Tricks of the Medicine Men

1910

Secrets Are Revealed to Them In Dreams

A young Indian, who is ambitious to become a doctor, and finally a prophet, learns from his father or other members of his tribe, the name and medicinal properties of some herb, says a writer in the Denver Field and Farm. He can also, by presenting a sufficient number of ponies to a medicine man, prevail upon the doctor to impart the secret of the herbs to him. Frequently Indians allege that the secret is revealed to them in a dream, or by a bird or an animal. After procuring it, the novice is prepared to begin the practice of medicine. Success in their opinion is only possible with the aid of the Great Spirit, and in order to invoke the help of the supernatural they resort to various sacrifices.

For instance, there is the practice of ascending a butte or other elevation and lying with the face to the ground for several days without food or until they are completely exhausted. During this period they profess to have been taught some song or the Great Spirit conversed with them through a bird, wild animal or reptile. They frequently allege that wolves come to them and howl and that they understand what the animals say. While treating a patient they place tobacco in little pouches which they tie with sinew. These are painted brilliant colors and fastened to willow sticks about the size of the shaft of an arrow, but somewhat longer.


The Earliest Religion

Religion was at first purely dogmatic, an affair of the family, pure and simple. The gods were the dead ancestors, and the worship consisted of the perpetual care of the hearth fire and the graves of the departed relatives. It was the ancient belief (the most ancient, so far as we know) that the departed ancestors continued to live in or about the tomb, and that their peace and happiness depended absolutely upon the care with which their posterity looked after their worship. If the hearth fire was allowed to die down, or the tomb was neglected, or the food and drink were not faithfully taken to the tomb, their existence became a wretched one; whereas, if these things were carefully attended to, all was serene with them. There is much to show that this domestic belief obtained for a long time before the belief in God and a future life came in. — Chicago American.

Sermon — "The Secret of a Great Life"

Hammond, IN, 1935

TRINITY ENGLISH LUTHERAN

Waltham street and Park place.

H. A. Nuoffer, pastor.

Sunday school at 9:30 a. m.

Bible classes at 9:30 a. m. at the church and at the Northern States building. If you attend once, you will be back.

Morning service at 10:45 a. m. Subject: "The Secret of a Great Life."

The religion of Jesus Christ is one of deeds, not of words; a life of action, not of dreaming. It is easy enough to assume the character and manner of a Christian, but to live the Christian life is not so easy. It is well for us to pause at times and to look into our lives very closely to ascertain whether we are mistaking outward form for true religion. To this end Trinity church invites you to come and hear its pastor speak on the topic: "The Secret of a Great Life" tomorrow morning.

"Good-bye God, summer time is here!" Thus millions of people are shouting at this season of the year — not with words, but more forcibly with their actions. Are you one of them? A real Christian is a summer Christian as well as a winter Christian.

Come, the Friendly Lutheran church at Harrison park has a message and a welcome for you.

—The Hammond Times, Hammond, IN, July 13, 1935, p. 14, one of the back sections.

Minister Denounces Secret Marriages

1903

Secret Marriages

Custom Is Denounced by Minister

There seems to be a prevalent and growing custom in some localities for persons who intend to marry to go away from home to a place where they are not known, and, with none of their friends present, to be clandestinely married by some total stranger, who, for a small compensation, is willing to be the instrument of their union, even though he has no assurance that the parties have a right to marry.

Some actually appear to think that they have accomplished a very brilliant maneuver and that they are to be complimented for their smartness in keeping the news from their friends until some time after the event, or until the fact leaks out through the list of marriage licenses granted, which appears in the newspapers.

The time was when a secret marriage was either a direct indication that the consent of the parents had not been obtained, that the parties were under legal age or that there existed some other very good or, we might say, "bad" reason why they should have "loved darkness rather than light."

In the eyes of those who look on such matters in a reverent and sober way, secret marriage is considered to be shameful and improper; yet it is claimed that there are reasons of another and different sort which make secrecy desirable and in some cases almost necessary. It is said that in some communities a "public" marriage, done in a stylish way, is attended by such expense that it is greater than circumstances can afford. Also, that the thoughtless ridicule and horseplay of friends is so unbearable that the only remedy is to escape from them by flight.

The way to correct such a condition is to have the marriage performed in so simple, unobtrusive, modest, and devout a way that the expense is of small consequence and the ignorant lack of consideration and propriety of one's friends is avoided.

As long as the present state of affairs is allowed to continue, when one hears of a secret marriage, while not wishing to be harsh in his judgment, he cannot but feel distrustful of the cause; for, if all was right, the marriage ought to have been done in an open and fearless way. — The Rev. Arthur Gorter in the Living Church.

Secrets Revealed! 1906 Psychic Advertisement, New York

Antique Advertisement
Middletown, New York, 1906

SECRETS REVEALED
PAST! PRESENT! FUTURE!

Consult this gifted clairvoyant and Psychic Medium. She is controlled by the honest Hindua. You will find out who are your friends and who are not. Also if you are in trouble or in doubt of any character concerning anyone or anything, feel yourself invited to call and be convinced and you will receive satisfaction.

The charges are within the reach of all and the strictest confidence is maintained.

Residence, 18 Railroad Ave., Middletown, N. Y. Open day and Sundays. Charges are 50c.

--Middletown Daily Times-Press, Middletown, New York, May 4, 1906, page 4.