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which they must break loose before being released。 I well remember the
comments in our own home upon the passing of this simple but impressive
ceremony； and its loss of all meaning and propriety under the demoralizing
additions which were some of the fruits of early contact with the white
man。
Perhaps the most remarkable organization ever known among
American Indians； that of the 〃Grand Medicine Lodge；〃 was apparently an
indirect result of the labors of the early Jesuit missionaries。 In it
Caucasian ideas are easily recognizable； and it seems reasonable to
suppose that its founders desired to establish an order that would
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successfully resist the encroachments of the 〃Black Robes。〃 However
that may be； it is an unquestionable fact that the only religious leaders of
any note who have arisen among the native tribes since the advent of the
white man； the 〃Shawnee Prophet〃 in 1762； and the half…breed prophet of
the 〃Ghost Dance〃 in 1890； both founded their claims or prophecies upon
the Gospel story。 Thus in each case an Indian religious revival or craze；
though more or less threatening to the invader； was of distinctively alien
origin。
The Medicine Lodge originated among the Algonquin tribe； and
extended gradually throughout its branches； finally affecting the Sioux of
the Mississippi Valley； and forming a strong bulwark against the work of
the pioneer missionaries； who secured； indeed； scarcely any converts until
after the outbreak of 1862； when subjection； starvation； and imprisonment
turned our broken…hearted people to accept Christianity； which seemed to
offer them the only gleam of kindness or hope。
The order was a secret one； and in some respects not unlike the Free
Masons； being a union or affiliation of a number of lodges； each with its
distinctive songs and medicines。 Leadership was in order of seniority in
degrees； which could only be obtained by merit； and women were
admitted to membership upon equal terms； with the possibility of attaining
to the highest honors。 No person might become a member unless his moral
standing was excellent； all candidates remained on probation for one or
two years； and murderers and adulterers were expelled。 The
commandments promulgated by this order were essentially the same as the
Mosaic Ten； so that it exerted a distinct moral influence； in addition to its
ostensible object； which was instruction in the secrets of legitimate
medicine。
In this society the uses of all curative roots and herbs known to us
were taught exhaustively and practiced mainly by the old； the younger
members being in training to fill the places of those who passed away。
My grandmother was a well…known and successful practitioner； and both
my mother and father were members； but did not practice。
A medicine or 〃mystery feast〃 was not a public affair； as members
only were eligible； and upon these occasions all the 〃medicine bags〃 and
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totems of the various lodges were displayed and their peculiar 〃medicine
songs〃 were sung。 The food was only partaken of by invited guests； and
not by the hosts； or lodge making the feast。 The 〃Grand Medicine
Dance〃 was given on the occasion of initiating those candidates who had
finished their probation； a sufficient number of whom were designated to
take the places of those who had died since the last meeting。 Invitations
were sent out in the form of small bundles of tobacco。 Two very large
teepees were pitched facing one another； a hundred feet apart； half open；
and connected by a roofless hall or colonnade of fresh…cut boughs。 One
of these lodges was for the society giving the dance and the novices； the
other was occupied by the 〃soldiers；〃 whose duty it was to distribute the
refreshments； and to keep order among the spectators。 They were
selected from among the best and bravest warriors of the tribe。
The preparations being complete； and the members of each lodge
garbed and painted according to their rituals； they entered the hall
separately； in single file； led by their oldest man or 〃Great Chief。〃
Standing before the 〃Soldiers' Lodge；〃 facing the setting sun； their chief
addressed the 〃Great Mystery〃 directly in a few words； after which all
extending the right arm horizontally from the shoulder with open palm；
sang a short invocation in unison； ending with a deep： 〃E…ho…ho…ho！〃
This performance； which was really impressive； was repeated in front of
the headquarters lodge； facing the rising sun； after which each lodge took
its assigned place； and the songs and dances followed in regular order。
The closing ceremony； which was intensely dramatic in its character；
was the initiation of the novices； who had received their final preparation
on the night before。 They were now led out in front of the headquarters
lodge and placed in a kneeling position upon a carpet of rich robes and
furs； the men upon the right hand； stripped and painted black； with a round
spot of red just over the heart； while the women； dressed in their best；
were arranged upon the left。 Both sexes wore the hair loose； as if in
mourning or expectation of death。 An equal number of grand medicine…
men； each of whom was especially appointed to one of the novices； faced
them at a distance of half the length of the hall； or perhaps fifty feet。
After silent prayer； each medicine…man in turn addressed himself to his
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charge； exhorting him to observe all the rules of the order under the eye of
the Mysterious One； and instructing him in his duty toward his fellow…man
and toward the Ruler of Life。 All then assumed an attitude of superb
power and dignity； crouching slightly as if about to spring forward in a
foot…race； and grasping their medicine bags firmly