The Nevada Democrat., 1856-11-04
Tine Death Of Father Basic.


We take the following extract from the sec
ond edition of Barstow's History OF New lamp
shire-a work, by the way, of great merit, and
the most reliable and valuable history of that
State published. The extract in question is a
model of fine writing, and refers to one OF the
most interesting episodes in the history of the
early Jesuit missions in this country:
The Jesuits planted the cross at an early day
among the tribes of the Abenequis. But OF the
missionaries whom they sent there, no one en-
dured or accomplished so much to chrlstanlze
the Indians as father Sebastian Basle. In early
vouth he left the endearments of home and civ
ilized life. plunged into the depths of wilds un-
explored. and shared with the Indians the prl-
vations of the wilderness. In the infant village
of Norridgewock by q graceful curve OF tue
Kennebeck. on beautiful prairie stood his abode
All round lay painless wilderness. 1t was
here that the missionary, then young, resolved
to devote the remainder of his days TO tne spir-
itual services whereto he had been appointed
A church was erected, and supplied with tnose
splendid decorations by which the Catholics
seek to engage the Imagination, and through
that to reach the heart Above the village
stood one consecrated chapel, and below 1t an
other was erected, and bore on its walls the i'm
age of the holy virgin. By the assistance OF
woman. the church was embellished and illuml-
mated by "brilliant lights from the wax of the
bayberries, gathered from the islands of the
seav A bell was transported from Canada,
through the wilderness, which, at morning and
evening hour called the warriors and hunters
to PRAYER. Around the village the primeval
forest vet stood in its grandeur and glory. Is
lands, like gems, studded the clear expanse OF
the Kennebeck, and range of lofty mountains
skrted the distant horizon. The matin song
began to be chanted in these romantic soitudes,
and with the unceasng music OF the waterfall
mingled the vesper hymn. The Indians were
taught to sing and recite in their native tongue,
and were charmed with the ceremonies that
captvated the cultured minds of Fenelon and
Cheverus BY the winning conversation of Fa-
ther Basle, and by the fervor and pathos of his
preaching, the Indians were profoundly impress
ed with the truth of his religion, and yielded al
most implicit obedience to his will. He was
master of all their languages, shared in their
privations, and adopted the customs OF their
tribe. In times of scarcity he supplied them
with food, secured their affections by his gentle
department. and finally gained over them an
ascendency superior to the influence Of the ma
tive chiefs
When he had grown gray in poverty and alb
stinence, he was suspected by the English Of
instigating the Indians to war; and party un
ueT OOl. NcsbDIuUh WAC SSiib w ANViiiNSSNNNr
to seize him. But courier had preceded then
to give him notice of their approach, and he es
capped into the woods. The government soor
resolved upon another expedition to Norridge
wock; and accordingly Captains Moulton and
Harmon invested that village, each of them al
the head oe an hundred men. When Father
Basle heard the tumult of their approach, he
knew the danger to which himself and his peo-
pie were exposed. Nothing intimidated, he
went forth, with fifty warriors, to meet the as
saants, hoping to hold them in check till the
women and children should have time to escape.
AS soon as he was discovered volley of mus
kerry was directed towards him, and he fell dead
at the foot of the cross which he had planted
The Indians mourned for him as for chief and
father. He was buried near the place where
his altar stood, and where he had so often cele-
brated the rites of his faith. More than cen
tury after his death, gratitude and reverence
reared an humble monument to his memory on
the spot where he fell. 1t was consecrated by
Bishop Fenwick, with the solemn and imposing
ceremonies of the Catholic worship, No one
could deny that it marked the spot where good
man was stricken down; and when it was de-
stroyed by the unseen hand of violence, Charity
could but mourn that enough Of intolerant fa-
nnticism should be found in the present onlight-
ened age, to invade the precincts of the dead
in order to trample upon monument which
the most savage conqueror would respect and
spare.