This book made available by the Internet Archive.
NOTE.
' And I heard a voice, saying: ' Write what the Spirit saith unto the people.'' We have written; and now send the message forth on its mission. In doing so we are well aware that its authenticity as a communication from Sitting Bull will doubtless be questioned by two classes of people.
The first to question it will probably be those who declare that there is no possibility of communication between the so-called, ' two worlds;' and that, therefore, there is no such thing as modern inspiration.
Another class of critics will be found among those, who, while they concede the fact of spiritual inspiration, will say — 'Sitting Bull was not a poet, and hence would not have put his message into rhyme.'
In reply to the first class of objectors to the claim of the Spirit, we shall simply state that we know that we are in daily communication with those who have ' shufiied off the mortal coil,' and that we often come under the inspiration of their loving thoughts.
To those who may say that the Spirit could not have dictated a rythmical communication, we answer : How know you that Sitting Bull was not a poet ? True, he may never have written or spoken
his thought in rhyme; yet the Indian's prose expressions are often full of the sublimest poetry.
Sitting Bull was aided in the dictation of his message by a spirit poet, who was ever a champion of human rights, and who, while in the physical form, often wielded his pen in behalf of the oppressed Indian nation.
We are told that there are two reasons why the message of the Spirit has been sent forth in this rythmical garb; one of which is that the Spirit who assisted Sitting Bull felt that it might prove more attractive, and make a deeper impression upon the minds of those who peruse it.
We are also told, that, our own nature being somewhat poetic, our brain more readily responds to rythmical measure, and hence the thoughts given by Sitting Bull could be more easily impressed when clothed in this manner.
That some good may follow from the publication of this communication, is the sincere hope of Sitting Bull's humble, yet willing scribe,
Kate R. Stiles.
'A
43 Dwight Street, Boston.
<Q
SITTING BULL'S MESSAGE.
Sitting Bull, the Chief, returneth.
Though a Spirit, he still yearneth
Over his beloved nation,
Still he feeleth obligation
Toward the Indian tribes and races;
Therefore he unto pale faces
Cometh, with strong words of pleading.
Through another interceding
For his hapless, hopeless brothers.
For the poor, dejected mothers
Who sit daily moaning, crying,
With their children round them dying.
Though his message he conveyeth
Through another, yet he prayeth
That the people who peruse it
Will not scoff at, or abuse it,
Will not say there is no merit
In the message of a Spirit
Through another brain transmitted.
The Great Father hath permitted
Those who pass beyond Death's portals
To approach their fellow mortals
And make known to them their feeling.
Thus comes Sitting Bull appealing,
Sending forth his supplication
To the chief men of the nation,
