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Section the Second. The manner in which boys were in ancient times selected and educated for the priesthood among the Cherokee; and in what way the Divining Chrystal was therein employed. Not only in cases of a birth being expected in a family where the priesthood was hereditary, but in others where it had been pre-determined by the parents that an expected child, if male, should be devoted to any sacred office; it appears that a priest was always forewarned, so as to receive the infant on it coming into the world. If a son the first thing administered by the priest was a consecrating drink. As the child was then unable to fast, the parents were bound to fast in his place, and during seven days to taste nothing but a certain root and even that never more than once during the four and twenty hours, a little after sunset. Such sons were trained up with peculiar care. On the approach of the regular monthly disqualification of the mother for coming into contact with hold things, she delivered her infant to his grandmother, a some aged matron for