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Customs and manners of the Sioux Indians, obtained through the Reverend Samuel W. Pond, Missionary of the A.B.C.F.M. near the mouth of the St Peter's - By I.P. Evans, M.D

Their Worship They ascribe the creation of all things to a great Spirit; but know nothing of God as he is revealed in the Bible. - They believe the soul of man exists after the death of the body; but are ignorant of a future state of rewards & punishments. The worship many objects, both animate and inanimate; - among those objects are the following - The Sun, Moon and Stars; Trees, Grass and Stones; Snakes, Spiders & the river Tortoise; also Thunder, which they suppose to be a large bird. Imaginary objects also enter into the list of their deities. To all of these they offer sacrifice. In praying to their Gods, they never ask for spiritual blessings, - seldom praying for any thing but long life and success in war & hunting. Things offered in Sacrifice are generally of little value, - sometimes dogs, & sometimes pipes curiously ornamented; and at other times, nothing but small pieces of tobacco. When sacrifice is offered to any object existing in water, the