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A few instances of resemblance between jewish and Indian traditions customs &c ___
The Cherokees hold to a trinity or Three Persons in the Godhead, united in every possible respect. The name of the first signifies. The summit of greatness. That of the second implies or Reconciles and that of the Third something like affection of the mind, as far as can now be determined. That in these views they resemble the doctrines of the jews we need not say.
The Cherokees agree with Josephus in saying that before the flood, there was a prediction that the world should be destroyed by water and by fire. The Indians also agree with jews, or at least with Divines generally, that the water gushed out of the ground, at the time of the flood, as well as some down from the clouds. The Indians agree with the jews in saying that the world was created with the fruits all ripe, and that therefore the first new moon in the fall begins the year. And yet that one kind of year, by which the time for the
feast of green fruits is determined begins in March.
The Cherokees and jewish antiquarians agree in saying that in passing through the wilderness, not only the tribes, but also the clans kept distinct in their marches and encampments. There is also the same agreement with regard to the reason why the law given in the wilderness was written on stone viz. because the first commandment being left to be handed orally had been lost. The jews say that God on the mountain commanded them to repeat their phylactery sentences at day light & at night, and the Indians say that when on the mountain, soon after giving the land, God directed them to repeat at day break and at night the prayer they sing at those seasons. Josephus says that Aaron was made priest on amount of his virtue; and the Cherokees say that their first great priest was chosen of God for his piety & for that reason the priesthood was to continue in his
family. The jewish and Indian priests had both the yellow and the white dress. They must bathe all over before putting on their priestly garments, and must wash their hands before offering a sacrifice - Their wives in both nations must be not only virgins, but women of unblemished character.
What we render a witch, according to our ideas of witchcraft, Josephus and the Indians understand of a poisoner, or one who attempts by secret and unlawful drugs or
philtra to take away the senses or the lives of men.