Legend of the Lenni
Lanape
Long years ago, in the dim ages of the past, the Lenni Lenape Tribe
of the Delaware Indians inhabited the Delaware River Valley. Here they pursued
the deer, the bear, the wildcat, and the panther. They hunted and fished. Their
villages were numerous and powerful; their hunting parties strong. They tilled
the fields as well as followed the chase. They were a peaceful people, never
warring with other tribes unless first attacked. The smoke arose from their
wigwams as they returned from the hunt, and the council fires blazed brightly,
as around them they smoked their pipe of peace.
Many moons they lived in this blissful state of happy contentment. Springtime
blossomed into summer, matured into autumn, and faded away into winter, in what
seemed a never-ending succession of season. But a cloud arose on this peaceful
scene. Neighboring tribes and distant enemies began to raid their hunting
grounds. Then Chingachgook, the chief of the Lenni Lenape Tribe, made inquire,
“Who will go and warn the villages of the Delaware's of the danger which
threatens?” But none wished to go. One said, “Let them look to themselves—we are
happy here.” Another said, “Why should we be concerned as long as we are safe?”
But Uncas, his son, said, “My father, here am I; send me. All these
villages are of our blood—the Lenni Lenape.
What is danger to one is the affair of all. The need is urgent. They are six to our one, and if we are to survive as a nation, we must all stand by each other. Meanwhile let us both urge upon our kindred the necessity of unselfish devotion to each other and the cause in which we are enlisted, and as they get this higher vision, send them forth on their errand of cheerful service.” Then Chingachgook, the chief, and his son, Uncas, set to work. In every village were found some who were willing to give themselves cheerfully in the service of others. Their enemies were compelled to retire to their own borders and, when peace was declared between them, they who first went out cheerfully to serve their kindred were raised to places of high eminence in the tribe by the chief. For, he said, “The servant of all is the greatest of all.” And these men became so convinced of the truth of this saying that they besought the chief to perpetuate it in some manner.
So Chingachgook bound them together in a Brotherhood into which only they can be admitted who can forget their own interests and advancement while looking out for those of their brothers. And there must be so considered and recommended for membership by their associates.
So greatly did this Order aid and strengthen the Lenni
Lenape that other tribes seeing this besought their help in forming similar
lodges in their own tribes. So in the same spirit of service such lodges were
formed, which were bound together into a great Brotherhood.
And so we, the followers of the early Indian on this soil, perpetuate to the
present day the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service, which being translated into the
language of the Delaware Indians, becomes Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik,
Witahemui.