The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 12 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 12 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
Towards night I went to a part of the town where they were _sober_,
and got together near fifty persons of them.――There was a surprising
attention among them, and they manifested a desire of being further
instructed. There was also one or two that seemed to be touched,
and appeared pleased with some conversation in private, after I had
concluded my public discourse.
My spirits were much refreshed, and I could not but return with my
interpreter (having no _other companion_ in this journey) to my poor
hard lodgings, rejoicing in hopes that God designed to set up his
kingdom here, and found uncommon freedom in addressing the throne of
grace for the accomplishment of so glorious a work.
September 17. I spent the forenoon in discoursing to the Indians. About
noon I left Shaumoking, (most of the Indians going out this day to
hunt,) and travelled down the river south-westward.
September 19. I visited an Indian town called _Juneauta_, situate on
an island in Susquahannah. I was much discouraged with the behaviour of
the Indians here. Although they appeared friendly when I was with them
last spring; yet they now seemed resolved to retain their Pagan notions,
and persist in their _idolatrous_ practices.
September 20. I visited the Indians again at Juneauta island, and found
them busy in making preparations for a great _sacrifice_ and _dance_.
So I had no opportunity to get them together in order to discourse
about Christianity. My spirits were much sunk, especially seeing I had
now no interpreter but a Pagan, who was as much attached to _idolatry_
as any of them. However, I discoursed privately with some of them, but
without any appearance of success.
In the evening they met together, near an hundred of them, and danced
round a large fire, having prepared ten fat deer for the _sacrifice_.
The fat of the inwards they burnt in the fire while they were dancing,
and sometimes raised the flame to a prodigious height, at the same time
yelling and shouting in such a manner, that they might have been heard
two miles or more.
They continued their _sacred dance_ all night; after which they eat the
_flesh_ of the _sacrifice_, and retired each to his lodging.
I enjoyed little satisfaction this night, being entirely alone on the
island, (as to any Christian company,) and having walked to and fro’
till body and mind were much oppressed, I at length crept into a little
crib made for corn, and there slept on the poles.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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