CHAPTER VII.

The author visits neighboring tribes-Conversation with the chiefs on the difference between Methodist and Presbyterian doc. trine--Visit to the Mohawks-Dangerous passage over Honey creek-Interesting meeting and formation of a class among the Mohawks--Visit to the Senecas-The Seneca feast-Reception of the Wyandotts-Speech respecting the Seneca prophet-Preliminary answer of Between-the-logs-Commences a religious meeting-Admirable speech on the superiority of the Christian over the Indian religion-Answers and objections-Speech of Hicks— Speech of Mononcue-His description of the judgment—Effect on the hearers-Closing interview of the Sencca and Wyandott chiefs-The author renews his acquaintance with Wiping-stick, a chief-Good effects of their visit upon the Senecas.

ABOUT July I visited some of the neighboring tribes, in company with Between-the-logs, Mononcue, John Hicks, with Jonathan Pointer for interpreter. The riv ers and creeks were very full, and, in the very outset, we had to swim our horses over the Sandusky river. We, ourselves, however, crossed in a canoe.

After we had caught our animals and adjusted our baggage, we set out, cheerfully conversing on the subject of religion. I was asked by Mononcue wherein the Presbyterians and Methodists differed in their views of religion. I told him the principal difference was briefly this: The Methodists believe that all men may obtain religion, if they will seek it; and persevering, may be finally saved; but that if unfaithful after they have obtained religion, they will lose it, and perish for ever. The Presbyterians believe that none can experience religion but the elect, or those whom God has made for the purpose; and that when they have obtained religion they cannot lose it. "And what becomes of the rest?" said Hicks. "Why," said I, "they are left to perish-the devil gets them."

"This cannot be right," said Between-the-logs. "God

is too good a being to do so.

Now," said he, "suppose I had two boys, and I take a tug and tie one of them fast, and say to the boys, 'If you will come with me, I will hunt and find you meat to keep you from starving.' This would be a useless offer to the one whom I had tied so fast that he could not go, while I left him to starve because he did not follow me. Would that be right?" "No," said Mononcue, "you would be a better father to take your tomahawk and kill him, than leave the poor fellow to starve. I dont believe a word of such doctrines," said he; "nor do I believe that a man cannot lose his religion. I feel that I can hardly keep it at all. It seems to me that I have to hold on all the time, or it will steal off and leave me. I know it is not true. I feel it every day. I must hold fast, or I am gone. It will not stay, except by prayer. Quit this and it is gone. By this means we get it, and by this only we can keep it."

By this time we had reached Honey creek, near a small village of Mohawks, composed of the Brants and my old friend, John Vanmetre's family. This creek was very full, so as to overflow its banks, and there was no way of crossing, but to drive in our horses, and to wade to a large tree fallen across the main bed of the creek, over which the water poured like the breast of a mill dam. At length it was concluded that Between-thelogs, myself, and Jonathan, should take over the saddles and blankets on our shoulders, and try the water. We did so, but it was with great difficulty we could walk the log. Yet we got safe over, and then waded out to dry land, in order to dispose of our baggage. I then waded back to the edge of the creek to catch our horses.

Hicks

and Mononcue drove them in, and the water carried them down to some young sycamores that were near to the side we were on. There the four horses lodged on the bushes, and for sometime struggled to free themselves. At length a sapling gave way, and three of them swung off. But Mononcue's horse hung, and was in the very act of drowning, when Between-the-logs threw off his coat, and plunging into the stream, swam up and took hold of the bridle, and held his head out of the water, but could not release him. Then Pointer plunged in; and as he could not swim, he cautiously caught hold of a young sycamore, and bent the bush down and let the horse swing off, when Between-the-logs swam back. By this time Hicks and Mononcue had arrived, and all were safe but Jonathan, who was still hanging on the young sycamore. To relieve him, we took off the strips of bark we had peeled to hobble our horses, tied them together, and made a rope. This we fastened to a stick, and threw it into the stream above him, which he caught. He then tied the bark around him, and Mononcue and myself towed him to the shore. So we all crossed without any material injury, and in a short time found ourselves housed with our friend Vanmetre. We were soon furnished with a good dish of venison, and some spicewood tea, with which we satisfied our craving appetites. We then sent out a runner to notify all the village to come to meeting that night.

In this meeting I led the way by asking the question, "Wilt thou be made whole?" I first pointed out the disease; secondly, the physician; and thirdly, the cure. The Lord was with us indeed. All the chiefs exhorted, and then we joined in a prayer meeting; and we have cause to believe one or two were "made whole."

We

had meeting next morning, formed a small class, and I appointed my friend, Vanmetre, to be their leader. I believe that he and his wife Susan, persevered until death.

We then set off for another Mohawk town. But when we arrived, we found that they had all gone to the great Seneca feast. We now directed our course to Fort Ball, the residence of the sub-agent, J. Montgomery. Here we staid all night. On Sabbath morning we went to the Seneca council house. Here there were from fifty to one hundred Indians playing ball. Their shouts were truly terrifying. The three Wyandott chiefs, the agent, and myself, went up near the council house, and seated ourselves on a log, to wait an invitation to come in, for on such occasions they are very ceremonious. There we waited for two hours. This delay was occasioned by the absence of one of the principal chiefs. At length we heard the wished for invitation. When we went in, we found the chiefs all seated, with their head chief in the midst of them. We took our seat on the opposite

side of the house. Soon the pipe of peace was lighted up, and sent by the chiefs to us, and we all smoked. When this was over, the chief woman brought a small kettle of hommony, and we all took a ladleful as it passed. Then their head chief arose and addressed us as follows:

We

"Brothers, we are thankful to the Great Spirit that he has appointed this day for us to meet again in this world; and we thank him that we are all in good health. are happy to inform you that the Great Spirit has appointed four angels to take care of our nation; and that our old prophet (meaning the far-famed Seneca prophet) does not forget to visit us once in awhile, and tell us what to do. He was seen by one of our young men the

other day, and he told him we must hold our great feast for him, which we have done these last four days. Now, brothers, we are glad you have come again to see us, and to speak to us. We will hear what you have to say."

Between-the-logs then arose, and after returning his grateful acknowledgements to God for his mercies, said, "Dear brothers, we have long had a desire to see you, and to speak with you. But we have not had this opportunity until now. We thought that as our business was from the Lord, we would come on his day, appointed from the beginning of this world, on which to worship him. We expected to find you at your homes, or in some good employment, on this day of rest; but we were disappointed, for we found many of you playing ball. But we will now commence this meeting with singing and prayer." He then commenced singing a hymn in Wyandott, upon which many were so offended that they left the house; and when we knelt down to pray, some of them raised the Indian yell, and before he was done praying, few were left in the house, except the chiefs and women; but when he commenced his speech they returned. He spoke as follows: "Fathers and

brethren, from you I came out, (for the father of Between-the-logs was a Seneca;) and as children sometimes may find a valuable thing, and bring it and show it to their parents, that all may reap the benefit of it—so I have found a most valuable treasure, rich in a great many blessings, and blessings that you all need, and cannot get any where else. They are free, because they are as abundant as the water of your river. All may go and drink, and wash and swim, if they choose; and I thought that it was my duty to come and show you this rich treasure-I mean the religion of Jesus Christ. This