Legends, Traditions, and Laws of the Iroquois, or Six Nations, and History of the Tuscarora IndiansJohnson, Elias
History
Legends, Traditions, and Laws of the Iroquois, or Six Nations, and History of the Tuscarora Indians
Johnson, Elias
Iroquois Indians; Tuscarora Indians
which he may safely tread the journey of life.
"'When the Great Spirit made man He also made woman. He instituted
marriage, and enjoined upon them to love each other and be faithful. It
is pleasing to Him to see men and women obey His will. Your Creator
abhors a deceiver and a hypocrite. By obeying His commands you will die
an easy and happy death. When the Great Spirit instituted marriage He
ordained to bless those who were faithful with children. Some women are
unfaithful and others become so by misfortune. Such have great
opportunities to do much good. There are many orphans and poor children
whom they can adopt as their own. If you tie up the clothes of an orphan
child the Great Spirit will notice it and reward you for it. Should an
orphan ever cross your path be kind to him and treat him with tenderness,
for this is right. Parents must constantly teach their children morality
and reverence for their Creator. Parents must also guard their children
against improper marriages. They, having much experience, should select a
suitable match for their child. When the parents of both parties have
agreed, then bring the young pair together and let them know what good
their parents have designed for them. If in time they so far disagree
that they cannot possibly live contented and happy with each other they
may separate in mutual good feeling, and in this it is no wrong.
"'When a child is born to a husband and wife they must give great thanks
to the Great Spirit, for it is His gift and an evidence of His kindness.
Let parents instruct their children in their duty to the Great Spirit, to
their parents and to their fellowmen. Children should obey their parents
and guardians, and submit to them in all things. Disobedient children
occasion great pain and misery. They wound their parents' feelings and
often drive them to desperation, cause them great distress and final
admission into the place of evil spirit. The marriage obligations should
generate good to all who have assumed them. Let the married be faithful
to each other, that when they die it may be in peace. Children should
never permit their parents to suffer in their old age. Be kind to them,
and support them. The Great Spirit requires all children to love, revere
and obey their parents. To do this is highly pleasing to Him. The
happiness of parents is greatly increased by the affection and the
attention of their children. To abandon a wife or children is a great
wrong, and produces many evils. It is wrong for a father or mother-in-law
to vex a son or daughter-in-law, but they should use them as if they were
their own children. It often happens that parents hold angry disputes
over their infant child. This is also a great sin. The infant hears and
comprehends the angry words of its parents. It feels bad and lonely. It
can see for itself no happiness in prospect. It concludes to return to
its Maker. It wants a happy home, and dies. The parents then weep
because their child has left them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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