Tidings were carried back,
and more came amongst us. Yet we did not fear them. They called us
brothers. We believed them and gave them a larger seat. At length their
numbers had greatly increased. They wanted more land;--they wanted our
country. Our eyes were opened, and our minds became uneasy.
"Wars took place. Indians were hired to fight against Indians, and many of
our people were destroyed. They also brought strong liquors among us;--
they were strong and powerful, and have slain thousands.
"Brother: Our seats were once large, and yours were very small. You have
now become a great people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread our
blankets. You have got our country, but are not satisfied;--you want to
force your religion upon us.
"Brother: Continue to listen. 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 this religion which you white people teach, we shall be unhappy
hereafter. You say that you are right, that 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
it 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.
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