Header img
Beyond Penn's Treaty

Journal, Visit to Indians in New York State, v.2

Page out of 56

of Happiness
They have, beside their Public Devotions
at Hearts & Sacrifices, a Kind of Family
Worship which is when they are setting
together particularly in the Evening, if
one of the Heads of the family feels an
Impulse to address the Great Spirit
he or she yield to it with an audible voice,
and this, among the more serious Class,
is frequently performed, tho' not many
stated Days or Times-- They are some
times exercisd in this Way when their
Friends are with them & the subject
of Aspiration is a Thanksgiving for
preservation of their particular Family
or Tribe & for supplying the varied
necessaries & Comforts of Sides- de
siring their Continuance-

If an Indian of any particular Tribe
dreams a remarkable Dream respecting
a Deceased Relative being Hungry or
in Need of Sympathy or assistance in
any way the Indians of his Tribe are
informed of it & a Hunting takes place
in consequence- the Game then taken