Few of the Wolf tribe had gone over to the
new faith, and those who had were scorned. Wingenund, the great
power of the Delawares--indeed, the greatest of all the western
tribes--maintained a neutral attitude toward the Village of Peace.
But it was well known that his right-hand war-chiefs, Pipe and
Wishtonah, remained coldly opposed.
Jim turned all he had learned over and over in his mind, trying to
construct part of it to fit into a sermon that would be different
from any the Indians had ever heard. He did not want to preach far
over their heads. If possible, he desired to keep to their
ideals--for he deemed them more beautiful than his own--and to
conduct his teaching along the simple lines of their belief, so that
when he stimulated and developed their minds he could pass from what
they knew to the unknown Christianity of the white man.
His first address to the Indians was made one day during the
indisposition of Mr. Wells--who had been over-working himself--and
the absence of the other missionaries. He did not consider himself
at all ready for preaching, and confined his efforts to simple,
earnest talk, a recital of the thoughts he had assimilated while
living here among the Indians.
Amazement would not have described the state of his feelings when he
learned that he had made a powerful impression.
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