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mystery that is the essence of worship； without which there can be no
religion； and in the presence of this mystery our attitude cannot be very
unlike that of the natural philosopher； who beholds with awe the Divine in
all creation。
It is simple truth that the Indian did not； so long as his native
philosophy held sway over his mind； either envy or desire to imitate the
splendid achievements of the white man。 In his own thought he rose
superior to them！ He scorned them； even as a lofty spirit absorbed in its
stern task rejects the soft beds； the luxurious food； the pleasure…worshiping
dalliance of a rich neighbor。 It was clear to him that virtue and happiness
are independent of these things； if not incompatible with them。
There was undoubtedly much in primitive Christianity to appeal to this
man； and Jesus' hard sayings to the rich and about the rich would have
been entirely comprehensible to him。 Yet the religion that is preached in
our churches and practiced by our congregations； with its element of
display and self…aggrandizement； its active proselytism； and its open
contempt of all religions but its own； was for a long time extremely
repellent。 To his simple mind； the professionalism of the pulpit； the paid
exhorter； the moneyed church； was an unspiritual and unedifying thing；
and it was not until his spirit was broken and his moral and physical
constitution undermined by trade； conquest； and strong drink； that
Christian missionaries obtained any real hold upon him。 Strange as it
may seem； it is true that the proud pagan in his secret soul despised the
good men who came to convert and to enlighten him！
Nor were its publicity and its Phariseeism the only elements in the
alien religion that offended the red man。 To him； it appeared shocking
and almost incredible that there were among this people who claimed
superiority many irreligious； who did not even pretend to profess the
national faith。 Not only did they not profess it； but they stooped so low
as to insult their God with profane and sacrilegious speech！ In our own
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
tongue His name was not spoken aloud； even with utmost reverence； much
less lightly or irreverently。
More than this； even in those white men who professed religion we
found much inconsistency of conduct。 They spoke much of spiritual
things； while seeking only the material。 They bought and sold everything：
time； labor； personal independence； the love of woman； and even the
ministrations of their holy faith！ The lust for money； power； and
conquest so characteristic of the Anglo…Saxon race did not escape moral
condemnation at the hands of his untutored judge； nor did he fail to
contrast this conspicuous trait of the dominant race with the spirit of the
meek and lowly Jesus。
He might in time come to recognize that the drunkards and licentious
among white men； with whom he too frequently came in contact； were
condemned by the white man's religion as well； and must not be held to
discredit it。 But it was not so easy to overlook or to excuse national bad
faith。 When distinguished emissaries from the Father at Washington；
some of them ministers of the gospel and even bishops； came to the Indian
nations； and pledged to them in solemn treaty the national honor； with
prayer and mention of their God； and when such treaties； so made； were
promptly and shamelessly broken； is it strange that the action should
arouse not only anger； but contempt？ The historians of the white race
admit that the Indian was never the first to repudiate his oath。
It is my personal belief； after thirty…five years' experience of it； that
there is no such thing as 〃Christian civilization。〃 I believe that
Christianity and modern civilization are opposed and irreconcilable； and
that the spirit of Christianity and of our ancient religion is essentially the
same。
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
II THE FAMILY ALTAR
Pre…natal Influence。 Early Religious Teaching。 The Function of the
Aged。 Woman； Marriage and the Family。 Loyalty； Hospitality；
Friendship。
The American Indian was an individualist in religion as in war。 He
had neither a national army nor an organized church。 There was no priest
to assume responsibility for another's soul。 That is； we believed； the
supreme duty of the parent； who only was permitted to claim in some
degree the priestly office and function； since it is his creative and
protecting power which alone approaches the solemn function of Deity。
The Indian was a religious man from his mother's womb。 From the
moment of her recognition of the fact of conception to the end of the
second year of life； which was the ordinary duration of lactation； it was
supposed by us that the mother's spiritual influence counted for most。
Her attitude and secret meditations must be such as to instill into the
receptive soul of the unborn child the love of the 〃Great Mystery〃 and a
sense of brotherhood with all creation。 Silence and isolation are the rule
of life for the expectant mother。 She wanders prayerful in the stillness
of great woods； or on the bosom of the untrodden prairie； and to her poetic
mind the immanent birth of her child prefigures the advent of a master…
mana hero； or the mother of heroesa thought conceived in the virgin
breast of primeval nature； and dreamed out in a hush that is only broken
by the sighing of the pine tree or the thrilling orchestra of a distant
waterfall。
And when the day of days in her life dawnsthe day in which there is
to be a new life； the miracle of whose making has been intrusted to her；
she seeks no human aid。 She has been trained and prepared in body and
mind for this her holiest duty； ever since she can remember。 The ordeal
is best met alone； where no curious or pitying eyes embarrass her； where
all nature says to her spirit： 〃'Tis love！ 'tis love！ the fulfilling of life！〃
When a sacred voice comes to her out of the silence； and a pair of eyes
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
open upon her in the wilderness； she knows with joy that she has borne
well her part in the great song of creation！
Presently she returns to the camp； carrying the mysterious； the holy；
the dearest bundle！ She feels the endearing warmth of it and hears its
soft breathing。 It is still a part of herself； since both are nourished by the
same mouthful； and no look of a lover could be sweeter than its deep；
trusting gaze。
She continues her spiritual teaching； at first silentlya mere pointing
of the index finger to nature； then in whispered songs； bird…like； at
morning and evening。 To her and to the child the birds are real people；
who live very close to the 〃Great Mystery〃； the murmuring trees breathe
His presence； the falling waters chant His praise。
If the child should chance to be fretful； the mother raises her hand。
〃Hush！ hush！〃 she cautions it tenderly； 〃the spirits may be disturbed！〃
She bids it be still and listenlisten to the silver voice of the aspen； or the
clashing cymbals of the birch； and at night she points to the heavenly；
blazed trail； through nature's galaxy of splendor to nature's God。 Silence；
love； reverence；this is the trinity of first lessons； and to these she