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Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film6s en commen^ant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniftre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ^> signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN ' Les cartes, i,.-4nches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmis d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 A partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche it droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la methods. r 1 : S ': 1 32X 1 — " 2 3 4 5 6 c gov am r* A POPULAR HISTORY -z/^^. OP THE Catholic Churqh IN THE UNITED STATES. BY JOHN O'KANE MURRAY, B.S. " The United States is the only country where I am really Pope in the eyes of the government." — Pius IX, "There is not, and there never was, on this earth, an institution so well deserving of ex- amination as the Catholic Church." — Lord Macaulav. Fortan et hire olim meminisse juvabit. NE\A^ YORK: D. & J. SADLIER & COMPANY, MONTREAL : 275 NOTRE DAME STREET. 1876. 5/ '^06 161093 COPYRIGHT, 1876, BY JOHN O'KANE MURRAY. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) EDWARD 0. JENKINS, PRINTER AND 3TERE0TYPER, TO N. WILLIAM ST., N. Y. TO THE MOST HOLY MARY, THS EVER-GL0R[0TIS AND IMMACULATE VIRGIN; THE BLESSED MOTHER OP OUR DIVINE REDEEMER: THE POWERFUL PATRONESS OP THE LNITFD STATES, THIS SIMPLE rOLUME IS DEDICATED, WITH INEXPRESSIBLE LOVE, GRATITUDE, AND HUMILITY, BT THE Most Unworthy of all her Servants, JOBN Ci'KANE IIURRAT. PREFACE. As an element of American civilization, what good has Catholicity accomplished ? Has its record been honorable ? Has it made progress? Who were its great and useful men ? What did they do ? At this time, these are proper questions to ask. This book ventures to answer thein. Its appearance does not, perhaps, call for an apology as no similar work exists. I have written simply as a Catholic, uninfluenced either by sectional prejudice, or undue partiality for any religious society in the Church. But I have not forgotten that impar- tiality consists in telling the truth. Having grown up in this Western World, a child of that ancient, rock-biiilt Church, whose American career I have endeavored so feebly to portray, it was but natural that the heart warmed to its sub- ject, and that the courage which is inspii-ed by the love of justice, cheered on the long hours of labor. Nothing was considered foreign which had a bearing on Catholicity in this Republic. In our day and country, it is sad to think that a thousand corrupt influences combine to close men's eyes to the purity, beauty, and greatness of the Catliolic Church. This evil we must neutralize. The point will be partly gained by teaching the present Catholic generation the grandeur and magnificence of their Faith. They will then glory in it. They will be proud of their Catholic forefathers, and their Catholic descent. The Catholic Church is the grand depository of truth upon earth — that truth which makes men free. She is the mother of true liberty. She flourishes best where there is no Cjvsar to interfere with the freedom of her action in her heavenlv mission of civilizing and saving mankind. A (v) VI Preface. tliorougli knowledge of EnrojKVin liistory would reduce tliiB truth to the winipiioit}^ of hu axiom. It in proved beyond all doul)t by tlie history of Catholicity in Aniericu Amongst U8, public virtue is evidently on the decline- How many things tend to lower our opinion of humanity ! Corruption, nhame, disgrace — the newspapers, seemingly, can find little else of which to speak. Our young people hear of nothing but scandal and nunors of scandal. ** On eaglos' wings immortal scandals fly, Whilo virtuous actions are but bom and die." To counteract this unhappy element in American society, it becomes us to hold up before the gaze of all, those noble men whose lofty lives shed a flood of splendor on the annals of Catholicity in America. The biographical sketches, brief and impei-fect as they are, were introduced with that object in view. The repetition of certain facts will occasionally be met with ; nor could this be well avoided, owing to the nature of the subject, and the strict division of topics adopted. But in a popular ])ook, it seems to me, that some repetition is far preferable to tne questionable method of continually xi- ferring the reader to a foregoing page or chapter. This is scarcely the pi'oper place to allude to the diffi- culties encountered in the preparation of this v^olume ; yet, it is but truth to sa_>^ that they were neither few nor trifling. The hundreds of letters written to obtain the latest and most reliable information imposed an additional labor almost equal to the rest of the work. Except in a few in- stances, my inquiries met with nothing save kindness ami courtesy. But that was not alL The inexperience of the writer, the immense field to be passed over, the many deli- cate subjects to be handled, the little time at disposal, and the thousand-and-one distractions inseparable from an active life — all contributed to sw^ell the shortcomings of the book. ]Iovvt'ver, I trust it is not destitute of some interest and value. To boiTOW the language of a irood old monk, who lived Preface, vii over eight liundrctl years ago, '' I offer thin book as l(tiig ms I live to the correction of tliose wlio are more learned. If I have (lone wrong in anything, I sliall not he awlianied to receive their achnonitions. If there he anything which tliey Hke, I siiall not he slow to furni.sh more." So far as tliis volume, directly or indirectly, touches on the dogmas of Religion, I am not aware that it contains anything contrary to sound Catholic teaching. Inan— The Mississippi Valley— Catholicity and the In- dian — A Comparison— Sometbing to Ponder (ix) ■S' Co7itents. <^HAPTER III. THE COLONIAI, CUUHf^II— MAKYLAND, " THE L^ND Or THB SANCTUABT." (1034—1775.) The Church on a Thoray Road— The Mother of Bigots— Lord Baltimore and his Colony— The Landing — A "Cross in the Wilderness" — Liberty — Warmed Viperj — Catholic Liberality and Protestant Intolerance — The Maryland Penal Code— Pennsylvania— New York— New England — Summary and Conclusion 133 BOOK II. CHAPTER I. m 'if. the catholics and the revolution, (a.d. 1775-'8.3.) Battling for Freedom — Catholic Conciliation as a Policy — Charles Carroll — " The Lexington of the Seas" fought by a Catholic — Commodore Bari-y, the "Father of the American Navy" — Rev. Dr. Carroll as a Pa- triot—Gen. Moylon — Generosity of Catholic Merchants — Washington's Life-Guard — Catholic Ireland — Catholic France Aiding us on Land and Sea — Generous Catholic Spain — Catholic Poland— The "faint-praise" School of Writers— The Death of Tyranny- A New Star arises. . . 163 CHAPTER II. RELIGIOUS FUEEDOM — ITS RISE AND PROGRESS IN THE UNITED STATES. Great Changes arc; the work of Time — The Dawn of Freedom — The first Tocsin Note of Religious Liberty — The first Amendment to the Consti- tution due to Catholics — Bishop Carroll's narrative— Unextinguished Intolerance — Various States where Catholics were long Excluded from Oflice — New Hampshire — Catholicity the Mother of Freedom — Relig- ious Bigotry in America due to the Persecuting Power of England. . 179 CHAPTER ni. THE CHURCH IN TDE YOINO REPUBLIC. (a.d. 177(5- •1790.) The English Vlear-Apostolic— Dr. Carroll's Opinion— The Now Prefect Apost(jlic — Dr. Franklin and Rev. Dr. Carroll — An Item from Dr. Frank- lin's Diary — TheTe Deuin at Philadelphia— Washington at Mass — New York City— John Jay an exquisite Bigot- The last specinipu of English Tyranny in our Country— J^ass on a top floor— Roving Prip"*" -- :! .'^- Co7itcnts, XI bLinate Laymen— Boston — Washington and the Pope's eftigy burners — Catholic France inciting the Ice of Bigotry— Only thirty Catholics in Boston at the close of the Revolution — Kev. John Thayer becomes a Catholic— The first Bishop of the United States — His Cou!*ecration — First t^ermon In Baltimore- -Catholic statistics — Archbishop Carroll and President Washington compared 191 CHAPTER TV. fUGM THE FOUNDATION OP THE DIOCESE OF BALTIMORE TO TUB DEATH OF akcubisuop carroll. (a.d. 1790—1815.) * Trutli battling for her Children— A spiritual Hannibal — Synod of Balti- more — The French Revolution — First Mass in Charleston, S. C— The Church in Kentucky — The young Prince-Priest — Mysterious Events iu Virginia — The ApB^tle of the Alleghanies — The brave Captain Mc(Juire — A Forest Journey — The first uiidnight Mass in the Alleghanies — The first Church in Boston — Pioneers of the Faith — Dark Pictures and Lively Letters — Immigration — Four new Sees— Rebellious Cliildren of the Church — The Seal of Confession — Dedication of St. Patrick's Ca- thedral, New York— Other Events— Death of Archbishop Carroll. . 202 crTAriEii V. FROM THE DEATU OF ARCUBISHOP CARROLL TO THE ELEVATION OF NEW TOIlir, CINCINNATI, AND NKW ORLEANS TO THE RANK OF METROPOLITAN SEES. (A.n. 1815— iHr^O.) Archbishops Neale and Man'chal — A Miraculous Cure— The first Provincial Council of Baltimore — Drs. Whitfield and Ecdeston — Succeeiling Councils — Plus IX. — Letter inviting him to America — The Churca in Pennsylvania — Scandals — Trouliles — Progress— Dr. Kcnrick — Churdi Burning — " Nativism" — The Cliurch in New York — Dr. Connolly — Dif- ficulties — Conversions — Irish Inimigratinn — Dr. Dubois — Dr. Hughes — Tlie Church in New England — Drs. Cheverus and Fonwiek — The Bos- ton Mob destroys a Convent — Progress — Anecdotes — The Churcli in the Southern Sfatcs — In the Western States — Dr. Fenwick — Dr. Purcell — State of the Church in lSi"")0 232 CHAPTER TL. FROM THE FIRST PLENARY^OUNCIL OF BALTIMORE TO THE CREATION OF THR AND THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF -5'2 TO 1876.) •Death of Dr. Ecclestr-.- FIRST AMERICAN CARDINAL, AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. (1850- Stirring Quarter of a Century — Death of Dr. Ecclestf^'i — Dr. Kcnrick — The First Plenary Council- Bisliop Ives bccoi":>rt a Catholic— San Francisco — New Dioceses — Origin of Know-Notliingism — The Papal Nuncio — Italian and German Refugees— Scoundrolism Rampant — A Fierce Collision — Fanaticiam Revived — Mad Preaehers— The "Angel Gabriel" — Mob Rule and Church Bur.iings — Father Bapst Tarred and Feathered— Father Vetromlle's Adventure— Growth of Catholicity— Xll Conietits. The Civil War— Catholic Cliarity and Heroism- -Deal!) o* Doctors Ken- rick and Hughes — Peace — The Second Plenary Council — New Dioceses —The Council of the Vatican— Deatli of Dr. Spalding— The Firht Americau Cardinal— Statistics of Progress 300 BOOK III. THE RELIGIOUS ORDERS OF THE UNITED STATES. CHAPTER I. THE UELIOIOUS ORDERS OF MEN. Introductory Remarks — The Franciscans — Dominicans — Jesuits — Augus- tinians — Sulpitians — Trappists — Lazarists— Redeiiiptorists — Congrega- tion of the Holy Cross — Fatlicr-i of Mercy — Congregation of the Most Precious Blood — Benedictines — Christian Brothers— Missionary Oblates — Brothers of Maiy — Passionists — Xavcrian Brothers— Paulist Fa- thers—Table of Statistics 349 CHAPTER II. THE RELIGIOUS ORDERS OF WOMEN. Introductory— The Ursulines— Carmelite Nuns — Visitation Nuns— Sisters of Charity— Sisters of Cliarity of St. Vincent de Paul— Sisters of Lo- retto — Sisters of Cliarity of Nazaretli — Ladies of the Sacred Heart— Si-sters of St. Joseph — Sisters of Providence— Sisters of Notre Dame — Sisters of tlie Holy Cross— Sisters of Mercy— Sisters of the Good Shep- herd — School Sisters of Notre Dame— Presentation Nuns — The Little Sisters of the Poor— Table of Statistics 393 BOOK IV. CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES. CHAPTER I. THE CATOOLIO COMMON SCHOOLS. Uatholicity and True Education— Wliat Judge Dunne says- Hfetory of our Catholic Schools— Chief-Justice Taney's account of Early Catholic Education— The Councils and Catliollc Schools— Tlie Religious Orders —Statistics— Glance at the interior of an Americau Catliolie School. . 4:i') Contents. Xlll CHAPTER II. THE QUESTION OF QUESTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. The Solution of a Great Prubloni— The Public Schools and Religion — Dan- ger to the Fafth of the Catliollc cliild -A Cruel Grievance — An Exam- ple — Freedom of Education a Right — Educational Despots — Uie Growth of Corruption— DaTiger of Knowledge without Religion — Relig- ion and Refinement — Germany and Instructed Boors — xi Sophism an- Bwered— What Catholi"s Ask — How to get it 432 CHAPTER m. TUE CATHOLIC FEMAI.E ACADEMIES. Historical Sketch — Pioneer Educators — Alice Lalor — The Ursulines— Mother Seton— The Ladies of the Sacred Heart— Other Orders— Superi- ority of Convent Education — Slietches — The Georgetown Academy — Einniittshurg Academy— St. Mary's of the Woods — Manhattanville Academy — Mount St. Vincent — St. Mary's Institute — Others— Table of Stati»tic# 410 CHAPTER IV. THE CATHOLIC COLLEGES. Catliolicity and Learning— The Christian Schools of the East— The Great Miitia.«tic Schools — Ireland — Great Britain— The Course of Studies in these Schools— The Rise of the Universities— Founded by the Cath«lic C'luirch — Catholic Students and Professors — Bologna, Padua, Oxford, and Paris — Wliat constituted a University — Tlie Degrees — Piety — Rise of Catholic Colleges in America — Tlie Penal Laws — Historical Sketch —Georgetown College- Mount St. MarA''s College — St. Louis Univer- sity—St. Joseph's College— St. Xavier's College— St. John's College- University of Notre Dame— Villanova College— College of St. Francis Xavier— Santa Clara College- Manhattan College — Seton Hill College —Rock Hill College— La Salle College 448 CHAPTER V. THE CATHOLIC ECCLESIASTICAL SEMINARIES. The Council of Trent and Seminaries— Historical Sketch— Seminary of St. Sulpice— Seminary of St. Charles Borrnmeo— St. Vincent's Seminary —Mount St. Mary's of the West— Seminary of Our Lady of Angels— St. Joseph's Seminary 4G(« CHAPTER VI. EDUCATIONAL REFORMS, AND THE COMING CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY. Defects of our Elementary Schools— Female Academies— The Colleges— Dr. Brownson's Opinion— More Thorough Study of Philosophy, His- tory, and Religion necessary — Bahncs' "European Civilization"— Wanted an English Text-Book on Philosophy— .\i.erican Culture— Small Colleges— The Coming Catholic Uuivi-rsify- Why it is Wanted. . 471 XIV Contents. BOOK V. CHAPTER I. THE CATnOLIC LITKRATUKE OP TUB UNITED STATES. C'atliolioity the Gnanlimi of Letters — The Fathers of the Church — The Moiiku — The Churcli and Poetrj* — The first Hymn of Cliristianity — Others — IJteraturt' and Truth — English History an Engine of Calumny — Cobhctt's Saying — Literature and its Divisions — Tlie Missionary Period — Various early Works— An early Catbolie Poem— Thayer— Car- roll — De CreveccBur — Robin— Carej' 483 CHAPTEIl II. AMERICAN CATHOLIC LITEUATUUE DUBINO THB FIR8T HALK OF THE NINE- TEENTH CENTURY. '^ (a.d. 1800 TO 1850.) Historical Writers — Cary — Pise— Fredet — McSherry—Biograpliical Writers —Campbell— Brent — Mooney—Botta— Poets— Shea— Cannon — Mrs. Se- ton— Walsh— Religion— Gal litzin — England— Kohlman. . . . 493 CHAPTER HI. AMERICAN CATHOLIC LITERATURE FROM 1850 TO 1876, History— Biography— Fiction —Essays and Reviews— Religion— Traveli- Poetry 500 CHAPTER IV. CATHOLIC ART, SCIENCE, AND PHILOSOPHY IN THE UNITED STATES. Catholicity the Motlier of Art, Science, and Philosophy — A Glance at the Past — England — Early Hostility of Protistantism to Science and Learn- ing — Italy — Catholic Science in tlie New World — The Catholic Mission- aries as Scientists and Piiilologists — Kenrick's Theology — Law — Other Scientific Writers — Catholic Art in America — Oratorj' — Pliilosophy — Can Science conflict with Catliolicity ?— TTie United States and Higher Sciince— A Catliolic University needed CHAPTER V. CATHOLIC JOURNALISM IN THE UNITED STATES. Introductory— The Weekly Catholic Press— The Magazines— The Quar- terlies—The Age of JouruMlism— Good and Bad I'npers— Some News- paper Defects -The Catholic Editor— Table of Catholic Journals. 5.34 543 Coiiicnts. XV CHAPTEIi VI. THE CATIiOl.IC I'lIBLISHEKS Of TIIE mflTEP 8TATE8. Catliollc8 and Printiii<>;— American Cutholic Publishers of Philadelphia- New York— Baltimore— Boston— Concluding Remarks. . 557 BOOK VI. chaptp:r t. "multum in pakvo." Tlie Catliolic Irish in America — Ireland's Mission — Tlie Church Builders of America — Deep Ci)nvictions — Examjiles — Love of Holy Ireland — St. Tlmmas Acjuinas — Testimony of Mc(iee and Dr. White — The Cath- (ilic Oermans — French — Spaniards — Enf;ii8h — Indians — Negroes — Catholic Charity. . . . ■ .565 CHAPTER 11. THE LOSSES, GAISS, AND nOPES OF CATnOLICITT IN THE CNITED STATES. The Losses of Catholicity— Before the Revolution— Durinfr the llrst Half Century of this Refmplie's Existence— During the second Half Century —Tlie (lains — A Powerful Organization— Tlie Hopes — The Future of Catliolieity in the Land of Washington and Carroll 579 Catiiolic Chronology of the United States, 605 Appendix, 609 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 11 Baltimore, Lord, 144. Burry, Commodore, 187. Kavlev, Arthbisliop, 594. BiirboT, FiitluM-, '^'.H). Bliincliet., Arclibisliop, 592. Boiiryrois, Mother, ii3. Brownsoii, Dr , ()03. Brute, IMsbop, 280. Cancer, Father, 80. Can-oil, Charles, 17r2. Carroll, Archbishop, 227. Charles the liidiun I'^ing, 90. Columbus, Admiral. 17. Connolly, Bisiiop, 267. Damex, Father, 389. I)e Brcbeuf, Father, 03. Do Cori)a, Fatlier, S3. ])(■ Chevcrus, Cardinal, 364. De Siiiet, Father, 340. Doiii^aii, Governor, 150. Dubois, Bishop, 277. Fnoi.ani), Bishoj', 309. Fenwick, Bii*nop, 274. Flaget, Bishop, 2(il, (iALi.rrziN, Prince, 498. (iarakontii', the Indian Chief, 130. Gaston, Judge, 393. IIecker, Father, 388. Ilenni, Archbishop, 597. Uughes, Archbishop, 321. I JoQUEg, Father, 111. j Kenrick, Archbishop, 317. Lamy, ARCiimsnoP, 598. La Salle, 14. I Lout^hlin, Bishop, 001, Lynch, Archbishop, 600. Marquette, Father, 119. Martinez, Father, 80. MeCioskey, Cardinal, 589. McElroy, "Father, 3a5. Moylan, General, 178. Neumann, Bishop, 337. O'Connor, Bishop, 333. Patrick, Brother, 391. Pulaski, Count 177. Purcell, Arelibishop, 591. Seton, Mother, 416. Sorin, Fatlier, 387. Spalding, Archbishop, 338. Tankv, Chii;i'-Jlstice, 345. Teliirahkwita, Catiiarine, 126. Teresa, Mother, 419. Timon, Bir-liop, 3o3. Toussaint, Peter, 297. Weningeu, Father, 390. White, Father, 87. Wood, Archbishop, 596. (xvi) POPULAR HISTORY OF THK CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES. BOOK I. INTRODUCTION. THE EARLY CATHOLIC DISCOVERERS SUCCESSOKS. COLUMBUS AND HIS ODU centennial— poetry — CATnOT.rCITT NO STHANOKU IN TIIK NEW WORLD— FOUND EVKUYWIIICRE— ITS PRESENT NUMIJEHS— BIRD'S- ETE VIEW OF EUROPE IN THE KIPTEENTn CENTlIllY — PROTEST- ANTISM UNKNOWN — CATHOLIC PROURESS- COLUMBUS— THE MYSTE- RIOUS ATLANTIC— THE LOFTY MOTIVES OP AMERICA'S DISCOVERER — HIS DIFFICULTIES— THE DISCOVERY DUE TO A LADY, A MARINER, AND A MONK— THE VOYAGE — THE FIRST HYMNS HEARD ON THE ATI-ANTIC— SAN SALVADOR— HOMEWARD ROUND— A TEMPKST AND A VOW — THE CHEAT ADMIRAL SAFELY HOME — REJOICING, AND GRAND RECEPTION BY THE SPANISH SOVEREIGNS— THE CATHOLIC SUCCESSOKS OF COLUMBUS— THE CABOTS — O.IEDA — PONCE DE LI'^ON — BALBOA — MAGELLAN — CARTIER — DE SOTO — CHAMPLAIN— MAU- QUETTE— LA SALLE. "Let ine review the scene And summon from the shadowy past The forms that once have been." The grand event of our liistorv is aceomplislied. The most powerful nation of tlie INew World, the greatest Re- public of all time celebrates the centennial cmnlvcrsary of its independence. We have a thousand reasons to be grateful. But the present should not lead us to forget the past. This is a period to pause, look back, review the rapidly receding centuries of American history, profit by their lessons, giv*. honor to whom honor is due. 2 CatiLolicHy in the United States. " Ptts« l)ut four lloctinj^ eonturios biu-k ; This land a torpid giant Klept, Wnippc'd in a mantle thick and bhiok That o'or its mighty frame had crept. * >l< >l< * >!< Now this young hind, the froo, the proud, Uncrush(?d by power, unawed by fear, Her knee to none but God is bowed, For nature teaches freedom here. " In tliis centennial year it is most opportune " to glance adown the stream of time" at the " four fleeting centuries" mentioned \)\ the poet. The story of Catholicity in the Western World is the golden chain that connects the laud- ing of Columbus with ISTC). Should I succeed in telling even a portion of it, I shall be more than happy. CATnoLicrrT no " forkigner " IX AMERICA. Si ! Si ! In this laud Catholicity is no foreiguer. Here it pre- ceded all other creeds and forms of faitli. The records of the past might be better known ; they stand the glorious monuments of our sublime old Church. For her, time tells a divine story. Antiquity crowns her with its sanction, and around her brow sheds a halo of glory and veneration. For nearly four hundred years has Catholicity blessed the New AVorld with the light of its genius, the glow of its charity, and the inspiring sublimity of its peacefid and imposing pres- ence. The most ancient and powerful institution in Europe, it is likewise the most ancient and powerful in America. The people of the AYestern World who to-day gloi'y in professing the faith of Columbus, are not linn'tod to any single state or country. Their boundary line is that of the continent. They can be found at all points from I'ehi-ing Strait to Cape Horn. Their influence is felt in all ranks of society, for tliey have their place in all, from the highest to the most humble. For them the glorious title of CathoUc is no misnomer ; they are truly so in faith, and woi'ks, and extent of territory. Theii- ]n(':;pnt number in North and fuh'odnctioii. 3 South AintM-ica must exceed ."iU, 000, 000, of which, I believe, ()ur>owii favored (•(Miiitry can claitn over (!.(>00,000. The Htorv of (jitliolic [)r<)rophet in the romantic plains and valleys of Andalusia. France stood a united nation. There, English power and English influence, long dominant, received their death-blow at the gentle hands of Joan of Arc. A marvelous sight, indeed, to behold — a pnre, simple, and beautiful girl of seventeen, proving the heroine and savior of la helle France / and by her inspire I feat of arms, turning disaster into ii tfll T I I : ! i I It 4 Catlioliiity iti the United States. IriuiMph, lifting jilot't the haiiner of victory, and elcviitiiig lit'i- native country to a place among the great nations of the M'orld ! Portugal took the; lead in discovery and maritime enter- prise. The Ile])ul)llcs of Italy were the Beats of commerce. In I'^nglaud the clash oi arms and tierce tliirty-jears' con- test, styled the " AV'^ar of the lioses," was apj)roaching its termination. Even then, Ireland felt the stem rule of her British sister. An English decree of that day commanded the countrymen of Columha and Ih'ian Boru to ehaui^e their C'eltic surnames to something Anglo-Saxon. Catholic England, of course, did not punish the Irishman for his faith; his surname and his nationality were his chief crimes. Catholic Germany rendered the fifteenth century remark- able by the invention of ])rinting. The period which deformed the faith of C^harlemagne and ]n'oduced a huriiing zeal that transformed beautiful churches into smoke, had yet to dawn. Jsor had the simple people who dwelt on the banks of the Oder, Elbe, and Rhine dreamed of that still later time, that brass-iron-and-powder age, when cannons are canonized, and rifles regarded as of more value than freedom and reliii-ion ! The spirit of liberty which the famous William Tell aroused among the Swiss, triumphed ; and a Catholic re- public flourished at the foot of the Alps long before America was discovered. Nor was Switzerland alone. The Catholic republics of Venice, Genoa, Andorra, and San Mai'ino existed and flourished hundreds of years before the discovery of the AVestern AVorld. The bright Idades and brighter lives of Ilunniades and Scanderberg shed a lustre on the arms of Southern Europe. Such was the fame of their prowess that the hauditv Mut^- sulman dreaded the very mention of their Catholic names. Poland, at this time, began to attract attention. Her people displayed that heroic enterprise which ^oon made them the bulwark of Europe and the terror of the Turk. Introductio)i. 5 111 tlioncxt century the swords of her Catliolin sons flashed ak>n<^ the Danube, and slic attained the zenitli of her glory under the iniinortal Suhieski. Printini; having heen invented, books were rapidly multi- jdyiiiii:. The fall of (Constantinople into the hands of the victorious, but barbarous Turks, forced the remains of (Jrcek leariiin^ l)een lionored with a ])lace in every college programme of studies. The comj)ass was invented, and imvigation grcvv into an art. The spirit of faith erected the grand (Tothic C/athedral with its graceful spires lost in their heavenward direction. Sixty- f(»iir universities 8he,.'■ of an empire." The illustrious Jesuit, Marquette, discovered the Upper Introdiiclioji, 15 JVIississippi, and was the first to sail down tlie mighty stream. " The West," says Bancroft, " shall build his monument." The fearless and romantic La Salle was the pioneer nav- igator of the great Lakes — Erie, Huron, and Michigan. As the keel of his schooner, for the first time, cut the waters of these inland seas, the solenni sounds of the Te Dcum rolled across the silvery waves, and broke on shores which had never echoed aught save the war-whoop of the Eries, lliirons, or Iroquois. " The Catholic char.icter of La Salle," says McGee, '' is marked in every act of his life. He planted the cross wherever he landed foi* even an hour." His fiery soul in its troubles found consolation in looking at the sacred emblem. " But when this cross of simple wood I see, The Star of Bethlehem shines again for me ; And glorious visions break upon my gloom — The patient Christ, and Mary at the tomb I" Such were a few of tlie first Catholic discoverers, who left behind them bright " footprints on the sands of time." Their names shed a lustre on our early history. And as lamps throw their beams of light far into the shades of diii-kness, so the radiant lives of these illustrious pioneei*s light u]) the gloom of the past. Though nearly all persons of fortune, they died poor. More clear-headed, entei"pris- ing, unselfish men never lived. They were not faultless, because they were human. But where, in the world's his- tory, shall we find a band of more glorious and disiixterested heroes ? In all that dignifies liumanity — in piety, bravery, enterprise — they were an honor to our faith, men " without fear and without reproach." '':l| ! I ^'fif Is . If !l BIOGKAPHY. " Lives of great men all roiniiid us Wt; cau niiikc our lives sublime, And d('i)!irthiK leave behind ut* Foot-j)rintrt dod in having him sent in chains to Spain. Thus shackled in irons were "hands that tho rod of empire might have swayed." "I shall preserve these chains," said the immor- tal discoverer of America, "as memorials of tho reward of uiy services." In 1502, Columbus sailed on his fourth and last voyage. The astonishing resources of his genius and his patience in suflVring were never more heavily taxed tlian in this expedition. On one occasion, ho was wrecked on a wild and barren coast with famine staring him in the face. It was only by predicting an eclipse that he compelled the treacherous and savage natives to supply him with food, thus preser\'ing himself and his crews from death by starvation. After countless adventures, and weighed down by ago and infirmities, ho returned to Spain in 150-4. Tho death of the generous Isabella destroyed his last hopes of being reinstated in his dignities. Ferdinand treated him with shameful ingratitude. Tho venerable admiral who gave Spain a continent, did not own a roof in Spain, and closed his days in tho shades of poverty and neglect I Feeling his end draw near, ho made his will,* turned his thoughts to Heaven, devoutly received tlio last sacraments, and died about the ngo of seventy, on the 20th of May, 1506, as ho had lived — a saint and hero. His last words were: "Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit! " HIS MANY TOMBS. The voyages of Columbus did not en^T with death. His body was first deposited in tho Franciscan 0«n'''ent of Valladolid, where he died. On his tomb was placed the inscription: "J. Cast n la y a Leon Nuevo Mundo dio Colovt '" — to Castile and Leon Columbus gave a new world. His remains were afterwards taken to the Carthusian Convent of Seville. In 1536 they were removed to Hispaniola, and interred in the Cathedral of San Domingo. Nor were they allowed to rest here. In 1795 they * This will is a remarkaljle document, clmracteristlc of its author. It can be found in Irvinjj's Life of Columbus, or McCtee's Catholic History of America, Columbus was twice married. lie left two sons — Diogo and Ferdinand, tho latter of whom wrote liis father's life. Some time before Ids death tlie great admiral wrote to Dieijo : "Ten brothers would not be too many for you. jNcyer have I found a better friend, to right or to left, than my brotliftrs." r^W Biography. 21 woro trannporto'l with great ceremony to Havana, Cuba. As tlio body of tl'o discoverer of America neariMl tlio city, a splendid proci-ssion of boats went out to coiiduct it from tlio ship to tlio shore. "On passing tlie vessels of war in tlio harbor," writes Irving, "tliey all paid the honors duo to an admiral and captain-goneral of tli<^ navy." Jlis precious ashes now repose in a beautiful urn y>n the right side of the grand altnr of the Cathedral of Havana. lieneath a life-size bust Is the inscription : '' Here are the remains and imap;o of the great Columbus. This monument has been erected by our nation to his memory." "It is hardly possible," says a learned traveller, "to avoid feeling profoundly interested and allected on lo king at that spot, that little spot, where the ashes of the mighty man repose, who gave the world of the wide far West to the East ; and to the West, Heaven; for he bade tho great star of the East — the star of holy religion and blessed Christianity — to shed its glorious rays on that benighted West I " llEMAUKS ON HI.S APrEARANCK, YmTlTES, AND THB QUEATNElsS OF HIS ACniKVKMENTS. The pcrsonol apptoranceof Columbus was suggestive of his greatness of soul. Tall in stature, there was a romirkablo elegance about his manly, robust llgure. His face was a puro oval, upon which nature had stamped a look of unusual grace, streii'gth, and beauty. The noble expanse of his forehead was indicative of his grand intellect. His bright eyes were gray, strong, and keen. His nose was aquiline, while his finely- chiseled lips expressed tho magnanimity of his heart. A d impled chin, a few freckles, a ruddy complexion, and hair white as snow since his thirtieth year — such is the portrait of this won- derful man, left us by his contemi)oraries. About his very look there was an air of nobility and authority which enforced respect. J^Iis natural dignity was such, that though a poor wool-carder's son, he could appear before kings and grandees with as much ease and grace as if ho had been born in a palaco. In the words of Valdez, "he seemed to be a nobleman, and one born to command, as his profile and countenance very plainly declared." The virtues of Columbus were as shining as they worennmer- ous. How sublime was his faith ! All his great enterprises woro undertaken in the name of the Most Holy Trinity. He made no discovery without raising his voice and his heart in praise and •yy Catholicity hi the United States. M %m 'fll gratitude to Almighty God. For him the star of hope — hoavoiiiy hope — never set. His charity — it "was as boundless as his own great soul. In his lofty mind, God and Religion held the first place, and all else came after. His piety was as genuine as it was fervent. Religion mingled with the whole course of his thoughts and actions, and shone forth in his most private and unstudied writings. "The voice of prayer," says Irving, ''and the melody of praise rose from his ships in discovering the new world, and his lirst action on landing was to prostrate himself upon the earth and offer up thanksgivings. Every evening tho ^nlne Regina and other Vesper hymns were chanted by his crew, and Masses were said in the beautiful groves that bordered the wild shores of this heathen land. He observed the festivals of the Church in the wildest situations. Sunday was to him a day of sacred rest, in which he would never sail from a port, unless in case of extreme necessity. Tho religion thus deeply seated in his soul diffused a sober dignity and a benign composure over his whole deportment ; his very language was pure and guarded, (Uid free from all gross and irreverent expressions." How shall we define true greatness ? By what standard shall wo judge men, so as to be able, with some justice and precision, to point out the greatest ? It may be safely asserted that ho is the greatest man to whom the world is most indebted. Measured by his achievements and their results, Columbus perhaps stands first among the illustrious men of all time. He began life with only one of the advantages which confer immortality — a great soul. His parents, his social position, his early education — all were humble. If his knowledge was afterwards profound* it was the result of his genius, of his own iron efforts. With him orig- inated the conviction that the Indies could be reached by sail- ing westward. Despite great obstacles, he impressed the truth of his opinion upon others. His poverty made a rich patron essen- tial to the carrying out of his vast project. Yet, witli unheard- of oner; " and perseverance, he labored nearly a quarter of a century eforo he could obtain even a successful hearing. His hair was white at thirty from deep reflection on tho subject of his discovery. He was fifty-seven when ho planted the cross on the shores of San Salvador. Nothing could conquer his daunt- less spirit. He far surpasses all others us a discoverer. Newton discovered the laws of gravitation ; Ilerschel a planet ; Marquette a river ; Kane, a polar sea ; Tyndall, something new about light ; but * Tho lUnstrlons adniiiMl was not only faniill r with t;-pnj^rai)hy, aptroiKiiny, iiiwiKation, and kiiidnnl studios, hut liin letters show th;it lio was woll ivad lu tho floly Scrlpluros, fathers of tlio (Miiiroli. and otlicr t;reut W()rli.!i. Biography. 23 but wliat are all these compared to that greatest of achievements — the discovery of America — a discovery which doubled tlio size of the world's map ! Whom shall we name braver than the great Columbus ? Ills victory stands alone in history. For years he grandly bore up against delay, poverty, contempt ; and, finally, battling with man and tempest, he triumphed ever the terrors of the vast and mysterious Atlantic ! His magnanimity of soul, his sTiblimo eouraga, never deserted him. His noble forbearance, in the Avrongsand injuries heaped upon his declining years, displays a character of amazing beauty and grandeur. With Christian hope and resignation he cheered the darkest hours of life. But it was religion above all that crowned the lofty integrity of his character. A Catholic of Catholics, if he wished to open the way to unknown lands, and to raise large sums of money, it was not through any motive of grasping selfishness. Before St. Ignatius adopted the motto. Ad mctJoretaDei Glorinm, Columbus put it in practice ! To carry the light of the Gospel to the heathen, to rescue the Holy Sepulchre from the hands of the infidel Turk — such were the lofty motives that guided his life's labors. Nor was he simply a great mariner, or a virtuous hero. Though a layman, he was one of the greatest of missionaries. His discovery opened Heaven to millions of souls. The great admiral rivals the most illustrious of the saints in being the means of unlock- ing tlie portals of Paradise to countless multitudes. Compared with this Christian hero, what are Alexander, Na- poleon, Cajsar, or Hannibal ? What does the world owe them ? For what are we indebted to them '{ How different from tho inunortal Columbus ! Toiiim, science and commerce owe more than to any one man. America reveres him as lier discoverer. Catholicity recognizes in him one of her greatest and holiest sons. In short, viewing his unparalleled achievements and their results, the whole earth and even Heaven are his debtors. His character transcends i^raise as his achievements baflie descrip- tion. In truth, as there is but one America on the map of tho world, so there is but one Columbus among the sons of men. Wo tread this soil with more finnness, when we remember lliat it was this Heaven-inspired mariner, who loved and prac- ticed our own glorious faith, that first touched this continent, and firmly planted the cross on its virgin shores. " Our Fathers' iinci<-iit Faith, Our Fathors' ancient way. Wo hold, nor turn to woriuliip yet At shrii'.e:* of yesterday.''* " Fur Bonie remarks on tlio bio)Lrra|ihcrs, writings, and probable cnnoniza- liun of Coluiulnis, sec; note A, a]>i)en(lis;. rTTTT ROBERT CAVELIER, SIEUR DE LA SALLE,* The Qreat Exxtlorei' of the Mississippi Valley. " How shall Ave rank thoc upon glory's pajc ? Thou more thau soldier, and not lcs« than ea,i;c !" f li i i M i mI \v Robert Cavelier, more commonly known us La Salle, was the most illustrious explorer of our country. Of a liif?hly re- spectable family, he was born in the city of Rouen, France, about the year 1635. It is said that in early youth he entered the Society of Jesus, in which he remained for several years, studying and teachin^r. He had a great love for the exact sciences, especially mathematics, in which he was remarkably proficient. La 8alk? left the seminary of the Jesuits, carrying with him the highest testimonials of his superiors for purity of character and exhaustless energy. However, on account of having entered the religious state, ho was, by an unjust pro- vision of the French law, depriv^od of his fortune. He at once commenced a new career, and sailed for Canada in the spring of 16(50. From the Sulpitians he obtained the grant of a large tract of land, ne.ar Montreal, at a place which he named La Chine. \ Commencing the study of the native langu.ages, his great abilities enabled him, in two or three years, to nmster Iro- quois, Algonquin, and live or six other Indian dialects. In the winter of 1670, La Salle organized an expedition which included some Sulpitianjn-iests.andproceededtowards the south- west. Our accounts of it are somewhat vague. However, he discovered the Ohio, which he sailed down as far as tiie present site of Louisville. J His men leaving him, he roturnod alone to Canada. We next find him commander of the newly established Fort Frontenac — now Kingston. He held this position when the tidings of Marquette's discovery of the Mississippi reached him. * Thon;;h, flironoldfrically ^peakingr, tlu:<(^kelcli of LaSallo, \y]io liveil in the seven tc'fiitli century, belongs to acliapter farther on, still we eonsider Ihin tlio. more apimiprlaie plaeo for its insertion. If Columbus was the tliseoverer of America, La Salic was its ji'reatest explorer. Let their lives be tosretlier. t It is now a large village, ami still retains the suggest ive name giv(;n it by Its founder. X Parknian. "Discovery of the Great West." (24) iiii Jji^igraphy, 25 I This was a new idea. Tlie peiietratint,' mind of La Salle at once identified " tlio great river of Manjnetto with the great river of De Soto." His .sclienies of exploration received a fresh impulse. "A Catholic missionary," says Dr. Clarke, " had gloriously led the way ; a Catholic nobleman no less gloriously advanced to complete the work." Tliree thoughts, rapidly developing in his mind, were master- ing La Salle, and engendering an invincible purpose : (I.) He would achieve that which Champlain vainly attempted, and of which our own generation has but seen the accomplishment— the opening of a passage to India and China across the American Continent. (2.) He would occupy the Great West, develop its commercial resources, and anticipate the Spaniards and English in the possession of it. (3.) For he soon became convinced that the Mississippi discharged itself into the Gulf of Mexico — he would establish a fortified post at its mouth, thus securing an outlet for the trade of the interior, checking the progress of the Spaniards, and forming a base whence in time of war their north- ern provinces could be invaded and conquered.* Such were the great projects conceived and nursed in the fertile brain of this heroic, but penniless young Frenchman ! The better to carry out his vast enterprises, La Salle returned to France in 1G75, obtained from Louis XIV. a grant of Fort Frontenac, a monoply of ihe lake trade, and a patent of nobility. He then sailed for Canada. Some time after, he again returned to his native country, and received a commission to continue the exploration of the " great river." As his lieutenant, he chose Tonti, an Italian veeran, whose " energy and address made him equal to anything." t He also enlisted tliirfy mechanics and mariners for the expedition, whicli was accompanied by several Franciscan Fathers. In 1G78, he reached Foit Frontenac for a third time ; and at once dispatched Tonti and a number of his men to build a ship at the head of the IS'iagara River, on Lake Erie. La Salle him- self immediately followed. The vessel, which carricul about forty- live tons, was soon finished, and named the " Griffin," in honor alle, in reached g out in whither ice more ns were at rivers w Fran- idians — sissinoi. 'at her of 1 the do- ;quently 1 by his ifter the [norica.'' %1 The missionaries also announced the words of truth to the sav- ages. "As the great explorer pursued his course down tlio ^Mississippi," writes Bancroft, " his sagacious eye discerned the luagnitlcont resources of the country," At every point where they landed. La Salle planted a cross, for, says Parkmaii, ho. "was most zealous for the Faith." Finally the mouth of the great river was reached, and they beheld — " The sea ! the sea ! the open sea. The blue, the frosh, the ever free." On the 9th of April, La Salle took possession of the country in the name of Louis XIV. For this purpose he had a cross erected, while the whole party chanted the grand hymn of the Vexilhi Regis : "The banners of Heaven's Kinfj advance, The mystery of the cross shuies forth." The ceremony was finished with the Te Deum, and the raising of a column with the following inscription : " Louis the Great, King of France and Navarre, reigns ; the 9th of April, 1682.'' Then, "amid a volley from all our muskets," writes Father Membre, "a leaden plate inscribed with the arms of France and the names of those who had just made the discovery, was de- posited in the earth." By liis energy and enterprise La Salle had now explored fiom the Falls of St. Anthony to the Gulf of Mexico. In honor of his sovereign ho named all the territory along the great river, Louisi- ana — a name, at present, restricted to one State. Turning, he ascended the Mississippi and sailed for France, in order to secure the assistance of Louis XIV. and the co-opera- tion of his countrymen in colonizing the great valley, and in de- veloping its immense natural resources. Success seemed to smile on his plans. The government provided him with four ships, and a large number of persons were soon enlisted in his scheme. In July, 1684, he bade adieu for the last time to the shores of Sunny France; and with his ships and 280 persons, in- cluding three Franciscan Fathers and three secular priests, well supplied with all tlie necessaries to plnnt a colony at the mouth of the ^ri^iji.v.sippi, he directed his course noross the Atlantic. But the entrance of the "great river" was hard to lind. La Salle mi-sed it, went westward, and early in 168.") landed his colony at Matagorda Bay, in Texas, wliere he built Fort St. Louis. In the choice of his men, he soon found that he had made an I iiii ti IP iim ii ■ ii'::i 11 !i:^-' l!l;^':^ >,;' f •rl ;l| ilP ililli 28 Catholicify in tJic United States. unhappy mistake, Thoy wore largely composed of vagabonds picked iij) on the streets of lloclielle, and their conduct was in keeping with their chara(;ter, as events unfortunately proved. After several vain attempts to reach the mouth of the Missis- Ki')pi by sea, La Salle resolved to strike out for it by land. Father Doiiay, O.S.F., his chaplain, has left us a minute account of their adventurous course over plains, forests, rocks, and rivers. After six months' fruitless ^vanderings they were obliged to return to Fort St. Louis. Hero La Salle heard that his last vessel was wrecked, "With the giant energy of an indomitable will," writes Bancroft, "having lost his hopes of fortune, his hopes of fame, he resolved to travel on foot to his countrymen at the North, and return from Canada to renew his colony in Texas." Accompanied by a few priests and twenty men, he set out on this iiumenso journey early in 1687, For nearly two months and a half the travoUe' ' ily forced their way, despite the hard- ships to be endurcvi - I wintry climate, despite the countless obstacles offered by a bavage country, 13ut mutiny began to manifest itself. S .iro of th-j party nursed dark designs. " Wo proceeded some steps,' ritv j lather Douay, "along the bank (of a river*) to the fatal spot where two of the murderers were hidden in the grass, one on each side, with guns cocked. One missed M, do La Salle ; the other tiring at the same time, shot him in the head. He died an hour after, on the 19th of March, 1087, He had confessed and fulfilled all his devotions just be- fore we started that day. * * * During his last moments ho elicited all the acts of a good Christian. * * ^ Thus died our wise commander, constant in adversity, intrepid, generous, skillful, capable of everything. ''f "He was," says his lieutenant, Tonti, "one of the greatest men of this age." All writers bear testimony to the Roman vir- tues and sterling worth of this renowned Catholic explorer, whose firmness and courage were only equalled by his groat knoA'ledge of the arts and sciences. La Salle's mind, says an able author, rose immeasurably above the range of the mere commercial speculator. It does not appear that his personal integrity ever found a challenge. His schemes failed i)artly be- cause they were too vast, and pai'tly because he did not concili- ate the good-will of those whom ho was compelled to trust. In the pursuit of his purpose, ho spared no man, and least of all himself. He bore the brunt of every danger and every hardship. * A eoutlicrn branch of the Trinity, Texaa. t Narrative of Father Douay. £51 Biography. 29 Hfi was a tower of mlamant, against whoso impenetrable front, hardships and danger, the rage of man and of the elements, the Southern sun, the Northern blast, fatigue, famine, disease, de- lay, disappointment, and deferred hope emptied their (piivers in vain. Never under the mail of Paladin or Crusader beat a h( Jirt more intrepid than that of La Salle. To estimate aright the marvels of his patient fortitude wo must follow in his track, the vast seene of his endless journeys — those thousands of weary mil< s of forest, marsh, and river, wliere. again and again, in the bitterness of balHed striving, the untired pilgrim pushed onward towards the goal which ho was never to reach. America owes him an enduring memory ; for in this masculine figure cast in iron, she sees the heroic pioneer who guided her to the posses- sions of lier richest heritage. * '• He lias,'' writes the eminent Sparks, "been called the Colum- bus of his age ; and if his success had been equal to his ability and the compass of his plans, this distinction might justly bo awarded to him. '•' * '^ lie bore the burden of his calanuties manfully to the end, and his hopes expired only with his last breath." * "Discovery of the Great West." "The Mississippi valley," says Dr. Foster, "is now the abode of 12,000,000 of people." I*/' ;(' M liii 1 :!ii \ i . ii ! :!| ! ! li H liifiH I I,;-; i in t e-i! !' K;!S .ii; !■;; ; ^1 j :"i.l! ':;^-;' ! |. I l| CHAPTER I. . THE INDIANS AND THEIll APOSTLES. " Lo, the poor Indian I whose untutored mind Sees God in clouds, or hears Illm In the wind."— Popb. THE WILD SCENES OF FOUR CENTURIES AGO— THE INDIANS — THE VARI- OUS TRIBES, LANGU.NGES, AND CUSTOMS— THE LORD'S PRAYER IN FOUR INDIAN LANGUAGES — HOW THEY MADE WAR AND HUILT FORTRESSES— INDIAN GOVERNMENT AND RELIGION — THE APOSTLES OF THE INDIANS— HOW THE SPANIARDS ESTABLISHED THEIR MIS- glONS— THE ENr.T.ISH— THE FRENCH — HOW THE FRENCH JESUITS LIVED — MISSIONARY DIFFICULTIES AND HEROISM— WINTER TRIALS OP THE BLACKROBE— MAGIC — THE SHADOWS OF INDIAN LIFE — THE PRIESTS SUSPECTED OF BEING CONJURORS — ODDITY OF THE INDIAN MIND — CHARACTER OF THE RED MEN AND THEIR APOSTLES. THE INDIANS. At the beginning of tlie sixteenth century, the vast terri- tory which we now call the United States was a wilderness, lying almost untouched by aught save the hand of nature. On the savage scene Christianity and civilization had yet to smile. A thinly-scattered and uncultivated race was the only population. They were called Indians. As a bra\^e, but unfortunate people, they coininand our warm sympathy. " The winds of the Atlantic,'' says Story, " fan not a single region thoy may call their own." Sadly true. They have perished. Their memory alone remains. Before the steel uikI hatred of the pale-faces they faded as the snow melts away before the rays of the vernal sun. Catholicity was their only fond protector, the lilachgown* their only true friend. England came, Puritanism came, and the Indian dis- * Tho Indian name for Catholic missionaries, more especially the Jesuit Fathers. (30 32 Catholicity in the United States. appeared from our Eastern slioi-cs. He Avas liu.ited down without pity, destroyed without remorse.* Towards the {^citing sun, away in tlie far West, the red man yet lingers — an object of oppression and misrule. IHIISi M-: ;i:'ll| ■Mi: IJ INDIAN GLIMPSES. Every Anieriean, every (.\atliolic must feel an interest in the historic peo])]e for which Jogues, IJrebeuf, Lallemant, Rale, Menard, Padilla, Juarez, Mar([uette, and scores of other saintly and lieroic missionaries lal)orcd and laid down their lives. Two hundred and iifty years ago, the great cityf in which these lines were written, was the hunting grounds of the Cauarsie. Here red chieftains ruled and warrior braves fought and hunted. Manhattan Island, on which stands the greatest of our cities, was purchased from an Indian chief for twenty -four dollars ! Then, " the smoke of their wigwams aiid the fires of their councils rose in every valley from Hudson Bay to the farthest Florida, from the ocean to the ]\Iississippi and the lakes. The shouts of vic- tory and the war dance rang through the mountains and the glades. The thick arrows and the deadly tomahawk whis- tled through the forests. The warriors stood forth in their glory. Mothers played with their infants and gazed on the scene with warm hopes of the future. The aged sat down ; but they wept not. They would soon be at I'est in fairer regions, where the Great Spirit dwelt, in a home prepared for the brave beyond the Western skies." \ THE nilNCTPAL TRIBES IN THE UNITED STATES. The Indian tribes that once ruled over the present limits of our country are generally grouped under eight families, * See " Tlie AhnaM and Their History,^'' by Rev. Eugene Vetro- mile, D.D. ; Dr. J. G. Shea's ^' History nf the Catholic Missions'\; Appleton's ''American Cycloparlia,'' last edition; Spalding's J/<.sw7/flWi?n'. ; and Bancroft's History of the United States. t Brooklyn, L. T. \ Stoiy. The Indians and their Apostles. 33 8pcall]ii, ii- I it I; II V: \\\ some oi tnese smgu- lar residences were often much longer. Carticr describes the houses he eavv at Montreal as one hundred and fifty feet long; Clianiplain says he saw one ninety feet ; and Yander- donc tells of an Iroquois house live hundred and forty feet in length!" In shape they resembled an arbor. "Their frame was formed of tall and strong sapplings, planted in a double 1 ow to fomi the two sides of the house, bent till they met, and lashed together at the top." f This was all covered with bark, except an opening at the top about a foot wide, extending the whole length of the house, and performing the double olficc of chimney and windows. Along the centre were ranged the fires, one serving for ever^ two fnmilies. During the cold nights of winter the Indians stretched themselves pell-mell around these lodge-fires. A town containing two thousand inhabitants was considered very large. X For purposes of protection, the towns, or villages, were generally surrounded by palisades of. trees, or brushwood. Heaps of stones, little scaling ladders, and other materials of rude warfare, were carefully stored away, ready for use at any moment. In founding a town, every effort Wiis made to secure a favorable site, which was generally the shore of a lake, the bank of a river, or a hill-top. The Iroquois were the best fort builders. " To this day," says Parkman, " large Ilud- * Parkman. t Ibid. I The number of Indians within the present Umits of the United States was comparatively small at any period since the discovery of America. For instance, the Iroquois when at the li('if,'lit of their power (about 1G50) did not number more than ll'.OOO. They could never call out over 3,000 warriors. See Piirkinan's Introduction to the ^^ Jesuits in North Amciiaiy As to the size of towns, or rather of villages, among the station- ary tril)es, Brobeuf tells us that the Huron town of St. Joseph had 400 families, or about 2,000 inhabitants. Allouez describes Kaskaskla, a town of the Illinois, as containing 351 cabins. Those were considered very large. |: fivl ','t A'. '.' ;■ mmmmm i,;!' . 1* .i!i ; ■li . Mil ;!!■,'[! i 40 Catholicity in the United States. districts in New York are marked witli frequent remains of their ditches and embankments." The ordinary wigwam of the Algonquins and other roam- ing clans differed very much from the Huron house or the Iroquois castle. It "was of a conical form, nine or ten feet high, lighted by a hole in the roof, which also served as a vent for the smoke. The tents of the chiefs being larger, generally contained several apartments. The Indian resi- dences on the Lower Mississippi, as seen by La Salle, were formed of clay and straw, surmounted by roofs of cane. Though for the most j^art an unsettled race, the wander- ings of each tribe were, generally, confined to its own hunt- ing grounds — " an unbroken -vNilderness extending for miles on every side, where the braves roamed, hmiters alike of beasts and men." Agriculture was confined to a few plants — Indian com, beans, pumpkins, hemp, and tobacco. The use of tobacco was universal among the Indians. Canoes, rude pottery, wigwams, snow-shoes, garments, wampum, and weapons constituted their sole manufactures. They were ignorant of the use of iron. Canoes were made of bark, or from the trunks of large trees, which were hollowed by the aid of fire and their stone ax^i. The birch-bark canoe was the master- piece of Indian workmanship. It was only by burning around trees that they could bring them down. Fire they obtained by rapidly rubbing two pieces of wood together. DKE88 OF THE INDIANS. Their dress was in keeping with everything else. Many of the Indian women, however, clothed themselves witli much modesty ; even more so, says a Jesuit Father, referring to the Huron squaws, than the " most pious ladies in France." To the warriors, a similar compliment cannot be paid. In summer they dispensed with nearly every article of their rude covering but the moccasins.* It was different in winter. Then " they \^ ere clad in tunics and leggins of skin, ♦ Father Allouez, S.J., also Father Membre, O.S.F. The Indiajis and their Apostles, 41 and at all seasons, on occasions of ceremony, were wrapped from head to foot in robes of beaver or other furs, sometimes of the greatest value."* When his elaborate, full-dress toilet was completed, no civilized fop could surpass an Indian cliief tricked out witli gew-gaws, painted and tattooed with veniiilion, with stripes of black, red, and blue from ear to ear, :md liiri head adorned with the beak and plumage of the raven, or eaffle, or the wing of the red bird. I WAK THE CHIEF TEOFESSION. War was esteemed the most honorable employment, and next to it ranked hunting and fishing. The weapons of the Indian were bows and arrows, spears, clubs, and tomahawks. The arrows and spears were pointed with horn, or sharp pieces of flint stone. The chibs consisted of heavy pieces of knotted wood hardened in the fire ; while the tomahawks were simply stone hatchets, with hickory branches twisted around them for handles and smoothed down to a sharp edge. The Indian's skiU in the use of his arms was pro- verbial. In his hands the bow and arrow were no mean weapons. Pitched battles, or general engagements were unknown until the natives learned of the white man to make war on a large scale. Their hostile movements were gener- ally skillful dashes of a few warriors into the enemy's coun- try, taking some scalps, doing all the mischief they could, and returning with as little injury as possible to themselves. Tlie great point of their tactics was suiprise. Comparative rank of chiefs and warriors often depended on the number of scalps they had taken. If made prisoner, the Indian brave was subjected to the most cruel treatment, being burned at the stake by a slow fire. Sometimes as a tribute of respect to manly fortitude, mercy took the place of ferocity, and the h;ilf -murdered warrior was adopted as a brother by his enemies. Often, as a religions ceremony, the flesh of the unhappy victim was eaten, his heart being divided into small pieces, and given to the young men and boys, that it might * Purkmon. -ii;- i:i'^' I I mm' 42 Catholicity in the United States. communicate its coura«:^e to tliem. Cannibalism to this extent was practiced both by the llurons and Iroquois.* The dying warrior made it a point of lionor to endure these awful torments with unshaken heroism. To his last breath he taunted his savage tormenters, and boldly shouted his death- song from among the flames ! THE INDIAN WOMEN. Woman, amongst the Indians, was a degraded being — a slave. To her life there was no bright side. She did all the drudgery of the wigwam, raised the crops of corn, and, in tiieir wanderings, bore the heavy burdens. In the words of Champlain, "theirwomen were their mules." Catholicity first taught the Indian that the squaw was equal to the warrior ; and that the sex which our divine Lord honored by making one of them His mother, must be respected. INDIAN GOVERNMENT. The Indian system of government was exceedingly simple, and, in many respects, worthy of serious study. The fifty sachems of the famous Iroquois formed the government of that confederacy. The learned Jesuit mis- sionary, Laiitau, tells us that this great Council of Fifty would, in wisdom and eloquence, compare very favorably with the Koman Senate in the early days of the Republic. He thus describes that singular legislative body : " It is a greasy assemblage, sitting sur leur derriere^ crouched like apes, their knees as high as their ears, or lying some on their bellies, some on their backs, each with a pipe in his mouth, discussini; affairs of state with as much coolness and gravity as the Spanish Junta, or the Grand Council of Venice." In fact, the code that obtained among the Five Nations was the masterjiiece of Indian jurisprudence. Both as law-givers and as warriors they towered above all other tribes within the limits of our country. The general form of government common among the In- * Father Brebeuf, S.J.; also Father Le Mercier, S.J. The Indians and tJicir Apostles. 43 dians is thus tersely aiul correctly stated by a late writer : " The head of each tribe was a chief, or sachem, sometimes eo bv birth, but generally chosen on account of his bravery, or wlsdon', or eloi|uence. His opinion, if supported by a council of the elders, was the. only law. But he had no means of enforcing it on those who were unwilling to obey. His influence depended wholly on his personal character. The warriors followed .him on a war party only if they chose. There could be no compulsion. Proud as the In- dian was in many things, that of which he was most proud was his personal freedom."* THE RELIGION OF THE INDIANS — SUPEKSTITION. It is a popular notion that the primitive Indians worshi]> ped God under the name of the Great Sjnrit. Kothing could be further from the truth. The couplet of the distinguished. Catholic poet, Alexander Pope, cpioted at the head of this chapter, is perhaps a good sample of what educated Europe knows of Indian belief. As poetry it may be good, but it need not be accepted as history. Pope was more familiar with his garden at Twickenham than with the hunting grounds of the llurons, or Iroquois. "Were his lines turned — " Lo ! the poor Indian ! whose untutored mind, Sees inanttousj in clouds, or hears them -n the wind," it would doubtless add to their truth, though at the expense of measure and harmony. The average American concerns himself so little about the details of any one's creed, that it need create no sur- prise if he never troubles his busy head about whether his dusky predecessors of the soil believed anything, or nothing. * Scott. See Parkman's excellent Introduction to his ^^ Jesuits in North America.'''' t Manitou — a spirit ; manitous — spirits. The Indians' M'orld was one full of all sorts of spirits — good and bad. The idea of a Supreme Spirit was borrowed from us. T I m'. n ,l!!i ^i M ■ I ■■■ II ii f 44 Catholicity in the Utiited States, The triitli is, the primitive Incliiin was as ignorant of Almiij^hty God as he was of Christian morality and the ele- gancies of life. And as he first obtained fircaniis from the white man, so he first learned this greatest of all truths — the existence of one God — from the lips of the Catholic missionary. No Indian dialect had an equivalent term for our word God, which had to he translated in a roundabout manner by saying the "Great Spirit that lives above,'' "the Great Cliief of Men," " the Great Kuler of the Skies," or soni(;thing to that effect. If they had anything in common Avitli Christianity, it was their belief in the existence of the soul, and of a spirit-land, or future state. For all there was, however, but one spirit-land, yet all were not to be equally happy when they reached that bourne whence no traveller returns. " Skillful hunters and hrave warriors went to the happy hunting ground ; while the slothful, the cowardly, and the weak were doomed to eat serpents and ashes in dreary regions of mist and darkness. * * * According to some Algonquin traditions, heaven was a scene of endless festivity, the ghosts dancing to the soimd of the rattle and the drum, and greeting with hospitable welcome the occa- sional visitor from the living world ; for the spirit-land was not far off, and roving hunters sometimes passed its confines unawares." As a whole, the Indian's belief was really a ridiculous medley of supert^tition and idolatry. " Pure unmixed devil- worship," says Dr. Shea, "prevailed throughout the length and breadth of the land." Some tribes paid honors to the Cpalumet. Father Marquette tells us that the Illinois, who dwelt on the upper Mississippi, " adored the sun and thun- der." Father Douay, who accompanied La Salle's expedi- tion, found the Indians of the Lower Mississippi paying divine honors to the sun. Fathers Dablon and AUouez teU us of an Indian idol which they discovered on the banks of Fox River, near Green Bay, "Wisconsin. It was " merely a rqck bearing some resemblance to a man, and hideously painted. With the help of their attendant they threw it into the water." The Indians and their Apostles. 45 The Indian fancied that mnnitouf^ Mere in everytliing — men, animals, hikes, rivers, hills, and vallevs. To his rudo and narrow mind these manitoiis had it in their power to cause disaster or triumph, health or sickness, life or death. Be- sides, there were good and bad manitous, great and small manitons. Their bad manitous answer to our devil. But it may be proper to call to our assistance one of the old missionaries in order to explain this complicated subject ot' Indian worship ; and to exhibit the rascality of that most accomplished of red-skin rogues — the medicine-man, or In- dian conjurer. "It would be difficult,"* writes Father Marest, S.J., "to say what is the religion of our Indians. It consists entirely of some superstitions with which their credulity is amused. As all their knowledge is limited to an acquaintance with brutes, and to the necessities of life, so it is to these things that all their worship is confined. Their medicine-men, who have a little more intellect than the rest, gain the re- spect of the Indians by their ability to deceive them. These jugglers persuade the others that they honor a kind of spirit to whom they give the name of manitou ; and teach them that it is this spirit which governs all things, and is master of life and death. A bird, a buifalo, a bear, or rather the plumage of the^e birds, and the skins of these beasts — such is their manitou. They hang it up in their wigwams, and offer it sacrifices of dogs and other animals. * "' * ^ These medicine-men have recourse to their manitous when comj^osing their remedies, or when attempting to cure the diseased. They accompany their invocations with chants, and dances, and frightful contortions to induce the belief that they are inspired by their manitous. -5^ * * During these different contortions, the medicine-man names some- times one animal and sometimes another, and at last applies himself to suck that part of the body in which the sick per- son complains of pain. After having done so for some- * Letter of 1712. w 46 CatJiolicity in the United States, I'll time ho suddenly raises liimself and throws out to the sick person the tooth of a bear or of some other animal, which he had kept concealed in his month. 'Bear friend,' he cries, ' you will live ! See what it was that was killing you !' After which he says in applauding himself: * Who can re- sist my manitou ? Is he not the one who is the master of life?' If the patient hajjpcns to die he immediately has some deceit ready prepared to ascribe the death to some other cause, which took place after he had left the sick man. But, if on the contrary, he should recover his health, it is then that the medicine-man receives consideration, and is himself regarded as a manitou ! After being well rewarded for his labors, the best that the village produces is spread out to regale him. " These jugglers are a great ob&tacle to the conversion of the Indians. In every way in their power they persecute and torment the Christians. " One of them was about to shoot a young girl who passed by his wigwam door. Seeing a pair of beads in her hands, he wickedly thought they had caused his father's death ; and was on the point of firing at her, when some other Indians prevented him. " I cannot tell you how often I have received gross insults from them, nor how many times I should have expired under their blows, had it not been for the particular protection of God. On one occasion, aniong others, one of them would have split my head with his hatchet, had I not turned at the very time his arm was raised to strike me." Ill:' I m THE MYSTERIOUS CALUMET. As the most singular of the objects worshipped by some of the tribes and venerated by all of them, I must not omit to mention the all-mysterious Calumet. Father Marquette thus writes of it in his " Narrative of the Discovery of the Mississijypi "/ " Men do not pay to the crow^ns and sceptres of Kings the honor they (the Indians) pay to the Calumet : it seems to be the god of peace and war, tlie arbiter of life The Indians and tliciy Apostles, 47 and death. Carry it about you and filiow it, and you cau march fearlet-sly amid enemies, who even in the lieat of bat- tle lav down tiieir arm* when it is ^^hown. Tliey use it for scttlin;^: disputes, stren<:;tht'niu^ alliances, and speakin*^ to stranp^ers." The same Father dt scribes a Calumet which the Illinois presented him when descending the great river, as " made of polished red st(mc, like marble, so pierced that one end serves to hold the tobacco, while the other is fast- ened on the stem, which is a stick two feet long, as thick as a common cane, and pierced iii the middle. It is ornamented with the head and neck of different birds of beautiful ]du- mage ; they also add large feathers of green, red, and other colors, AvHth which it is all covered."' 2. TnE APOSTLES OF THE INDIANS. The methods pursued by the Catholic missionaries, together with their endless toils, journeys, and difficulties in gaining over to Christianity the rude and eccentric intellect of the red man, may well be regarded as forming one of the most striking and important features of early American history. It would be unpardonable not to present a few pictures from this portrait gallery. THE SPANISH METHOD. The Spaniards were the first to carry the Gospel among the dusky savages. Their mode of erecting a mission was somewhat peculiar. The priests gencfi'ally accompanied an expedition, the leader of wdiich represented the Spanish sov- ereign, and in his name took possession of the new country. As the formalities used on su( h an occasion have a beautiful religious interest, they are here given in detail : " The locality was taken possession of by the lay authority ; a tent was erected as a temporary chapel ; the Fathers, in proces- sion, proceeded to bless the place, and the chapel on whoso front a crucifix, or simple wooden cross, was raised ; the holy sacrifice was then offered up, and a sermon was preached on the coming and power of the Holy G!:o:-t. The Yeni Ore- 48 Catholicity in tlic United Slates. ator was sun^, niid a Fatlior was charged with the direction and responsibility of tlie mission. Tiie i ndians were attracted hy little presents. To the men and women were «ijiven small ])ieces of cloth, or food, and to the children hits of sugar. 'J'hey wouhl soon gather around the missionaries, when they found how good and kind they were ; and the })riests were not slow in ])icl\ing up the language. They became the fathers and instructors of the poor ignorant Indians, cate- chized them in the mysteries of the faith, collected them into villages around the mission church, and taught thcin to plough and cultivate the lands, to sow wheat, to grind corn, to bake. They introduced the olive, the vine, and the ap])le ; and taught the natives how to yoke the oxen for work, how to spin and weave their clothing, to prepare leather from the liides, and instructed them in the rudiments of commerce."- Such was the method followed in most of the early Indian missions begun in the southern portion of our country — then Spanish tei-ritory. THE I'NOUSn METHOD. The missions of the English Jesuits in Maryland extended, comparatively speaking, over a small area, watered by several rivers, which served as highways for the ministers of God on their errands of mercy and peace. Hence from the storehouse, or missionary centre, they generally started in boats, on these pious expeditions. Their daily life of joyful toil is thus told by Father White, S. J., the venerable apostle of Maryland : " We sail in an open boat — the Father, an intei'preter and servant. In a calm, or with a head wind, two I'ow, and a third steers the boat. We carry a basket of bread, cheese, butter, dried roasted ears of corn, beans, and some meal, and a chest containing the sacerdotal vestments, the slab or altar for mass, the wine used in the holy sacriticc, and blessed baptismal water. In another chest we carry knives, combs, little bells, fishing-hooks, needles, thread. * " The CathoHc World:' Vol. II. ■'1 ■ ', "I'-i!"'' ■■»■■ The Indians and tlicir Apostles, 49 and other tritlcs, for urosonts to the Indi.in^j. Wo tako two mats, a small one to shclti-r us from tlio sun, and a larger one to ])rotet't us from the rain. Tlic sorvant r'arri»(s irnplo- monts for hunting' and cookinij: utensils. \Ve endeavor to reaeh some Indian village, or Kiii^dish plantation hy ni:i:lit- t'all. If we do not sueeeed, then the Father secures the boat to the hank, eoUcets wood, and makes a tire, while the other two fjo out to liunt ; and after cooking our game, we take some refreshment, and then lie down to sleep around the lire. When threatened witli rain, we erect a tent, covering it with our large mat. Thatdcs he to (Jod, we enjoy our scanty fare and hard beds as much as if we were acconnno- dated with the luxuries of Europe. * * * God now imparts to us a foretaste of what lie is about to give those that live faithfully in this life."* THE FRENCH JE.SLTFS. The marvellous lives of the apostolic priests of France, in the Nortii and West of our country, prove that truth is stranger than iiction. The French Jesuit was the missionary of missionaries. Often he had no companion but his breviary, and no power to aid him save that which said : " do, teach all nations.'' At the regular missionary centres, however, several Fathers generdly dwelt together. Such stations were much alike. " They consisted of a chapel (commonly of logs) and one or more houses, with perhaps a store-house and a workshojD — the whole fenced in with palisades, and form- in Lr in fact, a stockade fort surrounded with clearings and uultJNuU'd fields. " In T'spect to the commodities of life the Jesuits were but a step a advance of the Indians. Their house, though ill ventilated by numberless crevices in its bark walls, .i ways smelt of smoke, and when the wind was in certain (lUarters, was fille with it to suffocation. At their meals the Fathers sat on logs around the tire, over which their * ^' Relatio Itinen's in Marylandiam.''^ 4 I' it i 1 ( \ 1,1 ! fi 1 1 'H ""8 r 1 Uiti ' 1 1 i || 1 1 r i 50 CatJiolicity in the United States. kettle was slniip^ in the Iiiflian fasliion. Each had his woodon platter, which fi'oiii the difficulty of transportation was valued in the Huron country (Canada) at the price of a beaver skin, or one hundred franco. Their food consisted of saga- mite, or ' mrish ' made of pounded Indian corn Lolled with scraps of smoked lish. The repast was occasionally varied by a pumpkin or squash baked in the ashes, or in the season — Indian corn roasted in the ear. They used no salt what- ever. By day they read and studied by the light that streamed in througli the large smoke-holes in the roof — at night by the blaze of the fire. Their only candles were a few of wax for the altar. They cultivated a patch of ground, but raised nothing on it except wheat for making the sacra- meiital bread. Their food was supplied by the Indians, to whom in return they gave cloth, knives, awls, needles, and various trinkets. Their supply of wine for the eucharist was so scanty that they limited themselves to four or live drops for each mass. " Their life was regulated with a conventual strictness. At :'*our in the morning a bell aroused them from the sheets of bark on which they slept. Masses, private devotions, reading religious books, and breakfast, filled the time until eight, when they opened their door and admitted the In- dians. A lesson in catechism was then given, after which the work of the day began. As the Indians were exj)ert thieves, it wat necessary, continues Parkmar that one or nu e of the Fathers should remain on guard all day. The rest went forth on their missionary labors baptizing and instructing. To each priest who could speak Huron was ' af^slgned a certain number of houses — in some instances as many as forty, and as these often Lad fiv^e or six tires with two families to each, his spiritual flock was as numerous a^j it Avas intrac table. It Avas his care to see that none of the number died >vithout l)aptism, and by every means in his power to connnend the doctrines of faith to the acceptance of those in health. " At dinner, wliicli was at two o'clock, grace was said in I The htdians and their Apostle^. 5^ I iruron — for the beiieiit of tlie Indians present — and a eliap- terof the Bible was read aloud during the meal. At four or live, according to the season, the Indians were dismissed, the door nlosed, and the evening spent in writing, reading, stndvnig the language, devotion, and conversation on the alfairs of the mission." * This was the mode of life at the local missions, but the priests often made journeys both long and difficult. They made these distant excursions, two in company, until cveiy house in every Huron town liad heard the annunciation of tl'c new doctrine. On these journeys they carried blankets or large mantles on their backs, for sleeping in at night, be- sides a supply of needles, awls, beads, and other small articles to pay for their lodging and entertainment ; for the Ilurons, hospitable without stint to each other, expected full compensation from the Jesuits. Speaking of the saintly Brebeuf, the prince of Indian missionaries, Bancroft writes : " Sometimes .ifter the man- ner of St. Francis Xavier, Brebeuf would walk tlirough the villai^e and its environs rine-ing a little bell, and invitinii' the Huron braves and counsellors to a conference. There, under the shady forest, the most solemn mysteries of the Catholic faith were subject to discussion." It may be interesting to learn what method of argument was most successful in bringing conviction to the Indian mind. Father Bressani, S.J., in his Breve Relatione gives that which succeeded best among the Hurons ; " and which," says Dr. Shea, " was most probably employed among the Iro(piois." "AVe advance," writes Father Bressani, "the motives of credibility usually assigned 1)y theologians. Tlxtse 'vhich answer best are the three following: (1.) The (•'III I' ,niity of our law and the commandments of God with the light of reason. Our faith forlu'ds nothing that reason does not e(|ually forbid ; and all that faith commands is approved by reason. '•'■ '^' * Our Indians understand * "The Jesuits hi North America." i i 1 A^' 3i5 11:: ^:^ y \h' 1 ll 1' ' II i 52 CatJioUcity 771 Ike Untied Stales. and discuss well. To sound reasorinc^ they yield fi'anklj. (2.) Our M-ritings. [ do not allude to Holy Scripture only, but to oi'dinary writings. By this aigument v;c silenced their false prophets, or rather cliarlatans. They have neither books nor writings of any kind. And, when they told us tlicir fables of the creation of the world and the deluge — of which they have some confused ideas — and of the spirit- land, we asked them : Who told you this? They replied, 'Our ar.?estors.' 'But,' we retorted, 'your ancestors were men like yourselves, ]iars like you, who often exaggerate and alter facts which you relate, and freqncntly invent and falsify — how can we safely believe you ? While we,' we added, ' bear with us irrefutable testimony of what we say, namely, the Scriptures, which are the word of God, who lieth not. Writing does not change and vary like the voice of man — almost by his very natui'e a liar.' And after ad- miring the excellence of writing, an art which we esteem too lightly from its commonness, our Indians realized the truth of the Divine Oracles, which we showed them written in the sacred books, dictated by God himself, whose conmiand- nients, threats, and promises we read to them. Often the simple and artless narrative of the divine judgment and of the pains of hell prepared for the guilty, filled them witli fear and tremblinix.'' But it was from their own persons that the Catholic mis- sionaries drew one of their strongest arguments. These re- ligious pioneers suggested that surely there was some truth m that for Avhich thev had left behind them homes and kindred, labored and suffered, and all without any hope of earthly reward. This they did in all humility, and in imi- tation of tlie Great St. Paul. And to the simple Indian in- tellect, this bright example of unselfisli heroism in the hlach Q'ohe was most powerful in compelling respect — in produc- ing conviction — in touching the savage heart ! The red man, with all his eccentricities, was not slow in perceiving that the religion which produced such apostles must be di- vine. ill The India7is and their Apostles, 53 fi-ankly. ire only. silence(l 3 neither told lis iig'e — of e spirit- replied, )rs were aggerato r-ent and we,' we we say, od, who he voice iter ad- ;eein too he truth ritten in nmiand- ften the and of in with )lic mis- lese re- le truth ines and hope of in imi- (lian iii- blach prodiic- 'lio red ceivin*^ it be di- MISSIONARY UEROISM AND INDIAN WICKEDNESS. Like most other subjects, there were two sides to the In- dian missions— a bright and a dark one. What we liave t.aid may serve as a glimpse at the brighter one. To the i.icture, however, there was a dark, dark side, which it is itainfulto look upon. On examining closely the rude and duskv society of those early times, Ave are shocked at the im- morality, ignorance, wickedness, and fiendish cruelty of the Indians. The many narratives of the dreadful sufferings of nn'ssionary heroes fairly freeze the blood ; while their un- selfish and lofty lives command the homage of admiration. '^ The field," writes Dr. J. G. Shea, " was one as yet un- matched for difhculty. Pure, unmixed devil-worship pre- vailed. Polygamy existed. Lust was unchecked even by the laws of nature, and every excess prevailed. The coun- trv itself presented a thousand obstacles ; there was danger from flood, danger from Avild beasts, danger from the roving savage, danger from false friends, danger from the furious rapids on rivers, danger of loss of sight, of health, of use of motion and of limbs in the new, strange life of an Indian wiiTwam. Here a missionarv is frozen to death, there an- other sinks beneath the heat of a Western prairie ; here Breheuf is killed by the enemies of his flock, and Segura by an apostate ; Dennis and Menard die in the wilderness ; Dol- hcau is blown up at sea ; ISToyrot wrecked on the shore ; but tliese dangers never deterred the missionary. '" Once established in a tribe, the difficultie - were increased. After months, nay, after years of teaching, the missionaries found that the fickle savage was easily led astray ; never could tliey form pupils to our life and manners. The nine- teenth century failed as the seventeenth failed in raising up priests from among the Iroquois or the Algonquin ; and at this day a pupil of the Poman Propaganda, who disputed in Latin, on theses of Peter Lombard, roams at the head of a hiilf-naked band in the billowy plains of Ts^ebraska." ^^' ♦ " The History of rtatholic Missions." 11 Wf9 i mm iHI 54 Catholicity in the United States. MISSIONARY EXPEDITIONS. "The journeys to the distant missions were always long- often nearly two tliousand miles — and required an extra- ordinary share of moral courage and physical strength to accomplish them. Speaking of tlie country around Green Bay, in Wisconsin, Father Dablon, S. J., styled it an earthly paradise ; " but," he adds, " the way to it is as hard as the jKith to Ilea'cenP Brebeuf in going from Quebec to the Huron mission on Georgian Bay — a distance of about one thousand miles — counted thirty-five canoe portages, that is, landings, across which they had to carry their canoes. At nearly all these poitages they were obliged to wade through water, getting tlieir feet both wet and torn. They had also to carry their baggage, often lightened by Indian thiev- ishness. Add to all this, the severe labor of paddling— for they had " to paddle their own canoes " — and we may well conclude that a journey to the missions was no pleasure ex- cursion. " Our canoe," writes the aged Franciscan Membrc, *' often failed us and leaked on all sides. xVfter some days we had to leave it in the woods, and make the rest of our journey by land, walking barefooted over the snow and ice. I made shoes for my companion and myself out of a coat. As we had no compass, we frequently got lost, and found ourselves in the evening where we had started in the morn- ing, with no other food than acorns and little roots."* WINTER TRIALS OF THE BLACKGOWNS. In many cases, the winter trials of the missionary among the wilds of Canada, or the forests of the West, fairly baffle description. Father Andre spent a winter among the Nipissings of Canada. " The staple of his diet," writes J^arkman, '' was acorns and tripe de roche — a species of licnen, which, being boiled, resolves itself into a black glue, nauseous, but not devoid of nourishment. At times he was reduced to moss, the bark of trees, or moccasins and old moos dianf ahvaj retur zeal.' bent He cense their treal The ♦ " Narrative of La Salle's Exi)cdition." li A The Indians and their Apostles, 55 hroiigh moose-skins cut into strips and boiled. Ills hosts (the In- dians) treated him very ill, amd the worst of their fare was always his portion. AVhen spring came to his relief, he returned to his post, with impaired digestion, but unabated zeal."* In the winter of 1671, Father Allouez zealously bent his steps towards the Foxes of Green Bay, Wisconsin. He found them " in extreme ill humor. They were in- censed against the French by the ill usage which some of their tribe had lately met when on a trading visit to Mon- treal ; and they received the faith with shouts of derision. The priest was horror-stricken at what he saw. Their lodges — each containing from five to ten families — seemed in his eyes like seraglios, for some of the chiefs had eight wives. He armed himself with patience, and at length gained a hearing. Nay, he succeeded so well that when he showed them his crucifix they would throw tobacco on it as an offering ; and on another visit wdiich he made soon after, he taught the whole village to make the sign of the cross. A war party was going out against their enemies, and he bethought himself of telling them the story of the cross and tlio Emperor Coustantine. This so wrought upon them that thoy all daubed the sign of the cross on their shields of hull-hide, set out for the war, and came back victorious, extolling the sacred symbol as a great war medicine \ "-I- FATUEE LE .flilUNE STUDYING ALGONQIJTX. Father Paul Le Jeune was one of the first Jesuits who came to Canada. His duties as supeiior prevented his going on the mission among the Indians, and he was obliged to learn their language, as best he could, in his room. To assist him in his daily lessons, he engaged the services of an Algonquin named Pierre. " Seated on wooden stools by tlic roudi table in the refectory, the priest and the Indian pursued their studies. 'How thankful I am,' writes Le * " DIscovory of the Groat West." I ''The Jesuit^' ia North xXmcricu." Iff i . h '1 " ''i'i^; ■ ■I : '-I,, 56 Catholicity in the United States. Jeune, ' to those who gave me tobacco last year ! At every difficulty I give my master a piece of it to make him more attentive.' "* Tlie worthy Jesuit, desirous of familiarizing himself with their customs, language, and mode of life, determined, after some time, to spend a portion of the winter among the eav^ages of Quebec. He roamed with them for several months, being badly treated, half-starved, almost frozen, and fortunate in getting back with his head safely seated on his shoulders. INDIAN MAGIC. A medicine-man, or conjurer — always a dangerous char- acter — was his most inveterate enemy. The dusky ruffian falling sick soon gave the good Father an opportunity of leaiTiing the details of one of those hellish performances — the Indian charm, or incantation by which a distant enemy was murdered. The conjurer attributed his illness to the malice and charms of a rival who lived three hundred miles awav. But he would be reven?irmc'e the Indian was comparatively easy; but to convert him was a long and most difficult task. " This was in good measure due to peculiarities of Indian character. This intractable race were in certain external respects the most pliant and complaisant of mankind. The missiimaiies were charmed by the docile acquiescence with which their dogmas were received ; but they soon discovered that their facile auditors neither believed nor understood that to which they had so promptly assented. They assented from a kind of courtesy, which, wliile it vexed the ])riests, tended greatly to keep the Indians in mutual accord." * Such was the red man socially — such the chief cause of the singular harmony which was maintained in an Indian village, or between mem- bers of the same tribe. Besides, when convinced of the truth and beauty of Chris- tianity, they denied its usefulness for the Indian. " It is good for the Fi-ench," they would say, " but we are another people, with different customs." ' " Your Heaven is a good place for Frenchmen," exclaimed an old chief, " but I wish to be among the Indians." Said Brebeuf to a dying squaw : " Which will you choose, Heaven or Hell ? " " Hell," replied the woman, " if my children are there." " Do they hunt in Heaven," said a sick warrior to a Jesuit Father, " or make war, or go to feasts ? " " Oh, no ! " re- turned the priest. " Then," continued his dusky questioner, " I will not go." " Have they any tobacco in Heaven ? " demanded an aged Huron of a missionary. He was answered in the negative. "Then," said the unspiritual old man, "I no want to go there ! " Such was the pitiful ignorance of the American Indian without the light of faith. Parkman. The Indians and their Apostles, 6i CIIARACTElt OF THE TAG AN INDIANS Al'OHTLEri. AND TIIEIK CATHOLIC From the foi'c'f:,oiiiij^ f,^lanc'es at savage life and (nistoms, Ave can casilv conclude that before enli'diteiied by Catholic- itj and elc\ated by its sublime doctrines and holy i)ractices, there was little in tlie character of the ])rimitivc Indian to excite our admiration. What could be ex])ected from a race anioiifj whom " scalps torn from prostrate foes were the oidy mark of rank \ " If they were somewhat sharp in intellect, tliey were singulai-ly narrow and superstitious. To the Indian, the simplest laws of nature were as sealed mysteries. Manitous did all. Yet I will not hide the good qualities of the savage Indian, for he was not destitute of some. Father CUiaumonot, S. J., assures us that the generality of the Indians surpassed in intelligence the peasantry of France." Another Jesuit tells us they had " thoughts worthy of Greeks and Romans." They were very hospitable. Of poetic and imaginative tem- perament, the simple eloquence of the Indian often burst forth, clothed in words of great dignity and beauty of ex- pression.f " If they had the vices of savage life," writes fc^tory, " they had also its virtues. They were true to their country, their friends, and their homes. If they forgave not injury, neither did they forget kindness. If their ven- geance was terrible, their fidelity and generosity were also unconquerable. Their love, like their hate, stopped not on this side of the grave." As to the apostles of the Indians, uo words can ever do justice to the heroism of their characters — the sublimity of their lives. They toiled with patience and fearless energy. Joyfully they labored, joyfully they sacrificed all that is dear to man here below. The Franciscan, the Dominican, the Jesuit, the secular priest, each travelled the narrow and thorny way of the Indian missions. And in America, as * Chaumonot was himself a Frenchman. t Applcton's American Cydopcedia, edition of 1875. T^ 62 Catholicity in the United States. in Europe, "the blood of martyrs was the seed of tlie Church." * If any should have the place of honor, it is certainly tlio Jesuita. " While laboring," writes the Protestant l*ark- nuin, " at the "svork of convernion with an energy never sur- passed, and battling against the powers of darkness with the mettle of Paladins, the Jesuits never had the folly to as- sume towards the Indians a dictatorial or overbeaiing tone. Gentleness, kindness, and patience were the rule of their in- tercourse." The foot-prints of these immortal sons of Igna- tius nmst be as enduring as America itself. They hesitated not. They flinched not. For them death had no terrors. And as the peaks of the liocky Moimtains rise far above other elevations in our country, so the flguros of the early Jesuits in North America tower aloft in the iirst ages of our stirring and romantic history. ♦ Plures efficimur, quoties metimur a volts ; semen est sanguis Christianorum. Turtullian. h'i PATIIKll JOHN 1>E UUE13EUF, S.J., 'llic Aj^osth of the Ilurons. "That moti extraordinary inan, the ApoHtIo of the Ilurons, the Xavlor of North America." Akchbisuop Si'Ai.niNO. Tli()ii;
  • lloagnes retiring, tho fearle.-s Father Brebeuf was left alone. He was nine hundred miles from a fellow Christian ; but ho tolled on as pen cannot picture. Living amongst the Indians, he beeaino one of thorn. They gave him tho name of BfJioii. In short, he was all to all that ho might gain all to Christ. Tho good eifect of his untiring toils and instructions began to tell on * Lc Caron was a Franciacati. (r,3) ii ' ;■:■■ ' ■ ■ mi i^li! i'tit ■.\ii w ■.") ■J ' 64 Catholicity in the United States. the multitudo of wild men, when an unhappy event occurred — Fngland obtained temporary possession of Canada. Made l-)risoners, Father I3rebeuf and liis colleagues were sent to Grt.'at Britain, wlienco, after some time, tliey were allowed to proceed to France. Here he Uved among his religious bretiiren with the simplicity of a little chid. The tliorny way of the Indian mis- sions had but advanced him on the royal road of the cro.>s. In a few years, i'rance regained possession of Canad.i, aiidthe cassock of the Jesuit might oace more bo seen on the rude streets of Quebec. The ajjostle of the Hurons was again on the banks of the St. Lawrence. In July, 1G33, one hundred and forty canoes v.-ere pulled ashore at the warehouses of Quebec. Over six hundred Huron warriors and chiefs had come on their annual trading expedition. Ih'eliminary arrangements past, a council was held in the fort. French officers, Jesuit Fathers, and Indian chiefs formed this singular assembly. Its ol)jeot was to come to an understanding with the savages in regard to sending three priests among them. To Fathers Brebeiif, Daniel, and Davost had fallen the honors, dangers, and Avoes of the Huron mission. Champlain introduced the three to the dusky chiefs and warriors. "These are our Fathers," said the noble founder of Canada. "We love them more than we love our- S3lves. The whole French nation honors them. They do not go among you for your furs. They have left their friends and their country to show you the way to Heaven. If you love the French — as you say you love them — th'^ri love and honor these our Fathers." Just on the eve of departure an accident i^re- vented the missionaries from proceeding on their toilsome jour- ney. Another year passed away before the fleet of canoes came down the lordly St. Lawrence. The dusky traders in the summer of 1()34, landed their light crafts at Three Rivers. On their return trip, Father Brebeuf and his two colleagues set out with them. The distance was nine hundred miles. Barefooted, lest their shoes should injure the frail vessel, each priest crouched in his canoe, tt)iling with unpractieed hand to propel it. Before him, week after week, ho saw tire saine lank, unkempt hah-, the same tawny slionhh'rs, and long, n»ked arms ceasele 'sly plying the paddle. T'heir only food was a pittance of Indian corn, crushed between two stones, and mixed with water. The toil was ex- treme. Father lirebeuf counted thirty-five portages over which \\s\ canoes had to bo carried. Besides, more than fifty times tlicy were forced t('> wade in the n.ging current, pushing up their i TJie hidians and t/ieir /Ipostlcs. empty barks or dragging them Avith ropes. The apostolic "Rro- bouf tried to do liis part, but the boulders and sharp rocks wounded his naked feet and compelled liim to desist. With all his physical vigor and iron frame, he doubted if his strength would sustain him to the journey's end. Often he had no mo- ment to read his breviary save by the moonlight, or the tire when stretched on a bare rock by some savage cataract of the Ottawa.* Father l:}rebeuf and his Huron companions, after thirty days' ceaseless toll, landt;d. Throwing his baggage on the ground, the Indians loft the priest to his own resources. The villages were some twenty miles away. The Jesuit knelt, thanked God, and shouldering Ids burden, boldly pushed on alone. Following a gloomy forest jiath, he entered a wild clearing, and saw before him the bark roof of Ihonatiria. A crowd ran out to meet him. Tliey knew him well. " Echon has coiue again ! " " Echon has come again ! " tli.,y cried, recognizing their great teacher in the stately figure robed in bladt, that advanced from the border of the forest. They led him to the town, where he was treated with true Indian hospitality. A few days after his two colleagues arrived. They could scarcely be recognized. Half dead with hunger and fatigue, they resembled living skeletons more than men. Father lirebeuf and his fellow missionaries had now reached their destination. The ancient country of the Ilurons comprised the eastern and north-eastern portion of Simcoe County, situated south of Geor- gian Bay, Ontario, Canada. The whole nation at that time counted thirty-two villages, with a population of about 20,000, On the west and soutli-west of the llurons proper lay the kin- dred tribe of the Tobacco Nation, so-called from their luxuriant fields of tobacco. South of both of these, from Lake St. Clair t(j Niagara, was the Neutral Nation, which obtained its name from the neutrality observed by its people in the long and dead- ly struggle between the Hurons and Iroquois.t Such were tho political divisions of Ontario two hundred and fifty years ago. After the Huron model a house for the blackrobes was ei*ected. lluiKheds of Lidiaas joined in the work, and in a few days the bark mansion rose, a completed structure. Its divisions were a store-house, dwelling-house, and chapel. The furniture soon * Piirkinan. t It i-j not now knon'n how this fierce feud originated becween tlicpe kindred n aions. It wus goirg on when the Frtnch arrived in Canada ; and naturally tticy took the side of their neighbors, the Rurons. Hence, the long continued bujUlity of the Iroquois towarda the French. Tt i 66 Catholicity in the United States. became the wonder of the whole Huron country. Visitors were in abundance. Above all, it was the clock that puzzled and pleased tlunn. For hours they would sit in expectant silenec, squatting on tlie ground, wailing to hear it strike. Tliey tliought it was alive, and asked what it ate. The inagnifying-glass, which transformed a ilea into a monster, was also viewed with mingled awe and admiration. Father Brebeuf, as superior of the mission, with Fatheis Daniel and Davost, now began their labors. Their well-divided time between toil and devotion has been already noticed.* The Gospel was announced to all, but the work of v onversion was long and difficult. In fact, during the first few years no adults were baptized, save those at the point of death. The experi- enced Brebeuf knew Indian nature well, and he greatly fjared backsliding ; hence his caution. Besides, all the savage vices — and the llurons were corrupt to the core — had to bo erauicated ere Catholicity could be planted. The Herculean toil of battling against depravity, hatreu, and open persecution, and of seeing that neither young nor old died without spiritual aid — such was the unceasing task of the Jesuits. They were frequently threat- ened with death. Small-pox also ravaged the nation ; and in the wild scenes of misery that followed, no words can picture the heroic toils of Father Brebeuf. Nor was his tight against disease and human wickedness only. In every possible way the powers of darkness assailed the great priest. Demons in troops appeared before him, sometimes in tic guise of men, sometimes as bears, wolves, or wild-cats. He called on God, and .hey vanished. Death, like a skeleton, sometimes menaced him : and once as he faced it with an unquailing eye, It fell pov»erl()ss at his feet. Angels also appeared to him ; and more than once St. Joseph and the Most Blessed Virgin were visibly present to his sight. Thus consoled and strengthened from above, in vain did acciaonts, enraged savages, and troops of devils war against him. " Go and leave our country," exclaimed an old chief, "or wo will put you into the kettle and make a feas*- of you !" The heroic Jesuit was, on one occasion, piiralyzed by a fall which broke his collar-bone. Creeping on his hands and feet along the frozen road, ho was obliged to sleep unsheltered in the snow, when the very trees were splitting with cold ! (iod at length blessed the toils and sufferings of His fearless apostle. The stony hccirts of the Indians were touched. Thou- * 8oe l)age -i'.). " The Imlian-: uml tlu'ir Apostles." ( 1 Ai 111 Sr T he Indians and ihcir Apostles. 67 ^.ind8 came into tho Church. Ferocious savages became model Christians. Almost tho whole Huron nation embraced the faith. And Catholicity nourished arnoni:: tho children of tho forest in The snow-clad wilderness of the North. The cross towered abovo Lvery Aillage. In INIarch, IGIO, there were in tho Huron country eighteen Jesuit Fatliers. Some time previously. Father Br-'beuf saw an immense cross in the air. It stretched from the Irgtiuois territory, even to where he stood. This ominous vision found its interpretation ill Ills glorious deatli. At tlie dawn of day, on the IHth of March, 1G49, a force of over one tliousand Iroquois warriors appeared before the village of &it. Louis. which were stationed the Apo:-tlo of the Ilurons and I dh. r Lallemant. About eighty brave Catholic Ilurons prepared to defend the place. The war-wlioop of tho hostile sav- ages shook tho very wigwams, as yell echoed yell and shot an- swered shot. ' Ti • combat deeijcns— on, ye brave!" In the very hottest of tlie contest were the holy and dauntless Brobeuf aiul his gentle companion, the one in the breach giving abso- lution, tho other baptizing tho catechumens. The fierce, but unequal sti'-.L.:' •oon terminated. A yell of triumph announced the victory «.,?" . h • Iroquois. The two Fathers w(Te made prison- ers. stri{)ped of their clothing, had their nails torn out by the roots, and were borne in wild triumph to the village of St. Igna- tius, which had also boon taken that morning. Hero they were frightfully beaten with clubs. But tho noblo brebeuf thought only of others. His eye, kindling with sacred fire, he thus addiessed the Christian Ilurons who were his fellow- captives : "My children, let us lift up our eyes to Heaven in the midst of our sufferings. God is a witness of our torments. He will soon bo our reward. Die in this faith. I feel more for you than for myself." '■' Echon,'' they replied, " our hope shall he in Heaven. Fray for us." l".nrage(l at these words of tho heroic Jesuit, the fiendish Tro- quciis led him apart, tied him to a stake, scorched him from head to foot to silence him ; whereupon in the tone of a master he threatened them with evei'lasting tlames for persecuting tho worshippers of (Jod. As he continued to speak with voiee and countciianct' uncdianged, they cut away his lower lii) and thrust a ii li-iiMt iron into his mouth. The sublime man still h»dd his lofty farm erect and defiant, with no sign or sound of pain. Maddened at their own impotence, th<> savages next hung around his nock a collar made of hatchets heated r<>d-hot, but the in- \ ell .f^ r&\ u 1^ /(iii; I I: J:!M1 I 'I'll 68 CathoUcily in the United Stales, douiitablo prier-it, sustniiiod by grace, stood it like a rock. Boil- ing? water was now poured on his tiead, but lie did not flineli ; and exasperated beyonvery of America we can admire the sublime designs of Providence. A people and a vast continent were sitting in pagan dark- ness and the night of barbarism. By a pathles< ocean they were sundered from the rest of mankind. The fulfillment of time came; and the Gospel illumined the forest- wikls of tlie Western Woj-ld, It lit up the narrow path which con- nects earth with Heaven. For the \ •'i.r IndiuUj it opened the way to regions of imai:)rtal bliss. In America, Columbus was tht^ lirst -t.indard-bearcr of the cross. The conversion of the Indians wa.s a work dear to his lieart. Xor was Isabella the C'ath( was crimsoned with the blood of saints. Their ha]j])y deaths occnrrcd just Hfty years after the dis- covery (jf America. New Mexico, it is hoped, will yet erect their monument. FOUNDATION OF TUIO CITY OK SANTA FE. Nearlv forty vears passed awav ei-e another missionary attempt was made. In 1581, a new mission Avas erected. Three more Franciscans bravely met the cruel death which quickly sou<4-ht them. Espego, a pious and energetic Spanish nobleman, the same year, at the head of a band of soldiers explored the country near the head waters of the Rio Granu;, naming it New ^[exico. Here, in 15S2, he founded the present city of Santa Fe — the second oldest in the United States. At once the l^-anciscan F'athers were actively engaged in the conversion of the Indians. Ijut the work was as difficult as it was dangerous. Small were the results in the beginning. The blood of missionaries flowed in abundance. At lenji:th the duskv savas^e vielded to the sweet iiiHuence of the Gospel and the heroism of the blackrobe. Whole tribes came into the Church; and the head waters of the Kio Grande heard the fierce Indians of the plain chant the Te Dcum and the Gloria in Excelsis. " So rapid had been the progress of Ghristianity and civilization on the Kio (irande,'' writes Dr. Shea, " that the Indians there could read and write before the Puritans were established on the shores of Xew England."* * "History of the Catliolic Missions." ... ^'*u O.^^ ▼' „o. ^N ^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) f/j i.O I.I 1.25 •i^lllM IIIII2.5 •'' i« III 22 2f li£ IIIII20 IIM 1.6 V. <' <^ '%^ '<^ i ?«!3? ■■■Ri 76 Catholicity in the United States, ':.; : A SINGULAR FACT. In connection with the New Mexican missions I must not omit to mention a singular and supernatural fact, which rests on good authority. The venerable Mary of Jesus, a nun of Agreda, in Spain, is related to have had a mysterious mission among the Indians of New Mexico. This occurred in the first quarter of the seventeenth century. "The Sons of St. Francis," says Rev. Dr. White, "were then evangel- izing the Territory of New Mexico, and Father Benavides, superior of the mission, was applied to by a distant tribe of Indians, who had not yet been visited, and who wished to be baptized. Thcv^o 'ndians stated that they had been instructed in the C'l'.r'stian faith by a lady, who frequently visited them, and thon disappeared, without their knowing anything further aiv. ut her. Missionaries were, however, sent to this Indian tribe, who were found to be well ac- quainted with the doctrines of the Church, and were at once admitted to the sacraments. Some years after. Father Benavides, on a visit to Spain, related this circumstance to the General of the Franciscans, who was at once reminded of the supernatural favors accorded to Mary of Agreda, a nun of the same institute. Upon a careful 'nvestigation of the subject, it was discovered that she was perfectly acquainted with all the details of the missionary enterprise among the above-mentioned tribe of Indians. She described the localities, stated the precise day and hour when certain events took place, so that Father Benavides was fully con- vinced of her having been the chosen instrument in the hands of God for bringing that portion of the Mexican Indians to a knowledge of the Christian religion. However extraordinary such a fact may appear, it is by no means incredible to those who know that the very life and sub- stance of the Christian Church lies in the supernatural order."* Sumptuous churches and numerous missions studded the ♦ " Sketch of Catholic Church in the United States." The Early Indian Missions. n country. The native towns, " still remarkable for their peculiar structure, were decorated with edifices for divine worship, and public buildings which superficial travellers iu our day ascribe to the everlasting Aztecs." Yet, this great missionary work was accomplished, com- paratively speaking, in a few years. True, in the seven- teenth century the warlike incursions of the pagan Apache and Navajo did much to destroy the spiritual structure laiscd with so much care. But notwithstanding all the vicis- situdes of two centuries the Indians of New Mexico are yet minieroas — a standing monument of the Church's care as a mother — and are still devotedly attached to the Catholic faith received by tlieir fathers. TEXAS. As early as 1544, Texas was visited by one of the most illustrious of the Spanisli missionaries — Father De Olmos, O.S.F. His brave heart did not quail as he directed his solitary steps on the lonely path which was to bring him among the tierce Texan tribes. " The wild men gathered around the envoy of the Gospel, and hearkened in peace to his doctrines. Numbers were persuaded, and a flourishing mission grew up around the humble conquest of Olmos' hardv zeal."* The priests who accompanied La Salle's unfortunate expedition doubtless cast good seed along their pathway ; and, finally, watered the prairies of Texas with the last drop of their blood. However, the real foundation of extensive missions in tliis State was laid in 1688, by fourteen Franciscan priests and seven lay brothers. For over a hundred years after this period, Texas was the sublime theatre of missionary enterprise and spiritual progress. The roving Indian of the prairie ceased his wanderings, and found prosperity and happiness under the peaceful shadow of the cross. « « History of the Catholic Missions." 78 Catholicity in the United States. :■''.,■ \ CALIFORNIA. T)ic Catliolic missionary traversed the soil of California two centuries and a half before the greedy gold-hunter directed his steps towards it. To him the salvation of a single soul was more precious than all the gold that enriched its lofty hills and beautiful valleys. There, in 1601, a band of Franciscans celebrated the first Mass on " a rustic altar beneath the spreading branches of a time-honored oak. * * * This may be considered the natal day of tlie California mission."* Father Picola, one of the early Jesuit missionaries, appeared to be well aware of the rich mines of this favored region. AVriting to the Government of Mexice, in 1702, he says : " I have no doubt that the most valuable mines might be discovered in many places were they but sought for. This country is under the same physical influences as Cinaloa and Sonora, which are so richly veined with the precious metals." TUE APOSTLE OF CALIFORNIA. But while other missionaries may have been acquainted with California, the real Apostle of that famous State was Father Juniper Serra, an Italian Franciscan. With three other priests of the same order, he formed part of the expe- dition of Galvez in 1769. The object of Galvez is clearly stated in the first article of the instructions which he issued for the guidance of all who accompanied him. It is worded as follows : " The first object of this expedition is to estab- lish the Catholic religion among a numerous heathen people, su])merged in the darkness of paganism ; and to extend the dominion of our lord, the King of Spain." The expedition left La Paz in Lower California, and after some saihng and forty-six days travelling by land, it reached the port of the present city of San Diego. Here Father Serra established ♦ "History of tho Catholic Missions." his in ten feas ast the tlie I^ wer Clir of Tlie Early Indian Alissions. 79 his first mission. The outposts of Christianity rapidly grew in numbers aud extent. In 1771, the lovely valleys of Mon- terey resounded as they had never done before. There, the feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated with a pomp such as the wilderness had never seen ; twelve priests joined in tlie sacred procession to honor that Ileal Presence which is the center of Catholic faith and worship. By thousands the Indians embraced the faith. They were taught the arts of civilized life, and soon a flourishing Cliristian country existed on the shores of the great ocean of the West. Thus Catholicity was the pioneer in the raciiic States, as it was in those bordering on the Atlantic, on the Gulf of Mexico, on the Great Lakes, and on the Mississippi. At the very time when the Fathers of the Republic were drafting the Declaration of Independence, the humble and eaintly Scrra was founding the great city of San Francisco. " IIow great," says a western writer, " are the changes in the womb of time ! On the 27th of June, 1776, one hun- dred years ago, San Francisco became known in history. Father Juniper Serra, whose name and deeds in California have secured the proudest niche in its history — whose monu- ment should stand in the first place in our public square, as a testimonial of respect — landed at this place accom- panied by a few settlers from Sonora. " Look at that old Presidio and that venerable mission of Dolores, and behold the first house erected ! These are his liandiwork. San Francisco has this, at least, to boast of — tliat the first building erected within it was dediciited to God's worship under the patronage of St. Francis." The venerable SeiTa died, during the summer of 178-1, in the seventy-first year of his age. " And when the sun in all its state, Illumed the western skies, He passed through Glory's morning gate, And walked in Paradise." THREE MAKTYIIS OF THE SPANISH MISSIONS. " Ah I the eonU uf eaints that die, Arc but Bunbeamg lifted higher."— LoNorKLLOw. 1. FATHER LOUIS CANCER, O.S.D. The Spanish misHions had their Christian heroes — dauntless men who met death witli joy. Louis Cancer was one of them. A Dominican and a native of Spain, he was first sent as a mis- sionary among tlie Indians of Mexico. While here, he heard of the ttorco tribes of Florida, and ardently desired to preach the Gospel among thom. With two otlier members of his order, ho landed on the shores of the wild peninsula, on Ascension Day, 1549. As they reached the land, they knelt, recited a litany, and recommended their enterprise to God. Leaving Father do Tolosa to establish a mission at this place, Father Cancer went on board the vesijcl, and moved further along the coast to Espiritu Santo Bay. Here he was informed by a Spaniard, who lived amongst the Indians, that de Tolosa had been murdered by tlie hostile savages. The natives at Espiritu Santo Bay, however, seemed very peacenble, and the good Father at once determined to preach the word of truth to them. But he was soon made awaro that the apparently good dispositions of tlieso people were not to be relied upon. Still, he was not the man to be frightened by danger, and he bade a last adieu to his friends on the ship. In vain did they beseech him not to expose his valuable life. His only reply was : "This work is not to be accomplished with- out blood ! " He landed. As he proceeded up the hilly shore the savages surrounded hhn, took off his hat, and with loud cries rushed upon the heroic son of St. Dominic. Beneath their clubs he expired, exclaiming, "Oh, my God!" His precious death occurred June 25, 1549. il:f 3. FATHER PETER MARTINEZ, S.J. Father Peter Martinez was the superior of the first band of Jes- uits that trod the soil of America. He was born in Spain, A.d. 1533. Even in his boyhood he had consecrated himself to God by a vow of perpetual virginity. Entering the Society of Jesus — for which at first he felt an aversion— he soon became noted for his virtue and learning. Father Martinez and his two com- panions accompanied the expedition of Melendez, to Florida, in (80) The Early Indian Missions. 8i ISOn. Before departing, he ndtlrcssod a long letter to the cele- brated St. Francis Borgia, tlien General of the .letiuits. In it ho nobly says: "By the mercy of God I undertuke tliin voyaj;o with cotirage and witli entire confidence in His grace. * * * + Your Paternity can assure our most Holy Fatlier, Pius V., in our name, that besides myself — who am bound to him 1 / the vow of my profession — faithful sons of the Holy Roman Church, are about to depart for the acquisition of a new tiock, for which end thoy are ready, with the aid of divine grace, to shed their blood; and they will account it a very great favor of God to lay down their lives for the spiritual advancement of those whom they may gain to Clirist." Wht I the vessel in which the Fathers sailed, approached tlie coast of Florida, it separated from the rest of the squadron, taking a northern direction. Tlie Captain on nearing this shore (lo.^iired a fow men to land in a yawl, and explore the country. All refused to liazard their lives among the fierce savages. Fi- nally, about a dozen Belgians and Spaniards offered to comply, in case Father INfartinez was allowed to accompany them. Ho was informed of this. The fearless priest, moved by cliarity, was the first to leap into the boat. The exploring party landed, but had scarcely done so, when a sudden storm arose, driving tho ship which they had left, far from the shore. Their position was not to be envied. Far and v 'do nothing mot their gazo save a dri'ary wilderness — on onesid^ t.ia rough and threatening ocean, on the other vast and unknown solitudes ! On this .'lavage coast they waited ton days, thinking that perhaps some other vessel might present itself. *' Occasionally thoy wandered about," says an old Latin work, "to gather a few herbs, Father Martinez „j their head, bearing tho imago of Christ crucified, and as some of his companions afterwards related, performing prodigies of charity." Would space permit, pages might be filled with the adventures of this party in their eflbrts to reach a Spanish colony. At one of the rivers which they crossed, Father Mar- tinez's charity in waiting for two tardy Belgians caused his own death. Rushing to tho boat, tho savages seized the heroic Jesuit, forced him on shore, and began their murderous work. With hands uplifted to Heaven, ho received the repeated blows of a lieavy club until life was extinct I The date of his death was S.'pteuiber 28, 15GG. Thus Father Peter Martinez, the lirst Jesuit who landed en the soil of America, baptized it with his blood : 82 Catholicity in the United States. IImI 3. FATHER PETER i)E CORA, O.S.F. Father Pctor do Corpa, a diHtmgiiiHhod preacher, was one of the brave band of Spani.sh Franciscans that carried the light of the (iospel among tlio dusky savages of the South. With three companions ho began his labors among the Indians who inhab- ited what is now the coast of Georgia. The priests were well received; and, for two years, successfully carried on their labors. Their toils and fatigues, the journeys which they performed, barefooted, from village to village, exposed to the broiling sun, ■with the austerities enjoined by their rule, were amply repaid by the numerous converts who gathered around them. To abolisli the practice of polygamy was the greatest obstacle the missionaries had to encounter. No man was baptized who did not put away all his wives, save one. And Fatlier do Corpa's flrmnoss in upholding the sanctity of the marriage tie was the cause of his death. The son of ono of the chiefs, a convert, re- turned to his former life of immorality, thus givuig great scan- dal. The eloquent Franciscan found it necessary publicly to reprove him. Enraged at this, and at former private remon- strances of the Father, the young savage chief deierminod to silence forever the lips which preached a doctrine so offensive to his loose instincts. Collecting a number of braves one even- ing, he secretly approached the rude chapel. Father de Corpa was alone before the altar at his devotions. lie fell— his head gashed by a blow of the chief's tomahawk. The eloquent tongue of the martyr was now stilled in death ; but his brave soul, leaving his liendish murderers in the dark, winged its happy flight to regions of bliss, and found its reward in the bosom of Cod. At the head of a hostile multitude of red-skin rufilans, the "Wi'ctched young chief ravaged all the missions ; and the fear- loss Father De Corpa's colleagues shared his fate, dividing with him the crown of martyrdom. These events occurred in SScptember, 1597, a little more than one hundred years after the discovery of America. til II. THE ENGLISH MISSIONS, A.D, 1C34-1C44. Maryland. More than half a century before the English Catholics landed on the shores of the Chesapeake, the soil of Mary- land was bedewed with the blood of martyrs. Some of tlio early Spanish navigators explored this portion of our country, bringing away with tliLMu the young son of the chieftain of a district known by the name of Axacan.* Ches- apeake Bay they named St, Mary's. Finding the young Indian possessed of rare talents, the missionaries adopted him in the hope that he would one day l»u instrumental in spreading the Gospel among his kindred, lie was sent to Sj)ain, received a good education, and was tliuruughly instructed in the principles of the faith. He was baptized, and received tlie name of Luis. Don Luis after a lime asked leave to return and to use his intluencein con- verting his tribe, lie landed in Florida, and invited some missionaries to accompany him to his brother's dominions. They gladly consented. AX INDIAN JUDAS. In 1570, Father Segura, S.J., with eight -Fesuit Fathers and Don Luis embarked in a small craft, bidding adieu to the shores of Florida. They landed in Chesa[)eake Bay, and began a long and painful march towards the interior, ^lonths passed. They gallantly pressed on. Ibit the con- duct of Don Luis began to arouse suspi'ion. At length he stated that his brother's village was but twelve nn'les oil. The young chieftain — their only guide — left the Jesuits, telling them to encamp, while he proceeded alone, in order to prepare his tribe to give the Fathers a welcome reception. Days elapsed, hunger pressed, but Don Luis ap|)eared not. Left thus in a trackless wilderness, without any protection * The location of Axacan cannot now be correctly deternjined. It is said to have been about 37 or 37i degrees north. («3) mil ''■ r i.'iii n : ■■,1 1 II I^M 'F^' Hi '^'^ Hi: ' ■ 11 'iilH i t'' 1" : , r ^" ■i :ilA] Ir''^ m 84 Catholicity in the United States. but Ilcivcn, the priests consoled thoinsclve.s 1)y prayer, and by olTering up tlie holy sacrifice (jii a rustic altar. After an urgent invitation from Father Quiros, tiie faithless young savage returned — as a murderer ! liaising a war-cry, he was answered by the tribe, and chief and warrior rushed on the unsuspecting missionaries and butchered them with- out mercy. Of all this brave band one alone escaped to tell their sad fate — an Indian boy educated at Havana. Such was the first attempt to plant the cross in Maryland. The blood of martyrs is never shed in vain. THE CATHOLIC PILGRIM FATHERS OF AMERICA. Sixty-four years ])assed away l)efore the Catholic Pilgrim Fatliers — the pioneers of freedom in America — cast their tents on the banks of the Potomac* On the feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 1634, they took formal possession of Maryland. Accompanying these Catholic colonists were two Jesuits, Fathers Andrew AVhite and John Altham. These were the first English-speaking missionaries who labored for tlie salvation of the Indians. While the Catholic settlers re- spected the rights of their dusky neighbors, and treated them with great kindness, the priests toiled zealously for their conversion. The first meeting between the king of the Pascatoways — the most powerful of the Maryland trihes — and Father Altham is so interesting that I cannot omit it. The good Father, in company with Governor Calvert, sailed up the Potomac to the principal village, for the purpose of gaining the friendship of the head chief of the tribe. It ^as situated some distance below Washington. Fatlier *Tbe Catholic colonists gave the name of St. Gregory to this beautiful river. See Father White's Selatio Itineris in Mary- landiam, p. 31. This valuable and interesting work, accom- panied by an English translation, U published by Messrs. John Murphy & Co., Baltimore. Potomac is an Indian term signify- ing " place of the burning pine." P The Early Indian Missions. 85 Aliliam ])reac'hcd to the people aiul their chief. " They listened with attention and rei)lied to him throu^^^h \m inter- ])irter. He tohl them that the pale-face.s had come neither to make war upon them, nor to do them any wron^ ; hut to instruct them in Christianity, to make them acipiainted A\ itii the arts of civilized life, and to live with them like jjrothers. * You are welcome,' replied the chief; 'we will use one tahle. My people shall hunt for my hrother, and all things shall be in common between us.' "* Such was the fii"st conference between a Catholic priest and the gentle and peaceful Indians of Maryland.f As the missionaries were so few in numl)er, thev were for several years obliged to divide their time between the colonists and the natives. But new priests arriving from I'jiglaiid and the Seminary of Douay, the field of their labors was gradually extended. Apostolic men "began to ])ress into the interior and to visit every tribe ami territory." The Indians of the I'atuxent bestowed upon the Jesuits a j)lantaLion, and the wigwnm of a generous chieftain was the iirst church in the country watered by the Potomac. Father AVliite and his companions became a host in themselves. Paganism and idolatry tied before them. In 1639 — only live years from tlie date of settlement — they had visited many tribes, made numerous converts, and possessed four pennanent stations, the most distant of which was one hun- dred and twenty miles from St. Mary's, the seat of the colony. Between this date and 1G44, the Pascatoways and their king Charles were converted. Whole villages em- braced the faith. Many, even of the Protestant colonists, returned to the creed of their fathers. PUNISHMENT OF A BACKSLIDER. Father AVhite gives an account of the sad end of a back- *McShorry ; also Relatio Itineris in Marylandiam. \ In natural virtue, and especially gentleness of disposition, the Maryland Indians surpassed most of the native tribes of our country. 'N^ :li , i' 86 Catuolicity in the United States, Blidcr of that day. "A certain one," writes tlic vencrahlc Jesuit, " when he had felt some internal dawnings of tlie faith of God, liad desired ]>rayerd)ead8 for hiiuself; l)ut afterwards having chan^'ed his mind, he was aceuHtomed to Bmoke tliem in his ])ipe witli tohaeco — after they had been ground to powder — often boasting that he Iiad eaten tip his '■''Ave Mariasy So he ealled the beads, by tlie telling of which the salutation of the angel is recited. But the divine vengeance did not let tlie wicked crime go unpunished ; for scarcely a year having passed, on the returning vigil of the day on which he had abandoned his purpose of embracing the (^Vtholic faith, a more sacrilegious playfulness possessed him, as was noticed by his companions. In the afternoon, when he had betaken hinisclf to the river for the ])nrpose of swimming, scarcely had he touched the water when a Imge iish, having suddeidy seized the wicked man, before he could retreat to the baidc, tore away at a bite a large portion of his thigh, by the i)aiii of which most merited laceration, the unhappy wretch was hurried away from the living — the divine justice briiiging it about, that he, wlio a little while before boasted that he had eaten up his " Ave ]^^aria beads," should see his own Hesh devoured^ even while lie was yet limng ! "* A STOKM KAI8ED BY C0NSCIKNCELES8 BIGOTS. A storm, however, was soon to desolate the fair field of Maryland. Clayborne and liis Puritans rose in arms, ex- pelled the Catholic governor, carried off the priests and reduced them to a miserable slavery. This unlh^ppy event sealed the fate of the Gospel among the Indians in " the land of the sanctuary.'' Thus the results of ten years of glorious missionary labor received its death-blow from the hands of a mob of fanatics, headed by a bold, avaricious rutlian 1 ♦ Relatio Itineris in Marylandiam, p. 79. FATHER ANDREW WHITE, H.J., THE APOSTLE OP MAIlVr.AND. " Not wUli luuit«'r'l;iu IiIIIh to rlinhf tlio (\y\un ro«! ; Not tho (lurk ulory of thci wood," to tHiiie. LnyhiK tliclr ci'diirH llko thi' <-orn-nli»rkK low, But to Hpii'tid tldiiiRt* orall holy tliin^'x, Uluddi-iiiii^nu-irr' HoulHas with tiiu moriiiii);':* wln^''*."- IIrwanh. Ono of the iuiiiiortal pioncorrt of Catliolirity in AimTica was tlio good aritl groat Father Andrew Wliite. He wjih horn in Lon- don, about ir»79. Am tlio Kliuniofi',1 laws of England (l»'barre'" Orcat iJritain directinl thel"* Ht<'ps to this r.-nowned institution. Here the th.iNO of faith was nourished and the light of knowl- edge kept buridng when all was bigotry and religious darkness in the once Catholic land of England — the lioino of tin/ saintly Hede and the great Alfred. Here were trained thosu bands of devoted priests who laid down their lives in laboring to restore the true faith among their unhappy countrymen. Here our Catholic Bible was translated into English. Hero tlio pious, learned, and profound Alban Hutlcr, author of th(> '^ Jdcvsof till' ISaints,"' received his education. And here, likewise, tho future apostle of Maryhmd earnestly labored and studied to prepare himself for his high and holy calling. In his twenty-fifth year ho was elevated to tho priesthood, and immediately sent on the London mission. As the penal laws were rigidly enforced, Father White had to timper his zeal with tho greatest prudence. Hut despite all his j)recautions, his sacred charticter was discovered. The fierce Mohawj : was not more eager and skillful on an enemy's trail, than the fanatical and barbarous government of England in search of a Catholic priost. And the humanity of the American Indian cotuparos very favorably with that of the J'rotestant Briton. The very year that Father White returned to England, tho saintly poet and Jesuit, Southwell, was binitally tortured on the rack, ten different times; and fintilly executed with the most revolting cruelties. And all because — ho was a Catholic clergyman ! (57) m in ■ :l i'. ! ! i I 88 Catholicity in the United States. In 1606, Father White, with many other priests, was sentenced to perpetual banislinient. He returned to the continent and entered the So'^-ietyx>f Jesns. Having flnislied his novitiate of two years at Louvain, he obtained permission to return to Eng- land. Hero the apostolic man again secretly labo»ed for ten years on the London mission, at the end of whicii time he was appointed Professor of Theology and Hebrew, in the college of his Order, at Seville, Spain, Hin zeal was unsatisfied with his quiet duties ; and, once more, he obtained permission to return to his native land. On this occasion the good Lord Baltimore made the zealous Jesuit's acquaintance. This nobleman was maturing his scheme of founding a Catholic colony in America, and was most desirous of placing it under the spiritual care of Father White. "The Society of Jesus eagerly seconded the views of the English Lord, which promised such an extension to the bounds of the Church." Father White was appointed superior, and with him were asso- ciated Father John Altham and two lay brothers. In company with the expedition, the good Fathers reached the shores of Maryland on the 25th of March, 16.'34. Father Wliite celebrated the first Mass ever offered up in that region. For tea years he labored with the zeal of an apostle, dividing his time between the colonists and the Indians ; and truly making himself all to all that he might gain all to Jesus Christ. He and his colleagues were invited to sit in the first Colonial Assembly, but earnestly desiring to be excused from taking part in secular concerns, their request was granted. Tliough fifty-five years of age. Father White imtiently commenced the difficult study of the Indian language, on mastering which, he devoted himself to the con- version of the Patuxents, and, finally, of the Pascatoways. I have alrtmdy related how he converted Chiloraacon and his tribe. His learning and enterprise led him to the laborious and even Herculean task of compiling an Indian dictionary and cate- chism for the use of the missionaries. Untier his holy guidance the spiritual condition of the colony Avas admirable. A church was erected in the town of St. Mary's; and peace, happiness, and religion smiled on the quiet shores of the Chesapeake. Writing to the General at Rome, in lOSS, Father White says : " The i-eligious exercises are followed with exactness, and the sacraments are well frequented. By spiritual exercises we have formed the principal inhabitants to the prac- tice of piety, and they have derived signal benefits from them. The sick and dying, whose number has been considerable this The Early Indian Missions. 89 year, have all been attended, in spite of the great distance of their dwellings, so that not a Catholic died without having re- ceived the benefits of the sacraments." Such was the edifying piety and fervor of these good Catholic colonists that many of the Protestants, converted by their bright example, gladly em- brac<;d the faith of their forefathers. But a cloud had arisen, and was hanging over the peaceful and prosperous colony. In 1644 the insurrection of Clayborno and his fanatical adherents, passed over the fair Maryland like a devastating hurricane. Religion and its altars were ruthlessly ovorthrown, the Catholic inhabitants plundered, and their rights trampled upon. Even the venerable Father White and his un- offending companions were seized, put in irona, and sent to England, where they had to undei*go a long and painful im- prisonment. On being released, some of the priests returned to their flocks ; but Father White was not one of the happy number. He was destined never again to behold the shores of America. Banished from England, lie was obliged to seek a plpce of refuge on the continent ; but, afterwards, at the command of his superior, he returned to England, under an assumed name. The last years of Father White's life are somewhat veiled in obscurity. "It has, however, been recorded that the holy man foresaw, and named, the day and hour of his death, namely : the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, December 27, 1656. On that day, though not more ill than usual, he insisted upon re- ceiving the last sacraments of the Church, and about sunset breathed his last, in London, in the 78th year of his age. Father Southwell, in his Bibliothea Soiptonim, S.J., gives a glowing eulogium of this most pious and worthy apostle of Maryland,"* Tl»e activity and zeal of Father White were only equalled by his cheerfulness and sublime virtue. To the latest ages his name shall be pronounced with reverence along the banks of the Potomac and the shores of the Chesapeake ! * Relatio Itineris in Marylandiam, p. 119. Ffn ^^^H| I^^H i ':|;il ^^Hl: ' !■■■ B^^H!^ ■ i m ^Bf CHARLES, THE INDIAN KING. 2^B': ^^■'';;iard heard the souiid of piteous wailing in a distant villag?. He hurried towards it. lie ])clield a strauije sig-ht — an Indian brave holdiiiii: his dvinen his head, broke his legs, and in their rage trampled upon him. Proceeding to the church, they rifled the altar, profaned the Adorable Host, and fired the sacred edifice ! "f Thus died the venerable Sabastian Hale, the profound Indian scholar, the greatest of the Abnaki missionaries, and one of the most illustrious Jesuits of North America. France, in 1763, ceded Canada to England. This was a destructive blow to all the missions, especially that of the Abnaki. For many years before the Revolution these faithful sons ♦The Indians used iha word prayer as we do the viordi faith. t Father Fitton : "History of the Church in New England." The Early Indian Missions, 97 of Maine were without a priest. When the war of Inde- pendence earae, they joined our forces, and took a noble pait in that long stniggle. " Orono, the Penobscot* chief," says Dr. Shea, " bore a commission which he ennobled by his virtues and bravery. In all his charges from the wigwam and forest to the cam]) and the crowded city, he was ever I'liithful to his religion. When urged to frequent Protestant l)laces of worship, as he had no clergyman of Ids own, he exclaimed : " We know our religion, and love it ; of you or yours, we know nothing !" When peace was restored, the AbnaJci sent a deputation to Itev. Dr. Carroll to ask for a missionary. Presenting the crucifix of Father Rale, the chief feelingly 8ai«l : "If I give it to thee to-day, Fathei-, it is as a pledge and promise that thou wilt send us a itrlest."' They soon had the happi- ness of Ficeing another blackgown — Father Ciquard. History presents no people more sublimely grand than the Abnaki, in their firm attachment to Catholicity. They were the first native Americans to embrace the faith in a body, and neither the changes of time, nor cruel wars, nor the persecutions of England, nor even the terrors of death have been able to shake their glorious allegiance to their God and their religion. NEW YORK. (10^^2—1713.^ After Maine comes New York as the earliest scene of missionary labor in the North. This was the land of the renowned Iroquois, or Five Nations, the most fierce and powerful Indian clans in North America. Against the French and the Ilurons of Canada they waged a long and deadly \var. At the time our narrative beiHns, the most flourishinir of all the Jesuit missions was established by the celebrated * The Abnaki are now known as the Penobscots and Passa- maquoddis. 7 11. r. 98 Catholicity in the United States, Fatlier do Brebeuf among the Ilnrons, south of Georgian Bay, in Upper Canada, r'roiii Quebeo, ats a centre, the apostolic sons of Ignatius sallied forth in all directions — north, south, cast, and west. And from this distant point the star of faith lirst shone on the Empire State. In 1042, while ])roceed- ing up the St. Lawrence to the Huron mission, Father Isaac Jogues, S.J., was made a prisoner by the Mohawks. Car- ried into the heart of -N^ew York State, the savages exhausted their fiendish ingenuity in torturing him. After fifteen months captivity, by the aid of the Dutch he escaped to New Amsterdam,* and, finally, found his way back to his native France. THE FIRST MARTYRS OF THE NORTH. He soon, liowever, returned to Canada, and at his own request was sent to found a mission among the Mohawks. On reaching the village of Caughnawaga — near the site of which stands the city of Schenectady — Jogues and his faith- ful companion, Lalande, were treacherously seized, and fell beneath the deadly tomahawk. " Thus," says a learned writer, "on the 18th of October, 1646, perished the first missionary who bore the cross within the territory of New York, and his blood has not been shed in vain for the faith." WARS AND MISSIONS. The massacre of Father Jogues was but the prehide to a new war on the part of the Iroquois. They invaded Canada, spreading terror and desolation along their course. A change of policy, however, soon induced two of the nations — the Mohawks and Onondagas — to express a desire for peace. The Onondagas even requested missionaries. To test their dis- positions. Father Le Moyne, S.J., who may be regarded as the successor of Jogues, was sent from Quebec, in July, c * Now New York City. The Early Indian Missions. 99 th." 1C54, to visit their cantons. IIo was kindly received by tbo whole tribe, among whom he remained for a few mouths, when ho returned. An'.ingementrt having been completed, Fathers Chaumo- uot and Dablon left Canada to found a permanent mission in the Onondaga country. Arrived at the chief village, where they were warmly welcomed, the J ;8uits called a convention of the tribe. Old and young p-sembled, and dusky chief and warrior sat down to hear the language of peace. Father Chaumonot, a master of the Indian tongue, and the most eloquent of all the Jesuit mission- aries — except the renowned lirebeuf — harangued tlie mul- titude. His clarion voice and beautiful words fell like sweet nuisic on the ears of these I'udc and simple children of the f(jrcst. Their hearts were deeply touched. They crowded around the priests, chanting their songs of welcome. " Jlappy land !" they sang, " happy land, in which the French are to dwell;" and the chief led the chorus: " Glad tidings ! glad tidings !" At each pause all joined in the response — " Fare- well, war! farewell, the hatchet! Till now we have been mad ; but now we shall be brothers." Where the city of Syracuse now stands, St. Mary's Chapel was erected. *' By the zeal of the nation," writes Bancroft, " it was finished in a day." " For marble and ]>recious stones," says Father Dablon, " we employed only bark ; but the path to Heaven is as open through a roof of bark as through arched ceilings of silver and gold." In this humble log church, on the 14:th -^f November, 1055, the holy sacri- lice of the Mass was celebrated for the first time in the State of New York. Thus the Onondaga tribe were iirst evan- gelized ; and the hills and valleys of central New York echoed the hymns of Catholicity. But success excites envy, and Satan is angered at the triumph of the cross. The medi- cine-men began openly to oppose the missionaries, and se- cretly urged the heathen Iroquois — still the great majonty — to massacre the priests and all the French in their midst. " What these French blackgowns call baptism," said tho lOO Catholicity in the United States, um dusky ruffians, " is an evil charm intended to destroy the ciiildreii of the Five Nations. Our safety lies in tlieir speedy deatli. Tile (lark nii^ht is the time." Sucli was tlie advice of tiiese i<;iioriint and wicked conjurers — tiie Indian Know- Notiiinf ])eac'e was si<^nea(k. She had heard whispers of the holy men who had come to teach her race the path to Heaven, aud wistfully she liad sighed daily, as she repeated the yearning aspira- tion : ' Oh ! if the Great Spirit would but let me see and listen to his messenger, I could die in peace ! ' " The Indians to this day, tell with what joy she listened to tlie good priest's words ; how eagerly she pra} ed that she might receive the regenerating waters ; how when they were ]»()nred upon her head her countenance became bright with the light of Heaven ; and how her departure soon after was full of joy and peace. Her burial-place was made on one of those eastern hills. It was the first Christian burial f ji- one of her race in Vermont, and her people thought her in- tercession vv^ould not fail to bring down blessings \ipon all that region."* ,% S,% 1 *'' The Catholic World:' in I:,- ■ fttUH ! 'i'S^lifi'ni 'iir':^^!' 104 Catholicity iji the United States. WTSCONSIX AXD MICHIGAN. "AVhile the intercourse of the Dutch," writes the learned Dr. O'Ciilhighau, " was yet conliued to the Indians in the vicinity of Fort Orange, and five years before Elliott, of New England, had addressed a single word to the Indians, with- in six miles of Boston harbor, the French missionaries planted the cross at Sault Ste. Marie, Mdience they looked down on the Sioux country, and the vallev of the Missis- sippi." ]Iow sublime was the activity and religions enter- prise of onr Catliolic missionaries ! In vain do we look among other creeds for a parallel. The immortal Jogues and his companion, Haymbault, first planted the cross in the far west on the npper Lakes. In the summer of 104:1, their light canoes skinmied over the crystal waters of tlie Huron ; and reaching the outlet of great Superior, they announced the Faith to over two thou- sand Indians. Tiiey could not, however, remain long. The- brave, but aged Jesuit, Menard, with his white hair lioatiiig to the wind, next came in IGGO. Proceeding three hundred miles west of Sault Ste. Marie, he attemjited to erect a mis- sion. Alone in the wilderness he perished by famine or the tomahawk. " Long afterwards," writes the great historian of onr country, " his cassock and l)reviary were kept as amulets among the Sioux." Allouez followed — for •' the Jesuits never receded one, foot'''"^' — and in 1005 established the mission of the Holy Ghost at La})ointe, in the western extremity of l^ake Su}ve- rior. The other famous jnissions, Sault Ste. Marie, Grccii I>ay, and Mackinaw, were in turn erected. In this v,i