her and his ministry was short but very active, because he evidently felt
he should get things in order before he died. His health had also been under-
mined by the persecutions, and he died in July 1787, aged 37.
What had the Believers seen when Mother Ann appeared before them ?
Clara Sears quotes from "A Summary View of the Milennial Church" that:
"to the Shakers she stood as a luminous, vibrating figure against
the dark, murky background of sin and ignorance, and that she
was beloved by her followers is touchingly evident from their
testimonies, which ring with a genuine devotion. She was a
woman rather below the common stature of women, thick-set,
but straight, and otherwise well proportioned and regular in
form and features. Her complexion was light and fair, and
her eyes were blue, but keen and penetrating; her countenance
was mild and expressive, but grave and solemn. Her natural
constitution was sound, strong, and healthy. Her manners
were plain, simple, and easy; yet she possessed a certain
dignity of appearance that inspired confidence and commanded
respect. By many of the world who saw her without prejudice
she was called beautiful; and to her faithful children, she ap-
peared to possess a degree of dignified beauty and heavenly
love which they had never before discovered among mortals.
At times, when under the power and operation of the Holy Spirit,
her countenance shone with the glory of God, and her form and
actions appeared divinely beautiful and very angelic. The power
and influence of her spirit at such times was great beyond de-
scription, and no one was able to gainsay or resist the authority
by which she spoke. "5
The next leader after James Whittaker, was Joseph Meacham, and
although his rule only lasted ten years, these were some of the most forma-
tive. Vast and complicated rules were laid down, the governing structure
of the various families was prescribed, all flowing directly from their
ethical and religious beliefs. Everything about them reflected their

5. Sears, Clara Gleanings from Old Shaker Journals, pp. 64-5