Page:Life and journals of Kah-ke-wa-quo-na-by.djvu/186

 with them. It is well known that the first step the priests take is to prejudice their minds against all other denominations, while they neglect to teach them the depravity of the human heart, and the necessity of coming to Christ alone for pardon and mercy: in this way they make the Indians ten times more the children of the devil than they were before. The Lord have mercy upon them, and dispose their hearts to receive the truth, that they may know nothing but the truth as it is in Christ Jesus our Lord. They finished dividing the presents about 5 o'clock. The Chiefs then expressed their thanks to their great father, the King, for his bounty to them, by presenting a string of wampum. For the last two days I have not seen a drunken Indian on the ground, which is perhaps the first time they ever collected together at the delivery of presents and payments in a sober, decent manner. Two years ago I was present at the issue at this place when I beheld with grief old men and women, young men and young women, intoxicated, and selling the articles they got from Government for the firewaters. They then looked wretched beyond description, but now, what a change, — how wonderful the effects of the Gospel, which has proved to be the life and power of God to the salvation of this people — we see them now decently clothed and "in their right mind!" Stopped at Mr. Johnson's this night.

Friday 15th. — Mr. Law accompanied me this morning to the Lower Landing, in order to hold a meeting with the Indian brethren, and bid them farewell, intending to start for York to-day. At the sound of the horn, they assembled together, when I gave them some religious advice, and closed by exhorting them to persevere in the good way. Benjamin Crane then exhorted, after which we commended each other to the protection of Almighty God, and bade each other adieu. Yellowhead's and John Asance's tribes intend returning to