a declaration of the society of people, (c - shakers of new-lebanon

7/23/2019 A Declaration of the Society of People, (c - Shakers of New-Lebanon

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A declaration of the society of people, (commonly called Shakers,)

: shewing their reasons for refusing to aid or abet the cause of war

and bloodshed, by bearing arms, paying fines, hiring substitutes,

or rendering any equivalent for military services.

Shakers.Albany : Printed by E. & E. Hosford, State-Street, 1815.

http://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.69015000000501

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DECLARATION

THE SOCIETY OFPEOPLE,

(COMMONLYCALLED SHAKERS,)

THEIRREASONS FOR REFUSING T0AID0RABETTHE-CAUSEOF WAR AND BLOODSHED,

BEARING ARMS, PAYING FINES,HIRING SUBSTITUTES, 0R. RENDERING '

ANYEQUIVALENT FORMILITARY SERVICES

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PRINTED BY E. & E. HOSFORD, STATE-STREET.

W1815,

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I_Ran60h! Q-(rrr'rv L.-" Q) rI bid/1

QM- DECLARATION.-II'J/7.5"? 8'1

flWE theElders andDeaconsor TrusteesoftheSociety*ofBelievers (commonly called Shakers) of New-Lebanon and Wa-1tervliet, in the StateofNew-York, havingtaken into our most

seriousconsideration thestate ofourSociety, asitrespects the

unhappy war in which this countryisengaged, taketheliberty

forand in behalf of the Society, to address thefollowing senti

ments to thecivil andmilitaryofficers ofthis State, asour reasons

for refusing toaidor abetthe cause ofwar and bloodshed, by

hearing arms, paying military fines, hiring substitutes orrender

ingany equivalent formilitary services. -

Our objections arefounded on asense ofdutytoGod, to our

selves and to our fellow-creatures; and aresupportedfirst, by

divine revelation; second, by thenatural rightsofman; third,

bythe Constitution and fundamental laws ofour country.1. Our duty to Godis paramount to all other duties; and is

made known tous bytherevelation of divine light only, This

being given ofGod, establishes inusaprinciple fromwhich we

cannot deviate without a direct violation of that law whichis

plantedin our souls bythe fingerofGodhimself, and which weproperly call Conscience, or the throne ofGod in theheart ofman. This duty maybegreat orsmall inproportion to the de

gree of lightgiven: for, to whom much is given, ofhim shallbe muchrequired; and towhomlittle isgiven, ofhim littleshallberequired.

Itisimmaterialtous,in whatwayor manner themindandwillofGodis revealed tous, provided we areconvinced thatit is, intruth, hismindand will; perfect obedience thereunto being ourindispensable duty. ThatGodhasrequiredofus to abstainfromallactsofviolence against thelivesof ourfellow-creatures, is atruthin which weare asfirmly established as we arethat there

* Though the BelieversofNew-Lebanon andYVatervliet formtwo Societies ; yetwehavechosen toadoptthe term Society,in the singular, as com

prehendingallofourcommunity inthis State, whoareassociated upon theprinciplesofajoint compact.

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is a God, who hasrevealed himself inhis Son JesusChrist, and

through him to all his true followers. Considering ourselvescalled tobe such, and having enlisted under thebannersof this

King ofkings and Lord of lords, who has expresslydeclaredthat his Kingdom is notof this world, andwhich he assigns asareason that his servants wouldnotfight, wefeel ourselves im

pelled, by the most sacred and solemn obligations, to abstainfrom all actsthat tend to aidorabetthe cause of war.Therefore, beingfully convinced of thecall ofGodtous, we

consider itour indispensable duty toobeythis call, and tosacri

ficeeveryother consideration that may stand in competitionwith

it. And beingcalled into theKingdom of Christ nowestablishedonearth,* it isrequiredofus to be faithful soldiersin his cause,even atthe expense of ourlives. We cannot therefore renderservme toany authority which stands incompetitionwithhiswill.

He has expressly declared that, The Son ofman came not todestroymens lives, but to save themnl' And it is evident that,both

in precept and example, be utterly forbidall actsof violence

against thelives of mankind.

Butit may be objected bythe advocatesofWar,that warshave

not only been tolerated, but even authorizedby God himself;

manyexamples ofwhich are recorded in the sacred writings, un

dertheMosaic dispensation. True; butitoughtto beconsider-redthatwars arising from the ambitious and revengefulpassions

ofmankind, orevenfromtheprofessedly more reasonable causes

ofsupporting and defending certain supposed rights, (whetherreal or imaginary,) differ very essentially from wars authorized

bythecommand ofGod. Those wars, authorized underthe dis-

pensation of typesand shadows, were figurativezl. of the spiritual

warfare ofGods people against thecorrupt and contentious pas

sionsofhuman nature, which must be subdued byand in every

true followerofChrist. AnditisevidentthatwhenChristcame,

heabolished thelawoftypes and shadows, and established anewlaw for thegovernment ofhis followers, and said,

Ye have

heard that it hath been said, [under the law] Thou shalt love

thy neighbour and hatethine enemy: ButIsay unto you, Loveyour enemies, bless them that curseyou, &c.|| This wecan

* TheKingdom ofheaven iswithin or amongyou. Luke xvii. 21.

1' Lukeix. 56. =l=Heb.x.I. Heb.viii. 610. IllMatt. v.43, 44.

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notdo while we are promoting theirdestruction. Putup thy

swordinto the sheath Thoushalt not kill.* This command

ofourCreator, no human authoritycandisannu]. Nonebuthe

thatgavelife, can give authority totakeitaway.

Christ is called ThePrince qf/zeace ,-r

andhiswork was toput

an end to war, and establish aKingdom of peace. And as we

are called tobe the subjectsofhis Kingdom, we feel it

ourdutytoobeythe laws of the King of Kings, rather than theauthority

ofanyearthly governmentwhichtendstocounteract hisprecepts.

.And shouldwe onceconsentto aid thecauseof war, weshould,

from that moment, view ourselves as .traitors to the causeofChrist; andas such, shouldjustlyforfeitandinevitably lose the

life of Christ outofoursouls.

It may beasked,Cannot amanbe aChristian,andyetbeararmsindefenceofhis countryi Towhich weanswer, Christ has ex-

'

presslysaid, N0man can serve two masters.t Andevery rational manwill readily acknowledge that itisimpossiblefor asol

diertoservethecause of two governments, whose interests, in

stitutions andcivil policyarealtogetherincompatible with each]

other. Is itnot thenmuchmore inconsistent, yea, impossible,

for asoldier of thePrince ofpeace, whose divineMasters poli-jcy istosave lifeand diffuse theblessingsofpeace and happiness, ".

toservethecauseofthePrince ofwar and bloodshed, or of anylearthly government whose object is todestroy life, and which

must naturally extend the calamities ofwar and misery amongmankind ?

i

ThePrinceofpeace hasplainly said, MyKingdom is notof

thisworld. IfmyKingdom were ofthis World, thenwould myservants fight. Therefore, because hisKingdom isnotof this

1

world, his servants cannotbe allowed tofight. Follow me

Every onethat is[zerfectshall beashis master. Anditisevidenththat theApostles andprimitiveChristiansdidfollow his example,

weregoverned byhis laws and precepts, andwouldnottake 3.!ms,noraidthecauseofwar; but when called uponfor thatpurpose,

theyanswered, We arealready soldiers of

Christ, and cannot

serve any other power.1l This refusal on theirpart was one

principal causeofpersecution, and oftencostthem their lives.

*Johnxviii. 11. Ex. xx. 13.1'Isa. ix. 6

.:tMatt.vi. 24.

Johnxviii, 36. [1 Lukevi. 40. 'fl\Vrights Martyrology, vol.I

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As before observed, we have enlisted under the banners of

Christ ; hence we consider ourselves ashis soldiers, engaged inhiscause ; and thereforecannot swerve fromour duty assuch, to

I serve any cause incompatible withhis. Ifitshould be asked,What is our warfare, seeing we claim the character of soldiers 3

We answer, Ourwarfare isthe warfare ofChrist, thegreat Cap

tainofoursalvation. Itisawarfare against thedarkness ofthiswvorld. Andthis warfare we maintain bysetting the example in

our lives, conduct and conversation, in all things, ofsubduing

Handgoverningtheevil passions andpropensitiesofhumannature,

l'which are productiveof sin and misery, of which the spirit of'

war is theworst; beingthe cause of thegreatest calamities and' themost multiplied distresses that everwere inflictedupon the

human race. Therefdre wecannot deviatefrom a course oflife

which has atendencytodiminish these calamities, withoutbeingtraitors tohimwho hascalled and chosen us. Agreeable tothis

isthe language of theApostle, when hesays, The weapons of

Hour warfare are notcarnal. Wewrestle notagainstflesh and

blood, butagainst the rulers of the darkness of thisworld,&G."*

Itmay be said, Ifall thepeople inthe United States were ofthisopinion, and actedupon these principles, the enemy would

overcomethe country. We answer ; Thispleaissimilartothat

of theJewsagainstJesus Christ, viz. Ifwelethimthus alone,

allmen will believe onhim; and theRomanswill come andtakeawayour placeandnation.1' Thisplea of theJews is anunde

niable proof that thedisciples ofJesus would not bear arms;

for otherwisethey might have been as serviceable against the

Romans as theirunbelieving neighbours. Yet, notwithstanding

this hostile plea of the Jews against the Saviour of the world,

itis evident thatthevery causeoftheir place and nations being

taken awaybythe Romans, was their rejecting the day oftheirvisitation, and persecuting thepromisedMessiah andhis follow

ersi Andweare firmly persuaded thatthose whosubject themselves to thecross ofChrist, andafter his example, subduethose

evil propensities which lead towarand strife, render more es

sential service totheir country than they possibly could do by

"2Cor. Iii-4'. Ephe- vi, 12. 1' John xi. 48.

t SeeChrists lamentationeverJerusalem. Luke xix. 414-1.

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bearing arms and aiding war. Foritmustbe granted, that tomlive such alife, requires asuperior degree ofvirtue; and God

himself declared to Abraham, that ten righteous souls would

have saved Sodom from destruction .1

Butit maybeasked, Shall wenot defend ourselves in timeof

actual invasion 2 Ormustwehazard theconquest and destruc~

tion ofour country byatenaciousadherence to theseprinciples'?

1

Will ourreligionprotectus ? 1bWeanswer; Were mankind divested ofpride and ambition,

itall wars wouldcease. The professors ofChristianity are look-

Lingfor atimewhen, according to ancientprediction, there shall

beuniversalpeace; when implementsofwarshall betransform-

ed intoimplementsof peace. Buthow is this great eventto beE

brought about? We believe, beyondall controversy, that God

hascalledus tothisverywork ; and thatit is requiredof us to i

settheexampleofpeace, and to maintain itatallhazards. And I

though the work, in its present stage, may appear very small

and inconsiderable, perhaps even contemptible in the eyes ofmankind; yetit ought to be remembered thatevery important

dispensation ofthe work ofGod, always hadasmall beginning,andincreased through the labours and example ofits subjects. ,1

As we areconfident that theallimportantare hascommenced,I

whichin itsprogresswillfullyestablish that universal peace, so

longpredicted; so we are equallyconfident, that every faithfulsubject ofthis work will be protected bythe interposition ofheaven, without theuse ofarms. And would anycountry ornation conform to the principles ofperfectjlistice and moralrec

titude, and confide in the protection ofDivine Providence, in-_

steadofrelyingon theforceofarms, they might be aswellprotected inthisday, as in ancient dispensations. Foritis worthyof observation, thatunderthedispensation oftypesandshadows,

when wars were tolerated bydivine authority, the greatest de

liverances were wrought without the use of sword or spear.WVitness thedeliverance ofthechildrenofIsrael from theEgyp- ,_tians; andalso thatofthekingdomof Judah, underthereign of lJehoshaphat, fromthegreatest coalition thatperhaps ever exist- r

T Gm- xviii, 32, .

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ed;* withmanyinstances of thelike nature, recordedin the sacred writings, and otherancient records, as well asothers ofa

|more recent date. It is therefore evident, that the injustice,

1 prideandambition ofman, inconfidingin his own. strength, isthevery cause ofhis notreceivingthe protectionofanover-ruling

'Providence against his enemies inthis day.

II Upon theprinciple ofrights, asserted in the act ofourAcountry called the DeclarationofIndependence, andwhich are

;thereintermed unalienable, wefeelourselvesauthorizedtomaintain, Thatal!souls whom Godhas created arefree, and have aright tobelieveaccording to their own conviction, and to act ac

'~cording totheirownfaith. Agreeable tothisright, weconsiderourselvesatfull liberty toworshipGodaccording to thedictatesofourown consciences, and to devote ourselves and services to

7

himin'whateverway and manner we believe to bemostagreeable

Ito hiswill. Hence we feel ourselvesfullyauthorizedto dissolve' all engagements, whethernatural, civilor political, that mayin'I terferewith, orobstructus inour obedience to therequirement

10four divine Lord and Master; and upon this plain principle,

thatwe oughttoobeyGodratherthanman. Andwhoeverwould

I forciblyhinder orimpedeany person from thus acting, would,

in sodoing, subvertthe right ofconscience, and actin direct0pposition tothe fundamental principles ofevery freegovernment.

Inpursuanceofthisrighttherefore,and from asettled convictionthat itistherequirement ofGod, we havesolemnlydedica

ted and devoted ourselves and services, together with all our

temporal interest, to sacredand charitable purposes. And by a

written Covenant we havestipulated theobjectand manner of

thisdedication, and solemnly bound ourselvesto the sacred per

formance of the same :as may be seen inthe following extracts

from the said Covenant.ART.IV. We solemnlyandconscientiouslydedicate, de

lvote

and giveup ourselves and services, togetherwithall our

*Jehoshaphat commandedanarmyof 1,160,000 men, besidesthose who

were settoguardthe fenced cities. See 2Chron. xvii. 14to theend. Yet,

notwithstanding this immense militaryforce, he said, We havenomight

againstthis great company that comethagainst us. See chap. xx. 12.

Hencewe may conclude that.the coalition formed against him must have

been without aparallel.'

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temporalinterest, toGod and his people ;tobe under the

care}

anddirection of such Elders, Deacons orTrustees ashavebeen,

or may hereafter be established in the saidSociety, according to

thefirstArticle ofthis Covenant.ART. VI. We further covenant and agree, that itis,and

shallbethespecialduty oftheDeacons or Trustees to ap

propriate, use and improve the saidjoint interest,'for the benefit.of the said Society, forthe reliefofthepoor, andforsuch other

charitable andreligious purposes asthegospel mayrequire, and

the said Deacons orTrustees, intheirwisdom, shall seefit: Pro- i

aided nevertheless, that allthe transactions ofthe said Deacons -

orTrustees, intheiruse, management and disposal oftheafore-d

Saidjoint interest, shall befor thebenefit and privilege, and in

behalfofthe whole body of said Society, (to which the said

Deacons orTrustees are, and shall be held responsible,) andnot

for any personal orprivate interest, object orpurposewhatever.

ART.VIII. We do, by virtue ofthis Covenant, solemnly and conscientiously, jointly and individually, for our

selves, our heirs and assigns, promise and declare, 'in thepresenceofGod and eachother, and toall men, that wewillneverhereafter, neitherdirectlynorindirectly, make nor require any

account ofanyinterest, property, labour or service, which has'

been, ormay be devoted by us, or anyofus, to the purposes

"ano

44;

i

aforesaid; norbring any charge

ofdebtordamage,

norholdanydemandwhatever againstthe said Society, noragainst anymem-

i

heror members thereof, on account ofanypropertyor service

given, rendered, devoted orconsecrated to the aforesaid sacred

andcharitable purposes.

()ur persons and propertyhaving been, for manyyears, thus

devoted andconsecrated toGod, we cannot therefore appropriate

either to anyusenotcomprehended in this Covenant, without

committing thecrimeof sacrilege :.norcan itberequiredbyany

existing lawofman. In all agesofthe world, both under thelawand gospel, and evenamong heathen nations, whatever has

beendevotedtosacred and pious uses, has been regarded as

consecrated and irredeemable.'

In theLevitical lawitwasdeclired,that whatever wasdevoted

I

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to sacred use, whether persons orproperty, should never be re;

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lileemed; and because it was consecrated to the Lord, it was

lthenrefflrth considere'd as dead to every other end andpurpose.

11And sbtehacious werethe Jewsofthis principle, thattheycon

sidered nocalamity so great, and nocrime soawfulas theviola

tionofconsecrated property. Suchproperty, amongthem, was

often signallyprotected, or theviolation of itsignally punished

by the interposition ofDivine power. Witness the calamitybrought upon thePhilistines, forseizing andcarrying away the

Arkof theLord, in thedays of the prophet Samuel:* andalsothe miraculous protectionofthe treasures, whichhad beencon

secrated tosacred andcharitable purposes, inthe Temple atJe~

ijrusalem,in thedaysofOnias the highpriest: Hence the sa

ncredTempleandits consecrated treasureswereheld in thehighestveneration, bythat chosen people, solong as they continued

towalkinobedience to the divine laws and precepts, enjoined

uponthembytheir great Law-giver.

l Itis unnecessary tomultiply examplesinsupportof thisprinciple, sinceitis a well known truth, thatconsecrated property,

jby

the general consentofmankind, in all ages, has beenheld sa

credto the purpose for which itwas devoted. As the Jewish

[dispensation was typical of the dispensation ofthe gospel, in

which the true Church ofChrist is considered asthe sacred

, TempleofGod, and the consecrated property ofthemembersi

its visible treasure ;so we viewthisTempleanditstreasure, asmuchmore sacred than that ofthe Jews, as the substance is

more sacred thanitsshadow. '

Objections maybe raised against thetotalandabsolute conse'

crationof the property and personal services of awhole socie

ty;that itis inconsistentwithcivil policy, andmay proveinjurious to the community, and therefore cannotbe authorized by

Divine Providence :thatnootherdenomination ofchristians ev

erpretended toassume the privilege ofdevoting thewhole pro

Perty oftheir society, and all their personal servicesto sacred

uses :that theministersofreligion and acertain portion ofpro

perty, fordivine services,being allthat isgenerallyfound neces~

saryto be devoted tosacred purposes.

Thatsuch aconsecration is inconsistent with good policy,or

injurious tothecommunity, isan objection without anyfounda*1Sam. ch.v. 1' 2Mace. ch.iii.

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_-_-

|_n.

.if

tionin truth :factsprove thereverse, aswill soonappear. The ,example ofothers, unless it canbe proved to bemorevirtue-u.

thanour own, can form no objection against us. It certainlyl'argues agreater degree ofvirtuefor aman todevotehis when

service and propertyto sacred purposes, than a[zart only; and r.

he isasfully authorized, bothbythelaws ofG01) and therights

ofman, todothe former as thelatter. Itmust be granted thatone manhasasgood arightto dedicate himself and service tothe

Lordas another. Hehas also as good aright todevote his pro},

pertyashis services. Anda whole Society musthave as good a

rightas anindividualto dothe same: forevery true follower ol

Christ is apractical preacher of righteousness tothefallen rac

ofman: as saith theApostle, Ye are achosen generation, *

royal priesthood?"E Having therefore apartinthisministry an

priesthood, theyhave amoral and religious right toclaiman ex

"

emption frompolitical and military affairs. Convinced that w

arecalled ofGod into thisdistinguishedwork, therefore; agree

able tothis calling, wehave anddo abstainfrom the politics 0b

the world, and fromallthe honoursand emoluments ofoffice.

This refusalon ourparttointermeddle withpolitical affairs is

bysome, made an objection toour claim to therightofexemption frommilitary services, uponthegroundthatifpeace beounobject, we oughtto aid itscausebyvoting forsuch publicofli

cers aswill be disposed to promotethatobject. But should wedothis, we should unquestionably have no moreclaim to the

right ofexemption than any other people ;since we should

thereby involve ourselves inthe political affairsoftheworld, and

consequently obligate ourselves, equallywith them, to supportthemeasures ofgovernment, which may tend to war aswellastopeace. But itought to beremembered that Christ has

said,

MyKingdom isnotofthis world. And we cannot, as we

have already shewn, intermeddle with theaffairsofboth. Thecandid will therefore readily acknowledge that this refusal isaclearevidenceofoursincere andentire devotion tothe service of1God ;since itmust appear obvious toeveryone, thatotherwise

we should naturally be as ambitious of honor and distinction in

thepolitical world as the rest ofour fellow men. So farthen

*1Pet. 9. l

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~rom beingan objection toourclaim, it isanadditional proofof,' hejustice and equity of it.

2 Itmaybe saidby some,thatour object inclaiming an exemptionfrommilitary services, and from paying anequivalent, pro

gteeds

from aparsimoniousdesire of screening ourselves from

ublicexpenses. Butnoperson who is acquainted withour Society, can reasonably draw this conclusion; because such must

now thatwe havegiven sufficient proof tothecontrary.

\Ve ~donot wish tomake anostentatious display ofourliberal

ity, by proclaiming to the world our acts ofbenevolence and

inharity ; butas a reasonable plea of therightof exemption from

ylnilitary services, we deem it expedient to showthatwehave

rendered more essential service toour country, bythe nature

landtendency of ourinstitutions, andbyour voluntary actsofbe

nevolence, than-we possibly coulddoby supportingthe war,even

"ifitwere notcontrary toourfaith.

#

In thefirst place, bymaintaining our ownpoor, the towns to

ltvhich

we belong are wholly released fromthatcharge; which

lJrobably wouldbe much moreevery yearthan theamount ofour

[annualmusterfines. This mayeasily be conceived byconsider

'ngtheexpenseofsupporting thenumber of paupers thatwould

probably be found among upwards of sixhundred people, allow

rmg them tobe on an

average withthe

ordinary state

ofsociety.Secondly. Aspublic donations for thereliefofthesulfering

inhabitants ofNew-York, Portsmouth, and other places, who

had been distressed by

pestilential fevers, fire, war, earth

quakes,* 8:0. we have sent, from time to time, in money, pro

visions, &c. to the amountofnearly fourthousanddollars, exclu

sive ofprivate donations and continual acts of charity tothesuf

fering poor, thewidowand thefatherless within our vicinity, and

\to other objects ofcharity, who are continuallyapplyingfor as

sistance from various partsof'

the country, theamount ofwhich

icannot

becorrectlyascertained, but at averymoderatecalculation

mustexceed 1000 dollars ayearn?

Thirdly. The money expended and labour performed, in

imaking andrepairing the public roads and building bridges inI

ll " This alludes to the inhabitants of Caraccas, inSouth-America, who

Buffered byEarthquakes.

all yThis reckoned for30years past, amounts to more than 30,000 dollars.

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our vicinity, over and above ourlegaltaxation, allowingfiveshil

lingsforeachdayswork,amounts tomorethanfourthousanddol

lars.

Fourthly. Those whom we send out asmissionaries, instead

oftaking contributions from others, orbeingchargeable tothose

among whom theyare sent, theirexpenses are defrayed by theSociety. Inthiswaywe have expendedmanythousands ofdollars.

\Vhen it isconsidered thatthese sums, thus expended, are

notdrawn from the avails of tradeorthe profitsofspeculation;

(forwith thesewehave nothing to do;) but are the fruits ofhon

estindustry, it will readily be acknouledged, by every candid,

considerate person, thatthe consecration of our propertyand

personal services tosacred and benevolent purposes, sofarfrom

being inconsistent withgood policy,orinjurious to the commu

nity,isin fact,directly the reverse. Butaswe have performed

these acts agreeable to our ownfaith and sense ofduty to God

andman, we claim nohonouron thisaccount: nor aretheymen

tioned with anyother view than as proofs ofour sincerity, and

evidences of ourjust claim totheright ofexemption from that

service which iscontrary toevery feeling ofour souls, and which

unavoidably deprives usofproperty devoted tosacred and ben

evolent purposes. Webelieve these things are not generallyknown andconsidered?

* Whatever some may imagine to thecontrary, we as apeople, arenot

exempt from those calamities which unavoidably attend a state ofWar. AlargeSocietyofour people inthe IndianaTerritory has suffered much. In

thetime ofGeneral Harrisons campaign against the lndrans, several divi

sions ofhis army, atdifferenttimes, encamped inthatSociety; in conse

quence ofwhich they suffered the lossofnearlyalltheir livmg, and the

wholeSociety,which consisted ofnearly 400people were obligedtoperform

a journeyofseveral hundred miles through the Wilderness, under great

suiferingsand difficulty, toseek ashelter among the Brethrenoftheir own

Society, inthe statesofOhioand Kentucky. Theirdamageand loss, \Vthh.consistedmostlyingrain, cattle and other articles ofprovisron, consumed

and taken awaybythe army, exclusiveofwhat was paid for, was supposed

to exceed 10,000 dollars; the whole of Wthll was borne without assist

ance from any other source than thepeople ofour denomination. The

Weightof these things We feel; and we arenot idle spectators of themul

tiplied calamities which areVisited upon mankmd; and as our duty re

quires, we faithfully endeavour to alleviate the sulferings ofour fellow

ereatures, notbysaying, Beyefedandbe ye clothch; but by actually min:._L__.A

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__

But it isargued thatgovernment isnecessary forthe protection ofcivil society, and therefore must be supported; that we

are asmuchprotected by the government, and can aswell avail

ourselves oftheprotection of thecivil lawasany other people;

and therefore ought to hearour proportion of the public bur

thens. _Weanswer inthewords of theApostle, We knowthatthe

lawisgood, ifaman useit lawfully; knowingthis,thatthelaneisnot madeforarighteousman, butforthe lawless and disobedi

ent.* Those who will not be governed by thelaw ofChrist,

must submit to the laws of man. But there isno needof the

compulsionofhuman lawstogovern thosewho aregoverned bythe lawsof Christ : fortheyviolate nolaw, noreven disobey any,

thatdoes not stand incompetitionwiththe lawofGod.

Wegrant that civil government isnecessary in the presentstateoftheworld. Anditis totheprovidential workofGodwe

owe theestablishment ofthose benign institutionsbywhich our

civil and religious rightsareprotected; we have a right,there

fore,toavailourselves ofthese ;and for thecivilprotection which

theyafford us, we willingly render tribute to whom tribute is

due. Forthis wehavethe example ofChrist, who permitted

Peter topaytributefor him aswell asforhimself?

Butitis said, civilgovernment cannot be supported without

military aid; and if the government which protects ourcivilrights,is exposed toforeign invasion, why should we not defend

itby forceofarms 3 To which weanswer.

Aswe are thesubjects of theKingdom ofChrist, who have

separated ourselves from the politicsofearthly governments;

we have therefore nothing to dowiththeirprotection and defence

against foreigninvasion. The only benefit weclaimofthegov

ernmentis,protection against theabuses ofthose lawless mem

bers ofsocietywho violate its internal regulations. Forthis wepayliberally; and whatmore canjustly berequiredofus? We

arethefriends of ourcountry anditsgovernment; but we are

alsothefriends of man : andthe principlesof trueChristianity

inculcate universal benevolence andgoodwill to allthe human

neverbeenany expensetothe government, for wehave never employed its

aidin theregulationorsupportofour ownconcerns.

" 1Tim.i. 8, 9. 1'Matt. xvii. 27.

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family; therefore we cannot, bya partial connection with one

community, assistinthedestruction ofanother. But if the sub

jectsof anygovernment think war to be necessary, orfortheir

interest, and havegiven thegovernment power todeclare it,

they

have a right,according totheirownlaws, to make war and sup

port it,

andon themrests the responsibility. Itisnotfor usto

direct theconduct ofthosewhose faith it

is

to bear arms andshedblood ;weare not calledtocondemnthem; totheirown master

they stand orfall. All weclaim islibertyofconscience forour

selves; and weare willingthat all others should enjoythe same.

We are however, farfrombelieving war to'benecessary forthe

supportof civil government. It isworthyofremark that, ac

cording toall ole records ofhistory, both ancient and modern,

thosenationswhich have most cultivated theartsof war, andfor

aseason, havehad thegreatest success in arms, have eventually

metwith themost signal destruction bythe same means. Onthe other hand, thosenationswhich havebeen themost averse to

war, andwhosechiefobjecthasbeen to cultivate theartsofpeace

and cherish theprinciples ofvirtue, haveenjoyed the greatest

tranquility, and the highest degree ofnational prosperity. Many

examples mightbe adducedtoprove thetruth ofthis remark,

whicharepowerful evidences thatthe spiritofwar,insteadofbe

ing abenefit, ismost destructive to anation. Thisalso verifies

the words ofSolomon, He thatdiggeth apit, shall fall therein;

and those ofChrist, They that take the sword, shall perish bythesword. .

It isgrantedby some,thatweoughtto beexempt from personal services; but still they-insist thatwe ought topay a tax as an

equivalent. Butwewould ask, What isthis butindirectly supportingthe causeofwar? And should weconsent to do this, it

would be avirtualacknowledgement, thatgovernment has arighttorequire oursupportof acause which our consciences con

demn :or inotherwords, thatliberty ofconscience isnotournat

uralright; butmay be purchased of government at astatedprice. Such aconcessioninvolves init aprinciplederogatory to

theAlmighty ;because itrequires ustopurchase ofgovernmentlibertytoserveGod with ourpersons, at the expense of sinningagainsthim with ourproperty. This wecannot do. And certainly, ifthe government requires of us thatwhich would be a

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directviolation ofourconsciences, it claims a powerwhich the': Almighty doesnot.Il

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Itought to be remembered thatconscience isthe throneofGodin man ; and whoever usurps authority overconscience, Usurpsthethrone ofGod. Naymore; whoever requires theviolationofconscience, exalts himself above God and all that is called

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God* It is a truth,clearly supported byreason and revelation,thatGod neverrequired anymore ofman than obedience to thedictates ofhis own conscience. Ifour hearts condemn us not,thm have we confidencetowards G0d.1-This is the condemmwtion, that liglzris come into the world,and men loved darknessrather than light, because their deeds were evild

It hasbeen asserted that liberty ofconscience respects relicgious opinions and worship only; and not ourduty asmembersofthe communityat large. But letitbe remembered that God

requires thewhole heart, mind and strength. Therefore ourdu

ty'0 him requiresnotmerelyopinions, and the seasons and acts

ofreligious worship; but all ourtime and talents, together withthe use and improvement ofall ourtemporal property. Hence

our duty asmen and members of civil societyis, to doallthatwe

doto the honour and gloryofGod,and forthe goodofourfellowcreatures, agreeable tohis will.

Since the establishment ofourSociety inthis State, wehave

paid tothe amount of 4000dollars in military fines. And we

have sufficient evidence that a large portion ofthis sacrifice has

neverbenefited the State. \Vhereas,ifwe had been left to dis-

pose of this money according to ourown faith and covenant,it

might have been a great benefit to thecommunity, 'byrelieving

the distressed. This then, is certainly robbing the poor, the

widowand thefatherless; the relieving of whom is one great

object of ourassociation, Nay more; is itnot robbing God?

sintie these sums were drawn fromconsecrated property

We have heretofore paid musterfinesin time of peace, forpeacesake,being unwilling to make difficulty ; though wehave

always remonstrated againstit. Butthewarhas materially altered

our situation inthis respect. We cannot now do anything of

this nature, without directly supporting the causeof warand

bloodshed; consequently we cannot proceed anyfurther in this

manner: for itis asdecidedly againstourconsciences toprocure

lThess. ii.4.

'l'1John ili. 21. atJohniii. 19. 5,

;SeeMal. iii. 8

,9,

10.

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asubstitute, or pay anequivalent, as torender ourpersonal seri

vices; sincethey equally promote thesame cause. Therefore,

viewing theliberty ofconscience more clearto us than life itself,

we feelourselvesimpelledby the mostsacredobligations ofdutyyto decline rendering our Personal services, hiring substitutes;

paying anequivalent, ordoing anything whatever, toaidorabetthe causeofwar, let the consequences be whatthevmay.

III. By the Declaration of Independence, theConstitutionoftheUnited States, andof this State, ourreligious rights andlib

erty ofconscience areclearly defined, and amply secured. In

the first'it isdeclared that, We hold these truths tohe self-levident, that allmen are created equal; thattheyare

endowed,1by their Creator with certain unalienable. rights; thatamong

theseare life, liberty andthepursuit ofhappiness. That to se

cure theserights, governments are instituted among- men, deri- i

vingtheir just powers from the consentof thegoverned. Con l

sequently, no manor setofmenhave aright torequirethe ser

vices or property ofothers, without their consent, or throngh

their immediate representatives, elected bytheirownfree suf-l

frages.

In the Constitutionof the United States, it isdeclared that ,

Congress shall make no lawrespecting anestablishment of're-.ligion, orprohibiting the free exercise thereof. Theseare the l

fundamental principlesof free government. By what authority

thencanwebe prohibited from the freeexercise 0twour religion 1

Liberty and the pursuit ofhappiness are declared unalienable

rights. To controul oroppress the libertyofconscience, inanymanner,is themost pointedviolation of theserights. Forthereisnothing existing inthe mind of man, that bears the name of

liberty, sosacredas the liberty toactaccording tothe dictatesofhis ownconscience ;nor isthere any thing thatcan possibly so

ab:idge the pursuitof happiness, asto prevent thefreeexercise

ofthis liberty. This seemstohave beendulyappreciated bythewiseframers oftheConstitution. Hente they'didnotmerely establish atoleratio'n ofreligion; butmade itapositive and funda

mental principle,that nolawsshould be made toprohibitthefreeexercise thereof.

In the Constitution ofthe StateofNew-York itisdeclared,That the free exercise and enjoyment ofreligious profession

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ndworship, withoutdiscrimination or preference, shall forever

'[hereafterbe allowed within this Statetoall mankind. Provided

.' hat thelibertyofconscience hereby granted, shall not besocon

trued astoexcuse actsof licentiousness, orjustify practices in

y onsistent withthepeace orsafetyofthis State.

\Veare farfromclaiming, under thename ofreligious liberty,

dn exemption from themoral obligations ofcivil society: any

i', leaofthisnature wouldatonceexpose its ownhypocrisy. And

vhoever isfullyacquainted with ourprinciples and practice, will" 0tapply thecharge of licentiousness to anyofourproceedings.

,FNor

isthere any thing inour tenetsorinstitutionsthat can, with

'2any propriety, be said to have the least tendencytojustify 1)?va

litices intonsistent with thepeace or safety ofthestate; butdi

r cctly the reverse, as we have sufiiciently proved. Therefore

,'I eare, bythe abovedeclaration, notmerelytolerated in

ourre;l ligious profession ;butfully andpositively secured inthefreeex

erciseand enjoyment thereof.

AstheAlmighty, bythe verywlaw of our existence, hasgiven"uslibertyof conscience, and asby his All-wise Providence, he

l hasput itinto thehearts of the founders ofthis American repub

4:lie, to secure thislibertyby wise and equitable laws; therefore

l' wedeem itvery improper toimpose upon thegood senseof the

tadministratorsof government, by petitioning for arightwhich

we hold bytenure from our Creator, and which isalready so- clearly establishedbythe Constitution and fundamental laws of

ourcountry. Previous to such ameasure, we must, ineffect,

relinquishour claim to the giftofour beneficent Creator, by a

virtual acknowledgment thatthe liberty ofconscience, insteadof

bging agiftof theAlmighty, isthegrant ofhumanauthority.

Dominion over conscience isthe worst species oftyranny. It

was this thatconstituted Antichrist inhis worstforms ;and itis

that which thevirtuous among mankind havegroaned under for

thousands ofyears. Theexperience of allageshas proved the

impossibilityofcontroulipg the conscience. Fines and impris

onments, fire and sword, racks andtortures, gibbet, banishment

anddeath have allbeen triedin vain,and haveonly proved itsun

conquerable nature. Therefore, every thingofacoercive nature,

under whatever name,practised against conscience, mustbecon;

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sidered as direct persecution. Forifthefree exercise of con

science canbe abridgedin one thing, whynotin another 3 Then

where is thebarrier to prevent as complete tyranny as everex

isted ?

Itmaybeurged thatwithoutcoercive measures, government

wouldsoon lose allits authority, andbe unabletoprotector de

fenditself in anycase. Buthowever just or reasonable it may

betocoerce thosewhogivenoproofof theirconscientious aver

sion towar, isvery foreign from usto say ; butadmittingits rea

sonableness, it can furnish no argument in favour ofcoercing

conscience. The experience ofall agesprovesthatithasnever

been for the strength or benefit ofany government ornation to

attempt to bring any man to yield his services beyondhis con

science. Butthosenations where it has beenthemostpractised,

havebeenmarked as the theatresof the greatest misery and destruction. Wemaintain, that areal conscientious man will ren

der all the services he can togovernment, consistent with his du

tytoGod, without thecompulsion ofhuman laws.

Tofollowpeacewith all men,is one principal tenetofourprofession. \Ve are farfrom wishing tospeakdisrespectfullyofthe

rulers of ourland; nor are we willing to wound or irritatethe

feelings ofany; but we deemit a duty which weowe toour

selves, and tothepublic ofiicers ofgovernment, to offer the ~fore

going statements, inplain and unequivocal terms, for theirinformation. We cannot believe that the administrators of the gosvernment andconstitutions of this nation and state, founded on

themostbenign and liberal principles everestablished on earth,

wouldever have requiredour personal services, or allowed the

taking of the property which wehave devotedto sacredand char

itable purposes, for objects socontrary to the usefor which itwas intended, had it notbeen forthe wantofproper informationand consideration on thesubject. And weconfidently trustthat

whentheyarefully informed of the objects ofour institution;the manner inwhich wehave devotedourselves and property;theconscientious feelings which haveled usto this measure, and

thebeneficial elfects of it,

theywill consider itjust and reason

able that we should be, and that we are ofright, exempt from

anyother sacrifices than those which wemakefreelyand volun

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1' il? tarily, agreeable toour own faith: and consequently thatthereis

i: nonecessity of alawtorequireusto do any thingas anequiva

ltllent formilitary services.

9 Note. It isworthy of the consideration ofthe enlightened'

stateofNew-York, that themilitaryofficers of the statesof Mas

sachusetts and New-Hampshire havewisely considered the religiousand constitutional rightsofourSociety; andformany yearshave exempted ourbrethren, inthose states, frommilitary ser

vices, andfromrenderingany equivalent whatever forthesame ;

. and thattheirconduct in this respect, hasbeensanctioned b

ythe'

Legislatures of thosestates.l il

The foregoing Declaration and statements, are respectfully

. submitted to theconsideration ofthecivil andmilitaryofficers of

l!

the state ofNew-York.

i' . DAVID MEACHAM,

RICHARDSPIER,

JOHNFARRINGTON,RUFUS BISHOP,

l ABIATHER BABBIT,

If- DAVID OSBORN,

; PETER DODGE,

l JETHROTURNER,

'

NATHAN SPIER,

AMOS STOWER,ARTEMAS CLARK,MORRELL BAKER,

, DANIELHAWKINS,

, LEVI PEASE,SETH Y. WELLS,

JOSEPH HODGSON,

EBENEZER BISHOP,

CALVIN GREEN,SAMUEL SPIER,

STEPHEN WOODWORTH,STEPHEN MUNSON,

CALVIN WELLS,

OLIVER TRAIN,

STEPHENWELLsW

{Veto-Imbavwn, Fr? 2nd, 1815,

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a declaration of the society of people, (c - shakers of new-lebanon

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