The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-04-10


Since the days of the Apostles and the
early Christians, perhaps there have been no
religionists in the world more jealous and per-
severing than the Jesuits. Their courage
and determination have scarcely been equaled
by any religious Sect There were no difficult
ties they could not surmount, no obstacles
they could not push aside and no distance
they could not overcome. Their spirit and
resolution always mounted with the occasion,
and their zeal was always equal to any emer-
gency. Far from being "far weather Chris
tians," no storms could dampen their zeal, no
difficulties abate their enthusiasm, no earthly
power make them despair. The bright star
of Hope was ever in the ascendant and al.
ways leading them on to new conquests. No
portion uf the globe where human beings
dwelt they did not visit, no matter how dis
tant the places nor how meagre the facilities
for travelling.
Some two hundred years ago these Propa-
gandists from France crossed the Atlantic
and ascended the st. Lawrence river for the
purpose of establishing posts and converting
that portion of the New World, Indians and
all, to their religious faith. Their zeal left no
stone unturned, and they swung half round
the circle, establishing posts on tho banks of
the st. Lawrence and the shores Of the great
lakes. They passed through the unbroken
forests making friends of the Indians and en-
during untold hardships. From Fond du Lac
the head of Lake Superior, they travelled
through the forests and over the prairies TO
the Mississippi river and down that mighty
stream to New Orleans, selecting their loca-
tions and giving names to places which they
still bear.
In the situation of grounds for their posts
they evinced a strong love for the beautiful
in nature, choosing the most romantic and
picturesque spots for these locations and max
ing things pleasant as well as useful.
But these Jesuits must not have all the
credit nor the lions share Of it for selecting
such beautiful places. The Indians were the
pioneers and first pointed out those romantic
stations. 1t is well established fact that
these sons of the forest had keen eye for
beautiful land and water prospects. Let us
hear what the poet Akenside says:
'swhat then is taste but these internal powers,
Active and strong, and feelingly alive }
To each strong impulse? discerning sense
OF fdecent and sublime, with quick disgust
From things deformed, or disarranged, or gross
In speci les? This nor gems, nor tones Of gold,
Nor purple state, nor culture can bestow,
But God alone, when first his active hand
Imprints the secret bias OF the SOUL" saa.
The Indians, in their native, uptutored
state, confirm DIR. Akenside's view of such
matters. These Jesuit priests, with their ad-
vantages of high culture and the refining in
fuences of Christianity, had no keener eyes
for the beauties of nature than the wild sons
of the forest. And if their religion had been
inculcated with less imposing and glittering
ceremonies, with less outside show and lcapti-
waiting forms, fewer converts, probably, would
have been made among the aborigines of our
country. Their eyes are more highly pleased
than their hearts deeply touched 1t is re-
ligion that plays about their heads with many
charms. But after all, perhaps it is better
than no religion. And yet we have failed to
learn that our own civilization has improved
the character Of the Indians. One thing is
quite certain, our sire water" has greatly de-
moralized them. ....
But this is digression from our man oo-
iect. On the Ottawa river is place called
athe Lake of the two Mountains" Wher-
,ver the waters OF the Ottawa or the st. Law
- nee rivers widen out and spread over a con-
siderable territory, these places are called
lakes, The waters of the Ottawa thus spread
ont. Fl, I'm the Lake Of the two mountains.
Here is an Indian village Of long standing,
which in the Indian language is called Kun
nastakee, which means "village at the foot
of the noun tains." Back of this village, not
far distant, are two mountains of quite re-
spectacle magn itude for Canada. They would
not, however, in Maine, be dignifed with such
name. They would be classed among the
hills. On the southern slope of these hills are
built several stone chapels to which the cam
olic priests and Indians resort for pr'vate ue
votion, and for parties of picnic cnal"
The red men and women are fond oi ,..u.S -"
a good time, and the priests are '"'"
enough to indulge theAa.
Near the shore of the lake s'anus '"e
church with its tall steepie which mas peen
bu;lt nearly two centuries. ms cnurcn'
the village and mountains back OF IT, wi,h
tho stone chapels rising from their sides, make