.MTM1OA.MTE1MDQy
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273
of the sleeper in the mound. Any sign that is ominous is "Bad Medecine" a sign that is propitious is Good Medecine
Medecine in the Indian use of the term is the subtle or mystic influence connected or associated with any object. which is carried by the indian as a sacred substance. It must be tangible. he cannot trust in any thing that is metaphysical he must realize its [?bodily?] presence. other than that it is [?] no difference [?] it. A portion of his medecine when found to be good is carried by him in a pouch made for the purpose. and distributes it among his family. and here as we have explained some of it in the teepee. The quantity of the medecine makes no diference. the success [?] a fragment long as efficacious as pounds. The belief in Minor Spirits is common among both the Dakota and Ojibway. The Dakota recognize one spirit who is always contrary. when it is summer he wraps himself in buffalo robe. in winter goes naked. The Ojibway have implicit faith in the supernatural being "Manibijou" or "Man ab o sho." who is a friend of the indian at the same time he amuse himself at their expense, but the good he does them far out weighs the harm. The Great Spirit is "Ke che-mun e do." the being we recognize as "God" The religion of the Dakota & Ojibway tribes is much like the same tune of music played upon different instruments and with variations. The Ojibway system is a difficult one to satisfactorily explain. so much of it is shrouded in mystery and to the mind of the white man incomprhensible. The highest virtue of a medicine is due to its mystic potential influence and the Medicine Man who has the greatest degree of influence with the genii and spirits that influence the affairs of man are the highest in the rank religious beings and are likened to the priests of old. We found a great similarity between the Ojibway Indians system and this preached by the Ancient Egyptian The highest. School of Mystery and Medicine. is the [?"Medawe"?] The true [?] of this right [corrected in pencil to "rite"] or religion has so far as we have been able to learn never been prohibited by the white man. and probably never will be. Like the wind and electricity we can tell what it does. but know nothing of what it is. The [?] rite is a meeting or consil [sic] of the most acred and highly honored of the Chief [?] Men. and as each prophets are seen.