The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents Travels and Explorations of the Jesuit Missionaries in New France

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1899. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... PREFACE TO VOL. LVI Following is a synopsis of the document contained in this volume: CXXVIII. The Relation of 1671-72 was begun in Vol. LV.; the remainder of the document forms the present volume, closing the regular series of the Relations, begun in 1632 (Vol. V. of this edition). A letter from Fremin gives an account of the mission called St. Xavier des Pres, opposite Montreal, where the Iroquois converts are now professing the most exalted virtues practiced in Christendom. They maintain total abstinence from intoxicating liquors, although there is a dram-shop at their very doors; ' and their tribesmen are not welcome among them unless they profess the Christian faith. Their attendance upon religious services is most assiduous. Dablon next gives a survey of the various Iroquois missions, which employ seven Fathers. They have baptized only two hundred persons, which means that the sick have been fewer this year; and that those who are well are, although adequately instructed, not yet strong enough in the resolve to forsake their dreams and renounce their superstitious practices.' The Mohawks, who had been ' most thoroughly humbled by the King's arms, are those most inclined to embrace the faith. Some converts from this tribe have removed to the Huron mission near Quebec. The Oneidas are becoming more tractable. Bruyas has held, for some time, conferences with the elders of the village, at which he has expounded the truths of the Christian religion. These are resulting in several conversions, which greatly encourage the Father in his arduous toils. A noted medicine-man dies in his infidelity, and his name has a baleful authority over the Indians after his death, as well as before. Good news comes from Onondaga, especially concerning the stea...