Era of Manifestations

Other members The Era of Manifestations was a period from 1837 to the mid-1850s when Shakers came under a spiritual revival marked by visions and ecstatic experiences among the followers.

For instance, The Era of Manifestations, also called "Mother Ann's Work", was a part of Shaker life in New Lebanon, New York, and Hancock, Massachusetts.

[2][3] Ann Lee's followers testified that she had many "spiritual gifts," including visions, prophecy, healing hands, and "the power of God" in her touch.

The wonderful and almost incredible openings of light and truth pertaining to this and the external spiritual world, and which address themselves almost exclusively to the external man, by sensuous facts and physical demonstrations, and which, in former times and other ages, were suppressed and condemned, as the effect of unlawful communings with the powers of darkness, are now being received with joy and gladness by thousands of person, as proof of a telegraphic communication established between the two worlds; and no more to be disputed or doubted than is the existence of that marvelous submarine telegraphic cable that connects the Eastern and Western continents.

[7] In 1842, due to these unprecedented spiritual messages being received, the Ministry decided to bar the public from Shaker worship.

[8] Initially, the period had an effect of strengthening spiritual fervor and helped them to maintain their Shaker principles[9] of simplicity, utility and honesty.

The laws dictated household and life practices, such as limiting mirror size and defining the allowed color of bed linens.

They generally included many small emblems,[14][15] considered "wildly extravagant by Shaker standards," such as treasure chests, heavenly mansions, golden chariots, flowers and fruits.

The Era of Manifestations ended when Shaker community members became embarrassed by the "emotional excesses and mystical expressions of this period.