the faith which so readily met their approval, they had always the same
reply: "It is good for the French; but we are another people, with
different customs." On one occasion, Brebeuf appeared before the chiefs
and elders at a solemn national council, described Heaven and Hell with
images suited to their comprehension, asked to which they preferred to go
after death, and then, in accordance with the invariable Huron custom in
affairs of importance, presented a large and valuable belt of wampum,
as an invitation to take the path to Paradise. [ Brebeuf, Relation des
Hurons, 1636, 81. For the use of wampum belts, see Introduction. ]

Notwithstanding all their exhortations, the Jesuits, for the present,
baptized but few. Indeed, during the first year or more, they baptized
no adults except those apparently at the point of death; for, with
excellent reason, they feared backsliding and recantation. They found
especial pleasure in the baptism of dying infants, rescuing them from the
flames of perdition, and changing them, to borrow Le Jeune's phrase,
"from little Indians into little angels."

[ "Le seiziesme du mesme mois, deux petits Sauvages furent changes en
deux petits Anges."--Relation, 1636, 89 (Cramoisy).

"O mon cher frere, vous pourrois-je expliquer quelle consolation ce
m'etoit quand je voyois un pauure baptise mourir deux heures, une demi
journee, une ou deux journees, apres son baptesme, particulierement quand
c'etoit un petit enfant!"--Lettre du Pere Garnier a son Frere, MS.--This
form of benevolence is beyond heretic appreciation.

"La joye qu'on a quand on a baptise un Sauvage qui se meurt peu apres,
& qui s'envole droit au Ciel, pour devenir un Ange, certainement c'est un
joye qui surpasse tout ce qu'on se peut imaginer."--Le Jeune, Relation,