Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-07-03
Industry.

ne Iate Nev. JOHN l1ECKEwELDER,
OF Bethlehem, was worthy Missionary
to the Indians Of Pennsylvania, during
forty years He published history of
their manners and customs, from which
the following anecdote is extracted;
"Seating myself once upon log, by
the side Of an Indian, who was resting
himself there, being at that time active
y employed in fencing in his corn-feld,
l observed to him, that he must be very
fond Of working, as l meyer saw him
idling away his time, as is so common
with the Indians. The answer he return
ed, made very great impression on my
mind. have remembered it ever since,
and shall try to relate it as nearly in
his own words as possible.
4" My friend, 4" said he, "the fishes in
the water and the birds in the air, and
on the earth, have taught me to work -
by their example, have been convinc-
ed OF the necessity of labor and industry.
When.l was a young man, l loitered a
bout a good deal, doing nothing, just like
the other Indians, who say, that work.
ing is for whites, and negroes, and the
Indians have been ordained for other
Purposes-to hunt the deer, and catch
the beaver, otter, racoon, and such other
animals. But it one day so happened
that while hunting, came to the bank of
the Susquehanna, and having sat myself
down near the waters edge to rest lit
tie, and casting my eye on the water, !
was forcibly struck when / observed
with what industry the mechegalingus
sun fish, heaPed small stones together,
to make secure places for their spawn;
and all this labor they did with their
mouth and body, without hands?
"Astonished, as we'll as diverted, l
lighted my pipe, sat awhile smoking and
looking on, when presently little bird
not far from me, raised song, which en-
ticed me to look that way. While was
trying to distinguish where the song ster
was, and catch it with my eyes, its mate
with as much grass as It could hold in its
bill, passed close by me and flew into a
bush, where ! perceived them together,
bssily employed in building their nest,
and singing as their work went on. !
saw the birds in the air and fishes in the
water, working diligently and cheerful
y, and all this without hands. Thought
It was strange, and became lost in won
der. l looked at myself, and saw two
bong arms, provided with hands and fin
gers, and with joints that might be open.
ed and shut at pleasure. l could, when
l pleased, take up any thing with these
hands, bold it fast, or let it loose, and
carry it along with me- When l walk
ed, l observed, moreover, that had a
stout body, capable Of bearing fatigue,
and supported by two stout legs, with
which l could climb to the top of the
highest mountains, and descend at plea
sure into the valleys.
"And is it possible, said !, that be-
ing SO wonderfully formed as l am, was
created to live in idlcness; while the
birds which have no hands and nothing
but their little bills to help them, work
with cheerlulness, and without being
told to do sos Has then the great Crea-
tor of man, and Of all living creatures,
given me all these limbs for no purpose 7
1t cannot be. will try to 60 TO work.
! did so, and went away from the village
to a spot Of good land, where built
cabin, enclosed ground, sowed corn, and
raised cattle. Ever since that time,
have enjoyed a good appetite and sound
sleep-while the others spend their nights
in dancing, and are suffering with hun
ger, l live in plenty. Keep horses,
cows, and fowls. / am happy. See, my
friend the birds and fishes have brought
me- eaactian anl Ia..o L. ,,,., "a ... O. Il. Il,