Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-11-03
TUsCARoRA INDIANS.
Extract from communication IN the
american Daily .adUertiser, dated,

Extract from q communication IN We
american Daily .adUertiser, dated,
philadelphia, September =.
Those who consider the attempts to
civiIize the Indians as hopeless, are invited
TO peruse the following short, unexagge-
rated description Of one OF their tribes,
visited few weeks since by the writer oil
this article.
The village of the Tuscarora tribe OF
Indians, is situate about 8 miles to the
eastward OF Lewistown, in the neighbour
hood of the falls Of Niagara the tribe
consists Of about 300. They hold a con-
siderable body of land in this place, and
cultivate it extremely we'll. Their fields
of wheat and Indian corn are nearly as
good as those of the whites, and they are
surrounded with most Of the comforts OF
civilization. There is missionary re-
siding here, the Rev. Mr.. Crane, from
New-Y ork, who is much and deservedly
beloved by them. They have school
conducted on the LancasteYian plan, and
the proficiency Of the children 10 the ele-
mentary branches OF knowledge is alike
creditable TO their teacher and themselves.
Public worship is regularly kept up, and
generally well attended.
The writer of this, can, with truth,
acknowledge, that few incidents of his life
will be recollected with more pleasure, than
bis visit TO the church Of the Tuscarora
Indians. The responsibility, neatness and
comfort OF their appearance, and the So
emnity of devotional feeling, the devo-
ton of the heart which apparently per-
vaded the audience, furnished, indeed, a
most delightful spectacle. There was no
symptom of indecorum of conduct in one
Of the natives present, but all their be-
liaviour became the occasion. To behold
those who had been accustomed TO every
idolatry, and the evils connected with it,
worshipping the only true God, and par
taking OF consultations OF genuine religion,
furnished to the mind, 10 an eminent de-
gree pure and unalloyed delight. The
Throne OF Grace was addressed in hum
BILE, fervid terms by the minister, and
though the human heart is known only to
Him who formed it; yet, if the poor 10
dians did not devoutly join in the public
prayer appearances can 10 no instance be
relied on. After which, number of
them rose and sung hymn by note, in
their native language, with great effect.
1t was translation of an English hymn,
set to the same music as the original A
venerable Indian then took his stand by
the side of the minister, and rendered his
sermon into Indian, sentence by sentence.
Their general character in the neighbour
hood is good, and their observance of the
Sabbath. (in which the whites furnish them
. bad example, is truly commendable.
We took our leave Of these interesting
natives, with feelings not easily described,
and with wishes for their welfare at once
ardent and sincere. In their Journey ings
through a world of sorrow, may they be
protected and supported by Divine Provi-
dence, and solaced by the friendship of
Christian friends !; and when they bid
adieu to terrestrial things, may they Join
the wise aud good of all nations, in the
fruition of happiness beyond the grave.