j4"/*r Skeiches oj an Excursion to Soutlurn Alaska. 



did not know. We did not know the origin of this stone even, which I hold 

 m ray hand. Some of our wise men said that yale (the crow) made it and 

 made all things. Some said the other spirits made us and all things. Dark- 

 ness was over all the land and we groped about and could lind no light. But 

 3^()U sent the missionaries. They brought God's word with them. They open- 

 ed our eyes. Now we know God, who made this stone, and all things besides. 

 And we are not afraid of God, as we were afraid of the Yale. God is our 

 Father ; He loved us and sent His .Son to die that we might not be punished. 

 I have shown you how we used to fight. I was in many wars, and was fond 

 of fighting. Rut now God's word has said to us to fight no more, and to love 

 «>ur enemies, 



Before Mr. Young came, we Imlians were in our canoes trying to reach the 

 shore in vain. A strong wind was driving us out into the ocean, and the stornt 

 was beating down upon us. We were heartsick and perishing. But we heard 

 God's voice calling us, and saw Jesus Christ coming to help us, and we 

 took him aboard, and he steered the canoe through the waves, and brought us 

 to the land. Now we are safe in the harljor. Now there is no storm. The 

 winds have driven the clouds away, and all is peace, because you have taught 

 «s to love God and obey Jesus Christ. Now we live in God, for we know He 

 loved us, and we put our trust in Him. 



The first white people that came among us had white skins and l)lack hearts. 

 They were wicked men. They taught us many evil practices. They spoiled 

 ■our children, bought or stole our daughters, and soon cast them off. They 

 j-obbed, and poisoned, and murdered us. We thought all white men were 

 alike, and that w'e would all soon perish under the white man's lust, and our 

 own folly and madness. But we found out that there was a difference among 

 the whites. Some came who did not try to eat us up. We found out the 

 cause of the difference when you sent missionaries. Now we learn to love 

 others as ourselves, and to do good, even to our enemies. We learn God'^ 

 will, and try to do it. Now we know you treat us as brethren ; and agiin we 

 ihank you for coming to see us." 



TOW-AH-ATT's ADDRFSS to INDIANS. 



Turning to the Indians from other tribes, of whom a considerable number 

 was present, Tow-ah-att spoke as follows : "My Brothers! Last spring some of 

 the Auk Indians attacked my friends ; and, for the first time in my life, my 

 face was cut. Before I learned Christianity, I would have avenged the shame, 

 and would have demanded a life for the insult, according to our customs. But 

 Mr. Young told us we must not pay back our enemies. So I ask you all to 

 consider us as your friends, and ask you to come with us. Learn about God, 

 and follow our teachers ; and you will also live in peace in your land. Fut 

 away drinking, and gambling, and fighting ; and after a while the Indian 

 will be numerous again, and like the white men in knowledge and power." 



The interpreter, an intelligent and conscientious person, has revised the fore, 

 going, and pronounces it an accurate version of Tow-ah-att's speech, but not 

 iill of it. Only the substance of it i.s here transcribed — enough, however, to 



