The American Indian was an individualist in religion as in war. He had neither a national army nor an organized church.

The logical man must either deny all miracles or none, and our American Indian myths and hero stories are perhaps, in themselves, quite as credible as those of the Hebrews of old.

The native American has been generally despised by his white conquerors for his poverty and simplicity.

The Indian was a religious man from his mother's womb.

The religion of the Indian is the last thing about him that the man of another race will ever understand.

If you ask him: "What is silence?" he will answer, "It is the Great Mystery! The holy silence is His voice!" If you ask: "What are the fruits of silence?" he will say: "They are self-control, true courage or endurance, patience, dignity, and reverence. Silence is the cornerstone of character."

That is, we believed, the supreme duty of the parent, who only was permitted to claim in some degree the priestly office and function, since it is his creative and protecting power which alone approaches the solemn function of Deity.