves init aprinciplederogatory to
theAlmighty ;because itrequires ustopurchase ofgovernmentlibertytoserveGod with ourpersons, at the expense of sinningagainsthim with ourproperty. This wecannot do. And certainly, ifthe government requires of us thatwhich would be a
"A__
-'
m
M
m;
'___~
_;
1'
\
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
23/33
directviolation ofourconsciences, it claims a powerwhich the': Almighty doesnot.Il
|
l
T
Itought to be remembered thatconscience isthe throneofGodin man ; and whoever usurps authority overconscience, Usurpsthethrone ofGod. Naymore; whoever requires theviolationofconscience, exalts himself above God and all that is called
5
l
I
ll
ll
l
l
l
r
I
God* It is a truth,clearly supported byreason and revelation,thatGod neverrequired anymore ofman than obedience to thedictates ofhis own conscience. Ifour hearts condemn us not,thm have we confidencetowards G0d.1-This is the condemmwtion, that liglzris come into the world,and men loved darknessrather than light, because their deeds were evild
It hasbeen asserted that liberty ofconscience respects relicgious opinions and worship only; and not ourduty asmembersofthe communityat large. But letitbe remembered that God
requires thewhole heart, mind and strength. Therefore ourdu
ty'0 him requiresnotmerelyopinions, and the seasons and acts
ofreligious worship; but all ourtime and talents, together withthe use and improvement ofall ourtemporal property. Hence
our duty asmen and members of civil societyis, to doallthatwe
doto the honour and gloryofGod,and forthe goodofourfellowcreatures, agreeable tohis will.
Since the establishment ofourSociety inthis State, wehave
paid tothe amount of 4000dollars in military fines. And we
have sufficient evidence that a large portion ofthis sacrifice has
neverbenefited the State. \Vhereas,ifwe had been left to dis-
pose of this money according to ourown faith and covenant,it
might have been a great benefit to thecommunity, 'byrelieving
the distressed. This then, is certainly robbing the poor, the
widowand thefatherless; the relieving of whom is one great
object of ourassociation, Nay more; is itnot robbing God?
sintie these sums were drawn fromconsecrated property
We have heretofore paid musterfinesin time of peace, forpeacesake,being unwilling to make difficulty ; though wehave
always remonstrated againstit. Butthewarhas materially altered
our situation inthis respect. We cannot now do anything of
this nature, without directly supporting the causeof warand
bloodshed; consequently we cannot proceed anyfurther in this
manner: for itis asdecidedly againstourconsciences toprocure
lThess. ii.4.
'l'1John ili. 21. atJohniii. 19. 5,
;SeeMal. iii. 8
,9,
10.
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
24/33
asubstitute, or pay anequivalent, as torender ourpersonal seri
vices; sincethey equally promote thesame cause. Therefore,
viewing theliberty ofconscience more clearto us than life itself,
we feelourselvesimpelledby the mostsacredobligations ofdutyyto decline rendering our Personal services, hiring substitutes;
paying anequivalent, ordoing anything whatever, toaidorabetthe causeofwar, let the consequences be whatthevmay.
III. By the Declaration of Independence, theConstitutionoftheUnited States, andof this State, ourreligious rights andlib
erty ofconscience areclearly defined, and amply secured. In
the first'it isdeclared that, We hold these truths tohe self-levident, that allmen are created equal; thattheyare
endowed,1by their Creator with certain unalienable. rights; thatamong
theseare life, liberty andthepursuit ofhappiness. That to se
cure theserights, governments are instituted among- men, deri- i
vingtheir just powers from the consentof thegoverned. Con l
sequently, no manor setofmenhave aright torequirethe ser
vices or property ofothers, without their consent, or throngh
their immediate representatives, elected bytheirownfree suf-l
frages.
In the Constitutionof the United States, it isdeclared that ,
Congress shall make no lawrespecting anestablishment of're-.ligion, orprohibiting the free exercise thereof. Theseare the l
fundamental principlesof free government. By what authority
thencanwebe prohibited from the freeexercise 0twour religion 1
Liberty and the pursuit ofhappiness are declared unalienable
rights. To controul oroppress the libertyofconscience, inanymanner,is themost pointedviolation of theserights. Forthereisnothing existing inthe mind of man, that bears the name of
liberty, sosacredas the liberty toactaccording tothe dictatesofhis ownconscience ;nor isthere any thing thatcan possibly so
ab:idge the pursuitof happiness, asto prevent thefreeexercise
ofthis liberty. This seemstohave beendulyappreciated bythewiseframers oftheConstitution. Hente they'didnotmerely establish atoleratio'n ofreligion; butmade itapositive and funda
mental principle,that nolawsshould be made toprohibitthefreeexercise thereof.
In the Constitution ofthe StateofNew-York itisdeclared,That the free exercise and enjoyment ofreligious profession
Q
-.,
w
Lmv
L-_
L.
_;_.u
.
_lu
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
25/33
.
ndworship, withoutdiscrimination or preference, shall forever
'[hereafterbe allowed within this Statetoall mankind. Provided
.' hat thelibertyofconscience hereby granted, shall not besocon
trued astoexcuse actsof licentiousness, orjustify practices in
y onsistent withthepeace orsafetyofthis State.
\Veare farfromclaiming, under thename ofreligious liberty,
dn exemption from themoral obligations ofcivil society: any
i', leaofthisnature wouldatonceexpose its ownhypocrisy. And
vhoever isfullyacquainted with ourprinciples and practice, will" 0tapply thecharge of licentiousness to anyofourproceedings.
,FNor
isthere any thing inour tenetsorinstitutionsthat can, with
'2any propriety, be said to have the least tendencytojustify 1)?va
litices intonsistent with thepeace or safety ofthestate; butdi
r cctly the reverse, as we have sufiiciently proved. Therefore
,'I eare, bythe abovedeclaration, notmerelytolerated in
ourre;l ligious profession ;butfully andpositively secured inthefreeex
erciseand enjoyment thereof.
AstheAlmighty, bythe verywlaw of our existence, hasgiven"uslibertyof conscience, and asby his All-wise Providence, he
l hasput itinto thehearts of the founders ofthis American repub
4:lie, to secure thislibertyby wise and equitable laws; therefore
l' wedeem itvery improper toimpose upon thegood senseof the
tadministratorsof government, by petitioning for arightwhich
we hold bytenure from our Creator, and which isalready so- clearly establishedbythe Constitution and fundamental laws of
ourcountry. Previous to such ameasure, we must, ineffect,
relinquishour claim to the giftofour beneficent Creator, by a
virtual acknowledgment thatthe liberty ofconscience, insteadof
bging agiftof theAlmighty, isthegrant ofhumanauthority.
Dominion over conscience isthe worst species oftyranny. It
was this thatconstituted Antichrist inhis worstforms ;and itis
that which thevirtuous among mankind havegroaned under for
thousands ofyears. Theexperience of allageshas proved the
impossibilityofcontroulipg the conscience. Fines and impris
onments, fire and sword, racks andtortures, gibbet, banishment
anddeath have allbeen triedin vain,and haveonly proved itsun
conquerable nature. Therefore, every thingofacoercive nature,
under whatever name,practised against conscience, mustbecon;
L-J
d
@
4
fi
_
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
26/33
sidered as direct persecution. Forifthefree exercise of con
science canbe abridgedin one thing, whynotin another 3 Then
where is thebarrier to prevent as complete tyranny as everex
isted ?
Itmaybeurged thatwithoutcoercive measures, government
wouldsoon lose allits authority, andbe unabletoprotector de
fenditself in anycase. Buthowever just or reasonable it may
betocoerce thosewhogivenoproofof theirconscientious aver
sion towar, isvery foreign from usto say ; butadmittingits rea
sonableness, it can furnish no argument in favour ofcoercing
conscience. The experience ofall agesprovesthatithasnever
been for the strength or benefit ofany government ornation to
attempt to bring any man to yield his services beyondhis con
science. Butthosenations where it has beenthemostpractised,
havebeenmarked as the theatresof the greatest misery and destruction. Wemaintain, that areal conscientious man will ren
der all the services he can togovernment, consistent with his du
tytoGod, without thecompulsion ofhuman laws.
Tofollowpeacewith all men,is one principal tenetofourprofession. \Ve are farfrom wishing tospeakdisrespectfullyofthe
rulers of ourland; nor are we willing to wound or irritatethe
feelings ofany; but we deemit a duty which weowe toour
selves, and tothepublic ofiicers ofgovernment, to offer the ~fore
going statements, inplain and unequivocal terms, for theirinformation. We cannot believe that the administrators of the gosvernment andconstitutions of this nation and state, founded on
themostbenign and liberal principles everestablished on earth,
wouldever have requiredour personal services, or allowed the
taking of the property which wehave devotedto sacredand char
itable purposes, for objects socontrary to the usefor which itwas intended, had it notbeen forthe wantofproper informationand consideration on thesubject. And weconfidently trustthat
whentheyarefully informed of the objects ofour institution;the manner inwhich wehave devotedourselves and property;theconscientious feelings which haveled usto this measure, and
thebeneficial elfects of it,
theywill consider itjust and reason
able that we should be, and that we are ofright, exempt from
anyother sacrifices than those which wemakefreelyand volun
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
27/33
1' il? tarily, agreeable toour own faith: and consequently thatthereis
i: nonecessity of alawtorequireusto do any thingas anequiva
ltllent formilitary services.
9 Note. It isworthy of the consideration ofthe enlightened'
stateofNew-York, that themilitaryofficers of the statesof Mas
sachusetts and New-Hampshire havewisely considered the religiousand constitutional rightsofourSociety; andformany yearshave exempted ourbrethren, inthose states, frommilitary ser
vices, andfromrenderingany equivalent whatever forthesame ;
. and thattheirconduct in this respect, hasbeensanctioned b
ythe'
Legislatures of thosestates.l il
The foregoing Declaration and statements, are respectfully
. submitted to theconsideration ofthecivil andmilitaryofficers of
l!
the state ofNew-York.
i' . DAVID MEACHAM,
RICHARDSPIER,
JOHNFARRINGTON,RUFUS BISHOP,
l ABIATHER BABBIT,
If- DAVID OSBORN,
; PETER DODGE,
l JETHROTURNER,
'
NATHAN SPIER,
AMOS STOWER,ARTEMAS CLARK,MORRELL BAKER,
, DANIELHAWKINS,
, LEVI PEASE,SETH Y. WELLS,
JOSEPH HODGSON,
EBENEZER BISHOP,
CALVIN GREEN,SAMUEL SPIER,
STEPHEN WOODWORTH,STEPHEN MUNSON,
CALVIN WELLS,
OLIVER TRAIN,
STEPHENWELLsW
{Veto-Imbavwn, Fr? 2nd, 1815,
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
28/33PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
29/33PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
30/33PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
31/33PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
32/33
-401)
69 (it: t167s..
(LI-2?, L3
PublicDomain
/http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd
7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon
33/33
.
I'lrLME-sv
Yer,o
http://www.hathitrust.org/acce
ss_
use#pd