SHAKER TESTIMONIES of the Life, Character, Revelations and Doctrines of Mother Ann Lee, and the Elders with Her.
Published by the Shakers in 1816; Reprinted 1888.  
     AUTHENTIC MANUSCRIPT — EXCERPT  5 of 8.
        Use and Care of Animals

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
This E-Text © 1997, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2013   Pass the WORD Services.
E-Text Copyright renews with each published update.

On-line at PTW: November 30, 1997
  Last update: August 6, 2013


“Testimonies of Mother Ann Lee and the Elders”

Authentic Excerpt from: Chapter XXXI, pages 219-220

Use and Care of Animals


 

CHAPTER XXXI.

20. On a particular occasion Mother Ann spoke to the people concerning the order and use of beasts.  She said, “Man, in his fallen state, has rebelled against God.  The beasts have partaken of the same fallen nature and are permitted to rebel against man for his punishment; therefore mankind ought to bear with them, and not cruelize them.  Man must first be redeemed from his fall, and find his own order, before the beasts can be fully subject to him.” Hannah Cogswell.

21. Again, in the presence of a large assembly of people at Watervliet, Mother Ann spoke very powerfully by way of reproof, concerning the ungodly use that was made of beasts.  She said, “You ought not to give your feelings to beasts more than is necessary to make a good use of them.  You must not allow dogs, nor cats, to come into the house of worship, nor dogs into dwelling-houses; for it is contrary to good order.”  “Remember what I say, Dogs and cats are unclean beasts, and full of evil spirits; therefore, if any of you, old or young, unite and play with them, you will be defiled.  I cannot hold my peace, I am constrained to roar out of Zion against the sins of man with beasts.  The people of this land are more corrupt than the Sodomites were when they were destroyed by the judgments of God.  The earth is almost ready to spew out its inhabitants.” Jonathan Slosson.

End of Excerpt 5

 

Other Excerpts

 

Index of Other:   Shaker Manuscripts On-Line

 

Printing the Manuscripts:  For step by step instructions, how to possibly deal with printer problems, how to customize page headers/footers, suggestions for those with no computer/printer, and more information about the on-line documents at PasstheWORD.

Please report typographical errors to the Site Stewards.