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SANDEMANIANS.

Of this sect there is a small society at Portsmouth, in New Hampshire.

MENNONISTS,

Who derive their name from Simon Menno, a German Baptist, live in Pennsylvania. In the year 1770, their number amounted to 4000, forming thirteen churches, and forty congregations.

Although the spirit of religious intolerance had disappeared from the colonies, and the puritanical severity of the north had become much softened, yet, until the commencement of the French and Indian war, the religious character of the colonies had remained essentially the same. But, during this war, infidelity was extensively introduced into the army, by means of the foreign officers and soldiers who were sent into the country.From the army, it spread itself into society, and produced a considerable relaxation of morals, and a looser adherence to principles.

During the revolution, religious controversy was sus pended, and bigotry softened.-That spirit of intolerance, which had marked some portions of the country, was nearly done away.

But, for these advantages, the revolution brought with it great disadvantages to religion in general. That vague atheism, which had been spread over France, was thickly sown in the American army, by the French; and uniting with the infidelity, which before had taken root in the country, produced a serious declension in the tone of religious feeling, among the American people.

In addition to this, religious institutions during the war were much neglected; churches were demolished, or converted into barracks; public worship was often suspended; and the clergy suffered severely, from the reduction of their salaries, caused by the depreciation of the circulating medium.

However the people of the United States heartily espoused the cause of the revolution in France, and sympathized with that people, in their struggle for freedom, it was but too natural, that the sentiments of the revolutionists, on other than the political subjects, should

be imbibed. As the French revolutionists were many of them deists or atheists, these sentiments were exten sively spread over the United States.

Infidelity was also greatly extended at this time, by the writings of Paine and others, which were industriously circulated through the country.* The perspicuous and simple style of Paine, his keen powers of ridicule, directed against the Bible, and above all, the gratitude which multitudes felt for the aid his pen had given to the revolution, contributed to give him a peculiarly powerful influence.

Extraordinary revivals of religion have, however, subsequently pervaded the country, and have tended strongly to prevent open infidelity, and to check the tide of pollution, which was invisibly spreading over the land. Liberal and expanded plans have been devised and commenced for the promotion of christianity. Several excellent institutions founded, missionary and bible societies established, and a great call for ministers of the gospel has been heard.

At present, ministers of religion in proportion to the population, are no more than 3000 to 8 millions, which, allowing a regular pastor to every 150 families or 1000 souls, it appears that no fewer than five millions of persons are destitute of religious instruction. This fact speaks loudly in favour of religious establishments.

NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN CUSTOMS, &c.

GENERAL CUSTOMS.

(Sandford's History of the United States, printed at Philadelphia, 1819.)

IN their marriages, the Indians have nothing in common with civilized men. The contract generally begins, and ends, in mere convenience; or, if the parties are sometimes swayed by a more refined motive,

• An enormous edition was printed in France, and sent to America to be sold, for a few pence only; where it could not be sold it was given away.

there is so little in their habits to keep it alive, that one or two years are generally sufficient to dissipate the charm. The chief duties of the husband are, to provide a cabin, game, and utensils for cooking. The squaw tills their ground; fetches all their wood; and, when on a journey, transports all their baggage. It is considered as a privilege, that she can change husbands, when she pleases; but this is only the privilege of leaving one master, who has illtreated her, for another, who will treat her in the same manner. It is a privilege, however, that, when she quits her husband, the children follow her; for, as each person, whether old or young, receives an equal dividend of national property, the more numerous the family, the more easy are their cir

cumstances.

Some authors represent the Indians as little superior to beasts of prey; while others make them the most innocent beings, on this side of Paradise. The former only look at their treatment of enemies; and the latter have an eye merely to their conduct towards friends, strangers, and each other. There is some truth on both sides of the picture. The Indians are as extreme in their benevolence, as they are extravagant in their cruelty. They can neither do too much for a friend; nor too much against an enemy. Many of the tribes were accustomed to set apart houses for the sole use of strangers; and, upon the arrival of a guest, a whole village contributed their efforts to give him fit entertainment. Experience has taught each tribe, too, that nothing but the most perfect harmony among themselves,

There is in every village of the Susquehanna Indians,' says Dr. Franklin, a vacant dwelling called the Stranger's House. When a traveller arrives within hearing of a village, he stops and halloos, for it is deemed uncivil to enter abruptly. Two old men lead him to the house, and then go round to the inhabitants, telling them a stranger has arrived fatigued and hungry. They send him all they can spare, bring tobacco after they are refreshed, and then ask questions whence they came and whither they go.'

will enable them to maintain their station, in the Indian commonwealth; and we have it from a white, who has been an Onondaga chief, for about forty years, that, during all that time, he has never seen one Indian give another an ill-natured word,-much less, a blow.

We are apt to forget, that, by the very nature of their society, they can have few occasions to quarrel. Whatever ferocity may be ascribed to their character, they must, at least, be acquitted of personal selfishness. There has been but one account of their liberality to those of their own kindred or tribe, since the continent was first discovered. 'I have always seen these people,' says Columbus, impart to each other whatever they had;' and one, who lives near a tribe, may daily witness the corroboration of his statement. Not only does their way of life create no necessity, but it is so liable to change, and so little calculated for repose, that it produces no motive,-for the accumulation of private wealth. They are not ambitious of improvement; and know not what is meant by luxury. Their wants are few and simple; and, beyond the gratification of these, they can see no use in property. An Indian, it is said, was told, in answer to his question, that 'covetousness,' among white people, means, 'a desire for more than one has need of.' That's strange!' he replied, with a look that accorded with his language. Such ideas of property are little fitted to create disputes; for men, who can boast of civilization, may bear to be told, that the greater part of their own quarrels arise from disagreements concerning mine and thine.

Indian games are not numerous; and seem chiefly designed to render the combatants athletic and swift of foot. Some of the western tribes formerly had a play, which, for want of the appropriate name, we must call a scramble. A billet of wood, about eighteen inches long, made round, and polished very smooth, was sent to a great distance, by one of the chiefs: the younger lads of the tribe immediately started in pursuit of it: the fleetest runner was not always the stoutest wrestler: to get the billet was some merit; but to keep it, was a greater; and it was so slippery, that it changed hands, perhaps a thousand times, before the strongest proclaimed his victory.

But the most universal and most manly game, is that of ball. This is frequently played by several hundreds; and different tribes will sometimes play against each other. The ball is made of deer skin, stuffed with hair, and sewed with sinews. The sticks are from three to four feet long; and, being curved at the end, a web is made of thongs, for the purpose of catching the ball. The goals are two stakes, set in the ground, about six hundred yards apart. The ball is tossed into the air, at an equal distance from each; and the object is to throw it beyond the one, or the other. The parties enter upon the combat with great eagerness: the velocity of their movements is scarcely credible: the ball seldom touches the ground; but is seen constantly shooting into the air; and, while one is upon the point of hurling it in one direction, an antagonist strikes down his club,-catches the ball in his web, and sends it in another. They play with so much vehemence,' says a traveller, 'that they frequently wound each other, and sometimes a bone is broken; but notwithstanding these accidents, there never appears to be any spite or wanton exertions of strength to affect them, nor do any disputes ever happen between the parties.'

INDIAN WAR DANCE.
(Marsden's Journal.)

WHILE in Canandarqua, (says Mr. M.) Mr. Myron

Holley introduced me to see a war dance of the Indians of the Oneida nation, who were then going to assist the American army, at the Niagara frontier: this shew of savage military tactics exceeded in sublimity of horror any thing that I had ever witnessed, and made me deeply deplore that civilized nations should resort to such barbarous allies as the Indians: the reader, who has never perhaps, seen an Indian, can scarcely imagine any thing more horrible than a number of these engaged in a war dance ; - let him imagine 20 or 30 of these warriors half naked, painted in various forms, so as to increase an appearance of ferocity; their hair dressed in war style, and their arms covered with plates of brass

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