New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-10

tholicisn, and during recent visit Of some Indians
\ from thif region to Washington the public papers
generally the organs of public prsadice-adniiffed
that their and bearing evidenced the influence
OF civilization, considering the popularity OF their
condition. The Dolninicans The first 10 under
take the conversion of the Florida lniians TINS en-
teprise their missionary entered upon destitute of all
srms other than bis breviAry and cross. But soon
this intrepid pioneer Of Christianity was added to the
roll OF Martyr whose heroism hsd added so brilliant
luster the history of the Church The Jesuits now
rushed to the work Of converting the heather, and
entering the Bay Of the Chesapeake they, with little
baggage ard staff in hand commenced their march TOR
the interior Deceived by their guide they had been
led onward but to their own destruction, for by the
altar which they had raised the worship the Most
High ard in the sight OF him upon whom they had
lsvished the utmost need Of kindness, they poured
forth their Ie-blood beneath the tomahawk Of the
merciless Indian. The Francscans no, slow in
marching TO the breach; vet for season missionary
after missionary was cut down in the prosecution Of
their heroic abors Providence smiled upon their de-
voted earnestness and selfdenying pertnscity Of
deavor; thrir college St Augustines became the
center whence missionaries sent out not only 20
the Florida indiana but also s the Appalachian tribes
Ere half century elapsed, the country fell into the
sands of the English who substituted military parade IN
sesd ofmsionary nteTpEise in eecns the conversion
of the Indian. by turning the Missionary College of St.
Helens into barrack The Indians, hunted and perse-
fued by their English conquerors, assuming the
of Seminole-which meant wanderins-soug ht safety
from their persecutors in flight and plunged deep into
the dark Of the gades of Florida aai those
whom the English found happy peasantry. became
for years, and even st the terror OF frontier
Il
airy exploration in the North and not only the Court,
but even the Commercial community of France aided
in opening the way for the enterprise of these dauntess
soldiers Of the Church The first Mission was estlb
li,hed In Maine; but there the Mission did not long
endure The Mssionarieswere set upon and bsrbsrous
ly butchered compelling the enterprise in that quarter
10 be abandoned tor time Soon after the founding
Of Quebec By Champlain the conversion Of the Agon
quins and Hurons became the object OF his missionary
endeavor The seed of Christianity sown among the
Algonquins, the Hurons, and the powerful Iroquois,
and nourished with the blood Of many noble martyr
fructfed and even in the present day producing
rich harvest among the remnants of those nations.
The lecturer then somewhat infinitely referred
70 the abors Of lie Bafe Father Hillary, and
ether missionaries among the Hurons. Algonquins,
and lroquois, and feelngly portrayed the almost
incredible sutferings endured by those devoted men
in the PRONUNCIATION of the Christian doctrine In
the midst Of savage and vindictivc tribes. lie also
alluded TO the influence of the English ruls
rs retardirg, if il did not ultimately PROSTATE
the Chrstianizing of the Iroquois for This
he considered entirely attributable to the introduction
Of rum and firearms among the Indians by English
traders. Many Of the converted Iroquois, however
became pilgrims from their own hunting grounds and
emigrated TO the distant banks Of the St Lawrence
where the present day there remained three villages
of Catholic Iroquois, of which numbered three
thousand souls To the distant shores of Lake Supe
ror the Catholic Missionaries next turned their steps
In spite of ell the difficulties they obliged to
counter in the prosecution of their abors the spirit Of
these noble men not to be daunted ST. Marie
Macknac and Green Bay became the center OF their
operations. And even still in own day might we
see in the churches those pointsthe Catholic Priest
teaching alike the Indian and the American. Mr.. $.
here made passing alus.on the labors Of the cee
bra,ed Father Marqueite-who might be considered the
leading spirit of the Missionary enterprise in the north
west and after touching upon his exploration of the
Mississippi referred to the melancholy close of his life
and suferings neglected and alone upon the dreary
shores Of Lake Michigan. The lecturer concluded his
remarks (ofwhch the foregorgs but brief synopsis
by observing that in every age and every country the
true Catholic had ever aided the advancement of the
glory of God and bis Church on earth, by supporting
the prosecution of Missionary enterprise. IL became
them therefore, to chow that they were actuated by
the Catholic spirit the spirit of their ioreathers
and predecessors. Missionaries were ready to begin
tie work all that required was the pittance need
ed to carry it Oh successful completion Let them ALL
then help with nggard hand, but think Of the
baptized hea,hens around them and cry God speed the
Catholic Missionary.