SPREADING THE FAITH, KEEPING THE UNION
After 1790, the Shaker Society grew rapidly. This expansion required the leaders in the
Ministry and the communities to keep members in union, or spiritually bonded together.
Hancock, Massachusetts, was the first village established after Mount Lebanon, and became the testing ground for Believers in subsequent communities as they sought to solidify and expand Shakerism in America. New leaders emerged after Mother Ann’s death who issued guidelines for keeping gospel order to unite the disparate communities. These leaders reshaped the structure and organization of the Society.
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