ever failed to present itself to
such, _that there is a God_, and to be grateful and worship that God is
the second innate principle of our nature. There are no people more
frequent and fervent in their acknowledgments of gratitude to God. Their
belief in Him is universal, and their confidence in his goodness and
mercy almost exceeds belief. Their Almighty Creator is always before
their eyes on all important occasions. They feel and acknowledge, his
supreme power. They also endeavour to propitiate Him by outward worship
or sacrifices. These are religious solemnities, intended to make
themselves acceptable to the Great Spirit, to find favour in His sight,
and to obtain His forgiveness for past errors and offences.

In Winslow's "Good News from England, or a relation of remarkable things
in that plantation," anno. 1622, occur the following remarks on the
subject of the belief of the Indians of that country in a Supreme Being.

"A few things I thought meete to add heereunto, which I have observed
amongst the Indians, both touching their religion, and sundry other
customes among them. And first, _whereas myselfe and others, in former
letters_, (which came to the presse against my wille and knowledge,)
_wrote_ that the Indians about us, are a _people without any religion,
or knowledge of any God, therein I erred, though wee could then gather
no better, for as they conceive of many divine powers, so of one whom
they call Kietan to be the principall maker of all the rest, and to be
made by none. Hee (they say) created the heavens, earth, sea, and all
creatures contained therein."_

Long says, the tribes in the shade of the rocky mountains believe the
Wahconda to be "the greatest and best of beings, the creator," &c.

In conclusion it may be affirmed, that a constant, abiding, and
unwavering belief in the existence of a Supreme Being, and in his
goodness, is that entertained by the Western Indians.

(6)_Take care of the old men_.--p. 8.

The American Indians pay great respect to old age. They will tremble
before a grandfather, and submit to his injunctions with the utmost
alacrity. With them, especially with the young, the words of the ancient
part of the community are esteemed as oracles, and their sayings
regarded with the veneration paid of yore to the leaves of the Sybil. If
they take during their hunting parties any game that is reckoned by them
uncommonly delicious, it is immediately presented to the eldest of their