A FUTURE STATE. 



135 



stitious practices, with the most childish cre- 

 dulity ; and will drum and dance throughout 

 a whole night, in the hope of bringing relief 

 to the sick and dying. They know not that 

 the great enemy of man's happiness and sal- 

 vation, is a chained enemy, and a captive to 

 Him who triumphed in his resurrection and 

 ascension to glory, and under the control and 

 permissive will of Him, whom they denominate 

 Keetchee Manitou, or Great Spirit ; and, con- 

 sequently they are enslaved to all that is 

 pitiable in ignorance and superstition. Ac- 

 knowledging the being of a God, the unculti- 

 vated minds of these savages have led them to 

 shrink from the thoughts of annihilation, and 

 to look forward with hope to a future life. 

 They have no idea however of intellectual 

 enjoyments; but a notion prevails among them, 

 that at death they arrive at a large river, on 

 which they embark in a stone canoe ; and that 

 a gentle current bears them on to an extensive 

 lake, in the centre of which is a most beautiful 

 island, in the sight of which they receive their 

 judgment. If they have died courageously in 

 war, they are particularly welcomed in landing 

 upon the island, where they, with skilful 

 hunters, enjoy perpetual spring and plenty, 

 and live with all the good in an eternal enjoy- 



