Amy Reed, January 1st 1845. . . . This is the cross.
1845
Scope and content
Drawing of cross, attributed to Polly Reed. Blue ink on white paper. (Patterson, page 83)
Arrangement
Amy Reed (1819-1908): Visions directed to Amy Reed, 1840-1867
Historical notes
During an intense period of spiritual revival among the Shakers beginning in 1837 and continuing into the 1850s, numerous messages were received from the spirit world through “instruments” who were particularly receptive to the messages. These messages took the form of songs, poems, dances, and drawings. Those receiving the messages often shared them and they would be recorded. Eldress Polly Reed of the Church Family at Mount Lebanon may have been one of the most prolific of these scribes, recording songs in manuscript notation and probably creating well over one hundred drawing depicting these spiritual gifts. Eldress Polly may have been the perfect person in this role as she had the precise skills of the seamstress and the drawing skills of a school teacher well versed in penmanship.
