OCR Text |
Show An Indian Deacon The Marshpee [Marspee also correct] Indians in Massachusetts were the first among the Indian tribes that were brought under Christian influences, and who profited by civilized modes of life. Great interest was at one time felt in them; and a fund was raised for the establishment in the tribe of a church, and for the support of a pastor. As with all Indians, and in fact with all decaying races the world over, strong drink was used whenever it could be obtained. Not a few of these Indians, however, so far lived their religion as to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors and to conduct themselves as good citizens, which was greatly to their credit. There was a vacancy in the pastorate of the little church, and the committee at Boston who had charge of the fund for the support of the pastor, sent a young clergyman named Stone to preach as a candidate for the position, and afterwards another names Fish. The Marshpees preferred the latter as a preacher; but meantime the committee had decided to give Mr. Stone the Church. "Vell, vell," said the worthy Indian with a touch of native pathos, "if we ask ye for a Fish, vill ye give us a Stone?" Upon that the matter was reconsidered, and Mr. Fish was sent. Mr. Fish was a very good man and rather eloquent as a speaker. Perceiving the weakness of his Indian hearers for strong drink, he gave a series of rousing temperance sermons. The Indian deacon was observed to get very restive under these sermons, though he did not openly object to them. At length a Mr. Brooks of the congregation one day asked him how he liked Mr. Fish. "Oh, ver vell; Iiss ver good man." But Mr. Brooks adroitly turned the conversation to the subject of Mr. Fish's sermons, and then the Indian gave an emphatic opinion. "I do vish Mr. Fiss never preach any more ‘bout rum. Only make me want some all de time. Me try hard not drink. Try hard not tink of rum. If Mr. Fiss never say anyting ‘bout it, I go to meetin' and not tink of it. But he keep talkin' ‘bout rum, talkin' ‘bout rum, talkin' ‘bout rum. An' evvy time he way rum in he sermon, make my mouth water so me no set still in my pew." This same Indian deacon was - after he had learned to read - a very diligent reader of sermons. Once a clergyman from a distance preached in Mr. Fish's place and after service Mrs. Fish asked the deacon how he had like the discourse. "Ver vell," he said, "me always like that sermon." "Always like it?" said Mrs. Fish, in surprise, "did you ever hear Mr. G--- preach it before?" "No, marm, me never hear him preach it," replied the Indian, indifferently. "Then, pray what do you mean by ‘always like it?'" "Oh me read it in the Doddrige a good many time." |