the
Chapel to examine into the cases of several who had acted
disorderly. We were compelled to expel two from the Society. Many
were deeply affected, and groans, and sighs might be heard in the
different parts of the house. After a long and wise address from
the old Chief, Joseph Sawyer, I said, "We must turn them out of the
Society. What do you think about sending them away from the
village? Tell us." Several spoke, and it was at last decided, by
holding up the right hand, that they must go. I then said, "I am
sorry to hear one or two have been drinking." I asked one if this
was true. He confessed that he drank some beer, being coaxed by a
white man. He felt very sorry, as he wished to be a good Christian.
I then reproved with considerable severity, and showed him it was
as bad to get drunk on cider or beer as whiskey. The devil often
cheats us in this way, but we are exhorted not to "touch, taste, or
handle" the accursed thing. This talk was explained to them in
Indian by Peter Jones, and their opinions requested. Several spoke,
but Brother William Herkimer, with a pathos that affected us all,
said, "Brothers, the white man can't pour it down your throat, if
you will not drink. When white man ask me to drink, I tell him, 'I
am a Christian, I love Jesus,' and they go right away and look
ashamed." He then concluded with a most pathetic prayer: "Oh,
Jesus, let us poor, weak creatures be faithful, and serve Thee as
long as we live." Having adjusted these matters, I next observed,
"Our God has given us another commandment which was, 'To keep holy
the Sabbath day.' Now, brothers, if a man gave you six dollars, and
kept only one for himself, would you not think it very bad to rob
him of that one? Oh, yes, you will say. Well the Lord has done more
for us. He has given us our lives, our clothes, our health, nay,
everything we have, and six days too, to do all our work in; but He
has kept out one day for Himself. Let us not rob God of this day,
but let us keep it holy. I am sorry to hear that one of you went to
York on Sunday." I turned to the guilty Indian, and told him I
wanted him to tell us why he had done so. He stated he had got out
of provisions, and he was afraid the wind would rise on Monday, and
unthinkingly he started on Sunday afternoon. He prom