Era of Manifestations
Encyclopedia
The Shakers
came under a spiritual revival called the Era of Manifestations, which lasted from 1837 to 1853. It was marked by visions and ecstatic experiences among the followers.
Shakers in New Lebanon
, New York
experienced a 10-year period of revelations in 1837 called the "Era of Manifestations". It was also referred to as "Mother Ann's Work".
While the Era of Manifestations strengthened the spiritual roots and bonds of the Shakers, several of the leaders of this movement later left the Shakers.
brought with it a strange time for the Shaker communities in America. Both Union and Confederate soldiers found their way to the Shaker communities. Shakers tended to sympathize with the Union but they did feed and care for both Union and Confederate soldiers. President Lincoln exempted Shaker males from military service, and they became some of the first conscientious objector
s in American history. The end of the Civil War brought large changes to the Shaker communities. One of the most important changes was the postwar economy.
The Shakers had a hard time competing in the industrialized economy that followed the Civil War. With prosperity falling, converts were hard to come by. By the early 20th century the once numerous Shaker communities were failing and closing. Today, in the 21st century, the Shaker community that still exists–the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community–denies that Shakerism was a failed utopian experiment.
Their message, surviving over two centuries in America, reads in part as follows:
and Hancock, Massachusetts
. These were called "gift drawings" and depicted visions received by the Shakers during this time. Some of these "drawings" are now part of the American Folk Art Museum
collection.
Shakers
The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, known as the Shakers, is a religious sect originally thought to be a development of the Religious Society of Friends...
came under a spiritual revival called the Era of Manifestations, which lasted from 1837 to 1853. It was marked by visions and ecstatic experiences among the followers.
Shakers in New Lebanon
New Lebanon
New Lebanon is the name of several towns in the United States:*New Lebanon, Indiana*New Lebanon, New York*New Lebanon, Ohio*New Lebanon, Pennsylvania...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
experienced a 10-year period of revelations in 1837 called the "Era of Manifestations". It was also referred to as "Mother Ann's Work".
Hallmarks
According to Shaker tradition, heavenly spirits came to earth, bringing visions, often giving them to young Shaker women, who danced, whirled, spoke in tongues, and interpreted these visions through their drawings and dancing.While the Era of Manifestations strengthened the spiritual roots and bonds of the Shakers, several of the leaders of this movement later left the Shakers.
American Civil War period
As pacifiists,the Shakers did not believe that it was acceptable to kill or harm others, even in time of war. As a result the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
brought with it a strange time for the Shaker communities in America. Both Union and Confederate soldiers found their way to the Shaker communities. Shakers tended to sympathize with the Union but they did feed and care for both Union and Confederate soldiers. President Lincoln exempted Shaker males from military service, and they became some of the first conscientious objector
Conscientious objector
A conscientious objector is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, and/or religion....
s in American history. The end of the Civil War brought large changes to the Shaker communities. One of the most important changes was the postwar economy.
The Shakers had a hard time competing in the industrialized economy that followed the Civil War. With prosperity falling, converts were hard to come by. By the early 20th century the once numerous Shaker communities were failing and closing. Today, in the 21st century, the Shaker community that still exists–the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community–denies that Shakerism was a failed utopian experiment.
Their message, surviving over two centuries in America, reads in part as follows:
Shakerism is not, as many would claim, an anachronism; nor can it be dismissed as the final sad flowering of 19th century liberal utopian fervor. Shakerism has a message for this present age–a message as valid today as when it was first expressed. It teaches above all else that God is Love and that our most solemn duty is to show forth that God who is love in the World.
Art works
Several pieces of art were created as part of the manifestation in New Lebanon, New YorkNew Lebanon, New York
New Lebanon is a town in Columbia County, New York, U.S., southeast of Albany. In 1910, 1,378 people lived in New Lebanon, New York. The population was 2,454 at the 2000 census.The town of New Lebanon is in the northeast part of Columbia County...
and Hancock, Massachusetts
Hancock, Massachusetts
Hancock is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 717 at the 2010 census.- History :...
. These were called "gift drawings" and depicted visions received by the Shakers during this time. Some of these "drawings" are now part of the American Folk Art Museum
American Folk Art Museum
The American Folk Art Museum is a museum devoted to American folk art, as well as the work of international self-taught artists. It has branches at 45 West 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, in Midtown Manhattan .In May 2011 the Museum of Modern Art bought its 53rd Street location...
collection.