"The Christian Indians," said the Chieftain, "were a happy people; and he would never trouble them on account of their not joining in the war.--Indeed, they could not with propriety join in wars, without first renouncing praying, [meaning Christianity].--And every Indian, or body of Indians, had a right to choose for themselves, whom they would serve!--For him, he had hired himself to his father, the king of England, for the purpose of fighting against his refractory children, the Long-Knives; whilst his friends and relations, the Christian Indians, had hired themselves to the Great Spirit, solely for the purpose of performing prayers!" [meaning, attending to religion]--"He added, that both were right in their way, though both employments could not be connected together. And only yesterday they were told, whilst at Gnadenhutten, that God had instructed all Christian people to love their enemies--and even to pray for them!--These words, he said, were written in the large book that contained the words and commandments of God!--Now, how would it appear, were we to compel our friends, who love and pray for their enemies, to fight against them!--compel them to act contrary to what they believe to be right!--force them to do that by which they would incur the displeasure of the Great Spirit, and bring his wrath upon them!--That it would be as wrong in him to compel the Christian Indians to quit praying and turn out to fight and kill people, as it would be in them to compel him to lay fighting aside, and turn to praying only!--He had often heard it stated, that the believing Indians were slaves to their teachers, and what these commanded them to do, they _must_ do, however disagreeable to them!--Now, (said he) how can this be true, when every Indian is a free man, and can go where he pleases!--Can the teacher stop him from going away?--No! he cannot!--well! how can he then be made a slave by the teacher!--When we come here among our friends, we see how much they love their teachers.--This looks Well!--Continue, my friends, (said he to the national assistants) in loving your teachers, and in doing all good things; and when your friends and relations come to see you, satisfy their hunger as you have done to us this day!" [FN] * * * * * [FN] Narrative of the Christian Indians. Having taken leave of all who were in the house, he proceeded to the middle of the street, from whence he addressed the inhabitants of the place and thanked them for their hospitality, assuring them of his regard and good wishes for them, and adding, that "If at any time they should hear it said, that Pachgantschihilas was an enemy to the believing [Christian] Indians; they should consider such words as lies!"