New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-08-28
Netp91ork Dailu @ibrure
SUyD1Y WITH THE INDIANS.
..-,.aonse Of TIE n 7. fnbaDs.

village. L CDObC Cuuuhl lVi buV OANuitiNN' ~ o"
ride of fourteen miles from LockpOrt, on the Lewis
ton road and near the line Of the old LOctport and
Niagara Falls Railroad. This was primitive and
simple affair, cbeaply constructed, laid almost fiat
upon the ground with serpentine curves and turns,
avoiding every Knoll and hollow where embankment
or excavation would be required. For long distances
it ran side BY side with the highway economizog
aud and fences. 1t was great bugbear to horses
10 this new country. But it was the first railroad,
and q very wonderful thing in it's day.
We rode through region OF Hat, cayey farms
and fine old forests the borders Of the great tt-
ble-lsnd, spread above the plains lying betweeo it
and Lahe Ontario. Occasional visions OF the
spotted woods and clearngs Of this lower country,
with glimpses OF the blue line Of the lake beyond,
gave variety 10 the scenery. 1t WAS bright day,
with floating clouds, and great masses OF shadow
swept over the sunny landscape. About mile be-
yond the village Of Pekin (why will Americans be
80 absurd as 10 give these sounding Asatlc and Eu.
ropean names to their petty towns y we reached
the lands of the Tuscaroras. We seemed entering
a new settlement. A few stumpy fields, few
poorly cultivated farms, few scattered huts or
houses of hewn logs indicated the first advances of
civilization. Yet the wild and oyerrun aspect of
much of the land betrayed long occupancy and long
neglect. We saw Indians in the doOrways; We met
or Ov, rtOOk them the road. in wagons Or on foot
Occasionally were dstinguish1ble the farms of white
settlers who rent land Of the Indians and live among
them. -Four miles from the boundary of the Reser-
vatlOn We approached the Tuscarora, village. Inns
consists chiefly of a Westinghouse and burying-
ground and a few oaks and butternuts The par
sonagr, comparatively large, whtewashed- looking
framed house. is near. Here lives Mr.. lockwood,
the Missionary preacher.
It was Sunday, as have said; we arrived at Inc
village little after noon. There were horses hitched
by the roadside fence and under the trees, Indians
about the meeting door, Indians sitting IN the
shade, Indians in the belfry. There was one tall
Indian seated On the front of the roof with bis back
against the steeple We hailed al Indian who was
crossing The road, and asked him if there were to
be services there that afternoon.
"Yals!" he articulated, without moving muscle
of his face, and passed on.
So we tied our horse to the fence, which is on the
south side of the road, and crossed over t. the
meeting. house, which stands upon a small common
opposite.
The house is Of wood, small, and OF a plain and
simple ayle of structure. Its situation 10 admirable.
Ii stands ar the edge Of the table land almost on
the brow Of the inland cliff. Below stretches the
beautiful, yellow, woody, spotted landscape, Ike
eopards sides. The lake is not far off, and passing
sails ftch the level blue.
SGuaws with handkerchefs on their heads, In
dian girls wearing straw fats with light shawls on
their symmetrical shoulders were standing about the
house, or sitting on the green shaded turf. Nearly
all wore the usual short gown and petilcOat. Some
of the younger ones appeared conscious OF beauty,
and here and there two walked or sat together rs II
they had secrets to communicate, and gave cOquet-
fish glancts with their large black eyes. Their
compilations are varied: few uDquaiiedly Indian,
Others Of almost Caucasian wilderness, with all the
intervening shades. A certain medium hue Is not
uDpleasing.
On mound of earth near the church is the Tus-
carora buryDg- ground 1t is without Enclosure.
The graves of few wealthy families are in groups
surrounded by pickets, and provided with handsome
tOmbstOnts. The less important dead are buried IN
family rows on the open ground, where the feet OF
cattle may tread. The graves OF inalyiduals are
understandable; and saw a serious Indian who
had lost the grave Of bis first wife. walked about
on the rude stones that cover the indiscrmlnate
tombs. and became for the moment the lost aged
Indian nnsing upon the past, and life, and death,
over the sepuchfrs of his fathers. The words Of
Sheley's Lament rose to my lips:
"Oword, life, o time
On whose last steps climb,
When shsl return the glory of your prime
No more. Onevermore!"
The bell rang in the little wooden befry and we en-
tered it'll the crowd. An intelligent AMI affabe
white resident, whose acquaintance we made, and
who kindly acted as our ccerone, seated us under
the pulpit, where we could study the faces of the
congregation. The little house was soon filled.
counted over a hundred Indians and about twenty
whites OF the latter, several were residents on
the Reservation; the rest were visitors. Two OF the
Mountpleasant chiefs were present. both fine-lOok-
ine specimens OF manhood.
The congregation being seated, Mr.. lockwood,
the minister came in and spoke to an Indian in the
audience, who arose and accompanied him to the
pulpit, ii,
1T is James Cusick, native preacher, who Is
settled over a Baptist congregation OF Indians at
Grand River, in Canada. He is here on visit to
his Tribe. You will hear sermon in good Tusca-
rOra. He is great orator."
The singing was in Mohawk, by native choir.
There were good tenor voices among the men, and
some of the female voices were shr,ll aud sweet.
Ii sounded strange to hear one OF our common
church hymns sung TO words out OF Mohawk
bynn-bOok by such choir After the singing came
the PRAYER, which seemed very solemn and impress
sive one During the sermon changed my seat To
Obtain view Of the orator. He had strong Indian
features: he appeared deeply in earnest; his ges-
lures were few but significant; his sentences sounded
short and sharp. During the discourse many OF the
tribe were in tears. He made many repeuhons OF
the name Jesus Christ, which We're the only words
| could understand. Yet the sermon, although one
of The class called lengthy, seemed one oil the short
est ever heard. | was interested In many tnhgs.
! had taken my seat near window, where could
Gaze alternately from tie preacher and the congre-
cation out upon the marvellous pictures OF sun an1
shade upon the landscape and sails upon the lake.
| was sorry 10 observe that two or three oi the
dusky congregation carried their imtd.lon q! our
conSenonIliU forms so far as to sleep i'll sermon Tine
During the services could not help thinking
that this is not the form Of religion best suited 10
the lIGans nature. He has originally large share
OF spirituality. The belief in the Great Spirit, in
the mu ortal hunting grounds, 10 the divine sion
of he prophet ard III, dcine man, is genuiue out
growth Of the soul. Ibis Is the form which the In.
dlsns mind gave to the ideas Of Deity and spirtua