Shaker Dictionary

SHAKER DICTIONARY:

 

Shakers
The term “Shakers” is the commonly used name for the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing. Non-members referred to the group that began with Jane and James Wardley as “Shaking Quakers” because they whirled and trembled during their ecstatic worship. The term came to be accepted and eventually embraced by the Society. Adapted from the Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, Stephen Paterwic (2008)

 

Believer
The term “Believer” refers to a member of the Shaker Church, the full and true name of which is the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing. Adapted from the Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, Stephen Paterwic (2008)

 

Covenant
This is the legal document or agreement made between an individual Shaker and the church. It offers the Shaker a home for life with all the temporal and spiritual benefits. In turn, it states the conditions by which this is granted. Almost every individual Shaker family had its own covenant.

 

Order
This term has many meanings in relation to the Shakers. It refers to behavior that is acceptable to leadership in which to “keep order” means to obey rules and place the ideals of the Society above personal desires. It was also used to mean rules and regulations pertaining to dress and language and interactions between members. It also refers to the rank or level of membership, such as the Gathering Order and Senior Order. More broadly, it refers to the Shaker way of life, in which members are gathered into gospel order.

 

Millennialism (Millennial Church)
The Shakers in the early 19th century often referred to themselves as the Millennial Church, but not because they were waiting for the world to end. For the Shakers, the second coming of Christ has already occurred in the life and testimony of Mother Ann Lee, and this second coming is available to anyone who wants to live the life that Mother Ann taught, in the Shaker Church. Adapted from the Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, Stephen Paterwic (2008)

 

Christ Life (Christ Spirit)
Each Shaker strives to be another Christ. After confessing all sin, a person can travel the path of regeneration into ever-increasing holiness, and there is potential for unlimited spiritual growth as the individual participates in the work of Christ. This is embodied in a life lived in community. Adapted from the Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, Stephen Paterwic (2008)

 

Confession
This is also called opening the mind. Before one can be a Shaker, it is necessary to confess one’s sins to an elder or eldress. By making this confession, a person is freed from sin and can embark on a new life in Christ. Shakers are encouraged to confess whenever necessary, but always at least once a year. Adapted from the Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, Stephen Paterwic (2008)

 

Gift
The term “Gift” means any kind of manifestation of the power of God, and also any blessing or spiritual value. Calling something a gift helped infuse the mundane moment with the divine. A member might “feel a gift” to sing a new song, or institute a new rule, or request another Believer to perform some task. Though used by the Shakers in many contexts, “gift” always brings to mind the ever-presence of God. Adapted from the Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, Stephen Paterwic (2008)

 

Union
The spiritual bond that joined all Believers throughout the Shaker society, and connected Believers to the Church and God. This is one of the virtues every Shaker strives to practice. Since living in community is essential to the Christlife, every person who would be a Shaker must shed any selfish trait that may prevent a full union of self. Union has also meant the act of uniting with the community upon joining. Adapted from the Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, Stephen Paterwic (2008)

 

Family
Shaker communities or villages were comprised of families, a group of Shakers living together in community, governed by two elders and eldresses. The word family is not used to denote a biological relationship, though many early Shakers lived in family groups with blood relatives. Families ranged from just over a dozen members to almost 150 people. Adapted from the Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, Stephen Paterwic (2008)

 

Temporal
Of or pertaining to time as the sphere of human life; concerning or involving the material interests of this world. The Shakers used the term “temporal” to refer to matters pertaining to everyday living and business and financial affairs, as opposed to spiritual matters. Adapted from the Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, Stephen Paterwic (2008)

 

The World
Shakers saw their communities as Zion, or heaven on Earth. Everything else was the “World,” and non-Believers were called “World’s People.” Adapted from the Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, Stephen Paterwic (2008)

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