COUNCILS AND CEREMONIES OF ADOPTION OF NEW YORK INDIANS 4II 



ing, and occupying several days. Mr Arthur C. Parker called the 

 teachings of Handsome Lake Ga-i-wi-u or good tidings. There are 

 no special rites but all the circumstances of the revelation to Hand- 

 some Lake are given, and his messages are related as closely as pos- 

 sible. Morgan gave a full and excellent account of this, and the 

 writer summarized this and some others in the Journal of American 

 Folklore for 1897. These councils are called like others, white wam- 

 pum being used, attached to a stick. They do not occur every year, 

 but only as desired, and are a distinct feature of what is called the 

 new religion. 



The Iroquois originally had a belief in Agreskoue, Taenyawah- 

 kee or Taronhiwagon and other divinities of whom these were the 

 chief. According to Father Jogues, human sacrifices were some- 

 times offered to the former, and other early writers used his state- 

 ment without credit. The later missionaries say nothing of this, 

 though strenuous in their efforts to abolish the worship. They 

 were successful in this among the Mohawks in 1670, and at Onon- 

 daga about the same time. At the latter place the change was 

 more nominal than real, but there was everywhere a weakening 

 of the old vague belief. Taenyawahkee, the Holder of the Heavens, 

 is still revered, but with changed ideas of his person and character. 

 His name is now used in religious ceremonies only at the New 

 Year's or white dog feast. At other feasts Sone-yah-tis-sa-ye is 

 used by the Onondagas, meaning One that Made Us. Sometimes 

 the Christian Indians employ this term, but more commonly that 

 of Ha-wen-ne-yu, One that Rules in All Things, usually rendered 

 the Great Spirit. 



There were many minor spirits. The Thunders are among these, 

 and have yet their offerings of tobacco when rain is desired. The 

 three supporters of life, corn, beans and squashes, are personified. 

 Fairies and witches have a prominent place. Originally everything 

 had its spirit, and the Indians' relation to those of animals was 

 recognized in many curious ways. These will be passed over now, 

 as well as the great and wonderful influence of dreams, which the 

 Jesuit missionaries so often described. The origin and use of the 

 religious council will form the present subject. 



Central New York has originated three new religions. Mor- 

 monism had its- birth there, and has become a power in the nation. 



