eldress

Then the eldress sat down and an elder arose, who bade the young people come forward to the centre of the line, where the elders and eldresses were sitting.

Through the Eye of the Needle A Romance William Dean Howells 1878

Occasionally one of the members, more deeply moved than the rest, or perhaps in some tribulation of soul, asks the prayers of the others; or one comes to the front, and, bowing before the elder and eldress, begins to whirl, a singular exercise which is sometimes continued for a considerable time, and is a remarkable performance.

The Communistic Societies of the United States From Personal Visit and Observation Charles Nordhoff 1865

I asked; and an eldress replied, "Yes, we like to take children -- but we don't like to take monkeys;" and, in general, the Shakers have discovered that "blood will tell," and that they can do much better with the children of religious parents than with those whose fathers or mothers were dissolute or irreligious.

The Communistic Societies of the United States From Personal Visit and Observation Charles Nordhoff 1865

Where faults are committed, it is held to be the duty of the offender to confess to the elder, or, if it is a woman, to the eldress; and it is for these, too, to administer reproof.

The Communistic Societies of the United States From Personal Visit and Observation Charles Nordhoff 1865

Our eldress, Athena, has developed a new role as a Catmonaut, regularly volunteering for the “Cats in Space” program when she’s gotten on the otherwise sleeping Silence Dogood one too many times; meanwhile, the siblings, Linus and Layla, are devotees of NASCAT, racing through the house chasing toy mice, each other, and anything else that presents itself.

Cat Adaptation « Fairegarden 2009

After the singing of a hymn, the elder usually makes a brief address upon holiness of living and consecration to God; he is followed by the eldress; and thereupon the ranks are broken, and a dozen of the brethren and sisters, forming a separate square on the floor, begin a lively hymn tune, in which all the rest join, marching around the room to a quick step, the women following the men, and all often clapping their hands.

The Communistic Societies of the United States From Personal Visit and Observation Charles Nordhoff 1865

I was walking about, a hymn came to me thus, to my inexpressible delight "-- so said a Shaker eldress to me in all seriousness.

The Communistic Societies of the United States From Personal Visit and Observation Charles Nordhoff 1865