COUNCILS AND CEREMONIES OF ADOPTION OF NEW YORK [NDiANS 415 



While another statement is not official it goes somewhat beyond 

 this, but is justified by it. It is from an account of the preaching 

 written by Jairus Pierce of the Onondaga Reservation, and follows 



He said he met Christ by the way, who showed him his hands, 

 the scars, the nail holes in his hands and feet. Christ also asked 

 him how he was getting along on earth, preaching repentance 

 Handsome Lake's reply was that about half and half of the people 

 believed on him. Christ said, " You are doing better than I did 

 while on earth. But very few believed on me. They only sought 

 to kill me, and they did kill me. I hear their prayers now, but it is 

 too late. They will continue to pray, but it availeth nothing. There 

 is no salvation possible for white men. They are all condemned 

 already, with the exception of one, and that one is Gen. George 

 Washington. You will find him on your way. He stands at the 

 very entrance of heaven, but can go no farther." 



As this was written in 1897, it seems a report of the preaching 

 at Onondaga in 1894, but in any case the tale of the revelation has 

 been amplified in process of time. A summary of its accepted 

 teachings will be given. 



The broad moral code is much like our own, and with minor 

 details regarding particular actions. White people and Indians 

 were created for different lands, and things allowed for one were 

 harmful to the other. They ought not to intermarry. Card play- 

 ing and fiddling were from the Evil Spirit, and cards and violins 

 must not come on Iroquois reservations. They use wind instru- 

 ments, but none with strings except pianos. Intemperance was a 

 sin, and its effects and punishments were graphically described : 

 causing lack of care, it affected the material world, corn and the 

 products of the ground. Married people were not to be quarrel- 

 some nor were they to part except for very serious cause. If a 

 man had a child by one wife, left her and had a child by another, 

 and in turn forsook that, he could not enter heaven. Parents were 

 to arrange marriages for young people. Orphans, and poor chil- 

 dren might be adopted, insuring a future reward. Children were 

 not to be whipped, but might be plunged in water. As each was 

 a gift of the Great Spirit they were to be thankful for it, nor were 

 its features to be criticized. Children were to venerate their par- 

 tins and :, 1 them in old age. Hospitality was to be generously 

 extended, a:l being members of one great family. Lands ought 

 not to be made merchandise, for they belonged to all, and the living 

 only held them in trust for a time. 



