The first missionaries, good men imbued with the narrowness of their age, branded us as pagans and devil-worshipers, and demanded of us that we abjure our false gods before bowing the knee at their sacred altar. – Charles Eastman
The American Indian was an individualist in religion as in war. He had neither a national army nor an organized church. – Charles Eastman
In every religion there is an element of the supernatural, varying with the influence of pure reason over its devotees. – Charles Eastman
The religion of the Indian is the last thing about him that the man of another race will ever understand. – Charles Eastman
More than this, even in those white men who professed religion we found much inconsistency of conduct. They spoke much of spiritual things, while seeking only the material. – Charles Eastman
There were no temples or shrines among us save those of nature. – Charles Eastman
There was no religious ceremony connected with marriage among us, while on the other hand the relation between man and woman was regarded as in itself mysterious and holy. – Charles Eastman
Friendship is held to be the severest test of character. – Charles Eastman
The clan is nothing more than a larger family, with its patriarchal chief as the natural head, and the union of several clans by intermarriage and voluntary connection constitutes the tribe. – Charles Eastman
That is, we believed, the supreme duty of the parent, who only was permitted to claim in some degree the priestly office and function, since it is his creative and protecting power which alone approaches the solemn function of Deity. – Charles Eastman
