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CHEROKEE PHfflllX, MD I5DIAIS’ ADVOCATE.
PRINTED UNDER THE TATRONAGE, AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHEROKEE NATION, AND DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE OF INDIANS.
E. JBOUDUVOTT, Editor. NEW ECHOTA, WEDNESDAY APRIL 15,1829. VOL. IS.--^ 5.
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WAR Dej^rfSI-oBA.
AGENTS FOR I HE CHEROKEE
PHOENIX.
The following persons are authprized to
receive subscriptions and payments for the
Cherokee Phoenix.
Messrs. Pf.irce &. Williams, No. 20
Market St. Boston, Mass.
George M. Tracy, Agent of the A. B.
-C. F. M. New York.
Rev. A. D. Eddy, Canandaigua, N. Y.
Thomas Hastings, Utica, N. Y.
Pollard So Converse, Richmond, Va.
Rev. James Campbell, Beaufort, S. C
William Moultri* Reid, Charleston,
$. C.
Col, George Smith, Statesville, W. T.
William M. Combs, Nashville Ten.
Rev. Bennet Roberts—Powai Me.
Jh, Thos. R. Gold, (an itinerant Gen
tleman.)
Jeremiah Acstil, Mobile Ala.
Rev. Cvrus Kingsbury, Mayhew, Choc
taw Nation.
Capt. William Robertson, Augusta,
Georgia.
H . —■■
RELIGIOUS,
ANECDOTES OF TIIE BIBLE
At the request of the clergy, sev
eral severe proclamations were is
sued by King Henry VIII, against all
who read, or kept by them, Tyndal’s
translation of the New Testament;
so that a copy of this book found in
the pGsscssion of any person was suf
ficient to convict him of heresy, and
subject him to the flames. In the
early part of this King’ reign, many
suffered severely for their attachment
to the Scriptures. The houses ol
those who were suspected of heresy.
W it was called, were searched foi
prohibited bobks. Children were
suborned against their parents, and
wives agaiust their husbands. Many
were imprisoned, and obliged to dc
penance, and many were burnt. “But
the fervent zeal of those Christian
days,” says the good old Martyrolo-
gist, “seemed much superior to these
our days and times, as manifestly may
appear by their sitting up all night,
in reading and hearing: also by their
expenses and charges in buying of
books in English: of whom, some
gave five marks, some more, some
less, for a book; and some gave a
load of hay, for a few chapters of St.
James or of St, Paul in English.”
“It was wonderful,” says a valua
ble writer, “to see with what joy this
Book of God was received, not only
among the learned sort, and those
that were noted for lovers of the Re
formation, but generally all Ragland
over, among all the vulgar and com
mon people; and with wliat greediness
God • words was read, and what re
sort to places where the reading of
it was Every body that could,
bought the book, or busily read it, or
got others to rend it to tliem, if they
could not themselves; and divers more
elderly people learned to read on pur
pose, and even little boys flocked a-
mong the rest to hear portions of the
holy Scriptures read.
One tVilliain Maiden mentions, that
“when the King had allowed the Bi
ble to be set forth to be read in the
churches, immediately several poor
men in the town of Chelmsford, / in
Essex, where his father lived, and he
was born, bought the New Testament,
and on Sundays sat reading it in the
lower end o; - the church. Many
would flock about them to bear their
reading; and he among the rest* be
ing ihen but fifteen years old, came
every Sunday to hear the glad and
sweet tidings of the Gospel. But his
lather observing it once, angrily fetch
ed him away, and would have him say
the Latin Matins with him, which
grieved him much. And as he re
turned at other times to hear the
Scriptures read, his father still would
fetch him away. This put him upon
tiie thought of learning to read Eng
lish, that he might read the New Tes
tament himself, which when he had
by diligence effected, he and his
father s apprentice bought a New
Testament joining their stocks togeth
er; and, to conceal it, laid it under
the bedstravv, and read it at conven
ient times,”
. There were also many in the lower
walks of life, whose names are re
cord'd on high as having glorified
God by their death. Am mg these
the name of Joan Waste, a poor wo
man, deserves never to be forgotten.
Though blind from her birth, 6he
learned, at an early age, to knit stock
ings and sleeves, and to assist her
father in his business of rope-making;
and always discovered the utmost a-
versioH to idleness or sloth. After
the death of her parents, she lived
with her brother; and by doily atten
dance at church, and hearing the di
vine service read in the Vulgate
tongue duiing the reign of King Ed-
w >rd, became deeply impressed with
religious principles. This rendered
her desirous of possessing the word of
God, so that at length, having by her
lab jT earned and saved as much money
as would purchase a New Testament,
she procured one, and, as she could
not read it herself, got otheis to read
it to her, especially an old man,
seventy years of age, a prisoner for
debt in the common jail at Derby, and
the clerk of the parish, who read a
chapter to her almost every day.
She would also sometimes give a pen
ny or two (as she could spare) to
those who would not read to her
without pay. By these means she be
came well acquainted with the New
Testament, and could repeat many
chapters without book; and daily in
creasing in sacred knowledge exhibit
ed its influence in her life, till she was
about twenty-two years of age, when
she was condemned for not believing
[ tbe doctrine of Transubstantiation,
and burnt at Derby, August 1st, 1556.
Townlcy.
A MOMENTOUS CHANGE IN PROGRESS.
To whatever part of the world we
turn our attention, the results of a
mighty movement In society are seen,
and a brightening prospect presents
itself. One remarkable feature of
the political aspect of the times, is
this; that during the last twenty years,
depopulation and the dismemberment
of empire have been reducing the
strength and contracting the dominion
of every Mohammedan, and every
Romish power throughout the world;
while the only States that have mate
rially added to their strength and pop
ulation, are Great Britain, Russia and
America. To estimate the import
ance of this striking fact, in its bear
ing upon the prospects of (he human
race, we must connect it with anoth
er. Taking the total population of
the globe in round numbers at 1,000,-
000.000, it has been estimated, that
‘he proportion of nominal Christians
does not exceed a fifth, while the pro
fessors of the Mohammedan faith are
computed at 140,000,000, and the Pa
gan nations at about 657,000,000.—
This view of the subject is melanchol-
y and almost overwhelming; but there
is another calculation which somewhat
relieves the darkness of the picture.
Although those who hear the Christian
name amount to no more than 200,000,-
000 ihe population subject to Christian
Government now amounts to very
nearly twice that number; and above
half of them are under the dominion
of Protestant States. The numbers
subject to Mohammedan Governments,
it is more difficult to ascertain: they
may amount to between 90 and 100,-
000,000, leaving not much above 500,-
000.000 for the Boudhic and other
heathen governments. The following
table will give a general idea of the
political distribution of tbe existing
population of the world.
ProtcBtant StatcR
Great Britain 150,000.000
U. S-aics of America 11,000,000
Prussia, Swedon, Neth-
crlamls, &c. Sic. $29,000,000
190,000,000
Russia 00,000.000
Roman Catliolic Slates 105,000,000
335,000,000
Mohammedan States 90,000.000
Chinese Empire, Japan, and Indo- ) ^„ ,w, A
Chinese States \ 2<0,000,000
Other Heathens, say 200,000,000
Total 945,000,000
This view of the subject will ap
pear still more deserving 6f attention,
if we advert to the very different dis
tribution of political power which ex
isted not a century ago. Great Brit
ain, at that period, could not we ap
prehend, with all her colonies, have
numbered much above 20,000,000 of
subjects. The population of Russia
was under 30,000,000. And the to
tal subject to Christian Governments
probably did not exceed 200,000,000.
The Grand Seignior, the Sophy, and
the Great Mogul, then ranked among
the most potent arbiters of the desti
nies of the human race. Indio, and
indeed all Asia, with the insignificant
exception of a few maratime settle
ments, were under Mohammedan or
Pagan sway. The Portuguese had
long monopolized the commerce ol
tlieEast; they had established them
selves on both the Eastern and Wes
tern coast of Africa, and shared with
Spain the Southern portion of the new
world. The commerce of the Medi
terranean was in the hands of the
French, and they had their full share
of the colonial trade. Finally, all the
religious missions in existence were'in
connexion with the Romish Church,
and supported by Popish States. The.
inquisition had its colonial tribunals gt
Goa, and Mexico, and Bogota. And
the only religion that was not dissem
inating itself, and was not gaining
ground, was—the Protestant.
INDIANS.
From the Missionary Herald.
RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS OF
THE SENECAS.
COMMUNICATED BY MR. HARRIS.
I have consulted with some of the
oldest and the most respectable men
of the nation concerning their tradi
tions, and find hut little that will prob
ably be interesting. Their traditions
respecting the divine character, and
beings either good or evil, are so much
mingled with fable, and partake so
largely of the spirit of the marvellous,
as to become disgustingly tedious. It
is easy, however, to trace the influence
of the Roman Catholic church upon
the religious creed of the Indians: as
it is well known that the Cathol
ics have, during the two last centuries,
exerted themselves considerably to
convert the six natrons to their faith,
rhe uniiistrircted Indian's idea of hell
is purgatory outright. On this ac
count, it is the more difficult to ascer
tain with precision what ideas in their
religious opinions, are purely Indian.
T he ages of the old men who were
consulted, all respectable chiefs, are
severally, 8J, 64, 57, and 55. These
men state that the first attempt, they
ever recollect to have been made, to
teach their people the Gospel of
Christ, was a fruitless effort by the
Rev. Samuel Kirkland, about 65, or
70 years ago.* He remained with
them at their village, (now Geneva,)
near two years; had begun to excite
some attention among the Indians, and
had opened a si bool for the instruc
tion of their children, when the per
son with whom Mr. Kirkland lived, of
whose hospitality he had always faith
fully shared, suddenly fell down dead.
The superstition of the Indians was
such at that time, as lo lead them to
account of this man s death, on the
supposition, that it was a judgment of
Heaven on the person for harboiing
some wicked person; and they soon af
ter passed a resolve that he, Mr. K.,
be expelled the village. He was after
wards accepted by the Oneidas.—
This was about the first of their inter
course with the whites, as nearly as
they can recollect. Another attempt
was made for their spiritual benefit,
at Tuscaroro, about 30years ago, by
Rev. Mr. Holmes, n Baptist minister,
in tbe employ of the New York Mis
sionary Society.. His offer to instruct
them in ihe Christian religion was ac
cepted by the three leading chiefs,
anil the frame of a house was erected,
at their expense, for his accommoda
tion. But the young warriors were
so determined in their opposition, that
it was necessary to dismiss hint.
The attempt that proved m< st suc
cessful in doing away their prejudices,
was made by Mr. Hyde, who come to
them in the capacity of a teacher.—
The minister appointed to labor with
him, they refused.
By means of these several attempts,
their attention was gradually called to
the importance of the Christian reli
gion. Before this, they regarded
God as no other than a man; a person
of similar appearance and disposition
to themselves. They supposed him
good looking, and always naked, well
painted, having pieces of dog skin a-
round each leg and each'arm, and
blankets of dog skin around his shoul
ders. This being they were in tbe
habit of invoking twice a year: once
early in the fall, and again in the lat
ter part of the winter. At tbe sea
son, the great yearly sacrifice of the
white dog was made.
This sacrifice was attended with
great form and ceremony. The peo
ple were previously strictly enjoined
to prepare themselves for the ap
proaching solemnities. The young ro
bust hunters were taxed a deer a-
piece. for the necessary supply of pro
visions, during the continuance of the
feasts; and contributions were expect
ed from different quarters. Three
councils must be held to make inquiry
if all things were ready. At the third
sitting, a day was appointed when the
solemnities should begin. One per
son was always sent through the vil
lage to give notice of the determina
tion, by saving, “To-morrow, at such
an hour, on the firing of a salute, you
must expect our uncles to appear:”
meaning two select men, whose busi
ness it was to go round from house fo
house, in the dead of night, dressed in
complete suits of black bear skin,
with w'reaths of brnidered corn-husks
around their heads and ancles, and a
corn-pounder in their hand. Ap
proaching a house they would always
thump against the door, sometimes ex
claiming as they entered, “Now ex.
pect to see the big beads:” meaning
that great respect must be show’n to
persons whose office is pre-eminently
sacred. They would’ then e ter the
lodge, go to the firther extremity of it,
thumping on the floor, as they went:
and on returning, one would begin, in
a ceremonious manner, to draw a
stick across the ashes, while the oth
er would converse in a very solemn
tone on the nature and importance of
paying due attention to their religious
rites. They would then retire. This
ceremony would be neain repeated
the next night, for the purpose of a-
rousing the people to a sun>e ol tiic-i*"
obligations lo attend on lt<e woi&nip
ol their god On this second visit,
(he people were reminded to re num
ber all their dreams, which they
would be at liberty lo propose at (lie
liisl geneial meeting, with a view lo
let tiie conjurors who chose, guess
them out, in some such manner ,.s
bamson put forth his riddle lo the
men cl liinnalh. The fortunate ois-
covereis. (it any were sufficieml) ex
pert, and it not, the chitfs,) wer( o-
bliged to iurnish the dreamer with
something that would correspond lo
the natuie of the dream: for instance,
il any person was favored with an in
teresting dream respecting a canoe,
or gun, or bow and ariow, some imi
tation ol these things must be, made
and presented to the individual, who
ever regarded il as one of the most
sacred oi things, as a guide in all i s
wanderings on earth, and a passport
even to the heavenly paradise.
On the third day, these heralds,
perfectly naked and well painted,
would repeat essentially the same
ceremony, with increasing earnestness
and zeal; would take up in a kind of
scoop or shovel, part ol the ashes, and
si alter it round the room, saying,
“This we do out of regard to god,
who is our son.They would then be
lollowed by others, men and w omen,
performing the s. me ceremony, going
irom bouse to house, doing the s; me
thing, and repeating tbe same words.
The next day, six of the best men in
the village would be sent round to
state to the people, that tiny had
come to visit them in company w ith
god himself; who they pretended
made one of their number, “lour
son,” they would say w ith great s’ill*
ness and solemnity, “has come to \ is*
it you.”
After this ceremony had been per*
formt d, the next thing was to attend
on the great annual sacrifice of the
white dog. The dog oh being stran
gled, was highly painted and adorned
with ribbons, and suspended to a post
previously prepared. The officialing
priest, at the proper time, would ad
vance, take down the dog. lay it on
the pile of wood already in flames, and
throw upon the consuming victim, a
handful or two of Indian tobacco.—
After this, tbe priest would begin to
pray as follows:—“Here, our son. is
a present lor you, from your parents:
we present you w ith this dog, of tbe
skin ot which you can make garniei ts
for yourself: we also present you
with little tobacco—a very little:—.
we pray that you will accept it. at
coming from your faithful and loving
parents. Have mercy on us. and
send us all those things that are ne
cessary for our comfort and happi
ness,” &c. This is the only time, tbe
Indians spy, in which they ever pre
tended to pray: hut the priest actual
ly prayed in this manner, and the pee*
pic listened with the most profound
attention.
After this ceremony was concluded,
the people, old and young, would be
gin to dance; while some pei6on would
sing. Usually, when the danc ing
commenced, the most unbounded rev*
elry commenced. And as they wei©
conducted chiefly in the night, veiy
great licentiousness was practised;
although every thing of the kind was
strictly forbidden by the officiating
priest. It was generally expected
that, at these seasons, husbands and
wives would be. parted from each oth
er, and deeds of darkness, and erime6
of high order be committed with sup*
posed impunity.
These Indians never had any idea
of being called to any future account,
whatever their conduct might be, if
they properly attended upon these so
lemnities, which they believed tbi ij
god had prescribed. They believed,
indeed, that persons notoriously wick
ed and base in their dispositions and
habits, could not expect to go direct'y
to the heavenly paradise; but would
be eonwelled to take a road which
must lead to the resideuce of Nif-tu^i
