the soul of the indian(尤安人之魂)-第3章
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wisdom given from above； and while he humbly accepted the supposedly
voluntary sacrifice of their bodies to preserve his own； he paid homage to
their spirits in prescribed prayers and offerings。
In every religion there is an element of the supernatural； varying with
the influence of pure reason over its devotees。 The Indian was a logical
and clear thinker upon matters within the scope of his understanding； but
he had not yet charted the vast field of nature or expressed her wonders in
terms of science。 With his limited knowledge of cause and effect； he saw
miracles on every hand；the miracle of life in seed and egg； the miracle of
death in lightning flash and in the swelling deep！ Nothing of the
marvelous could astonish him； as that a beast should speak； or the sun
stand still。 The virgin birth would appear scarcely more miraculous
than is the birth of every child that comes into the world； or the miracle of
the loaves and fishes excite more wonder than the harvest that springs
from a single ear of corn。
Who may condemn his superstition？ Surely not the devout Catholic；
or even Protestant missionary； who teaches Bible miracles as literal fact！
The logical man must either deny all miracles or none； and our American
Indian myths and hero stories are perhaps； in themselves； quite as credible
as those of the Hebrews of old。 If we are of the modern type of mind；
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
that sees in natural law a majesty and grandeur far more impressive than
any solitary infraction of it could possibly be； let us not forget that； after
all； science has not explained everything。 We have still to face the
ultimate miracle；the origin and principle of life！ Here is the supreme
mystery that is the essence of worship； without which there can be no
religion； and in the presence of this mystery our attitude cannot be very
unlike that of the natural philosopher； who beholds with awe the Divine in
all creation。
It is simple truth that the Indian did not； so long as his native
philosophy held sway over his mind； either envy or desire to imitate the
splendid achievements of the white man。 In his own thought he rose
superior to them！ He scorned them； even as a lofty spirit absorbed in its
stern task rejects the soft beds； the luxurious food； the pleasure…worshiping
dalliance of a rich neighbor。 It was clear to him that virtue and happiness
are independent of these things； if not incompatible with them。
There was undoubtedly much in primitive Christianity to appeal to this
man； and Jesus' hard sayings to the rich and about the rich would have
been entirely comprehensible to him。 Yet the religion that is preached in
our churches and practiced by our congregations； with its element of
display and self…aggrandizement； its active proselytism； and its open
contempt of all religions but its own； was for a long time extremely
repellent。 To his simple mind； the professionalism of the pulpit； the paid
exhorter； the moneyed church； was an unspiritual and unedifying thing；
and it was not until his spirit was broken and his moral and physical
constitution undermined by trade； conquest； and strong drink； that
Christian missionaries obtained any real hold upon him。 Strange as it
may seem； it is true that the proud pagan in his secret soul despised the
good men who came to convert and to enlighten him！
Nor were its publicity and its Phariseeism the only elements in the
alien religion that offended the red man。 To him； it appeared shocking
and almost incredible that there were among this people who claimed
superiority many irreligious； who did not even pretend to profess the
national faith。 Not only did they not profess it； but they stooped so low
as to insult their God with profane and sacrilegious speech！ In our own
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
tongue His name was not spoken aloud； even with utmost reverence； much
less lightly or irreverently。
More than this； even in those white men who professed religion we
found much inconsistency of conduct。 They spoke much of spiritual
things； while seeking only the material。 They bought and sold everything：
time； labor； personal independence； the love of woman； and even the
ministrations of their holy faith！ The lust for money； power； and
conquest so characteristic of the Anglo…Saxon race did not escape moral
condemnation at the hands of his untutored judge； nor did he fail to
contrast this conspicuous trait of the dominant race with the spirit of the
meek and lowly Jesus。
He might in time come to recognize that the drunkards and licentious
among white men； with whom he too frequently came in contact； were
condemned by the white man's religion as well； and must not be held to
discredit it。 But it was not so easy to overlook or to excuse national bad
faith。 When distinguished emissaries from the Father at Washington；
some of them ministers of the gospel and even bishops； came to the Indian
nations； and pledged to them in solemn treaty the national honor； with
prayer and mention of their God； and when such treaties； so made； were
promptly and shamelessly broken； is it strange that the action should
arouse not only anger； but contempt？ The historians of the white race
admit that the Indian was never the first to repudiate his oath。
It is my personal belief； after thirty…five years' experience of it； that
there is no such thing as 〃Christian civilization。〃 I believe that
Christianity and modern civilization are opposed and irreconcilable； and
that the spirit of Christianity and of our ancient religion is essentially the
same。
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
II THE FAMILY ALTAR
Pre…natal Influence。 Early Religious Teaching。 The Function of the
Aged。 Woman； Marriage and the Family。 Loyalty； Hospitality；
Friendship。
The American Indian was an individualist in religion as in war。 He
had neither a national army nor an organized church。 There was no priest
to assume responsibility for another's soul。 That is； we believed； the
supreme duty of the parent； who only was permitted to claim in some
degree the priestly office and function； since it is his creative and
protecting power which alone approaches the solemn function of Deity。
The Indian was a religious man from his mother's womb。 From the
moment of her recognition of the fact of conception to the end of the
second year of life； which was the ordinary dur
