Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-04-18

PtCtufo SltS the Io6lCo, WIN xoo SUI PAL
plating human heart laid before is.
Another picture, the original scene of
which was actually witnessed by the
father. portrays the tall trunk Of balm
tree bending toward the earth, having
suspended at its extremity the writhing
BODY of human being, toward whom
are nurryinR several vultures, buzzards,
AID other beastly birds Of carrion. An
other picture represents q human holo-
crust. The black Esnds are heapinz on
the gathered fuel more palm OIL, the
iurid fame and dense smoke leap up
toward heaven like the reek Of hell.
Thousands of human lives are annually
thus sacrificed. and the missionaries are
poyeriess TO stop the carnage.
On one occasion several of the fathers
stationed at the mission of Adjaje while
walking with the pupils Of their school
discovered small hut in the woods a
short distance from the mission house.
Curious to know who inhabited 20 queer
a structure. the missionaries entered
the place and we're Mortified to discover
the body Of a full grown man nailed
head downward to beam. Hofrified
beyond description the fathers fed the
SPOT, and becoming fatigued, shortly
afterward sat down in the shade to rest.
Scarcely had their little party been seat
ed than great shouting and rush Of
feet were heard in the adjoining wood.
Presently number Of savages appear
cd, dragging young girl by the feet on
the same footpath which they were
about to take. The savages ran as
if possessed. and when the body of the
poor girl WAS nearly torn to pieces they
left II hanging to tree before An idol.
The most bitter opponents of the
Christian missionaries are the idolatr0us
priests, the upper class of whom form q
perfect Caste. transmitting their facui-
ties from father to son. These Door
barbarians preserve the vague tradition
of one god, named OllerOn, who Gre
ated the world and was good to men,
but becoming angry, he went away be-
hind the clouds, and hsnceforth con
cerned himself no more with humanity.
The tribes have, therefore, transferred
taeir allegiance to q second class OF
gods. whom they style ''Oreesha." Of
these they treasure perfect mythology.
The gods To whom they make human
sacrifices are: Shongo, the god Of war.
an idol formed of iron; Eiecha, the un-
happy god Or devil, represented in clay;
Uggun, the god of water, and several
others. At AdJaje, where he was stay
ing for some time, Father Zimmerman
at one time saw no less than SIX victims,
all bound, ready for sacrifice. He quick
ly retired to tho mission house hard by,
but even there the horrid yells pene-
tr1ted, az he fell on his knees ~ ask
Gods pardon for the act.
The present King of Dahomey, named
Toha, has been warned by the English
to discontinue the practice, and he now
hesitates TO perpetrate tho horrid act
publicly, but II Is still carried ON at night.
The missionaries have to be very careful
In speaking against tho ACT, a. open OPP
position would be suicidal on their part.
and at once put a stop TO their work.
They study medicine, and practise graf
uitously. They gain the confidence of
the natives by receiving the sick into
their hospitals, and taking chargS Of
old and worn out savages.
These poor old people are thrown out
of tho Ruts and allowed TO starve to
death. Tho missionaries also buy num-
bors of children exposed Tor sale in the
regular slave trade. When tho tribal
chiefs are unable ~ obtain captlves In
their raids upon rival tribes, they buy
these children and slaughter them IN
stead. The unfortunate little ones have
learned that the white men will not kill
them, and consequently when they ap-
pear III the market they are linmedl-
ateIy assaiied by piteous crles: "Oibo
rant! Otto rami!" white man, buy
me! White man, buy mel And they
buy them to the extent of their limited
finances. Tho missionaries usually pick
out boys and girls of about 6 to s years
of age, take them to the Christian colo
MES and train them until they are old
enough to marry. Some pictures shown
TO tho Gazette man of these Christian
lied barbarians were inexpresaibly fun
ny. One young gentleman in very
scant blanket, but crowned with an ex-
ceedingIy battered stovepipe hat, SEEM
cd to be fully impressed with the i'm
posing dignity Of his newly. donned COS
tune. Hundreds of these children are
bought by the Catholic missionaries
every year. They pay for them in cou-
ries or sea-shells, old guns and glass.
The price fiuctuatss from the value of
s. up to $15.