The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-02-07

until every colonized tIibe, with scarce
an exception, was furnished with schools
and the means of evangelical instruc-
ton.
The Society of Friends have exhib-
tied eommsndable zeal for the inter-
ests of the Indians generally. In what
is now Kansas Territory they have
sustained a well conducted school
anong the Shawnees, from the origin
of their settlement here, with enceur-
aging success. Among the Shawnees,
Delawares, Kiekapoos and other tribes.
the Methodist Episcopal Church has
labored with perseverihg and success
full interest. The Shawnees, Dela-
wares, Stockbridges. Pottowatomies,
Weas and Ottawas have shared in the
watchful care of the Baptist denomina-
ton. At their station among the Shaw
nees, in 1888, a printing press was put
in operation. From this press was is
sued for a number of years small
paper in the Indian tongue, called the
Shawnee Sum-" portions of scripture
translated into the languages of the va
rious surrounding Indian tribes, small
almanacs, books for learners, hymn
books, &C., were printed. These trans
lations were circulated with much sue
cess. They drew the attention of the
people; opened a new source for the
employment of their leisure hours; and
developed an activity not realized be-
fore their circulation. They sought
amusement in singing; in the exer-
else of which their minds became pre-
pared to receive the gospel in its power
and fulness of ofpromise.
The conversion of the Indians easily
to the Christian faith, as predicted by
Columbus, has never been realized
The strong native tendency of the heart
to depravity is never easily eradicated.
This tendency, added to the hereditary
wildness of the tribes, has rendered
their conversion an object of prayerful
anxiety to the missionary. With all
the labor yet performed, quite large
proportion of the tribes remain unbro-
ken in their attachment to their ancient
pagan rites. Their religious views are
as fanciful, if not as ingenious as the
mythology of the Greeks and Romans.
In the first heavens above, their God
dess Mother has her abode, to whom
is committed the guardian care of her
children upon earth. In. the heaven
above her is the dwelling place of the
Manito, or Great Spirit, who- holds a
presiding sway in the councils of the
gods. Traditionary legends almost
numberless are rehearsed among them
from parents to their children. These
traditions relate to the creation, the
flood, to the origin of their dance or
manner of worship, and to the end Of
the world. They have marks of anti
quity, but from expressions interviewer
it becomes evident that they have been
modified by intercourse with the ciyiliz-
ed world. When the body dies. the
spirit fingers for awhile about its clayey
tenement, and then takes its journey to-
wards the setting sun. For the wicked
there are various punishments in the
spirit world. The murderer of the
fifth degree is incorrigible; or after the
fifth murder there is no forgiveness.
Great satisfaction is enjoyed by the
good, in the fulness of things desired
upon earth.
! In their national councils they are
wont to respond to the speaker in a
manner peculiar to themselves, yet
quite singular to The unpractised stran-
ger. This habit is likely to be carried
into christian worship, for the first time
q prayer attends. Il celebrated war
chief invited missionary to preach at
his house, at the first introduction of the
gospel among the Shawnees. At an
early hour he collected his family and
acquaintances to hear, and commenced
responding to the truth in his native
style. On the preachers observing that
it was fearful thing to continue in
wickedness-that the penalty of the
broken law of God to the soul of the
transgressor would be fearful as the
thunderings and hghtnings are to the
body, he responded quickly: THAT
is very true, lam myself always afraid
of thunder" This warrior afterwards
appeared. by turns, to be partially con-
vinced of sin, and by turns left to run
to the most hardened and daring
lengths of wickedness. His death a
few years ago was accompanied with
! great accusations of conscience. and
fearful foreshadowings of q judgment
to come.
/ Many of the Indian converts exhibit
unquestionable sincerity and great de-
cision. Among the Shawnees. Elam-
! wataka, (aliss B!ackfeasher,) the sue
Icessor in Office to the celebratedT Tecum'
sen, was among the 6rst to embrsct
i the christian fsith. He was one of ths
attendants On divine service. but CON