1638-40.] BACKSLIDERS. 135 



proposed to the Hurons that a number of young 

 Frenchmen should settle among them, and marry 

 their daughters m solemn form. The listeners 

 were gratified at an overture so flattering. " But 

 what is the use," they demanded, " of so much cer- 

 emony ? If the Frenchmen want our women, they 

 are welcome to come and take them whenever they 

 please, as they always used to do." ^ 



The Fathers are well agreed that thek difficulties 

 did not arise from any natural defect of under- 

 standing on the part of the Indians, who, accord- 

 ing to Chaumonot. were more intelligent than the 

 French peasantry, and who, in some instances, 

 showed in their way a marked capacity. It was 

 the inert mass of pride, sensuality, indolence, and 

 superstition that opposed the march of the Faith, 

 and in which the Devil lay intrenched as behind 

 impregnable breastworks.^ 



It soon became evident that it was easier to 

 make a convert than to keep him. Many of the 

 Indians clung to the idea that baptism was a safe- 

 guard against pestilence and misfortune ; and when 



1 Le Meicier, Relation des Hurons, 1637, 160. 



2 In this connection, the following specimen of Indian reasoning is 

 worth noting. At the height of the pestilence, a Huron said to one of the 

 priests, "I see plainly that your God is angry with us because we will 

 not believe and obey him. Ihonatiria, Avhere you first taught his word, 

 is entirely ruined. Then you came here to Ossossane, and we would not 

 Listen ; so Ossossane is ruined too. This year you have been all througli 

 our country, and found scarcely any who would do what God commands ; 

 therefore the pestilence is everywhere." After premises so hopeful, 'he 

 Fathers looked for a satisfactory conclusion ; but the Indian proceeded — 

 " My opinion is, that we ought to shut you out from all the houses, and 

 stop our ears when you speak of God, so that we cannot hear. Then we 

 shall not be so guilty of rejecting the truth, and he will not punish us so 

 cruelly." — Lalemant, Relation des Swans, 1640, 80. 



