Page:Life and journals of Kah-ke-wa-quo-na-by.djvu/146

 religion. They paid attention while I spoke, and at the conclusion, old Chief Yellowbird said that he could not give me an answer at present, as they would wish to consider the subject, and lay it before a general council of all the Chiefs, and if it was the desire of all the Chiefs, or the majority of them, they would be willing to be instructed in Christianity. But he also added, "We are so wicked and so given to intemperance, he thought it would be impossible for them to become good." I took this opportunity to tell him of the former condition of the Indians about the Credit; how wretched and miserable they had been before they turned, but that since they began to pray to the Great Spirit, they had been enabled to forsake their drunkenness as well as all their wicked ways; and that now they could testify from experience that Kezhamunedoo was reconciled to them through the merits of his Son Jesus Christ. He appeared amazed at this, and said it was wonderful news.

Tuesday 25th. — About 9 o'clock this morning, we visited the same Indians whom we endeavoured to instruct last Saturday. I spoke to them again on the same subject, and they were very attentive, making no objections to anything I said. I was informed that on our arrival in their neighbourhood last Friday, they were much frightened on account of some wicked white people telling them that the devil had ccme into their settlement, and was making great havoc among their people and destroying their children. Every man, woman, and child was up all night prepared to fight the devil on his approach. Thus are these ignorant people frequently scared by the evil, designing reports of their wicked neighbours. At 2 o'clock I preached to the white people from Mat. xi. 28.

Thursday 27th. — Rode from Brother Messmore's to the neighbourhood of Brother Dolson's, the Muncey Indian. Visited some Indians in their sugar camps, but finding them somewhat intoxicated, I did not say much to them; for it is useless