The Shakers have been called the first modern American spiritualists. Their founder, Mother Ann Lee, set up her utopian community in 1774 worshipping the Spirit God who possesses both female and male characteristics. They shed all material property, sexual relations, and worldly goods in order to live together as a spiritual family. Of course, their pacifism, celibacy, communal sharing of goods, ecstatic dancing, and communication with the dead made the Shakers a target of ridicule, hatred, misunderstanding, and persecution.
In this interesting work of spiritual hospitality, Suzanne Skees recounts her stay among the last eight Shakers who live at the Shaker Village in Sabbathday Lake, Maine. She marvels at the natural rhythms in their simple lifestyle that is built around prayer, confession, and worship. With no creed or ordained ministry, these believers put their hands to work and their hearts to God — as Mother Ann Lee advised them to do. Skees comes away with a healthy respect for the purity of their faith and the depth of their piety.
