While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
About the year 1800 a new religion was
introduced among the Six Nations, the exponent of which alleged to have received
a revelation from the Great Spirit, with a commission to preach
to them the new doctrine in which he was instructed. This
revelation was received in circumstances so remarkable, and the
precepts he sought to inculcate contained in themselves such
evidences of wisdom and beneficence that he was universally
received among them, not only as a wise and good man, but as one
commissioned by the Great Spirit to become their religious
teacher. The new religion, as it has ever since been called,
embodied all the precepts of the ancient faith, recognized the
ancient mode of worship giving it a new sanction of the Great
Spirit, and also comprehend such new doctrines as came in aptly,
to lengthen out and enlarge the original system without
impairing it. Charges of imposture and deception were at first
preferred against him, but disbelief of his divine mission
gradually subsided, until at the time of his death the whole unchristianized portion of the Six Nations had become firm
believers in the new religion, which to the present day has
continued to some extent as a prevailing faith.
This singular person who was destined to obtain such a
spiritual sway over the descendants of the ancient Iroquois was
Ga-ne-o-di-yo, or "Handsomelake."
a
Seneca sachem of the highest class, he was born at the
Indian village of Ga-no-wau-ges, near Avon, about the year 1735,
and died at Onondaga in 1815, where he happened to be on one of
his pastoral visits. By birth he was a Seneca of the Turtle
clan, and a half brother to the celebrated Corn Planter by a
common father. The most part of his life was spent in idleness
and dissipation during which time, although a sachem and ruler
among the Seneca for many years, and through the most perilous
time of their history, he acquired no particular reputation.
Reforming late in life, in his future career he showed
himself to be possessed of superior talents and to be animated
by a sincere and ardent desire for the welfare of his race.
At this period and for about a century preceding, the
prevailing habit of intemperance among the Iroquois was the
fruitful source of their domestic trouble, this in connection
with their political disasters seemed to threaten the speedy
extinction of their race. A temperance reformation, universal
and radical, was the main and ultimate object of the mission
which he assumed, and upon which he chiefly used his influence
and eloquence through the remainder of his life. To secure a
more speedy reception of his admonitions, he clothed them with
divine sanction, to strengthen their moral principles, he
enforced anew the precepts of the ancient faith; and to insure
obedience to his teachings, he held over the wicked the terrors
of eternal punishment. Going from village to village among the
several nations of the league, with the exception of the
Christianized
Oneida and
Tuscarora, continuing his visits from year to year,
preaching the new doctrine with remarkable effect. Many
abandoned their dissolute habits and became sober and moral men;
discord and contentions gave place to harmony and order, and
vagrancy and sloth to ambition and industry. The origin of this
project has at times been ascribed to
Cornplanter as a means to increase his own influence,
but this is not only improbable but is expressly denied. The
motives by which Handsomelake claimed to be actuated were
entirely of a religious and benevolent character, and in
pursuance of the injunctions of his spiritual guides.
At the time of his supernatural visitation, about the
year 1800, Handsomelake resided at the village of Cornplanter,
on the Alleghany river in the State of Pennsylvania. As he
explained the case to his brethren, having lain ill for a long
time he had given up all hope of recovery and resigned himself
to die. When in the hourly expectation of death, three spiritual
beings in the form of men, sent by the Great Spirit, appeared
before him, each carried in his hand a shrub bearing different
kinds of berries, which, having been given him to eat, he was by
their miraculous virtue immediately restored to health. They
afterward revealed to him the will of the Great Spirit upon a
variety of subjects, and particularly in relation to the
prevailing intemperance, commissioning him to promulgate these
doctrines among the league, causing him to see realities of the
evil-minded, and to behold with his mortal eyes the punishment
inflicted upon the wicked, that he might with more propriety
warn his people of their impending destiny. He was also
permitted to behold the realm and felicities of the Heavenly
residence of the virtuous. With his mind thus prepared, and
stored with divine precepts, and with his zeal enkindled by the
dignity of his mission, Handsomelake at once commenced his
labors.
After his death, Sase-ha-wa, (Johnson) of Tonawanda,
was appointed his successor. The first and only person ever
"raised up" by the
Iroquois, and invested with the office of a supreme
religious instructor a sincere believer in the verity of
Handsomelake's mission, and an eminently pure and virtuous man
Sase-ha-wa (Johnson) has devoted himself with zeal and fidelity
to the duties of his office, as a spiritual guide and teacher of
the Iroquois. He was a grand-son of Handsomlake, a nephew of Red
Jacket, and was born at the Indian village of Ga-no-wan-ges,
near Avon, about the year 1774.
At the condolence and religious councils of the
Iroquois, which are still held at intervals of a few years,
among the scattered descendants of the long house, it has long
been customary to set apart portions of two or three days to
listen to a discourse from Johnson upon the new religion. On
these occasions he explains minutely the circumstance attending
the supernatural visitation of Handsomelake, and delivers the
instructions, word for word, which he had been accustomed to
give during his own ministration. Handsomelake professed to
repeat the messages which were given to him from time to time by
the celestial visitants, with whom he alleged to be in frequent
communication, and whom he addressed as his spiritual guardian,
thus enforcing his precepts as the direct command of the Great
Spirit.
At their councils and religious, festivals, it was
customary for the chiefs and keepers of the faith to express
their confidence in the new religion, and to exhort others to
strengthen their beliefs. The late Abraham La Fort, an educated
Onondaga Sachem, thus expressed himself upon this subject at a
condolence council of the league, held at Tonawanda as late as
October, 1847.
"Let us observe the operations of nature. The year is
divided into seasons, and every season has its fruits. The birds
of the air, though clothed in the same dress of feathers, are
divided into many classes, and one class is never seen to
associate or intermingle with any but its own kind. So with the
beasts of the field and woods. Each and every class and specie
have their own separate rules by which they seem to be governed,
and by which their actions are regulated. These distinctions,
classes and colors the Great Spirit has seen fit to make. But
the rule does not stop here. It is universal. It embraces man
also. The human race was created and divided into different
classes, which were placed separate from each other having
different customs, manners, laws and religions. To the Indians
it seems that no more religion had originally been than was to
be found in the operations of nature, which taught him that
there was a Supreme Being, all powerful and all wise; and on
this account, as well as on account of his great goodness, they
learned to love and reverence Him. But these later times, when
the restless and ambitious spirit of the white skinned race had
crossed the boundary line and made inroads upon the manners,
customs and primitive religion of the Indian, the Great Spirit
determined to and through His servant, Handsomelake, did reveal
his will to the Indians. The substance of that will was no more
than to confirm their ancient belief that they were entitled to
a different religion a religion adapted to their customs,
manners and ways of thinking."
As the discourses delivered by Johnson from time to
time contains a very full exposition of their ancient beliefs
and mode of worship, together with the recent views introduced
by Handsomelake, mingled up in one collection, presenting
probably a better idea of their ethical and religious system
than could be conveyed in any other manner, it is given entire,
and will explain itself as delivered, thus:
"The
Mohawk, the
Onondaga, the Seneca, and our children, the
Oneida, Cayuga and
Tuscarora, have assembled here to-day to listen to the
repetition of the will of the Great Spirit, as communicated to
us from heaven through His servant, Handsomelake.
"Chiefs, warriors, women and children, we give you a
cordial welcome. The sun has advanced far in its path, and I am
warned that my time to instruct you is limited to the meridian
sun. I must hasten to perform my duty. Turn you minds to the
Great Spirit, and listen with strict attention. Think seriously
upon what I am about to speak. Reflect upon it well, that it may
benefit you and your children. I thank the Great Spirit that He
has spared the lives of so many of you to be present on this
occasion. I return thanks to Him that my life is yet spared. The
Great Spirit looked down from Heaven upon the suffering and the
wanderings of the red children. He saw that they had greatly
decreased and degenerated. He saw the ravages of the firewater
among them. He therefore raised up for them a sacred
inspiration, who, having lived and traveled among them for
sixteen years, was called from his labors to enjoy eternal
felicity with the Great Spirit In Heaven. Be patient while I
speak. I cannot at all times arrange and prepare my thoughts
with precision. But I will relate what my memory bears.
"It was in the month of June when Handsomelake was yet
sick. He had been ill for years. He was accustomed to tell us
that he had resigned himself to the will of the Great Spirit. 'I
nightly returned my thanks to the Great Spirit,' said he, 'as my
eyes were gladdened at evening by the sight of the stars of
heaven. I viewed the ornamental heaven at evening through the
opening in the roof of my lodge, with grateful feelings to my
Creator. I had no assurance that I should at the next evening
contemplate His works. For this reason my acknowledgment to Him
was more fervent and sincere. When night was gone, and the sun
again shed its light upon the earth, I saw and acknowledged in
the return of day His continued goodness to me and to all
mankind. At length, I began to have an inward conviction that my
end was near. I resolved once more to exchange friendly words
with my people, and I sent my daughter to summon my brothers
Cornplanter and Blacksnake. She hastened to do his bidding, but
before she returned he had fallen into insensibility and
apparent death. Blacksnake, upon returning to the lodge,
hastened to his brother's couch and discovered that portions of
his body were yet warm. This happened at early day before the
morning dew had dried. When the sun had advanced half way to the
meridian his heart began to beat, and he opened his eyes.
Blacksnake asked him if he was in his right mind, but he
answered not. At meridian he again opened his eyes, and the same
question was repeated. He then answered and said, 'A man spoke
from without and some one might come forth. I looked and saw
some men standing without. I rose, and as I attempted to step
over the threshold of my door I stumbled, and should have fallen
had they not caught me. They were three holy men who looked
alike and were dressed alike. The paint they wore seemed but a
day old. Each held in his hand a shrub bearing different kinds
of fruits. One of them addressing me said, 'We have come to
comfort and relieve you; take of these berries and eat; they
will restore you to health: we have been witnesses of your
lengthy illness; we have seen with what resignation you have
given yourself up to the Great Spirit: we have heard your daily
return of thanks; He has heard them all; His ear has ever been
open to hear; you was thankful for the return of night, when you
could contemplate the beauties of heaven; you was accustomed to
look upon the moon as it coursed in its mighty paths; when there
were no hopes to you that you would again behold these things,
you willingly resigned yourself, to the mind of the Great
Spirit; this is right; since, the Great Spirit made the earth
and put man upon it, we have been His constant servants to guard
and protect His works; there are four of us; some other time you
will be permitted to see the other; the Great Spirit is pleased
to know your patient resignation to His will; as a reward for
yon devotion He has cured your sickness; tell your people to
assemble to-morrow, and at morn go in and speak to them.' After
they had further revealed their intentions concerning him they
departed.
"At the time appointed Handsomelake appeared at the
council and thus addressed the people upon the revelations which
had been made to him:
"'I have a message to deliver to you. The servant of
the Great Spirit has told me that I should yet live upon the
earth to become an instructor to my people. Since the creation
of man the Great Spirit has often raised up men to teach his
children what they should do to please him; but they have been
unfaithful to their trust. I hope I shall profit by their
example. Your Creator has seen that you have transgressed
greatly against His laws. He made men pure and good. He did not
intend that he should sin. You create a great sin in taking the
firewater. The Great Spirit says you must abandon this enticing
habit. Your ancestors have brought great misery upon you. They
first took the firewater of the white man, and entailed upon you
its consequences. None of them have gone to heaven. The
firewater does not belong to you. It was made by the white man
beyond the great waters. For the white man it is a medicine; but
they, too, have violated the will of their Maker. The Great
Spirit says drunkenness is a great crime, and He forbids you to
indulge in this evil habit. His command is to the old and young.
The abandonment of its use will relieve much of your sufferings,
and greatly increase the comforts and happiness of your
children. The Great Spirit is grieved that so much crime and
wickedness should defile the earth. There are many evils which
He never intended should exist among His red children. The Great
Spirit has for many wise reasons withheld from man the number of
his days, but He has not left him without a guide, for He has
pointed out to him the path in which he may safely tread the
journey of life.
"'When the Great Spirit made man He also made woman. He
instituted marriage, and enjoined upon them to love each other
and be faithful. It is pleasing to Him to see men and women obey
His will. Your Creator abhors a deceiver and a hypocrite. By
obeying His commands you will die an easy and happy death. When
the Great Spirit instituted marriage He
ordained to bless those who were faithful with children. Some
women are unfaithful and others become so by misfortune. Such
have great opportunities to do much good. There are many orphans
and poor children whom they can adopt as their own. If you tie
up the clothes of an orphan child the Great Spirit will notice
it and reward you for it. Should an orphan ever cross your path
be kind to him and treat him with tenderness, for this is right.
Parents must constantly teach their children morality and
reverence for their Creator. Parents must also guard their
children against improper marriages. They, having much
experience, should select a suitable match for their child. When
the parents of both parties have agreed, then bring the young
pair together and let them know what good their parents have
designed for them. If in time they so far disagree that they
cannot possibly live contented and happy with each other they
may separate in mutual good feeling, and in this it is no wrong.
"'When a child is born to a husband and wife they must
give great thanks to the Great Spirit, for it is His gift and an
evidence of His kindness. Let parents instruct their children in
their duty to the Great Spirit, to their parents and to their
fellowmen. Children should obey their parents and guardians, and
submit to them in all things. Disobedient children occasion
great pain and misery. They wound their parents' feelings and
often drive them to desperation, cause them great distress and
final admission into the place of evil spirit. The marriage
obligations should generate good to all who have assumed them.
Let the married be faithful to each other, that when they die it
may be in peace. Children should never permit their parents to
suffer in their old age. Be kind to them, and support them. The
Great Spirit requires all children to love, revere and obey
their parents. To do this is highly pleasing to Him. The
happiness of parents is greatly increased by the affection and
the attention of their children. To abandon a wife or children
is a great wrong, and produces many evils. It is wrong for a
father or mother-in-law to vex a son or daughter-in-law, but
they should use them as if they were their own children. It
often happens that parents hold angry disputes over their infant
child. This is also a great sin. The infant hears and
comprehends the angry words of its parents. It feels bad and
lonely. It can see for itself no happiness in prospect. It
concludes to return to its Maker. It wants a happy home, and
dies. The parents then weep because their child has left them.
You must put this evil practice from among you if you would live
happy.
"'The Great Spirit when He made the earth never
intended that it should be made merchandise, but His will is
that all His creatures should enjoy it equally. Your chiefs have
violated and betrayed their trust by selling lands. Nothing is
now left of our once large possessions save a few small
reservations. Chiefs and aged men, you, as men, have no lands to
sell. You occupy and possess tract in trust for your children.
You should hold that trust sacred, lest your children are driven
from their homes by your unsafe conduct. Whoever sells land
offends the Great Spirit, and must expect a great punishment
after death.'"
Johnson here suspended the narration of the discourse
of Handsomelake's, and thus addressed the council:
"Chiefs, keepers of the faith, warriors, women and
children You all know that our religion teaches that the early
day is dedicated to the Great Spirit, and that the late day is
granted to the spirits of the dead. It is now meridian, and I
must close. Preserve in your minds that which has been said.
Accept my thanks for your kind and patient attention. It is meet
that I should also return my thanks to the Great Spirit that he
has assisted me thus far in my feeble frame to instruct you. We
ask you all to come up again to-morrow at early day, to hear
what further may be said. I have done."
The next morning, after the council had been opened in
the usual manner, Johnson thus continued.
"Relatives, uncover now your heads and listen. The day
has thus far advanced, and again gathered around the
council-fire I see around me the several nations of the long
house. This gives me great joy. I see also seated around me my
counselors (keepers of the faith), who have been regularly
appointed, as is the custom of our religion. Greetings have been
exchanged with each other. Thanks have been returned to
Handsomelake. Thanks also have been returned to our Creator by
the council now assembled. At this moment the Great Spirit is
looking upon this assembly. He hears our words, knows our
thoughts, and is always pleased to see us gathered together of
good. The sun is now high, and soon it will reach the middle
heavens. I must therefore make haste. Listen attentively, and
consider well what you shall hear. I return thanks to our
Creator, that He has spared your lives through the dangers of
the darkness. I salute and return my thanks to the four
Celestial Beings who have communicated what I am about to say to
you. I return thanks to my grandfather (Handsomelake), from whom
you first heard what I am about to speak. We all feel his loss.
We miss him at our councils. I now occupy his place before you,
but I am conscious that I have not the power which he possessed.
"Counselors, warriors, mother sand children Listen to
good instruction. Consider it well. Lay it up in your hearts,
and forget it not. Our Creator when He made us designed that we
should live by hunting. It sometimes happens that a man goes out
for to hunt, leaving his wife with his friends. After a long
absence he returns and finds that his wife has taken another
husband. The Great Spirit says this is a great sin, and must be
put from among us.
"The four messengers further said that it was
wrong for a mother to punish a child with a rod. It is not right
to punish much, and our Creator never intended that children
should be punished with a whip or be used with much violence. In
punishing a refractory child water only is necessary, and it is
sufficient. Plunge them under. This is not wrong. Whenever a
child promises to do better the punishment must cease. It is
wrong to continue it after promises of amendment are made. Thus
they said.
"It is right and proper always to look upon the dead.
Let your face be brought near to theirs, and address them. Let
the dead know that their absence is regretted by their friends,
and that they grieve for their death. Let the dead know, too,
how their surviving friends intend to live. Let them know
whether they will so conduct themselves that they will meet them
again in the future world. The dead will hear and remember. Thus
they said.
"Continue to listen while I proceed to relate what
further they said. Our Creator made the earth. Upon it He placed
man, and gave him certain rules of conduct. It pleased Him also
to give them many kinds of amusement. He also ordered that the
earth should produce all that is good for man. So long as he
remains, it will not cease to yield. Upon the surface of the
ground berries of various kinds are produced. It is the will of
the Great Spirit that when they ripen we should return our
thanks to Him, and have a public rejoicing for the continuance
of these blessings. He made everything which we live upon, and
requires us to be thankful at all times for the continuance of
His favors. When our life (corn, &c,), has again appeared, it is
the will of the Great Spirit that we assemble for a general
thanksgiving. It is His will also that His children be brought
and to participate in the feather dance. Your feast must consist
of the new production. It is proper at these times, should any
present not have their names published, or any changes have been
made, to announce them then.
"The festival must last four days. Thus they said. Upon the
first day must be performed the feather dance. This ceremony
must take place in the early day, and cease at the middle day.
In the same manner, upon the second day, is to be performed the
Thanksgiving dance. On the third, the Thanksgiving concert.
Ah-do-weh is to be introduced. The fourth day is set apart for
the peach-stone game. All these ceremonies instituted by our
Creator must be commenced at early day, and cease at the middle
day. At all these times we are required to return thanks to our
Grandfather Heno (Thunder) and his assistants. To them is
assigned the duty of watching over the earth and all its
produces for our good. The great Feather and Thanksgiving dances
are the appropriate ceremonies of Thanksgiving to the Ruler and
Maker of all things. The Thanksgiving concert belongs
appropriately to our grandfathers. In it we return thanks to
them. During the performance of this ceremony we are required
also to give them the smoke of tobacco. Again we must at this
time return thanks to our mother the earth for she is our
relative. We must also return thanks to our life and its sister.
All these things are required to be done by the light of the
sun. It must not be protracted until the sun has hid its face
and darkness surrounds all things.
"Continue to listen. We have a change of season. We
have a season of cold. This is the hunting season. It is also
one in which the people can amuse themselves. Upon the fifth day
of the new moon Nis-go-wuk-na (about February 1st), we are
required to commence the annual jubilee of thanksgiving to our
Creator. At this festival all can give evidence of
their devotion to the will of the Great Spirit, by participating
in all of its ceremonies.
"Continue to listen. The four Messengers of the Great
Spirit have always watched over us, and have ever seen what was
transpiring among men. At some times Handsomelake was
transported by them to the regions above. He looked down upon
the earth and saw an assembly. Out of it came a man. His
garments were torn, tattered, and filthy. His whole appearance
indicated great misery and poverty. They asked him how this
spectacle appeared to him. He replied that it was hard to look
upon. They then told him that the man he saw was a drunkard;
that he had taken the firewater and it had reduced him to
poverty. Again he looked and saw a woman, seated on the ground.
She was constantly engaged in gathering up and secreting about
her person her worldly effects. They said the woman you see is
inhospitable. She is selfish to spare anything, and will never
leave her worldly goods. She can never pass from earth to
heaven. Tell this to your people. Again he looked, and saw a man
carrying in each hand large pieces of meat. He went about the
assembly to give each a piece. This man they said is blessed,
for he is hospitable and kind. He looked again, and saw streams
of blood. They said thus will the earth be if the firewater is
not put from among you. Brother will kill brother, and friend
kill friend. Again they told him to look towards the east. He
obeyed as far as his vision reached. He saw the increasing smoke
of numberless distilleries arising and shutting out the light of
the sun. It was a horrible spectacle to witness. They told him
that here was the place that manufactured the firewater. Again
he looked, and saw a costly house, made and furnished by the
pale faces. It was a house of confinement where were fetters,
ropes and whips. They said those who persisted in the use of
firewater would fall into this. Our Creator commands us to put
this destructive vice far from us. Again he looked and saw
various assemblages. Some of them were unwilling to listen to
instruction. They were rioters and took great pride in drinking
the strong waters. He observed another group who were half
inclined to hear, but the temptations of vice that surrounded
them allured them back, and they also reveled in the fumes of
the firewater. He saw another assemblage who had met to hear
instruction. This they said was pleasing to the Great Spirit. He
loves those who will listen and obey. It has grieved Him that
His children are now divided by separate interests, and are
pursuing so many paths. It pleases Him to see His people live
together in harmony and quiet. The firewater creates many
dissensions and divisions among us. They said the use of it
would cause many to die unnatural deaths. Many will be exposed
to cold and freeze. Many will be burned, and others will be
drowned while under the influence of the firewater.
"Friends and relations, all these things have often
happened. How many of our people have frozen to death, how many
have burned to death: how many have been drowned, while under
the influence of the strong water. The punishment of those who
use the firewater commences while they are yet on the earth.
Many are now thrown into houses of confinement by the pale
faces. I repeat to you the Ruler of us all requires us to unite
and put this evil from among us. Some say the use of the
firewater is not wrong, and that it is food. Let those who do
not believe it is wrong make this experiment: Let all who use
the firewater assemble and organize into a council, and those
who do not into another council near them. A great difference
will then be discovered. The council of drunkards will end in a
riot and tumult, while the other will have harmony and quiet. It
is hard to think of the great prevalence of this evil among us.
Reform, and put it from among you. Many resolve to use the
firewater until near death, when they will repent. If they do
this nothing can save them from destruction, for medicine can
then have no power. Thus they said.
"All men were made equal by the Great Spirit, but He
has given them a variety of gifts. To some a pretty face, to
others an ugly one: to some a comely form, to others a deformed
figure; some are fortunate in collecting around them worldly
goods; but you are all entitled to the same privileges, and
therefore must put pride from among you. You are not your own
maker, nor the builders of your own fortunes; all things are the
gifts of the Great Spirit, and to Him must be returned thanks
for their bestowal; He alone must be acknowledged as the giver.
It has pleased Him to make differences among men, but it is
wrong for one man to exalt himself above another. Love each
other, for you are all brothers and sisters of the same great
family. The Great Spirit enjoins upon all to observe hospitality
and kindness, especially to the needy and helpless, for this is
pleasing to Him. If a stranger wanders about your abode, speak
to him with kind words; be hospitable toward him; welcome him to
your home, and forget not always to mention the Great Spirit. In
the morning give thanks to the Great Spirit for the return of
day and the light of the sun. At night renew your thanks to Him
that His ruling power has preserved you from harm during the day
and that night has again come in which you may rest your wearied
bodies.
"The four messengers said further to Handsomelake,
'Tell your people, and particularly the keeper of the faith, to
be strong-minded and adhere to the true faith. We fear the
evil-minded will go among them with temptations. He may
introduce the fiddle; he may bring cards and leave them among
you; the use of these is a great sin. Let the people be on their
guard and the keepers of the faith be watchful and vigilant that
none of these evils may find their way among the people. Let the
keepers of the faith preserve the law of moral conduct in all
its purity. When meetings are to be held for instruction and the
people are preparing to go, the evil-minded is then busy. He
goes from one to another whispering many temptations, by which
to keep them away. He will even follow persons into the door of
the council and induce some at that time to bend their steps
away; many resist until they have entered, and then leave. This
habit once indulged in, obtains fast hold and the evil
propensity increases with age. This is a great sin, and should
be at once abandoned. Thus they said.
"Speak evil of no one; if you can say no good of a
person, then be silent; let all be mindful of this, for these
are the words of our Creator. Let all strive to cultivate
friendship with those who surround them. This is pleasing to the
Great Spirit.
"Counselors, warriors, women and children I shall now
rest. I thank you all for you kind and patient attention. I
thank the Great Spirit that He has spared the lives of so many
of us to witness this day. I request you all to come up again
to-morrow at early day. Let us all hope that until we meet again
the Creator and Ruler of us all may be kind to us and preserve
our lives, na-ho."
The council on the following day was opened with a few
short speeches by some of the chiefs or keepers of the faith,
returning thanks for the privileges of the occasion, as usual at
councils; after which Johnson, resuming his discourse, spoke as
follows:
"Friends and relatives, uncover now you heads. Continue
to listen to my rehearsal of the saying communicated to
Handsomelake by the four messengers of the Great Spirit. We have
met again around the council fire. We have followed the ancient
custom and greeted each other. This is right and highly pleasing
to our Maker. He now looks down upon this
assemblage; He sees us all; He is informed of the cause of our
gathering, and it is pleasing to Him. Life is uncertain; while
we live let us love each other; let us sympathize always with
the suffering and needy; let us also always rejoice with those
who are glad. This is now the third day, and my time for
speaking to you is drawing to a close. It will be a long time
before we meet again; many moons and seasons will have passed
before the sacred council-brand be again uncovered; be watchful,
therefore, and remember faithfully what you may now hear.
"In discoursing yesterday upon the duties of the
keepers of the faith, I omitted some important things. The Great
Spirit created this office; He designed that its duties should
never end. There are some who are selected and set apart by our
Maker to perform the duties of this office; it is therefore
their duty to be faithful, and to be always watching. These
duties they must ever perform during their lives. The faithful
when they leave this earth will have a pleasant path to travel.
The same office exists in heaven, the home of our Creator. They
will take the same place when they arrive there. There are
dreadful penalties awaiting those keepers of the faith who
resign their office without a cause. Thus they said.
"It was the original intention of our Maker that all
our feasts of thanksgiving should be seasoned with the flesh of
wild animals, but we are surrounded by the pale faces, and in a
short time the woods will all be removed: then there will be no
game for the Indians to use in their feasts. The four messengers
said in consequence of this that we might use the flesh of
domestic animals. This will not be wrong. The pale faces are
pressing upon every side. You must therefore live as they do.
How far you can do so without sin I will now tell you. You may
grow cattle and for yourselves a comfortable dwelling house.
This is not sin, and it is all you can safely adopt of the
customs of the pale faces. You cannot live as they do. Thus they
said.
"Continue to listen. It has pleased our Creator to set
apart as our life the three Sisters. For this special favor let
us ever be thankful. When we have gathered in our harvest let
the people assemble and hold a general thanksgiving for so great
a good. In this way you will show your obedience to the will and
pleasure of your Creator. Thus they said.
"Many of you are ignorant of the spirit of medicine. It
watches over us constantly, and assists the needy whenever
necessity requires. The Great Spirit designed that some man
should possess the gift and skill in medicine, but He is pained
to see a medicine man making exorbitant charges for attending
the sick. Our Creator made for us tobacco. This plant must
always be used in administering medicine. When a sick person
recovers his health he must return his thanks to the Great
Spirit by means of tobacco, for it is by His goodness that he is
made well. He blesses the medicine, and the medicine man must
receive as a reward whatever the gratitude of the restored may
tender. This is right and proper. There are many that are
unfortunate and cannot pay for attendance. It is sufficient for
such to return thanks to the medicine man upon recovery. The
remembrance that he has saved the life of a relative will be a
sufficient reward.
This site
includes some historical materials that may imply negative stereotypes
reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. These
items are presented as part of the historical record and should not be
interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in any way endorse the stereotypes
implied .
Legends, Traditions, and Laws of the Iroquois, or Six Nations and History of the Tuscarora Indians
