Chafe] SENECA THANKSGIVING RITUALS 135 



his obligation. (609) For 16 years (610) he labored, telling his kins- 

 men the intentions of the Creator. (611) And at Onondaga he col- 

 lapsed. (612) And we believe that he did all that he was obligated 

 to do. (613) We are still following the message sent down by the 

 Creator. (614) And give it your thought, that we may do it prop- 

 erly: we now give thanks for him whom we called Handsome Lake. 

 And our minds mil continue to be so. 



20. The Four Beings 



(615) And this is what Our Creator decided. (616) "I shall have 

 as helpers the Four Beings, (617) They will protect the people on 

 the earth, (618) who are moving about across the earth. (619) Every- 

 thing is going on on the earth. (620) It is impossible for people to 

 move about alone. (621) It is inevitable that they will have acci- 

 dents, the people moving about." (622) And he decided, "The Four 

 Beings, my helpers, will protect them." (623) And he also gave 

 them the responsibility of watching over all his appointed helpers 

 that look after us on the earth. (624) And we believe also that up 

 to the present time they are carrying out their responsibility. (625) 

 Indeed we notice that accidents occur which are beyond our reach. 

 (626) And every day and every night they are showing us the way 

 to happiness. (627) And therefore let there be gratitude that they 

 are carrying out the responsibility he assigned them. (628) And again 

 there is thanks indeed that it still continues as he intended. (629) 



