Mr. Lincoln's Chair: The Shakers and Their Quest for Peace »

The Civil War struck America's Shaker communities with all the violence of a hurricane. Through the dramatic story of two worlds in collision, author Anita Sanchez gives illuminating insights into the nature of each. As she unfolds the story of the Shakers' quest to spur President Abraham Lincoln to grant them conscientious objector status, the reader realizes how critically important to our nation is the legacy of a people who are too often dismissed as merely being the makers of nice chairs. Vivid and beautifully written, this book is a wonderful introduction to the history, faith, culture and heritage of the Shakers, who have been interacting with and quietly influencing the mainstream culture of the United States for over 230 years while most Americans were unaware it was even happening. -Darryl Thompson Shaker historian and historical interpreter

Introduction 1

A Place Where It Is Always Sunday 6

The Slaughter Pen of the Nation 9

Sweet Shaker Life 14

This Blessed Fire 21

Millennial Laws 35

Laboring for the Lord 49

Love Made Visible 57

Arise, O My Children 73

A Fire Bell in the Night 82

Sitting on a Volcano 90

"Open Wide!" 99

Cease To Do Evil 107

Seasoned with Grace 116

Mr. Lincoln's Chair 126

The Great Crime 139

The Valley of Love and Delight 148

Epilogue: Remembered As a Chair 162

Shaker Sites 170

Bibliography 187

Acknowledgments 193

Index 195