CHAPITRE II.
DE LA CONUERSION, DU BAPTESME & DE L'HEUREUSE MORT DE QUELQUES SAUUAGES.
QVELQUES Sauuages se sont faicts Chrestiens cette année, trois ont esté baptisez cest Hyuer en mon absence, en voicy les particularitez toutes pleines de consolation que nos Peres m'ont raconté à mon retour.
CHAPTER II.
ON THE CONVERSION, BAPTISM, AND HAPPY DEATH OF CERTAIN SAVAGES.
SOME Savages have become Christians this year; three have been baptized this Winter during my absence. Here are the very encouraging particulars of these baptisms, which our Fathers related to me upon my return.
Le premier estoit vn ieune homme nommé Sasousmat aagé de 25. à 30. ans, les François le surnommoient Marsolet: Le ieune homme entẽdant vn iour vn Truchement parler des peines d'Enfer & des recompenses du Paradis, luy dit, mene [8] moy en France pour estre instruict, autrement tu respondras de mon ame, donc estant tombé malade il fut plus aisé de l'induire à se faire Chrestien, le Pere Brebœuf m'a donné de luy ce memoire.
The first was a young man named Sasousmat, from 25 to 30 years of age, whom the French have surnamed Marsolet. This young man, having one day heard an Interpreter talk about the pains of Hell and the rewards of Paradise, said to him; "Take [8] me to France to be instructed, otherwise thou wilt be responsible for my soul." Then, having fallen sick, it was easier to induce him to become a Christian. Father Brebœuf gave me this account of him.
"Ayant appris la maladie de ce ieune hõme ie le fus visiter, & le trouuay si bas qu'il auoit perdu le iugemẽt, nous voila dõc dans vn regret de ne le pouuoir secourir, ce qui fit prẽdre resolution à nos Peres & à moy de presenter à Dieu le lendemain le Sacrifice de la Messe à l'honneur du glorieux S. Ioseph Patron de cette nouuelle France, pour le salut & conuersion de ce pauure Sauuage: à peine auiõs nous quitté l'Autel qu'on nous vint aduertir qu'il estoit rentré en son bon sens, nous le fusmes voir, & l'ayans sondé nous le trouuasmes remply d'vn [110] grand desir de receuoir le S. Baptesme, nous differasmes neantmoins quelques iours pour luy donner vne plus grande instruction. En fin il m'enuoya prier par nostre Sauuage nommé Manitougatche, & surnommé de nos Frãçois la Nasse que ie l'allasse baptizer, disant que la nuict precedente il m'auoit veu en dormant venir en sa Cabane pour luy conferer ce Sacremẽt, & qu'aussi-tost [9] que ie m'estois assis aupres de luy que rout [tout] son mal s'en estoit allé, ce qu'il me confirma quand ie le fus voir: ie luy refusay neantmoins ce qu'il demandoit pour animer dauantage son desir, si bien qu'vn autre Sauuage qui estoit present ne pouuant souffrir ce retardement, me demanda pourquoy ie ne le baptizois point puis qu'il ne falloit que ietter vn peu d'eau sur luy & que s'en estoit fait, mais luy ayant reparty que ie me perdrois moy mesme si ie baptizois vn infidelle & vn mécreant mal instruict: le malade se tournant vers vn François, luy dit, Matchounon n'a point d'esprit, c'est ainsi que s'appelloit cet autre Sauuage, il ne croit pas ce que dit le Pere, pour moy ie le crois entierement. Sur ces entrefaites les Sauuages voulans décabaner & tirer plus auãt dans les bois Manitougatche qui commẽçoit à se trouuer mal, nous vint prier de le receuoir & le pauure malade aussi en nostre maison, nous prismes resolution d'auoir soin des corps, pour aider les ames que nous voyons bien disposées pour le Ciel. On met dõc sur vne traine de bois ce bon ieune homme, & on nous l'amene sur la neige, nous le receuons auec amour & [10] l'accommodons le mieux qu'il nous est possible, luy tout remply d'aise & de contentement de se voir auec nous, tesmoigna vn grand desir d'estre baptizé, & [112] de mourir Chrestien. Le lẽdemain qui estoit le 26. de Ianuier estant tombé dans vne grãde syncope nous le baptizasmes, croyãs qu'il s'en alloit mourir, luy donnans le nom de François en l'honneur de S. François Xauier, il reuint à soy, & ayant appris ce qui s'estoit passé, il se monstra plein de ioye d'estre fait Enfant de Dieu, s'entretenant tousiours iusques à la mort, qui fut deux iours apres, en diuers actes que ie luy faisois exercer tantost de Foy & d'Esperance, tantost d'Amour de Dieu & de regret de l'auoir offencé, il prenoit en cela vn plaisir fort sensible, & recitoit tout seul auec de grands sentimens ce qu'on luy auoit enseigné, demandant vn iour pardon à Dieu de ses pechez, il s'accusoit tout haut soymesme comme s'il se fust confessé, puis la memoire luy manquant, Enseigne moy (me disoit-il) ie suis vn pauure ignorant, ie n'ay point d'esprit, suggere moy ce que ie dois dire; vne autre fois il me pria de luy ietter de l'eau beniste pour l'aider à auoir douleur de ses pechez, [11] cela m'estonna, car nous ne luy auions pas encores parlé de l'vsage de cette eau, nous ayant inuité à chanter aupres de luy quelques prieres de l'Eglise, nous le voyõs pendant ce sainct exercice les yeux esleuez au Ciel auec vne posture si deuote que nous estions tous attendris, admirans les grãdes misericordes que Dieu operoit dedans cette ame, qui en fin quitta son corps fort doucement le 28. de Ianuier pour aller ioüir de Dieu."
"Having learned of the illness of this young man, I went to visit him, and found him so low that he had lost his reason. Behold us now greatly troubled at not being able to help him, and so we resolved, our Fathers and I, to offer to God the next day the Sacrifice of the Mass in honor of the glorious St. Joseph, Patron of this new France, for the salvation and conversion of this poor Savage; scarcely had we left the Altar, when they came to tell us that he had recovered his senses; we went to see him, and, having sounded him, we found him filled with a great desire to receive Holy Baptism; we deferred this, however, for a few days, in order to instruct him more fully. At last he sent word to me, through our Savage named Manitougatche, and surnamed by our French, "la Nasse," that I should come and baptize him, saying that the night before he had seen me in his sleep, coming to his Cabin to administer to him this Sacrament; and that, as soon [9] as I sat down near him, all his sickness went away; he confirmed this to me when I saw him. Nevertheless I refused his request, in order the more to stimulate his desire, so that another Savage who was present, not being able to bear this delay, asked me why I did not baptize him, since it was only necessary to throw a little water upon him, and then all would be done. But, when I answered him that I would myself be lost, if I baptized an infidel and a poorly-taught unbeliever, the sick man, turning to a Frenchman, said, 'Matchounon has no sense'—it was thus they called the other Savage—'he does not believe what the Father says; as for me, I believe it entirely.' Meanwhile, the Savages wishing to change their camp and to go farther into the woods. Manitougatche, who began to feel ill, came to beg us to receive him and the poor sick man also into our house: and so we decided to care for the bodies, in order to aid the souls, which we saw were well disposed toward Heaven. So this worthy young man was placed upon a wooden sledge, and brought to us over the snow. We received him with love, and [10] made him as comfortable as we could. He was fall of gladness and satisfaction to see himself with us, evincing a great desire to be baptized and to die a Christian. The next day, which was the 26th of January, as he had fallen into a deep stupor, we baptized him, believing that he was going to die. We gave him the name François, in honor of St. François Xavier. He regained consciousness, and, having learned what had taken place, expressed his joy at having been made a Child of God. He passed his time constantly until his death, which was two days later, in different acts that I caused him to practice, sometimes of Faith and Hope, sometimes of the Love of God, and of remorse for having offended him. He took a very obvious pleasure in this, and repeated all alone with deep feeling what had been taught him. One day, while he was asking pardon of God for his sins, he accused himself aloud, as if he were making his confession: then, his memory failing (he said to me): 'Teach me; I am a poor ignorant creature, I have no understanding; suggest to me what I ought to say.' Another time he begged me to sprinkle some holy water upon him, to help him to be sorry for his sins. [11] I was surprised at this, for we had not yet spoken to him of the use of this water; when, at his request, we sang some prayers of the Church in his presence, we saw him during this holy service with eyes raised toward Heaven in an attitude of such devotion that we were all greatly touched, admiring the wonderful effects of mercy that God was bringing about in this soul, which finally left the body on the 28th of January, to go and enjoy God."
Quand la nouuelle de sa conuersion & de sa mort fut sceuë de nos François à Kebec, il y en eut qui ietterent des larmes de ioye & de contentemens, benissans Dieu de ce qu'il acceptoit les premices d'vne terre qui n'a presque porté que des espines depuis la naissance des siecles.
When the news of his conversion and death became known to our French at Kebec, some of them shed tears of joy and satisfaction, blessing God for accepting the first fruits of a land which has borne little else than thorns since the birth of the centuries.
[114] Il arriua vne chose biẽ remarquable peu d'heures apres sa mort, vne grãde lumiere parut aux fenestres de nostre maison, s'éleuant & s'abbaissant par trois fois, l'vn de nos Peres vid cét esclat, & plusieurs de nos hommes qui sortirent incontinent, les vns pour voir si le feu n'estoit point pris en quelque endroit de la maison, les autres pour voir s'il esclairoit, n'ayans trouué aucun vestige de cette flamme ils creurent [12] que Dieu declaroit par ce prodige la lumiere dont ioüissoit cette ame qui nous venoit de quitter. Les Sauuages de la Cabane du defunct virent dans les bois où ils s'estoient retirez cette lumiere, ce qui les espouuenta d'autant plus qu'ils creurent que ce feu estoit vn presage d'vne future mortalité en leur famille.
One quite remarkable thing happened a few hours after his death. A great light appeared at the windows of our house, rising and falling three times; one of our Fathers saw the flash, as did several of our men, who went out immediately, some to see if a part of our house had not taken fire, the others to see if it were lightning. Having found no trace of this fire, they believed [12] that God was declaring through this phenomenon the light that was being enjoyed by the soul that had just left us. The Savages belonging to the Cabin of the deceased saw this light in the woods, where they had withdrawn, and it frightened them all the more as they thought it was a foreshadowing of future deaths in their family.
I'estois pour lors (moy qui escris cecy) à quelques quarante lieuës de Kebec dãs la cabane des freres du defunct, cette lumiere s'y fit voir à mesme temps & à mesme heure, comme nous l'auons remarqué; depuis le Pere Brebœuf & moy confrontans nos memoires, & mon hoste frere du trespassé l'ayant apperceuë sortit dehors tout espouuanté, & la voyant redoubler s'escria d'vne voix si estonnante, que tous les Sauuages & moy auec eux sortismes de nos cabanes: ayant trouué mon hoste tout esperdu ie luy voulus dire que ce feu n'estoit qu'vn esclair, & qu'il ne falloit pas s'espouuanter, il me repartit fort à propos que l'esclair paroissoit & disparoissoit en vn moment, mais que cette flãme s'estoit pourmenée deuant ses yeux quelque espace de tẽps: de plus, as-tu iamais veu, me dit-il, esclairer ou tonner dans vu froid si [13] cuisant comme est celuy que nous ressentons maintenãt? Il est vray qu'il faisoit fort froid, ie luy demanday ce qu'il croyoit dõc de ces feux, c'est, me fit-il, vn mauuais augure, c'est, [116] vn signe de mort il m'adiousta que le Manitou ou le diable se repaissoit de ces flammes.
I was then (I who am writing this) some forty leagues from Kebec, in the cabin of the brothers of the dead man; and this light appeared there at the same time and at the same hour, as we have since observed, Father Brebœuf and I, by comparing our notes. My host, brother of the deceased, having perceived it, rushed out in horror; and, seeing it repeated, cried out in such astonishment, that all the Savages, and I with them, rushed out of our cabins. Having found my host all distracted, I tried to tell him that this fire was only lightning, and that he need not be frightened; he answered me very aptly that lightning appeared and disappeared in an instant, but that this fire had moved before his eyes for some time. "Besides" said he to me, "hast thou ever seen lightning or thunder in such piercing [13] cold as that which we are feeling now?" It was indeed very cold. I asked him then what he thought of these fires. "It is" he said, "a bad omen, it is a sign of death." He added that the Manitou, or devil, fed upon these flames.
Pour retourner à nostre bien-heureux defunct, nos Peres l'enterrerent le plus solemnellemẽt qu'il leur fut possible, nos François s'y trouuans auec beaucoup de deuotiõ. Manitougatche nostre Sauuage ayant veu tout cecy en outre, considerant que nous ne voulions rien prendre des hardes ou des robbes du trespassé, lesquelles il nous offroit, il resta si edifié & si estonné qu'il s'en alloit par les cabanes des Sauuages, qui vindrent bien-tost apres à Kebec, raconter tout ce qu'il auoit veu, disant que nous auions donné toute la meilleure nourriture que nous eussions à ce pauure ieune homme que nous en auions eu vn soin cõme s'il eust esté nostre frere, que nous nous estions incommodez pour le loger, que nous n'auions rien voulu prendre de ce qui luy appartenoit, que nous l'auiõs enterré auec beaucoup d'hõneur. Cela en toucha si biẽ quelques-vns, [14] notãment de sa famille, qu'ils nous amenerent sa fille morte en trauail d'enfant pour l'enterrer à nostre façon, mais le P. Brebœuf les rencontrant leur dit, que n'ayãt pas esté baptizée nous ne la pouuiõs mettre dans le Cimetiere des enfans de Dieu. De plus sçachant qu'ils font ordinairement mourir l'enfant quand la mere le laisse si ieune, croyans qu'il ne fera que languir apres son deceds, le Pere pria Manitouchatche d'obuier à cette cruauté, ce qu'il fit volontiers, quoy que quelques-vns de nos François estoient desia resolus de s'en charger au cas qu'on luy voulust oster la vie.
To return to our happy deceased. Our Fathers buried him with as much solemnity as they could, our Frenchmen being present and showing great devotion. Manitougatche, our Savage, having seen all this, and also observing that we did not wish to accept any of the belongings or clothes of the deceased, which he offered us, was so pleased and astonished that he went about among the cabins of the Savages who came soon afterward to Kebec, relating all that he had seen,—saying, that we had given the best food we had to this poor young man, that we had nursed him as if he had been our own brother, that we had inconvenienced ourselves in order to give him a lodging, that we had not consented to take anything that belonged to him, and that we had buried him with a great deal of honor. Some of them were so touched by this, [14] especially his own family, that they brought us his daughter, who had died in childbirth, to bury her in our way; but Father Brebœuf, meeting them, told them that, as she had never been baptized, we could not put her in the Cemetery of the children of God. Besides, knowing that they usually kill the child when its mother leaves it so young, thinking that it will languish after her death, the Father begged Manitouchatche to prevent this cruel act, which he did willingly; although some of our French People had determined to take charge of the child themselves, if a disposition were manifested to kill it.
Le second Sauuage baptizé a esté nostre Manitouchatche autrement la Nasse, i'en ay parlé dans mes Relations precedentes, il s'estoit comme habitué aupres [118] de nous auant la prise du païs par les Anglois, commençant à defricher & à cultiuer la terre, le mauuais traictement qu'il receut de ces nouueaux hostes l'ayãt esloigné de Kebec, il tesmoignoit par fois à Madame Hebert qui resta icy auec toute sa famille qu'il souhaittoit grandement nostre retour. Et de fait si tost qu'il sceut nostre venuë il nous vint voir, & se cabana [15] tout aupres de nostre maison, disant qu'il se vouloit faire Chrestien, nous asseurant qu'il ne nous quitteroit point si nous ne le chassions, aussi ne s'est-il pas beaucoup absenté depuis que nous sommes icy, cette communication luy a fait conceuoir quelque chose de nos mysteres. Le seiour qu'a fait en nostre maison Pierre Antoine le Sauuage son parent luy a seruy, d'autant que nous luy auõs declaré par sa bouche les principaux articles de nostre creance. O que les iugemens de Dieu sont pleins d'abismes! Ce miserable ieune homme qui a esté si bien instruict en France s'estant perdu parmy les Anglois, comme i'escriuis l'an passé, est deuenu apostat, renegat, excommunié, athée, valet d'vn Sorcier qui est son frere: Ce sont les qualitez que ie luy donneray cy apres parlant de luy: & ce pauure vieillard qui a tiré de sa bouche infectée les veritez du Ciel, a trouué le Ciel, laissant l'Enfer pour partage à ce renegat, si Dieu ne luy fait de grandes misericordes: Mais suiuans nostre route, apres la mort de Frãçois Sasousmat dont nous venons de parler, ce bon homme ennuyé de n'auoir auec qui s'entretenir: car pas vn de nous ne sçait [16] encores parfaictement la langue, se retira auec sa femme & auec ses enfans, mais la maladie dont il estoit desia attaqué, s'augmentant, il presse sa femme & ses enfans de le ramener auec nous, esperant la [120] mesme charité qu'il auoit veu exercer enuers son compatriote, on le receut à bras ouuerts, ce qu'ayant apperceu, il s'escria, ie mourray maintenant content puis que ie suis auec vous. Or comme ses erreurs auoient vieilly auec luy, nos Peres recogneurent qu'il pensoit autant & plus à la santé de son corps qu'au salut de son ame, tesmoignant vn grand desir de viure, remettant son Baptesme iusques à mon retour, neantmoins comme il s'alloit affoiblissant ils souhaitterent de le voir vn petit plus affectiõné à nostre creance, ce qui les incita d'offrir à Dieu vne neufuaine à l'hõneur du glorieux Espoux de la saincte Vierge pour le bien de son ame, le cõmencement de cette deuotion fut le commencement de ses volontez plus ardantes, il se monstra fort desireux d'estre instruit commençant à mespriser ses superstitions, il ne voulut plus dormir qu'il n'eust au prealable prié Dieu, ce qu'il faisoit encores deuant & apres sa refection, [17] si bien qu'il differa vne fois plus de demie-heure à mãger ce qu'õ luy auoit presenté, pource qu'on ne luy auoit pas fait faire la benediction, demandant au Pere Brebœuf qu'il luy fist dire douze ou treize fois de suitte pour la grauer en sa memoire. C'estoit vn contentement plein d'edification, de voir vn vieillard de plus de soixante ans, apprendre d'vn petit François que nous auons icy, à faire le signe de la Croix, & autres prieres qu'il luy demandoit. Le Pere Brebœuf voyant que ses forces se diminuoient, & que d'ailleurs il estoit assez instruict, luy dit que sa mort approchoit, & que s'il vouloit mourir Chrestien, & aller au Ciel, qu'il falloit estre baptisé. A ces paroles il se monstra si ioyeux qu'il se traisna luy mesme comme il peut en nostre chapelle, ne pouuant attendre [122] que les Peres qui preparoient ce qu'il falloit pour conferer ce Sacrement le vinssent querir: vn de nos François, son Parrain, luy donna le nom de Ioseph. Deuant & pendant son baptesme, qui fut le troisiéme d'Auril, le Pere l'interrogeant sommairement sur tous les [18] articles du Symbole, & sur les commandemens de Dieu, il respondit nettement & courageusemẽt qu'il croyoit les vns, & s'efforceroit de garder les autres si Dieu luy rendoit la santé, monstrant de grands regrets de l'auoir offensé: sa femme & l'vne de ses filles estoient presentes, celle-là ne pouuoit tenir les larmes & l'autre se monstroit, toute estonnée, admirant la beauté des sainctes ceremonies de l'Eglise.
The second Savage to be baptized was our Manitouchatche, otherwise, la Nasse, of whom I have spoken in my former Relations. He had begun to get accustomed to our ways before the capture of the country by the English, having commenced to clear and cultivate the land; the bad treatment he received from these new guests drove him away from Kebec; he sometimes expressed to Madame Hebert, who remained here with her whole family, his strong desire for our return. And, in fact, as soon as he heard of our arrival, he came to see us, and settled [15] near our house, saying that he wished to become a Christian, and assuring us that he would not leave us unless we chased him away; indeed he has been away from us very little since we have been here. This intercourse has made him understand something of our mysteries. The sojourn made in our house by Pierre Antoine,[12] a Savage and a relative of his, has been of use to him, inasmuch as we have declared to him through his lips the principal articles of our faith. Oh, how unfathomable are the judgments of God! This wretched young man, who was so well instructed in France, having been ruined among the English, as I wrote last year, has become an apostate, renegade, excommunicate, atheist, and servant to a Sorcerer who is his brother. These are the qualities which I shall assign to him hereafter when speaking of him. And this poor old man, who has received from his infected lips the truths of Heaven, has found Heaven, leaving Hell as the heritage of this renegade, unless God shows him great mercy. But, continuing our story: after the death of François Sasousmat, of whom we have just spoken, this good man, wearied at not having any one with whom to converse,—for not one of us yet [16] knows the language perfectly,—went away with his wife and children; but, the disease with which he was already affected increasing, he urged his wife and children to bring him back to us, hoping for the same charity he had seen us practice toward his fellow-savage. He was received with open arms, perceiving which, he cried out, "Now I shall die happy, since I am with you!" But as his errors had grown old with him, our Fathers recognized that he thought as much and even more of the health of his body than of the Salvation of his soul, showing a great desire to live, and putting off his Baptism until my return; nevertheless, as he was continually growing weaker, they wished to see him show more interest in our belief; this induced them to offer to God a novena in honor of the glorious Spouse of the holy Virgin, for the welfare of his soul. The beginning of this devotion was the beginning of more earnest inclination on his part; he showed himself very desirous of being instructed, and began to despise his superstitions. He would no more go to sleep unless he had first prayed to God, which he did also before and after eating,—[17] to such an extent that he once deferred, for more than half an hour, eating what had been presented to him, because they had not had him offer the benediction, asking Father Brebœuf to have him say it twelve or thirteen times in succession, to engrave it upon his memory. It was very edifying to see an old man more than sixty years of age learn from a little French boy, whom we have here, to make the sign of the Cross, and other prayers that he asked to be taught. Father Brebœuf, seeing that his strength was failing, and also that he was well enough instructed, told him that death was approaching; and that, if he wished to die a Christian and go to Heaven, he must be baptized. At these words he showed such joy that he dragged himself as well as he could to our chapel, not being able to wait until our Fathers, who were making the necessary arrangements for administering this Sacrament, could go after him. One of our Frenchmen, his Godfather, gave him the name Joseph. Before and during his baptism, which took place on the third of April, the Father examining him briefly upon all the [18] articles of the Creed, and upon the commandments of God, he answered clearly and courageously that he believed the former, and would endeavor to keep the latter if God would restore him his health, and showed great regret for having offended him. His wife and one of his daughters being present, the one could not keep back her tears, and the other was greatly bewildered, admiring the beauty of the holy ceremonies of the Church.
Ie retournay de mon hyuernement d'auec les Sauuages, six iours apres son baptesme, ie le trouuay bien malade, mais bien content d'estre Chrestien. Ie l'embrassay comme mon frere, bien resioüy de le voir enfant de Dieu, nous continuasmes de l'instruire, & de luy faire exercer des actes des vertus, notamment Theologales, pendant l'espace de douze iours, qu'il suruescut apres son baptesme.
I returned from my winter sojourn with the Savages, six days after his baptism, and found him very sick, but very glad to be a Christian. I embraced him like a brother, greatly rejoiced at seeing him a child of God. We continued to teach him and to have him practice acts of virtue, especially the Theological Virtues [faith, hope, and charity], during the twelve days that he survived his baptism.
Les Sauuages desirans le penser à leur mode auec leurs chants, auec leurs tintamarres, & auec leurs autres supersti[ti]ons, tascherent plusieurs fois de nous l'enleuer iusques là, qu'ils amenerent vne traine pour le reporter, & l'vn de [19] leurs sorciers ou iongleurs le vint voir exprés pour le débaucher de nostre creance: mais le bon Neophyte tint ferme, respondant qu'on ne luy parlast plus de s'en aller, & qu'il ne nous quitteroit point, que nous ne l'enuoyassiõs. Ce n'est pas vne petite marque de l'efficacité de la grace du sainct Baptesme, de voir vn homme nourry [124] depuis soixante ans & plus, dedans la Barbarie, habitué aux façons de faire des Sauuages, imbu de leurs erreurs & de leurs resueries, resister à sa propre femme, à ses enfans, & à ses gendres, & à ses amis & à ses compatriotes, à ses Manitousiouets, sorciers ou iongleurs, non vne fois, mais plusieurs pour se ietter entre les bras de quelques estrangers, protestant qu'il veut embrasser leur creance, mourir en leur Foy & dedans leur maison. Cela fait voir que la grace peut donner du poids à l'ame d'vn Sauuage naturellement inconstante.
The Savages, wishing to care for him in their way, with their songs, their uproar, and their other superstitions, tried several times to take him away from us, even going so far as to bring a sledge upon which to take him back, and one of [19] their sorcerers or jugglers came to see him, for the express purpose of enticing him away from our belief; but the good Neophyte held firm, answering that they should not speak to him about going away, and that he would not leave us unless we sent him away. It is no slight indication of the efficacy of the grace of holy Baptism, to see a man who had been steeped for over sixty years in Barbarism, accustomed to all the ways of the Savages, imbued with their errors and with their illusions, resist his own wife, his children, his sons-in-law, his friends and his fellow-savages, his Manitousiouets, sorcerers or jugglers, not once but many times, to throw himself into the arms of strangers, protesting that he wished to embrace their belief, to die in their Faith and in their house. This shows that grace can give stability to the soul of a Savage, who is by nature inconstant.
En fin, apres auoir instruit nostre bon Ioseph du Sacrement de l'Extreme-Onction, nous luy conferasmes, & iustement le Samedy Sainct son ame partit de son corps, pour s'en aller celebrer [20] la feste de Pasques au Ciel. L'vn de ses gendres l'ayant veu fort bas, estoit demeuré aupres de luy pour voir comme nous l'enseuelirions apres sa mort, desirant qu'on luy donnast vne Castelogne & son petunoir, pour s'en seruir en l'autre monde: mais comme il alloit porter la nouuelle de cette mort à la femme du deffunct, nous l'enseuelismes à la fàçon de l'Eglise Catholique, honorant ses obseques le mieux qu'il nous fut possible. Monsieur de Champlain pour tesmoigner l'amour & l'honneur que nous portons à ceux qui meurent Chrestiens, fist quitter le trauail à ses gens, & nous les enuoya pour assister à l'office, nous gardasmes le plus exactement qu'il nous fut possible les ceremonies de l'Eglise, ce qui agrea infiniment aux parens de ce nouueau Chrestien; vne chose neantmoins leur depleut quand on vint à mettre le corps dans la fosse, ils s'apperceurent qu'il y auoit vn peu d'eauë au fonds, à raison que les neiges se fondoient [126] pour lors & degouttoient là dedans, cela leur frappa l'imagination, & comme ils sont [21] superstitieux les attrista vn petit. Cet erreur ne sera pas difficile à combatre quand on sçaura bien leur langue; voila à mon aduis les premiers des Sauuages adultes baptisez, & morts constans en la foy dans ces contrées.
Finally, after having instructed our good Joseph in the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, we administered it to him; and on that very day, Holy Saturday, his soul left the body and went to celebrate [20] Easter in Heaven. One of his sons-in-law, when he saw him very low, remained near him to see how we would bury him after death, wishing us to give him his Castelogne [blanket] and his tobacco pouch, for use in the other world; but, when he went to carry the news of this death to the wife of the deceased, we buried the latter according to the custom of the Catholic Church, showing as much honor as we could in the funeral ceremonies. Monsieur de Champlain, in order to give proof of the love and honor we bear those who die in the Christian Faith, had his people leave their work, and sent them to us to attend the services; we followed as closely as possible the ceremonies of the Church, which was very acceptable to the relatives of this new Christian. There was one thing, however, which displeased them; when we came to put the body in the grave, they noticed that there was a little water in the bottom, caused by the snow melting just then and dropping into it; this struck their imagination, and as they are [21] superstitious, saddened them a little. It will not be difficult to combat such errors, when we know their language well. These are, as far as I know, the first adult Savages in these countries who have been baptized and died firm in the faith.
Le troisiesme Sauuage baptisé cette année, estoit vn enfant âgé de trois à quatre mois seulement, son Pere estant en cholere contre sa femme, fille de nostre bon Ioseph, soit pource qu'elle le vouloit quitter, ou qu'il estoit touché de quelque ialousie, il print l'enfant & le ietta contre terre pour l'assommer: Vn de nos François suruenant là dessus, & se souuenant que nous leurs auions recommandé de conferer le Baptesme aux enfans qu'ils verroient en danger de mort, au cas qu'ils ne nous peussent appeller, il prit de l'eauë & le baptiza: ce pauure petit neantmoins ne mourut pas du coup, sa mere le reprit & l'emporta auec soy dans les Isles quittant son mary, qui nous a dit depuis qu'il croit que son fils est mort, sa mere estant tombée dans vne maladie qu'il iuge mortelle.
The third Savage baptized this year was a child only three or four months old: the Father, being angry at his wife, daughter of our good Joseph, either because she wanted to leave him, or because he had a touch of jealousy, took the child and threw it against the ground, to kill it. One of our Frenchmen happening along just then, and remembering that we had recommended them to administer Baptism to children whom they saw in danger of death, in case they could not call us took some water and baptized it; this poor little child did not die immediately, however; its mother took it and carried it away with her to the Islands, leaving her husband, who has since told us that he believes his child is dead, as its mother had been taken with a disease which he thought was mortal.
Le quatriesme estoit fils d'vn Sauuage [22] nommé Khiouirineou, sa mere s'appelloit Ouitapimoueou, ils auoiẽt donné nom à leur petit Itaouabisisiou ses parens me promirent qu'ils nous l'apporteroient pour l'enterrer en nostre cimetiere au cas qu'il mourut, & qu'ils nous le donneroient pour l'instruire s'il guerissoit, car il estoit malade, faisans ainsi paroistre le contentement qu'ils auoient que leur petit fils receut le sainct Baptesme: Ie le baptisay donc, & luy donnay le nom de Iean Baptiste, ce iour estant l'octaue de ce grand Sainct. Le sieur du Chesne Chirurgien [128] de l'habitation, qui vient volontiers auec moy par les Cabanes, pour nous aduertir de ceux qu'il iuge en danger de mort fut son parrain.
The fourth was the son of a Savage [22] named Khiouirineou, the mother's name was Ouitapimoueou, and they had named their little child Itaouabisisiou. His parents had promised me that they would bring him to us to be buried in our cemetery, if he died; and, if he recovered,—for he was very sick,—they would give him to us to be educated, thus showing their satisfaction that their little son should receive holy Baptism. So I baptized him and gave him the name Jean Baptiste, that day being the octave of this great Saint. Sieur du Chesne, Surgeon of the colony, who willingly comes with me through the Cabins, to advise us of those whom he considers in danger of death, was his godfather.
Le cinquiesme fut baptizé le mesme iour, son Pere auoit tesmoigné au sieur Oliuier truchement, qu'il eut bien voulu qu'on eust fait à son fils ce qu'on fait aux petits enfans François, c'est à dire qu'on l'eust baptizé, le sieur Oliuier m'en ayant donné aduis i'allay voir l'enfant, ie differay le baptesme pour quelques iours, le trouuant encore plein de vie; en fin le P. Buteux & [23] moy l'estans retournez voir, nous appellasmes Monsieur du Chesne, qui nous dit que l'enfant estoit bien mal. ie demanday à son Pere s'il seroit content qu'on le baptizât, tres-cõtent (fit-il,) s'il meurt ie le porteray en ta maison, s'il retourne en santé il sera ton fils, & tu l'instruiras. Ie le nommé Adrian du nom de son Parrain, il se nommoit auparauant Pichichich, son Pere est surnommé des François Baptiscan, il s'appelle en Sauuage Tchimaouirineou, sa mere Matouetchiouanouecoueou. Ce pauure petit âgé d'enuiron 8. mois s'enuola au Ciel, la nuict suiuante son Pere ne manqua pas d'apporter son corps, amenant auec soy dix-huict ou vingt Sauuages, hommes, femmes & enfans, ils l'auoient enueloppé dans des peaux de Castor, & pardessus d'vn grand drap de toile, qu'ils auoient achepté au magazin, & encore pardessus d'vne grande escorce redoublée. Ie déueloppay ce pacquet, pour voir si l'enfant estoit dedans, puis ie le mis dans vn cercueil que nous luy fismes faire, ce qui agrea merueilleusement aux Sauuages: car ils croyent que l'ame [24] de l'enfant se doit seruir en l'autre monde de l'ame, de toutes les choses qu'on luy donne à son depart, ie leur dis bien [130] que cette ame estoit maintenant dedans le Ciel, & qu'elle n'auoit que faire de toutes ces pauuretez neãtmoins nous les laissasmes faire, de peur que si nous les eussions voulu empescher, ce que i'aurois peu faire, (car le Pere chanceloit defia,) les autres ne nous permissent pas de baptizer leurs enfans quand ils seroient malades, où du moins ne les apportassent point apres leur mort. Ces pauures gens furent rauis, voyants cinq Prestres reuestus de surplis honorer ce petit ange Canadien, chantant ce qui est ordonné par l'Eglise, couurans son cercueil d'vn beau parement, & le parsemant de fleurs: nous l'enterrasmes auec toute la solemnité qui nous fut possible.
The fifth was baptized the same day. His Father made known to sieur Olivier, the interpreter,[13] that he would be very glad if they would do to his son what was done to little French children; meaning that they should baptize him. Having been informed of this by sieur Olivier, I went to see the child, but deferred baptism for a few days, as the child was still full of vitality. At last, Father Buteux and [23] I, having gone to see him, called Monsieur du Chesne, who told us that the child was very sick. I asked his Father if he would like to have us baptize him. "I should be very glad" (he answered); "if he dies, I will carry him to thy house; if he recovers, he shall be thy son, and thou shalt instruct him." I named him Adrian, after his Godfather; before this he was called Pichichich; his Father has been surnamed by the French Baptiscan,—he was called, in Savage, Tchimaouirineou, his mother Matouetchiouanouecoueou. This poor little child of about eight months flew away to Heaven. The following night, his Father did not fail to bring the body, having with him eighteen or twenty Savages, men, women, and children. They had wrapped it in Beaver skins, and over that was a large piece of linen cloth, which they had bought at the store, and over all a great double piece of bark. I unrolled the parcel to see if the child was inside; then I laid it in a coffin which we had made for it, and this pleased the Savages wonderfully, for they believe that the soul [24] of the child will use in the other world of souls all the things that have been given to it at its departure. I told them indeed that the soul was now in Heaven, and that it had no concern whatever with these trifling things. Nevertheless we let them go on, for fear that, if we tried to prevent them,—which I might have done (for the Father already wavered)—the others would not permit us to baptize their children when they were sick, or at least would not call us after they died. These simple people were enchanted, seeing five Priests in surplices honoring this little Canadian angel, chanting what is ordained by the Church, covering the coffin with a beautiful pall, and strewing it with flowers. We buried him with all possible solemnity.
Tous les Sauuages assistoient à toutes les ceremonies, quand ce vint à le mettre en la fosse, sa mere y mit son berceau auec luy & quelques autres hardes selon leur coustume, & bien-tost apres tira de son laict dans vne petite [25] escuelle d'escorce qu'elle brusla sur l'heure mesme. Ie demanday pourquoy elle faisoit cela, vne femme me repartit, qu'elle donnoit à boire à l'enfant, dont l'ame beuuoit de ce laict. Ie l'instruisis là dessus, mais ie parle encores si peu qu'à peine me pût elle entendre.
All the Savages were present during the entire ceremony. When it came to lowering him into the grave, his mother placed his cradle therein, with a few other things, according to their custom; and soon after she drew some of her milk in a little [25] bark ladle, which she burned immediately. I asked why this was done, and a woman answered me that she was giving drink to the child, whose soul was drinking this milk. I instructed her upon this point, but I still speak the language so poorly that I scarcely made her understand me.
Apres l'enterrement nous fismes le festin des morts, donnans à manger de la farine de bled d'Inde, meslée de quelques pruneaux à ces bonnes gens, pour les induire à nous appeller quand eux ou leurs enfans seront malades. Bref ils s'en retournerent auec fort grande satisfaction, comme ils firent paroistre pour lors, & particulierement deux iours apres.
After the burial we had the funeral feast, giving some Indian cornmeal mixed with prunes to these simple people, to induce them to call upon us when they or their children were sick. In short, they went away very much pleased, as they showed us then, and more particularly two days later.
Le Pere Buteux retournant de dire la Messe de l'habitation, comme il visitoit les Cabanes des Sauuages, il rencontra le corps mort du petit Iean Baptiste qu'on [132] enueloppoit comme l'autre, ses parents, quoy que malades, luy promirent de l'apporter chés nous. On m'a desia fait recit (dit la mere) de l'honneur & du bon traictement que vous faictes à nos enfans, mais ie ne [26] veux point qu'on deueloppe le mien. Là dessus le Pere du premier trespassé luy dist, on ne fait point de mal à l'enfant on ne luy oste point ses robbes, on regarde seulement s'il est dedans le pacquet, & si nous ne sommes point trompeurs, elle acquiesça & presenta son fils pour estre porté dans nostre Chapelle, dans laquelle le Pere Buteux nous l'amena en la compagnie de ses parens & des autres Sauuages; nous l'enterrasmes auec les mesmes ceremonies que l'autre, & eux luy donnerent aussi ses petits meubles pour passer en l'autre monde, nous fismes encores le festin qu'ils font à la mort de leurs gens, bien ioyeux de voir ce peuple s'affectionner petit à petit, aux sainctes actions de l'Eglise Chrestienne & Catholique.
Father Buteux, as he was visiting the Cabins of the Savages on his return from saying Mass at the settlement, saw the dead body of little Jean Baptiste, which they were wrapping up like the other. His parents, although sick, promised to bring him to us. "They have already told me," (said the mother) "of the honor and kind treatment you show to our children, but I do not [26] wish mine to be unrolled." Thereupon, the Father of the one who had died first said to her, "They do no harm to the child; they do not take off any of its clothes; they only look to see if it is inside the parcel, and if we are deceiving them." She acquiesced, and presented her son to be carried into our Chapel, into which Father Buteux brought him to us, together with his relatives and other Savages. We buried him with the same ceremonies as the other, and they gave him also his belongings, to pass with him into the other world. We again held the feast that is made at the death of their people, very happy to see them, little by little, acquiring an affection for the holy offices of the Christian and Catholic Church.
Le quatorziesme de Iuillet ie baptizay le sixiesme, c'estoit vne petite Algonquine aagée d'enuiron vn an, ie ne l'eusse pas si tost fait Chrestienne, n'estoit qui ses parens s'en vouloient aller vers leur pays. Or iugeant auec Monsieur du Chesne, que cet enfant trauaillé d'vne fieure ethique, estoit en [27] danger de mort, ie luy conferay ce Sacrement, elle fut appellée Marguerite, on la nommoit en Sauuage Memichtigouchiouiscoueou, c'[e]st à dire, femme d'vn European, son Pere se nomme en Algonquain Pichibabich, c'est à dire Pierre, & sa mere Chichip, c'est à dire vn Canard, ils m'ont promis que si cette pauure petite recouure sa santé qu'ils me l'apporteroient, pour la mettre entre les mains de l'vne de nos Françoises, comme ce peuple est errant, ie ne sçai maintenant où elle est, ie crois [134] qu'elle n'est pas loing du Paradis, si elle n'y est desia.
On the fourteenth of July, I baptized the sixth, a little Algonquin girl about a year old. I would not have made this child a Christian so soon, had it not been that its parents wished to go to their own country. Now, believing with Monsieur du Chesne that this child, who was suffering from hectic fever, was in [27] danger of death, I administered this Sacrament. She was called Marguerite; her Savage name was Memichtigouchiouiscoueou, meaning, "wife of a European;" her Father was called in Algonquain, Pichibabich, that is to say, "Stone," and her mother Chichip, meaning "a Duck." They have promised me that if this poor little child recovers its health, they will bring it to me, to be placed in the hands of one of our French Women. As this is a wandering tribe, I do not know now where she is; but I believe she is not far from Paradise, if she is not already there.
La septiesme personne que nous auons mis au nombre des enfans de Dieu, par le Sacrement de Baptesme, c'est la mere du petit Sauuage, que nous auions nommé bien-venu; elle s'appelloit en Sauuage Ouroutiuoucoueu, & maintenant on l'appelle Marie, ce beau nom luy a esté donné, suiuant le vœu qu'auoit fait autresfois le R. Pere Charles l'Allement, que la premiere Canadienne que nous baptizerions, porteroit le nom de la saincte Vierge, & le premier Sauuage, celuy de [28] de son glorieux Espoux sainct Ioseph, nous n'auions point cognoissance de ce vœu, quand les autres ont esté baptizés. I'espere que dans fort peu de iours il sera entierement accomply: mais pour retourner à nostre nouuelle Chrestienne, l'ayant trouuée proche du fort de nos François, abandonnée de ses gens, pource qu'elle estoit malade, ie luy demanday qui la nourrissoit, elle me respondit que les François luy donnoient quelque morceau de pain, & que quelques vns reuenans de la chasse, luy iettoient par fois en passant vne tourterelle, si vous vous voulez cabaner, luy dis-je, proche de nostre maison, nous vous nourrirõs, & vous enseignerons le chemin du Ciel; Elle me repartit d'vne voix languissante, car elle estoit fort mal, helas! i'y voudrois bien aller, mais ie ne sçaurois plus marcher, aye pitié de moy, enuoye moy querir dans vn Canot. Ie ny manquay pas le lendemain matin 23. Iuillet ie la fis apporter proche de nostre maison; la pauure fẽme me demãdoit bien si elle n'entreroit point chez nous, elle s'attẽdoit que nous luy feriõs la mesme [29] charité que nous auions fait aux deux premiers baptizés, mais ie luy respõdis qu'elle estoit fẽme, & que nous ne pouuions [136] pas la loger dãs nôtre maisõnette qui est fort petite, que neãtmoins nous luy porterions à manger dans sa Cabane, & que tous les iours ie l'irois voir pour l'instruire, elle fut contente. Quand ie commençay à luy parler de la saincte Trinité, disant, que le Pere, & le Fls & le sainct Esprit, n'estoient qu'vn Dieu qui a tout fait: ie le sçay bien, me fit-elle, ie le crois ainsi; Ie fus tout estonné à cette repartie, mais elle me dit que nostre bon Sauuage Ioseph luy rapportoit par fois ce que nous luy disions, cela me consola fort, car en peu de temps elle fut suffisamment instruicte pour estre baptizée: i'estois seulement en peine de luy faire conceuoir vne douleur de sez pechez, les Sauuages n'ont point en leur langue, si bien en leurs mœurs, ce mot de peché: le mot de meschanceté & de malice signifie parmy eux vne action contre la pureté, à ce qu'ils m'ont dit: i'estois donc en peine de luy faire conceuoir vn deplaisir d'auoir offencé [30] Dieu, ie luy leus par plusieurs fois les Commandemens, luy disant que celuy qui à tout fait haïssoit ceux qui ne luy obeïssoient pas, & qu'elle luy dit qu'elle estoit bien marrie de l'auoir offencé: La pauure femme qui auoit bien retenu les deffences que Dieu a fait à tous les hommes de mentir, de paillarder, de desobeïr à ses parents, s'accusa tout seule de toutes ses offences par plusieurs fois: disant de soy mesme, celuy qui as tout fait aye pitié de moy, Iesvs, Fils de celuy qui peut tout, fais moy misericorde: ie te promets que ie ne m'enyureray plus ny que ie ne diray plus de paroles des honnestes, que ie ne mentiray plus, ie suis marrie de t'auoir fasché, i'en suis marrie de tout mon cœur, ie ne mens point, aye pitié de moy, si je retourne en santé, ie croiray tousiours [138] en toy, ie t'obeiray tousiours, si ie meurs aye pitié de mon ame; l'aiant donc veuë ainsi disposée, craignant d'ailleurs qu'elle ne mourust subitement, car elle estoit fort malade, ie luy demanday si elle ne vouloit pas bien estre baptizée, ie voudrois bien encore viure, me dit-elle, [31] ie cogneu qu'elle s'imaginoit que nous ne donnions point le baptesme qu'à ceux qui deuoient mourir incontinent apres; ie luy fist entendre que nous estions tous baptizés, & que nous n'estions pas morts, que le baptesme rendoit plutost la santé du corps, qu'il ne l'ostoit; baptise moy donc au plutost me fit elle: ie la voulus esprouuer, il estoit arriué quelques canots de Sauuages à Kebec, ie luy dis, voila vne compagnie de tes gens qui vient d'arriuer, si tu veux t'en aller auec eux, ils te receuront, & ie te feray porter en leurs cabanes; la pauure creature se mit à pleurer & à sanglotter si fort, qu'elle me toucha, me tesmoignant par ses larmes qu'elle vouloit estre Chrestienne, & que ie ne la chassasse point: enfin voiant son mal redoubler, nous prismes resolution de la baptizer promptement; ie luy fist entendre qu'elle pourroit mourir la nuict, & que son ame s'en iroit dans les feux, si elle n'estoit baptizée: que si elle vouloit receuoir ce sacrement en nostre Chappelle, que ie l'y ferois apporter dans vne couuerture, elle tesmoigna qu'elle [32] en estoit contente: ie m'en vay, luy disie, preparer tout ce qu'il fault, prends courage, ie t'enuoieray bien-tost querir: la pauure femme n'eut pas la patience d'attendre, elle se traisne comme elle pût, se reposant à tous coups, en fin elle arriua à nostre maison esloignée de plus de deux cent pas de sa cabane, & se jetta par terre n'en pouuant plus, estant reuenuë à soy, ie la baptizay en presence de [140] nos Peres, & de tous nos hommes: elle me respondit brauement à toutes les demandes que ie luy feis, suiuant l'ordre de conferer ce Sacrement aux personnes qui ont l'vsage de raison: Nous la reportasmes dans sa cabane toute pleine de joie, & nous remplis de consolation voiant la grace de Dieu operer dans vne ame où le diable auoit fait sa demeure si long temps. Cecy arriua le premier iour d'Aoust.
The seventh person whom we have placed among the number of the children of God, through the Sacrament of Baptism, is the mother of the little Savage whom we named "bien-venu;" she is called, in Savage, Ouroutiuoucoueu, and now her name is Marie. This beautiful name was given to her in pursuance of a vow once made by Reverend Father Charles l'Allement, that the first Canadian Woman whom we should baptize should bear the name of the holy Virgin; and the first Savage, that [28] of her glorious Spouse, saint Joseph. We did not know about this vow, when the others were baptized; I hope that in a very few days it will be entirely fulfilled. But to return to our new Christian. When I found her near the French fort, abandoned by her people, because she was sick, I asked her who fed her; she answered that the French gave her a few morsels of bread, and that, on their return from the chase, they occasionally threw her a pigeon. "If you wish to stay near us," I said, "we will care for you, and will teach you the way to Heaven." She answered me in a weak voice, for she was very sick, "Alas! I would indeed like to go there, but I can no longer walk; have pity upon me, send some one in a Canoe to fetch me." I did not fail to do this; and on the next day, the 23rd of July, I had her brought near our house. The poor woman asked me if she were not to go inside, expecting us to show her the same [29] charity that the first two who had been baptized had received; but I told her that, as she was a woman, we could not lodge her in our house, which is very small; that we would, however, carry her something to eat to her Hut, and that every day I would go to see and teach her. She was satisfied with this. When I began to speak to her about the holy Trinity, saying that the Father, the son, and the holy Spirit, were only one God, who has made all things, "I know that well," she replied, "I believe it." I was greatly astonished at this answer, but she told me that our good Savage Joseph occasionally reported to her what we told him. This was a great consolation to me, for in a short time she was sufficiently instructed to be baptized. My only trouble was to make her feel sorrow for her sins. The Savages have not this word "sin" in their language, though they certainly have it in their customs. The word for wickedness and malice, among them, means a violation of purity, as they have told me. So I was puzzled to know how to make her understand sorrow at having offended [30] God. I read her the Commandments several times, telling her that he who made all things hates those who do not obey him; and that she should tell him she was very sorry for having offended him. The poor woman, who well remembered that God forbids all men to lie, to be wanton, to disobey their parents, accused herself over and over again of all these offences. She said of her own accord, "Thou who hast made all things, have mercy upon me; Jesus, son of him who hath all power, have compassion upon me. I promise thee that I will not get drunk any more, that I will not utter bad words any more, that I will not lie any more. I am sorry for having angered thee, I am sorry with all my heart. I am not lying, have mercy upon me. If I recover, I will always believe in thee, I will always obey thee. If I die, have mercy upon my soul." As I saw her thus minded, and feared beside that she might die suddenly, for she was very ill, I asked her if she would not like to be baptized. "I would like to live longer," she replied. [31] I saw she imagined that we only gave baptism to those who were to die immediately afterwards. I made her understand that we were all baptized and we were not dead, that baptism restored health to the body rather than took it away. "Baptize me then as soon as possible," she answered. I wanted to try her. Some canoes of Savages having arrived at Kebec, I said to her: "Here is a company of thy people just arrived; if thou wishest to go away with them, they will receive thee, and I will have thee taken to their cabins." The poor creature began to weep and to sob so violently, that I was touched, proving to me by her tears that she wanted to be a Christian, and that she did not want me to drive her away. At last, when we saw that she was growing much worse, we decided to baptize her at once. I made her understand that she might die that night, and that her soul would go into the flames if she were not baptized; that if she wished to receive this sacrament in our Chapel, I would have her conveyed there in a blanket. She showed that she [32] was satisfied with this. "I am going away," I said to her, "to prepare what is necessary, take courage, I will send for thee soon." The poor woman did not have the patience to wait, but dragged herself along as well as she could, resting at every step, until at last she arrived at our house more than two hundred steps from her cabin, and threw herself upon the ground completely exhausted. When she recovered herself, I baptized her in the presence of our Fathers and of all our men. She answered confidently all the questions I put to her in following the order of the administration of this Sacrament to persons who have the use of their reason. We bore her, all full of joy, back to her own cabin; and we ourselves were greatly comforted at seeing the grace of God working in a soul where the devil has so long made his habitation. This happened the first day of August.
Le lendemain quelques François m'estant venus voir, l'allans visiter, ils la trouuerent tenant vn Crucifix en main, & l'apostrophant fort doucement! Toy qui est mort pour moy, fais moy misericorde, ie veux croire en [33] toy toute ma vie, aye pitié de mon ame; Ie rapporte expressement toutes ces particularitez, pour faire voir que nos Sauuages ne sont point si barbares qu'ils ne puissent estre faits enfans de Dieu: I'espere que là où le peché a regné, que la grace y triomphera, cette pauure femme veit encores plus proche du Ciel que de la santé.
The next day, some French people, who came to see me, went to visit her, and found her holding a Crucifix in her hand, and addressing it in a low voice: "Thou who hast died for me, be merciful to me; I wish to believe in [33] thee all my life; have pity upon my soul." I report all these details purposely, that you may see that our Savages are not so barbarous that they cannot be made children of God. I hope that there, where sin has reigned, grace will triumph. This poor woman is still living, nearer to Heaven than to health.
Ie concluerray ce Chapitre par vn chastiment assez remarquable d'vne autre Canadienne, qui ayant fermé l'oreille à Dieu pendant sa maladie, semble auoir esté rejettée à sa mort. Le Pere Brebœuf l'ayant esté voir, pour luy parler de receuoir la foy, elle se mocqua de luy, & mesprisa ses paroles: sa maladie l'ayant terrassée, & les Sauuages voulans decabaner, la porterent à cette honneste famille, habituée icy depuis vn assez long temps; mais n'ayãt pas où la loger, ces Barbares la trainerent au fort, si nous n'eussions esté si esloignez, asseurément ils nous l'auroient amenée; car ie me doute qu'ils la presentoiẽt à nos François, voyans que nous auions receu auec beaucoup d'amour les deux Sauuages morts Chrestiens. [34] [142] Monsieur de Champlain voyant qu'il estoit desia tard luy fist donner le couuert pour vne nuict, ceux qui estoient dans la chambre où on la mit furent contraints d'en sortir, ne pouuans supporter l'infection de cette femme.
I shall finish this Chapter with an account of the very remarkable punishment of a Canadian Woman, who, having closed her ear to God during her sickness, seems to have been rejected at her death. When Father Brebœuf went to see her, to speak to her about receiving the faith, she laughed at him and scorned his words. Having been prostrated by sickness, and the Savages wishing to break camp, they carried her to this worthy family who have lived here for quite a long time; but, as they had no place to keep her, these Barbarians dragged her to the fort; if we had not been so far away, they would no doubt have brought her to us, for I am inclined to think that they presented her to our Frenchmen because we had received with so much kindness the two deceased Christian Savages. [34] Monsieur de Champlain, as it was already late, gave her shelter for one night. Those who were in the room where she was placed, had to leave, as they could not bear the odor from this woman.
Le iour venu Monsieur de Champlain fist appeller quelques Sauuages, & leur ayant reproché leur cruauté d'abandonner cette creature qui estoit de leur nation, ils la reprirent & la trainerent vers leurs Cabanes, la rebutans comme vn chien, sans luy donner le couuert. Cette miserable se voyant delaissée des siens, exposée à la rigueur du froid, demãda qu'on nous fist appeller; mais cõme il n'y auoit point là de nos François, les Sauuages ne voulurent pas prendre la peine de venir iusques en nostre maison, esloignée d'vne bonne lieuë de leurs Cabanes, si bien que la faim, le froid, la maladie, & les enfans des Sauuages, à ce qu'on dit, la tuerent; nous ne fusmes aduertis de cette histoire tragique que quelques iours apres sa mort: s'il y auoit icy vn Hospital il y auroit tous les malades du [35] pays, & tous les vieillards, pour les hommes nous les secourerons, selon nos forces, mais pour les femmes il ne nous est pas bien seant de les receuoir en nos maisons.
In the morning, Monsieur de Champlain caused a number of the Savages to be called; and, being reproached by him for their cruelty in abandoning this creature, who was of their tribe, they took her and dragged her toward their Cabins, repulsing her as they would a dog, and giving her no covering. This wretched woman, finding herself abandoned by her own people and exposed to the severity of the cold, asked that we should be called. But, as there were no Frenchmen there, the Savages did not care to take the trouble to come all the way to our house, a good league from their Cabins; so that hunger, cold, disease, and the children of the Savages, as it is reported, killed her. We did not hear of this tragedy until some days after her death. If we had a Hospital here, all the sick people of the [35] country, and all the old people, would be there. As to the men, we will take care of them according to our means; but, in regard to the women, it is not becoming for us to receive them into our houses.