Year: 1859




ant link in the curious inquiry as to what
extent, and in what time, peculiar cli-
mate and mode of life may change the
physical nature and intellectual character
of different branches of the human race
There are many and respectable au-
thorities who, in view of tie striking con-
tras' In color, greatness and intellect, OF
the different races inhabiting the globe,
gravely doubt the common origin of the
human family from Adam and Eve
And It must be conceded that those who
implicitly receive the Mosaic account,
whilst they must admit thai change has
taken place, cannot point out the manner
III which II vas accomplished by any more
satisfactory means than attributing it TO
the Providence of God. The Providence
of God, however excellent in all of its
means, and however sufficient for all
| things, is yet a rational agency, and its
ways are the most wonderful for their
clearness and simplicity. The harmoni-
Gus motions of the heavenly bodies, the
revolution of the earth upon its own axis,
are not the less simple or perfect because
centuries Of observation and reflection
were required TO enable poor short-sighted
man TO comprehend them. A change has
taken place so remarkable among the diff
ferent branches of the human race that
Adam, could he return to the earth
would probably deny a portion of his de-
scendants. And though the mode of its
accomplishment is hidden secret, yet it
is fair to presume that when the observa-
ton and wisdom of future ages shall have
revealed the mystery, the chosen one
wao first graspS the great truth will won
der, like one who has first entered the
q Primitive Elysium," how thing at
once SO easy Of comprehension and so
sublime could have escaped coming to
him by intuition This subject has with
me long been considered of great mo-
ment, and has received large portion of
my leisure time in study and investga-
tion, and though obliged to touch upon it
thus lightly at present, | can assure the
brethren that | will take the opportunity
of my next quarterly scientific address to
treat upon it more fully. Having rapidly
glanced at the physical resemblances and
contrasts in the Pacific and Atlantic Indi-
ans, shall now refer to a few Of The Gus
toms which | consider as satisfactory evi-
dence that they are Evolutionary members
of our Order. To say that they compre-
bend all of It's sublime mysteries and
! principles would be to assert that they
were a highly enlightened and cultivated
| people, when it Is we'll known that they
are mere savages. The transformations
of time which have changed his color
and deprived him of al the better moral
parts of man, may be considered paral-
lei with, and Illustrative Of, those muta-
uons through which he has preserved ma
ny Of the rites and ceremonies of our or
der, long after he has lost all knowledge
of their meaning and application. For
instance in their war and medicine dan
ces they still observe many Of the attitudes
of the Confuscan Automatom In their
councils and funerals they observe the
confgurations Of the mystic ring. In Dig
ging roots they strike the symbol of the
royal arch. And have myself observed
them make the grand haIiing sign Of dis
tress, upon various occasions. They also
relate many legends which, when win
moved Of the rude embellishments Of saw
age Imagination which have gradually
found their way into them, plainly refer
to the primitive history Of the Order and
of mankind. And, as has been related
of the pieces of timber which were picked
up on the ocean and contributed so much
to the discovery Of this continent, their
rude carvings and heirogIyphics frequent
ly em0ody the most beautiful Oriental
moral metaphors. l may also mention
that It IS I custom among all tribes with
which / have had any intercourse, upon
receiving a visit from stranger towards
whom they are Hospitality disposed, to I'M
mediately spread mat upon which they
join him in making our beautiful sign Of
equality. The meaning CT this symbol,
al least, they seem to hare preserved in
all Of its pristine force. / have never
yet known an instance in which they have
injured or insulted person after having
joined with him in this sign, though IN
Vulnerable instances in which the faith
implied in the grip, the various signs of
distress and the sign of recognition, have
been grossly violated. Though the evi-
dences are in my opinion sufficiently