I
THE CHEM AW A
AM ERICAN
5
They have candles and usually a cross. They begin their services
with a prayer and close them with a “ doxology.” The Shaker danc
ing ceremony which usually lasts for hours is a hypnotic performance.
The watchword of the organization is: Do good to those who do good
to you and get ‘even’ with those who mistreat you. ” And the guiding
prayer, Our God is in Heaven. If we die He will take our life to heav
en. Help us so that we shall not die. Wherever we are, help us not
to die. Our Father who is there, always have a good mind to us.”
In the performance continuous hand bells are rung to the tune of the
chant, Hi, hi, h i,” etc. The dancers jump up and down to the time
of the music.” The faces of all the actors become hideously distorted.
The quivering, trembling, twisting, writhing hands, wave, whirl, gyrate
in all directions till the scene reminds one much of the demons in the ‘ ‘in
ferno” dancing over a lost soul. And the simple-hearted Indians believe
that in this performance they are worshipping the most high God.