MY VISIT TO SHAKERTOWN

 

Shakertown at Pleasant Hill is a most impressive historic site. The Shakers were skilled artisans and craftsmen. It is very interesting to see how these people lived and worked. Our generation could profit much by capturing their industrious spirit.

                Most people look upon the Shakers as a very odd religious sect. Their doctrine was not very odd at all. The two main points of their doctrine have been the two essential points of human religion throughout history, both in the mainstream denominations and the many sects. One lady, who works in the crafts shop, commented to me very disdainfully about the Shakers' teachings. Then she informed me that she was a devout Catholic. What she failed to realize is that, at the their core, the Shakers differed little from the Papists, Pentecostals, and Fundamentalists of our day. They simply carried their doctrines to a logical and consistent end.

                The two principle doctrines I refer to are: (1) That all things having to do with this life are evil. And (2) That man is justified by works and gains acceptance before God by what he does or doesn't  do. This system of doctrine is the leaven of the Pharisees, which our Lord warned us to avoid.

                The origin of evil is not in outward things. If it were, isolation from the world would be most wise. But man's problem is not what he does, but what he is. All sin arises from the heart of man. If you were to live in celibacy and total seclusion from the world, never go to a show, never drink a glass of beer, and never have opportunity to commit a single evil deed, you would still be a vile corrupt creature. Your heart is vile! Therefore, whatever you do is evil. Your actions arise from a corrupt heart. A holy God can never accept you upon the grounds of your works. Your best deeds are as filthy rags in his sight! The only way for a holy God to accept you is upon the basis of a suitable Substitute. The Lord Jesus Christ, as a Substitute for sinners, lived in perfect righteousness before God, and bore the full penalty of God's holy wrath. He is our only hope of acceptance with God. God will accept us only upon the basis of his righteousness and shed blood.