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With regards to a future state the ancient Cherokees had different views. Those who worshipped the sun supported that at death the soul assuming different appearances lingered about the place where the body died, as long as the body had lived there. Then went back to the place where the person had previously lived, and continued as long as the body had resided there; and so on to the place of birth and after a continuance there was long as the body had done, it took its final leave, wither into non existence, or to a place far in the west to be always miserable. Some however supposed that the soul at death entered a certain living body larger or smaller according to its own character. This body , every year grew less and less, less and less, till at length it vanished in air and ceased to be. All, as far as I can learn, seem to suppose that such women as destroyed their infants, and adulterers would be in some way punished more than common persons after death. But those who prayed only to those three Beings above, supposed that all, free from certain views, would, when they die, go to those Beings, and dwell with them forever, in a place which would be always light. But such women as had caused abortion or killed their children, and all other murderers, together with all witches, adulterers, fornicators, thieves, etc. etc. would go to the place of bad spirits, or the ski no i, where they would be always screaming in torment. When they requested drink, a flaming liquid substance would be poured down them. And as for such as has been killed in war, they would be always whooping and yelling in another place. Flying about in the air with their heads down, they would always be desiring to light and rest but would never be permitted. Some of the ancient Cherokees used to suppose that all infants were born without souls, and that the first air they breathed, became, on entering them, living souls. The proper official name of the civil priest who used the Divining stone. offered sacrifice and when sickness was apprehended, was U li stu li, or, one who has his head covered, having always when officiating, a bonnet or cap on his head. His business was also to instruct the people in all moral duties, and exhort them to shun every moral evil. One of these priests, in some cases, officiated in seven towns. It will be remembered that every priest, of whatever order, has his assistant, or right hand man, who was also a priest, prepared to officiate in case the principal should at any be unable. Anciently, when a woman cooked breakfast, she put a part of whatever she was cooking into the fire for sacrifice. But if cooking bird, a whole bird must be offered, only its innards and feathers taken away.