very people who vouch for that wonderful conception of exemplary living. It appears that they are anxious to pass on their religion to all races of men, but keep very little of it themselves" (193). It is obviously difficult for Eastman to recommend a radical change for other Indians when the white man has clearly failed to live up to the standards upon which that change is based. As Eastman writes, "When I let go of my simple, instinctive nature religion, I hoped to gain something far loftier as well as more satisfying to the reason. Alas! it is also more confusing and contradictory. The higher and spiritual life, though first in theory, is clearly secondary . . . in actual practice" (194).
Eastman chooses Christianity, of course, not simply because it appeals to his Western-educate
...