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These are the words of Sagoyewatha ("Red Jacket", Chief of the Seneca) to missionary
Reverend Cram from the Boston Missionary Society at Buffalo Creek 1805:
"You say that you are sent to instruct us how to worship the Great Spirit
agreeably to His mind, and, if we do not take hold of the religion 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 understanding it rightly? We only know what
you tell us about it. How shall we know when to believe, being so
often deceived by the white people?
Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit.
If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about
it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the book?
Brother, the Great Spirit has made us all...we do not wish to destroy your
religion or take it from you. We only want to enjoy our own. . .you say you
have not come to get our land or our wealth but to enlighten our minds. . .you
have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our
neighbors. We are acquainted 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 consider again
of what you have said.
Brother, you have now heard our answer to your talk, and this is all we have to say
at present. 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."
As the Native Americans began to approach the missionary, he rose hastily from his seat
and replied that he could not take them by the hand; that there was no fellowship
between the religion of God and the works of the devil. This being interpreted
to the Indians, they smiled, and retired in a peaceable manner. Credits: Stedman, E. C. and Hutchinson E. M. (eds.), LIBRARY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE, Vol IV, ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA: 1989 |