e other hand, makes them have such refined notions,
as seem almost to confute his own belief of Christianity.

The first I cannot believe, though written by the pen of that pious
father; because, to my own knowledge, all the Indians in these parts are
a superstitious and idolatrous people; and because all other authors,
who have written of the American Indians, are against him. As to the
other account of the just thoughts the Indians have of religion, I must
humbly intreat the baron's pardon; because I am very sure they have some
unworthy conceptions of God and another world. Therefore, what that
gentleman tells the public concerning them, is rather to show his own
opinions, than those of the Indians.

Once in my travels, in very cold weather, I met at an Englishman's house
with an Indian, of whom an extraordinary character had been given me for
his ingenuity and understanding. When I saw he had no other Indian with
him, I thought I might be the more free; and therefore I made much of
him, seating him close by a large fire, and giving him plenty of strong
cider, which I hoped would make him good company and open-hearted. After
I found him well warmed, (for unless they be surprised some way or
other, they will not talk freely of their religion,) I asked him
concerning their god, and what their notions of him were? He freely told
me, they believed God was universally beneficent, that his dwelling was
in the heavens above, and that the influences of his goodness reached to
the earth beneath. That he was incomprehensible in his excellence, and
enjoyed all possible felicity; that his duration was eternal, his
perfection boundless, and that he possesses everlasting indolence and
ease. I told him I had heard that they worshipped the devil, and asked
why they did not rather worship God, whom they had so high an opinion
of, and who would give them all good things, and protect them from any
mischief that the devil could do them? To this his answer was, that,
'tis true God is the giver of all good things, but they flow naturally
and promiscuously from him; that they are showered down upon all men
indifferently without distinction; that God does not trouble himself
with the impertinent affairs of men, nor is concerned at what they do;
but leaves them to make the most of their free will, and to secure as
many as they can of the good things that flow from him; that therefore
it was to no purpose either to fear or worship him. But on