Two Hundred Ninetieth in the Famous People (FP) Series - Handsome Lake
Handsome Lake (1735 – 10 August 1815) was a Seneca religious leader of the Iroquois people.
While Cornplanter's half brother Handsome Lake lived at Cornplanter's Grant, he founded a new religion. It emphasized a revitalization of the traditional seasonal ceremonies, a strengthening of the family, and a prohibition against liquor. Handsome Lake's teachings were based on a series of visions. Dreams were an important instrument for revelation, and visions were received as divine prophecies.
In 1799, Handsome Lake had the first in a series of visions while lying in his bed deathly ill. A messenger from the Creator appeared to him, giving him instructions for the Iroquois. Handsome Lake recovered and preached these messages to the Seneca in what became known as the Code of Handsome Lake. Iroquois people traveled many miles to hear his message, and every year the prophet traveled to other Iroquois settlements teaching his code.
He advocated giving up the nomadic Native American life in favor of agriculture, much to the disgust of Red Jacket. Though Christian missionaries opposed Handsome Lake's religion, it nevertheless persisted alongside Christianity.
After Handsome Lake's death in 1815, his teachings continued to spread and became the foundation for the Longhouse religion. Still a vital force, this religion plays an important role in preserving the Iroquois' sacred and cultural heritage.
The Brigham Cemetery is also a handsome place. Wouldn't it be great if we got our names the same way the Native Americans did. Maybe my name could have been Old Loves To Cache, or how about Many DNF.... You are looking for a scuba tank styled bison tube hidden in one of our favorite spots.
NOTE: NO Trackables are in this cache. They are inventoried for storage only
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