Documents, Part I: The Jesuits in North America

Document A
The Death of some Jesuit Fathers in Nouvelle-France, from 'Historiae Canadensis' by
Francois Ducreux, published in 1664
Huret, Gregoire (1606-70); French. Medium: engraving. Date: 17th Century. La Mort de
quelques Peres de la Compagnie de Jesus; 1. Anne de Noue (d.1646); Isaac Jogues (killed
in 1646); 5. Antoine Daniel killed in 1648; 6. Jean de Brebeuf killed in 1649; 7-8 Gabriel
Lalemant and Charles Garnier; author Francois Ducreux or Francicus or Francisco Creuxio;
Provenance: Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France / Giraudon. Photographic Rights: The
Bridgeman Art Library.

Document B
A French Jesuit missionary, 1642
To make a Christian out of a Barbarian is not the work of a day. . . . A great step is gained
when one has learned to know those with whom he has to deal; has penetrated their
thoughts; has adapted himself to their language, their customs, and their manner of living;
and when necessary, has been a Barbarian with them, in order to win them over to Jesus
Christ.
Document C
A Huron Indian to Jesuit missionary Jean de Brbeuf, 1635
You tell us fine stories, and there is nothing in what you say that may not be true; but that
is good for you who come across the seas. Do you not see that, as we inhabit a world so
different from yours, there must be another heaven for us, and another road to reach it?

Documents, Part I: Questions

Document A
1) Who is depicted in this image?

2) What are some characteristics about the ways in which those in the image are
depicted?

3) Why do you think the author chose to depict them this way?

4) Who is the intended audience of this image? What does this tell you about the artists
motivations for creating this image?

Document B
1) Choose five words you find to be most important or expressive from this quote. They do
not have to be sequential.
2) What does this quote tell you about how this missionary feels about the Native
Americans he is attempting to convert? What evidence from the quote supports your
claim(s)?

3) What does this quote tell you about how this missionary felt about his role of converting
Native Americans to Christianity? What evidence from the quote supports your claim(s)?

Document C
1) Choose five words you find to be most important or expressive from this quote. They do
not have to be sequential.
2) What does this quote tell you about how this Huron feels about his own religion? What
evidence from the quote supports your claim(s)?

3) What does this quote tell you about how this Huron feels about the missionaries? What
evidence from the quote supports your claim(s)?

Documents, Part II: The Jesuits in China

Document D
Yongzheng, 5th Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, 1724
During the reign of my father you built churches in all provinces, and you have rapidly
expanded. I saw it, but I did not dare to say anything. But if you have been able to cheat
my father, do not hope to do the same with me. You want all the Chinese to become
Christians. I know well that this is something required by your religion. But if that happens,
what will we become? The subjects of your king? Your Christians only recognize you, and in
time of trouble they will listen only to your voice. I know well that there is nothing to fear
now. But when the boats will come more numerous from your countries, then there could
be disorders.
Document E
The Jesuits translated European technical books into Chinese. Left image: a description of
a windlass well, in Agostino Ramelli, 1588. Right image: Description of a windlass well, in
Diagrams and Explanations of the Wonderful Machines of the Far West, 1627.

Document F
Pages from Confucius Sinarum Philosophus (China's Philosopher Confucius), by Prospero
Intorcetta, Philip Couplet, Rougemont, and Herdtrich. This front page had the introductory
article, Philosophorum Sinensium Principis Confucii Vita (The Life of Confucius, the Prince
of Chinese Philiosophers). Paris, 1687.

Documents, Part II: Questions

Document D
1) Choose five words you find to be most important or expressive from this quote. They do
not have to be sequential.

2) What is Yongzhengs opinion of the Jesuit missionaries? What evidence from the quote
supports your claim(s)?

3) What does Yongzheng fear will result from the missionaries work?

Document E
1) Who appears to be the audience for each image? Explain.

2) What are the similarities in these images? What are the differences? What might these
differences signify?

3) What do these images tell you about the Jesuit presence in China? What evidence from
the images support your claim(s)?

Document F
1) Who appears to be the audience for this text? Explain.

2) What is the title of this introductory article, according to the description? What
significance does this title have, if any?

3) Who is depicted in the illustration?

4) What are the characteristics of the person depicted in the illustration? What do you
think these characteristics signify?