Early western travels, 1748-1846, v. 27

Flagg's The Far West, 1836-1837, part 2; and De Smet's Letters and Sketches, 1841-1842

To those who love their country, and their fellow men, we present this interesting Narrative, with the hope, we might say, the certainty, that its perusal will afford them some moments of the purest gratification. We have seldom met any thing more entertaining. Its simple, manly eloquence enchants the attention. The facts it makes known to us of the "far, far West," the dispositions and habits of the Indian Tribes who roam over the vast region of the Oregon, their present state and future prospects, are such as cannot fail to awaken lively interest in all who love to look around them beyond the narrow horizon of every-day scenes, and learn what the holy servants of God are doing for His sake and in His name in distant parts of the world. We have conversed with the apostolic man from whose pen we receive this narrative; and as we listened we felt at once honoured and delighted to be so near one who in our days and in his own person brings before us that lofty spirit of missionary devotednessthose thrilling scenes of Indian life and adventure which we so much admire in the pages of Charlevoix and Bancroft. vi Truly our country is full of interest to those who watch its progress, and compare it with the past. Who, for example, could have dreamt that the Iroquois, the savage Mohawk,under which name we best know the tribe, and whose startling yell so often made our forefathers tremble,would have been chosen to kindle the first faint sparks of civilization and Christianity among a large portion of the Indian tribes beyond the[Pg 130] Rocky Mountains? This is one of the singular facts which these pages present to us. They abound in others not less singular and interesting. Many of these Indian nations actually thirst after the waters of lifesigh for the day when the real "Long Gown" is to appear among them, and even send messengers thousands of miles to hasten his coming. Such longing after God's holy truth, while it shames our colder piety, should also enflame every heart to pray fervently that laborers may be found for this vast vineyardand open every hand to aid the holy, self-devoted men, who, leaving home and friends and country, have buried themselves in these wilds with their beloved Indians, to live for them and God. One of their favourite plans at this moment is to introduce among them a taste for agriculture, with the means to pursue it. They believe it to be the speediest, perhaps the only way by which the Indians may be won from the wandering life they now vii in general lead and from the idle habits it engenders. To aid them in this philanthropic object is our sacred duty as men, as Americans, as Christians. It is at least one method of atonement for the countless wrongs which these unfortunate races have received from the whites. We should be grateful to have such an opportunity of doing good: let none suffer the occasion to pass unhonoured by some tribute to the noble causesome evidence of their love for God, their country and their fellow man. The frontispiece is from the pencil of one of the Indian Missionaries. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 42090
Author: Flagg, Edmund
Release Date: Feb 13, 2013
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Contributor (Author): Smet, Pierre-Jean de, 1801-1873
Editor: Thwaites, Reuben Gold, 1853-1913