The Believer (The Shakers 2) by Ann H. Gabhart

Author:Ann H. Gabhart
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Christian Fiction, Christian, Orphans, Kentucky, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Shakers, Kentucky - History - 1792-1865, General, Religious, Love Stories
ISBN: 9780800733629
Publisher: Revell
Published: 2009-07-31T06:00:00+00:00

The corncrib burned in the wee hours of the morning just after the start of the new year. The crib was out past the West Family's barn on the outskirts of the village, and by the time one of the brethren got up to relieve himself and noticed the flames, the fire had already engulfed the building. Brethren from the West Family went out to make sure the fire stayed contained to the corncrib, but there was no reason to arouse the entire village from their beds to attempt to save what could not be saved. Especially since a light snow was falling that virtually eliminated the chance of sparks igniting any nearby structures.

Elder Joseph reported the loss of the corncrib and its contents at meeting that night. His narrow face was grim as he stood in the middle of the meetinghouse and spoke. "Those of the world continue to persecute us. They don't understand our ways nor do they want to learn the true way to salvation. They simply seek to cause us harm as they continue blindly on their way to their final destruction. Perhaps they think they are testing our faith and our resolve to stay true to our beliefs, but if so, they are sorrowfully mistaken. We are well familiar with how Mother Ann was persecuted by those of the world, thrown into jail, mocked, and mistreated, but she did not allow it to turn her feet from the true way. Nor will we. With the help of the Lord and Mother Ann, we will overcome each adversity."

When Elder Joseph stomped his foot to emphasize his words, many of the Believers followed his lead as a murmur of agreement rippled through the room. The bench where Elizabeth sat vibrated with the sound, and she couldn't keep from jumping a little, even though it was not unusual for a stomping spirit to take over the Shakers during meeting. They considered it a gift of the spirit to whirl in dance or stomp their feet and shake all over until sometimes they fell prostrate on the floor as if smitten by the Lord. The first time she witnessed a sister shaking violently before she fell to the floor as if dead, Elizabeth was alarmed. With a glowing smile, Sister Melva assured her that Sister Darcie was shaking free from all that was carnal and would rise from the floor a transformed person better equipped to embrace the simple life.

Elizabeth had yet to feel the first tremble of such spirit, which Sister Ruth said showed her lack of belief. At first Elizabeth had argued against that, for she knew the faith in her heart, but she could win no argument with Sister Ruth. She had learned that Sister Ruth's sermon would be shorter if Elizabeth simply nodded and said, "Yea, it must be so. I will seek to open myself more fully to the spirit"

Now she smoothed down the folds in the skirt of her dress to cover her

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