CONTENTS—The first Church at Tyendinaga grows old—A Council—Ask for
Assistance—Gov. Bagot—Laying first stone of new Church—The
Inscription—The Ceremony—The new Church—Their Singing—The
surrounding Scenery—John Hall’s Tomb—Pagan Indians—Red Jacket—His
Speech—Reflection upon Christians—Indians had nothing to do with
murdering the Saviour.
BUILDING A NEW CHURCH.
Their original edifice of wood, having served its purpose, and being in
a state of decay; it was deemed necessary to have erected a new and more
substantial building. They, consequently, held a Council, at which the
Chief made the following speech, after hearing all the ways and means
discussed—“If we attempt to build this church by ourselves, it will
never be done. Let us, therefore, ask our father, the Governor, to build
it for us, and it will be done at once.” Reference here was made, not to
the necessary funds, for they were to be derived from the sale of Indian
lands; but to the experience requisite to carry out the project. Sir
Charles Bagot, the Governor, was accordingly petitioned. “The first
stone was laid by S. P. Jarvis, Esq., Chief Superintendent of Indians in
Canada; and the Archdeacon of Kingston, the truly venerable G. O.
Stuart, conducted the usual service; which was preceded by a procession
of the Indians, who, singing a hymn, led the way from the wharf.” “The
following inscription was placed in this stone:
TO
THE GLORY OF GOD OUR SAVIOUR
THE REMNANT OF THE TRIBE OF KAN-YE-AKE-HAKA,
IN TOKEN OF THEIR PRESERVATION BY THE DIVINE MERCY
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST,
In the sixth year of Our Mother Queen Victoria: Sir Charles Theophilus
Metcalf, G.C.B., being Governor General of British North America;
THE RIGHT REV. J. STRACHAN, D.D., AND LL.D., Being Bishop of Toronto:
AND
THE REV. SALTERN GIVINS, BEING IN THE THIRTEENTH YEAR OF HIS INCUMBENCY.
The old wooden fabric having answered its end,
THIS CORNER STONE OF
CHRIST’S CHURCH TYENDINAGA,
WAS LAID
In the presence of the Venerable George O’Kill Stuart, LL.D., Archdeacon
of Kingston;
By Samuel Peter Jarvis, Chief Superintendent of Indian Affairs in
Canada, assisted by various Members of the Church,
ON TUESDAY MAY 30TH, A. D., 1843.
&c., &c., &c.
A hymn was sung by the Indians, and Indian children of the school. The
Rev. Wm. Macauley, of Picton, delivered an address, which was followed
by a prayer from the Rev. Mr. Deacon.”—(_Sir Richard Henry
Bonnycastle._)
This edifice, with four lancet windows on each side, presents to the eye
a very pleasing appearance upon approaching it. While the interior may
not altogether appear so attractive, it is sufficiently interesting.
There is the elevated desk, and the more elevated pulpit; and upon the
wall, over the altar, are the ten commandments, in the Mohawk tongue.
Here is grandly united the Mother Church, and the devoted piety of the
once great Mohawk nation. Opposite the altar is a gallery, across the
end of the building, in which is an organ. Therefrom proceeds, Sunday
after Sunday, rich notes of tuneful melody, blending with the stout
voices of the singers. From this church ascends, have we not reason to
believe the adoration of hearts warmed into spiritual life by the pure
principles of Christianity.
The view from the church upon the surrounding scenery is very pleasant,
and, in the quietness of a summer day, one may linger gazing and
meditating upon the past history of the race whose dead slumber hard by.
The visitor’s attention will be directed to a flat tomb, of blue stone,
inclosed by a low stone wall, overgrown with shrubs. Upon the face of
the tomb are the words:
“This tomb, erected to the memory of John Hall, Ochechusleah, by the
Mohawks, in grateful remembrance of his Christian labors amongst them.
During thirty years, he served as a Mohawk Catechist, in this
settlement, under the Society for Propagating the Gospel, adorning the
doctrine of God, his Saviour, and enjoying the respect of all who knew
him. He died, generally regretted, June, 1848, aged 60 years.” This
stone also covers the remains of “Eloner, the exemplary wife of the
Catechist, who died in the Lord, May 7, 1840, aged 50.”
While the Mohawks always manifested a desire to learn the truth, as
taught by Christians, there were some of the Six Nations who believed
not, and steadfastly turned their backs upon the missionaries of the
Cross. Among these stood prominent the Seneca chief Sagnoaha, or Red
Jacket, one well known as an eloquent Sachem in all the Councils of his
people. A Seneca council was held at Buffalo Creek, in May, 1811, when
Red Jacket answered the desire of a missionary that they should become
Christians, as follows:—
“Brother!—We listened to the talk you delivered to us from the council
of black coats in New York. We have fully considered your talk, and the
offers you have made us. We now return our answer, which we wish you
also to understand. In making up our minds we have looked back to
remember what has been done in our days, and what our fathers have told
us was done in old times.
“Brother!—Great numbers of black coats have been among the Indians. With
sweet voices and smiling faces, they offered to teach them the religion
of the white people. Our brethren in the East listened to them. They
turn from the religion of their fathers, and look up the religion of the
white people. What good has it done? Are they more friendly, one to
another, than we are? No, Brother! They are a divided people; we are
united. They quarrel about religion; we live in love and friendship.
Besides, they drink strong waters, and they have learned how to cheat
and how to practice all the other vices of the white people, without
imitating their virtues. Brother!—If you wish us well, keep away; don’t
disturb us. Brother!—We do not worship the Great Spirit as the white
people do, but we believe that the forms of worship are indifferent to
the Great Spirit. It is the homage of sincere hearts that pleases him,
and we worship him in that manner.” “Brother! For these reasons we
cannot receive your offers. We have other things to do, and beg you will
make your minds easy, without troubling us, lest our heads should be too
much loaded, and by and by burst.” At another time, he is reported to
have said to one conversing with him upon the subject of Christianity,
that the Indians were not responsible for the death of Christ.
“Brother,” said he “if you white people murdered the Saviour, make it up
yourselves. We had nothing to do with it. If he had come among us, we
should have treated him better.”