With the Muskohge, _Hitch Lalàge_ signifies “cunning men,” or persons prescient of futurity, much the same as the Hebrew seers. _Cheeràtahége_ is the name of the pretended prophets, with the Cheerake, and nearly approaches to the meaning of נביא, _Nebia_, the Hebrew name of a prophet. _Cheera_ is their word for “fire,” and the termination points out men possest of, or endued with it. The word seems to allude to the celestial cherubim, fire, light, and spirit, which centered in O E A, or YOHEWAH. These Indians call their pretended prophets also _Loá-che_, “Men resembling the holy fire,” or as Elohim; for the termination expresses a comparison, and _Loa_, is a contraction of _Loak_, drawn from אלה, _Elóah_, the singular number of אלהים, _Elohim_, the name of the holy ones. And, as the Muskohge {80} call the noise of thunder, _Erowah_, so the Cheerake by inverting it, _Worah_, “He is;” thereby alluding to the divine essence: and, as those term the lightning _Elóa_, and believe it immediately to proceed from the voice of _Ishtohollo Elóa Aba_, it shews the analogy to the Hebrews, and their sentiments to be different from all the early heathen world. The Indian tradition says, that their forefathers were possessed of an extraordinary divine spirit, by which they foretold things future, and controuled the common course of nature: and this they transmitted to their offspring, provided they obeyed the sacred laws annexed to it. They believe, that by the communication of the same divine fire working on their _Loáche_, they can now effect the like. They say it is out of the reach of _Nana Ookproo_, either to comprehend, or perform such things, because the beloved fire, or the holy spirit of fire, will not co-operate with, or actuate _Hottuk Ookproose_, “the accursed people.” _Ishtohoollo_ is the name of all their priestly order, and their pontifical office descends by inheritance to the eldest: those friend-towns, which are firmly confederated in their exercises and plays, never have more than one _Archi-magus_ at a time. But lameness, contrary to the Mosaic law, it must be confessed, does not now exclude him from officiating in his religious function; though it is not to be doubted, as they are naturally a modest people, and highly ridicule those who are incapable of procreating their species, that formerly they excluded the lame and impotent. They, who have the least knowledge in Indian affairs, know, that the martial virtue of the savages, obtains them titles of distinction; but yet their old men, who could scarcely correct their transgressing wives, much less go to war, and perform those difficult exercises, that are essentially needful in an active warrior, are often promoted to the pontifical dignity, and have great power over the people, by the pretended sanctity of the office. Notwithstanding the Cheerake are now a nest of apostate hornets, pay little respect to grey hairs, and have been degenerating fast from their