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PRINTED UNDER THE PATRONAGE, AND FOI){ THE BENEFIT OF THE CHEROKEE NATION, AND DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE OF INDIANS.eseE, BQUDINOTT, EDITOR.
VOIL. 11.
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AGEN'TS FOR THE CHEROKEE
{ PH@ENIX.
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Cherokee Pheenix. /
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RELIGIOUS.
INTERVIEW AT SHIRAZ.
From the Asiatic Journal.
. 'The day after the entertainment, I |
paid a visit to the person at whose]
house it had been given, and spoke to
him of Mahomed Rahem. He said
he was a much esteemed friend of his,
and offered; without wailing for my
solicitation, to take me to visit him.
I suppressed my joy at the offer, and
the ensuing morning was fixed for the
interview.
-~ We reached the house of Mahomed
Rahem, who received us with great
cordiality, and spoke to mg in a man
aer quite free from that reserve which
appeared on the former occasion. [
was soon charmed with his agreeable
manners and even vivacity; for no ap
pearance of frigidity remained. - He
was a remarkably cheerful and well
informed man. :
~ Our interview was short; we seem
ed both to feel that the presence of
Meerza Reeza was a restraint upon
us. I therefore took my leave, after
obtaining permission to repeat-my vis-
G
A few days after this, I called alone
upon Mahomed Rahem. [ found him
reading a volume of Cowper’s Poems!
The circumstance led to an immedi
ate discussion of the merits of English
poetry and European literature in gen
eral. " T was perfectly astonished at
the clear and accurate conceptions he
had formed upon these sub{"ects, and
at the precision with which he ex
pressed himself in English. Surpris
ed that a man with such refined taste
and just reflection as he seemed to
be, could still be enthralled in, the
bondage of Islamism, or could even
relish the metaphysical mysticism of
NEW ECHOTA, WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5, 1829.
the Soofees, I ventured to sound his
opinions upon the subject of religion.
“You are a moollah, I am inform
ed.” ;
¢ No,” said he; “I was educated
at a Madrussia, but I have never felt
an inclination to be one of the priest
hood.” |
- “The exposition of your religious
~volume,” I rejoined, ‘‘demands a pret
ty close application to study; before
~a person can be,qualified to teach the
doctrines of the Koran, I understand
that he must thoroughly examine and
digest volumes of comments, ascer
tain the sense of the text and the ap
plications of its injunctions. Thisis a
laborious preparation, if a man be dis
posed conscientiously to fulfil his im
portant functions.” As he made no
remark, I continued: ‘‘our Scriptures
are their own expositors; we are soli
citous only that they should be read:
and although some particular passages
are not without some difficulties, a
rising from the inherent obscurity of
language, the faults of translation, or
the errors of copyists; yet it is our
boast that the authority of our Holy
Scripture is confirmed by the perspi
cuity and simplicity of their style as
well as precepts.”
I was surprized that he made no re
ply to these observations. At the
hazard of being deemed importunate,
I proceed to panegyrize the leading
principles of Christianity, more par
ticularly in respect to their moral and
practical character; and happened,
amongst other reflections, to suggest
that 2s no other concern was of so
much importance to the human race
as religion, and as only one faith could
be the right, the subject admitted not
of being regarded as indifferent, though
too many did so regard it.
~ ““Donot you esteem it s0?”’ he ask
ed.
“Certainly not,” I replied.
““Then your indifference at the ta
ble of our friend Meerza Reeza, when
the topic of religion was under con
sideration, was merely assumed, out
of complaisance to Musulmans, I pre
sume?”’ |
I remembered the occasion to which
he alluded, and recognized in his
countenance the same expression,
compounded half of pity, half of sur
prise, which it then exhibited. 1
owned that I had acted inconsistently,
perhaps incautiously and imprudently;
but I made the best defence 1 could,
] and disavowed in the most solemn
manner any premeditated design to
contemn the religion I professed.
“I am heartily glad I was deceiv
ed,”” said he; ¢‘for sincerity in religion
lis our paramount duty. - What we are
we should never be ashamed of appear
ing to be.”
‘¢“Are you a sincere Musulman,
then?” Iboldly asked. _
_An internal struggle seemed, for an
instant, toagitate his visage: at length
he answered, mildly, ¢‘no.”
¢« You are nota sceptic or free
thinker?”
- «Noj; indeed I am not.”
““What are you then?—Be you sin
cere.—Are you a Christian?”
“I am,” he replied.
I should vainly endeavor to describe
.my astonishment which seized me at
this declaration. I surveyed Mahom
ed Rahem, at first, with a look which;3
judging from its reflection from his
benign countenance, must have betok
ened suspicion, or even contempt.—
The consideration that he could have
no motive to deceive me in this dis
closure, which was of infinitely great
er seriousness to himself than to me,
speedily restored me to recollection,
and hanished every sentiment but joy;
I could not refrain from pressing si
lently his hand to my heart.
He was not unmoved at this frans
port; but he betrayed no unmanly e
motions. Ie told me that I had pos
sessed myself of a' secret, which, in
spite of his opinion that it was the du
ty of every one to wear his religion
| openly, he had hitherto concealed, ex-
cept from a few who participated in
his own sentiments. ;
“And whence came this happy
change?” I asked. ‘
“I'will tell you that, likewise,” he
replied. “In the year 1223 (of the
Hegira) there canie to this city, an
} Englishman, who taught the religion
of Christ with a boldness hitherto un
paralleled in Persia, in the midst of
much scorn and ill-treatment {rom our
moollahs, as well as the rabble. He
was a beardless youth, and evidently
enfeebled by disease. He dwelt a
mongst us for more than a year. I
was then a decided enemy to infidels,
as the Christians are termed by the
followers of Mahomicd; and 1 visited:
this teacher of the despised sect with
the declared object of treating him
with scorn, and exposing his doctrines
to contempt. Although'l persevered
some time in this behavior towards
him, I found that every interview not’l
only increased my respect for the in
dividuel, but diminished my confidence
in the faith in which I was educated.
His extreme forbearance towards the
violence of his opponents, the calm
ahd yet convincing martiner in which
he exposed the fallacies and sophis
tries by which he was assailed, for he
spoke Persian excellently, gradually
inclined me to listen to his arguments,
inquire dispassionately into the sub
ject of them, and finally to read a tract |
which he had written in reply to a de
fence of Islamism by our chief mool
lahs. Need I detain you longer? The
result of my examination was a con
viction that the young disputant was
right. Shame, or fear, withheld me
from avowing this opinion; I even a
voided the society of the young teach
er, though he remained in the city so
long. - Just before he quitted Shirauz,
I could not refrain from paying him a
farewell visit. Our conversation,—
the memory of it will never fade from
the tablet of my mind,—sealed my
conversion. He gave me a book—it
has ever been my constant companion.
—the study of it has formed my most
delightful = occupation—its contents
have often consoled me.”
Upon this he put into my hands a
copy of the New Testament, in Per
sian; on one of the blank leaves was
written: There is joy in Heaven over
one sinner that repenteth—HENßY MAR
TYN.
Upon looking into the memoir of
Mr. Martyn, by Mr. Sargent, one of
the most delightful pieces of biography
in our language, 1 cannot perceive
therein any allusion to Mahomed Ra
hem, unless he be one of the young
men (mentioned in p. 350) who came
from the college, **full of zeal and
logic,” to try him with hard q%eslli;ons.
INTEMPERANCE,
BIOGRAPHIES OF PRISONERS.
In our Review of the last Report
on Auburn Prison, we mentioned the
biographical sketches of convicts, giv
en by themselves, on leaving prison,
at the expiration of their term of con
finement. We publish a few of them,
as presenting some interesting facts,
and shewing what are some of the
steps by which an arrival is made at
the Penitentiary. ~ A judicious selec
tion of such biographies from Prison
Reports, would undoubted!y be useful
for extensive circulation. as being a
dapted to show those who are entering
upon vicious ecourses, whither their
wayward path is likely to lead them.
i Jour. of Humanity.
J. W.—An Oneida Indian; age 30;
has always lived at Oneida Castle;
says ‘‘every body love him till he be
gun to get drunk and fight, about five
year ago; he best fiddler in Oneida,
and that make him bad man, ’cause
bad company and drink.” His story
is, that while absent at Green Bay,
his wife went to live with another In
dian, who took his oxen and exchang
ed them for a horse; on his return, he
claimed the horse, and took him off;
his faithless wife complained of him,
and he was convicted of grrnd larcen
cy, March 17, 1827, and sentenced
3 years: discharged by pardon, July
22, 1828.
" He has been a very kind, inoffen
sive, industrious convict; but he could
not endure confinement; his health is
greatly impaired, and it was to save
his life that application was made for
his pardon; bhe has been taught to
read in the prison Sabbath school; and
there is gogd ground to believe that
he will b¢ what he says he will, a
“hetter Indian.” :
S, Hi—Age 28; born in Herkimer
~county; parents have moved about a
ol deal; now lives i Lewis coun- |
_was brought up very badly; work
ed at farming; had only 3 months’
schooling before he came to prison;
when fourteen was put out to a far
mer, who used him very hard; lived
with him three yecars, and then left
'him and worked hére and there for
himsel{; says he was a wild, and rude
boy; never received any religious or
moral instruction; used to spend his
Sabbaths in gambling and other sports;
had very litile sense of moral obliga
tion; married when 19, aiid has two
children, living in Lewis county; says
that his father had a law suit, and for
testifying falsely in this suit, through
the influence of his father, he was con
victed of perjury, and sentenced to
this prison. Says he was guilty, and
{thinks he has been brought to see and
[feel the enormity of his guilt, and to
‘repent in dust and-ashes. Discharg-
Fd by pardon, May 2, 1828.
‘H has been a good convict; has
&:ked hard; and his constitution has
ecome very much broken. He has
been a member of the Sabbath School;
‘where he has learned to read well;
and strong hopes are entertained that,
“he will hcreflr be a steady and use
foliman: 4
~ E. J.—(Female.)~~Age 28; born
in England; her father, a man of
property in Manchester, gave her a
good opportunity for education; says
she was a very wild, disobedient child;
when she was 14, parents moved to
Canada; she soon after got married,
before she was 15; parents, disliking
the country, soon returned to England:
she remained, and moved to Montreal
with her husband; he was intempe
rate, and when in liquor abused ber;
left nim and her young child, and came
out to Plattsburgh; took a dress, be
longing to a woman with whom she
lived, to wear to a ball, (her own not
'being gay enough) without ~asking
leave; was accused of stealing them,
‘and convicted; says she got very an
gry at the trial, and abused the court,
in consequence of which she got a
long seutence, 10 years. Acknowl
edges that she has been a wicked girl;
and thinks she shall hereafter do bet
ter. Discharged by pardon, May 31,
1828. ‘
A. W.—Age 43; born in Connecti
cut; his parents; with whom he lived
till 21, did every thing they could for
him; gave him a good chance to get
learning, and much faithful religious
instruction; but he freated every thing
of the kind with neglect and contempt;
did'not, however, runinto any very
vicious habits before he left his pa
rents, and went to lumbering on Hud
son river; then gave himself up to al
most every species of vice; knew no
Sabbath; was very intemperate; mar
ried at about 22, and moved into Ca
yuga county; has three children; has
been in this prison before; the first
time for stealing a horse, which he
says he hired to ride a short distance,
but rode farther than he told of going;
convicted in Ontario county, Novem
ber 4, 1817, and sentenced 4 years;
pardoned April 20, 1820; returned to
his family, but did not live with them
long; went off into Pennsylvania to
work; was cheated out of his wages;
returned into this State, and in Steu
ben county, after a night of gambling,
drinking and fighting, was committed
to gaol on suspicion of having counter-
feit money; broke gaol, and for that
offence was again sentenced to this
prisn, June 17, 1823, for five years;
says he has been 2 years in solitary
confinement. Discharged by expi
ration of sentence, June 17, 1828,
'T. R.—Age 48; born and broughf’
up on Long Island; education decenty
left his parents at 15; has followed
various kinds of business; has been to
sea some; worked some as a ship join
er; kept a grocery in New York; hag
beena carman there; used to drink
rather too freely and to fight when hé
had qccasion; was once fined for fight
ing at a wedding; can whip any man,
let it be who it will; has brought up
a large fafmly, and beei a man of con
sideralle property; became reduced;
and thought he would try his luck a$
passing ‘counterfeit money; got someg
of a grocer in New York, who had
made a good deal by it; says he know¢
many of that character in the city.—
Was convicted in Suffolk county, June
10, 1824, and sentenced 14 years.~=
Discharged by pardon, August 1;
1828. : S
R. has been & hard conviet, andy
though he acknowledges his guilt, api’
pears unsubdued and revengeful,
J. B.—Age 51; born in Rhode Isl
and; brought up by lis parents; cail
read a liitle, but not write; married
before he was 19, and moved into thif
state, first into Otsego, and then inld
Oneida county; follewed the carpen
ter’s business, and kept a boarding
house; wasa steady man till nb(')';’.%
eight years ago, when he took to drink
ing, and became very intemperate.—
One night, after general training, ag
he and one of his boarders lay drunk
before the firé, he took hold of the
“man’s leg to prevent his thrusting his
foot into the fire; the man, suddenly
waking from sleép, seized him by
the throat; he, to rescue himself froni
his grasp, struck him with the tongg;
for which he was convicted of assault
and battery with attempt to murder;
and sentenced 3 years. Says runi
brought him here, and is determined
never again to touch it; has been sev=
ral times in the county gaol for d.ink
ing and fighting; resolves to do better,
and it is hoped he will. Disph_arge(l
by expiration of sentence, October 8,
1828. | ,
G. W.—Age 30; bornin Washing
ton county; education decetit; family
moved into Montgomery county about
18 years since; generally lived witli
his parents; for some time followed
driving horses “to the eastward, foi
sale, with his father; got to racing
horsés, drinking, gambling, &ec.; lat:
terly has been an idle profligate; con!
victed of petit larcency, 2d offence,
in Montgomery county, May 23, 1828,
and sentenced 3.years and 1 day; first
stole a penknife in a frolic; at another
time as he and some others were out
riding, dvink and .cold, took a buffale
skin on the way to keep them warm,
and when'he got home sold it to ‘‘raise
the wind.”—Discharged by pardon,
November 30,7 1828.
He has taken bis imprisonment ve
ry hard;, and it is hoped that his dread
of the prison, if nothing else, will be a
check upon his vicious propensities.
Extractfrom an address pronounced hefore!
the Medical Graduates of the University
of Maryland, April 6th, 1529, by Nathan
K. Smith, M. D. ' Professor of Surgery
and Dean of the faculty.
How féew there are who realize
that while the sword is sleeping in its
scabbard, while plenty smiles upon
our land, and pestilence withholds its
arrows, there is still abroad among us
a destroying demon “more fell than
hunger, anguish, or the sea.” Itis
ascertained that more than thirty
thousand lives are,”in our own country
alone, annually destroyed by this sui
cidinal excess. The poisoned chalice
is filled at the expense of more than
three times the revenue of the nation.
What waste of treasure is here, withs
out even the poorv?compense of ¢ase
and pleasure? What destruction of
human life, without ene wreath of thaf
NO. 18. ᏣᎳᎩ ᏧᎴᎯᏌᏅᎯ ᎯᎠ ᏂᎦᎥᏧᎬᏩᎶᏗ.
ᏑᏔᎾᏮᏁᏓᏖᏆᏍᏗ ᎢᎪᎯᏛ ᏌᏉ ᏧᏂᎴᏴᎪᏗ ᎨᏎᏍᏗ.
ᏴᏫᏁᎬ ᏗᏂᏬᏂᏗᏍᎩ ᏦᎢᏁ ᎠᏰᏢ ᎤᎾᎫᏴᏘ
ᎬᏎᏍᏗ - ᎢᏳᏃ ᎢᎬᏪᏅᏛ ᎠᎾᎫᏱᏍᎨᏍᏗ.
ᎢᏳᏃ ᎤᏑᏓᏢ ᎢᏯᏅᏁ ᎢᏴ ᎠᎾᎫᏱᏍᎨᏍᏗ, ᏦᎢ
ᎠᏕᎸ ᎤᎾᎫᏴᏗ ᎨᏎᏍᏗ. ᎠᏕᏘᏱᏍᎬᏃ ᎢᏴ ᎩᎳ
ᎠᎾᏮᎫᏱᏍᎨᏍᏘ, ᏅᎩᏁᎢ ᎠᏰᏢ ᎤᎾᎫᏴᏗ ᎨᏎᏍᏗ.
ᏣᎳᎩᏃ ᎤᏩᏒ ᏗᏂᏬᏂᏘᏍᎩ, ᏔᎵᏢᏉ ᎠᏕᎸ
ᎤᎾᎫᏴᏘ ᎨᏎᏍᏗ ᏑᏕᏘᏴᏛ; ᎢᏳᏃ ᎢᎬᏪᏅᏛ ᎠᏮ”
ᎫᏱᏍᎨᏍᏗ. ᏦᎢᏁᏃ ᎠᏰᏢ ᎾᏍᎩᏉ ᎤᏕᏘᏴ”
ᏌᏗᏒ ᎠᎾᎫᏱᏍᎨᏍᏗ. ,
