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might be singing and marching; another a 'laboring meeting n --a regular
religious service when Believers 'labored to get good" through song and
dance; and another night might be for learning new songs and hymns. No
Shaker was ever heard to read the Bible or pray in public, these were pri-
vate matters. Saturday night was worship and Sunday night was another
union meeting but by visiting each other T s rooms, i. e. ,three or more
sisters would call on the same number of brethren. They would sit facing
each other, five feet apart, their hands folded on clean white handkerchiefs
spread on their laps. Sunday was, of course, THE day. The ritual might
vary from week to week but always included music and the march or dance.
Most of the day was spent in worship, no work being done unless necessary.
Food was prepared the day before, but might be heated,
The Sunday service was preceded by a "retiring time TT --when the
members went to their rooms for a half hour of meditation or hymns. If
there was to be an assembly in their meeting house, the families would march
in files of two, the elders first, then the brethren and sisters. The brethren
would enter by the right door, sisters by the left, silently, taking their
places according to their position and age on long benches facing each other.
They would sit awhile in silence; then at a signal from the presiding elder,
would rise and the benches would be removed. After a hymn and a sermon,
marches and dance songs were sung and T labored TT (this expressed inner
spirit).