49
artificial mysticism; 3) the poor quality of some of the latter-day leadership;

4) destruction of property by fire, flood or war; lawsuits; betrayal by own

members. Celibacy was never mentioned as a reason by the Shakers, only

by "the world T s people. f T

O r Brien also dates the decline from the time when the "wave of mystic

symbolism that had spread over the country subsided ... instead of taking

pleasure in showing the world the enthusiasm and sincerity with which they

performed their acts, they (the Shakers) closed their doors to the public,

as if to shut out the ridicule, and performed their ritual among themselves.

Although the outward form of their religion remained the same, their zeal

and enthusiasm gradually waned, as if the spirit had passed:on, leaving

them lethargic and incapable of sustaining the high note that had been struck

in those halcyon days." 33

Eldress Emma King in A Shaker's Viewpoint, says there is

"no mystery to the decline. Contributing causes were wars
and depressions, which limited our funds; competition, which
deprived us of our industries; the inducements and attractions
the modern world offers to young people, which do not favor
serious thinking nor a devout religious life; lack of member-
ship--men, more than women, failto appreciate the cloistered
life of routine, discipline and humble self-sacrifice and self-
control, so many intelligent and efficient men withdrew, in
quest of an independent career of self seeking. M The public
is prone to pity us and deplore the passing of Shaker homes
as proof that Shakerism has failed. We are not depressed.
The material homes may fail but the Shaker experiment is no
failure. The eternal principles upon which itis founded are
just as true and strong as they ever were. The good lives
on forever. "


33. O'Brien, op. cit. , p, 33