The Winslow mail., 1926-03-26

our minds became uneasy. Wars
took place. Indians were hired to
fight against Indians, and many of
our people were destroyed. They
also brought strong liquor among
us. 1t was strong and powerful and
has, destroyed thousands.
Brother, our seats were once
large and yours were small. You
have now become a great people,
and we have scarcely a place left
to spread our blankets. You have
got our country, but are not salts
fied you want to force your re-
ligion upon US.
Brother, continue to listen.
You say that you are sent to in
struct us how to worship the Great
Spirit agreeably to His mind; and,
if we do not take hold of the re-
ligion which you white people teach
we shall be unhappy hereafter.
You say that you are right and we
are lost How do we know this to
be true? We understand that your
religion is written in a book. If it
was intended for US, as well as
you, why has not the Great Spirit
given to us, and not only to US,
but why did He not give to our
forefathers the knowledge of that
Book, with the means of under
standing it rightly? We only know
what you tell us about it. How
shall we know when to believe, be-
ing so often deceived by the white
| people?
Brother, you say that there is
but one way to worship and serve
the Great Spirit. If there is bur
one religion why do you white peo-
pie differ so much about it? Why
not all agreed, as you can all read
the Book?
Brother, we do not understand
these things We are told that our
religion was given to our fore
fathers and has been handed down
to us, their children. We worship
in that way 1t teaches us to be
thankful for all the favors we re-
ceive, to love each other, and to
be united. We never quarrel about
religion.
Brother, the Great Spirit has
made US all, but He has made a
great difference between His white
and His red children. He has given
us different compilations and diff
ferent customs. To you he has
given the arts. To these He has
not opened our eyes. We know
these things to be true. Since He
has made so great a difference be-
tween us in other things, why may
we not conclude that He has CIV
en- us a different religion accord
ing to our understanding? The
Great Spirit does right. He. knows
what is best for His children, we
are satisfied.
Brother, we do not wish to de-
stroy your religion or take it from
you. We only want to enjoy our
own.
Brother, you say you have not
come to get our land or our money,
but to enlighten our minds. 1 will
now tell you that l have been at
your meetings and saw you collect
money from the meeting. I cannot
tell WudI IudI IIOl1Sy was IAICLuOo
| for, but suppose it was for your
! minister; and, if we should conform
to your way of thinking, perhaps
YOU may want some from US.
Brother, we are told that you
have been preaching to the white
people in this place. These people
are our neighbors. We are ac-
| uuainted with them. We will wait
| a little while and see what effect
your preaching has upon them. If
we find it does them good, makes
them honest, and less disposed to
cheat Indians, we will then con-
slider again what you have said.
Brother, you have now heard
our answer to your talk, and this
| is all we have to say at the pres
ent. AS we are going to part, we
will come and take you by the
hand, and hope the Great Spirit
will protect you on your journey
and return you safe to your
friends"