New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-29
NEW PUBLICATIONS
THE PROGRESS OF RELIGIOUS IDEAS.

PROGRESS OF RELIGIOUS IDEAS THROUGH sue
CEssIVE AGES By L. MARIA CHILD. vols, svo.
{. b. Francis Co.
The purpose of Mrs. Child in the composition oi
thete volumes was to trace the essential ideas which
have been embodied in the various systems Of reli-
gion that have gained footing in the history of
the world She writes with no dogmatic aims
not even with the desire 10 establish philosophic
theory. In this fact the reader possesses guar
antee Of her impartalty, although it doubtless in
some degree impairs the unity and consequent in-
terest of her work. The multiplicity Of details
which she has gathered from the labOriOus re-
searches Of many years need clue for the ben
fit Of the Impractical student and would present
more lively attractions if brought to bear upon the
consecutive development and illustration of great
principle, even if it involved the discussion OF con-
troyerted questions. The point of view from
which she regards the subject leads her to exhibit
tho peculiar features of different religions accord
ing TO the character which they presented to those
who received them as divine revelations. She ap-
pIoaches the strange varieties of faith developed
in the history Of opinion, not as critic to chal
lenee their claims, but an observer TO ascertain
and record their character Tracing the winding
thread of tradition through successive ages, she
discovers certain resemblance, not to say an es-
sental Identity in the conceptions which have
been formed by different nations of the objects Of
thought beyond the sphere Of sensible observation.
The qualities of human nature the same in
every age, and hence we find reproduction of the
same wants. aspirations, ideas and religious faiths,
modified by climate, temperament, and the social
condition of the people.
Every ancient nation whose legends are pre-
served in history, has believed in al Invisible
Being the Center and Ground of the Universe.
Among the Orientas, this primal source of exist
| ence has been conceived of as inactive, sereney
contemplating his own essence, radiating life from
himself, by inherent necessity, without the exer-
else Of will, and having no superntendence over
creation or human affairs. In the earlier periods
Of the Hebrew history, the religion of that nation
diff, red from prior and contemporary systems, BY
representing the source of Being the creator and
sustainer of all things by his own direct agency.
| But at a subsequent age the Hebrews were in
fuenced by Egyptian and Oriental theories, and
taught that the world was created By the interven
ton Of second power.
The number Three has been universally regarded
as sacred and mystical number, representing the
complete essence Of the Deity. A triangle, with an
| eye in the center, was one Of the most ancient
symbols of the All.Secng in Hindostan and Egypt
| The three great Gods of the HindOos were repre-
sented in one image. Egyptian deities usually
| in Triads. In the philosophy Of Plato, Goodness,
| Wisdom and Life formed Trinity of Divine attr-
butes. In all countries, the mystic doctrine that
the Deity was One in Three has received more or
LEES lucid expression.
| In regard 10 the origin OF religious ideas Mrs
Child takes essentially the ground as that
maintained by Leasing, in bis celebrated essay on
The Education Of the Human Race
All fragments OF truth which discover out Of our
own religion we are prone to cal tie results Of unas-
sisted human reason. But reason, guided by humility
ard reverence, il .erer unsssted. "Ercry gCo1 gift
cometh from above AL the religions of the world
flowed ilOm the faith and aspiration inherent in man :
nature and which God assuiedly has not implanted in
| nOckery Of our weakness. They have al emitted
CLEANS of light, reflected from heavenly source, and
adapted to the powers of reception. God is not the
Father Of one nation only, or the author OF religion
| only. lie has been gradually educating the whole
world from the beginning, a wise earthly father edu-
| Gates bis son. That which can be impaired at five
ytaIS Old prepares the way for greater degree Of
! knowledge at ten. When be Is twenty, ideas that
| helped Is culture at ten far removed from him
yet THEN elects main, and form the basis Of nis manly
mind. Truth does not change; but its manfe.ta tation
10 MORALS il limited by their capacity Of receiving
| DR.. johnson said: Milton himself cannot teach boy
mere tlnn be can learn and the is true of the
| Iluie Teacher OF finite beings. But "ihe child s
father of the man" and we should be not what we
ere in the uiDettelth century, had not Hndoos Egypt
iaLs Iersians Hebrews, Greeks and Romans preceded
IL tie school OF divine ideas. Lit then love and
reverence them al, elder brothers, who lad fewer
advantages than we have and who I'll helped to pro-
| cure Is ttC>e adv aItages.
| The various forms in which Divine revelation has
| been embodied, Mrs. Child maintains, grow ont of
| the inherent constitution of the human mind. Tie
Infinite Spirit is manifested according % the capa-
city of reception. Thus the Word of God is forev.
er incaInated, dwelling in men as his chosen tab
ernaclts. Every written revelation is necessarily :
adopted TO the comprehension of the epoch in
which il is made, and consequently must cease 10
be adapted 10 the universal wants Of society When
it has accomplished lis destined work the soal be-
gins TO OutgrOw its former Instruction. and to aspire
after higher standard. Declining faith in The
letter always produces 4 reaction. The sentiment
veneratiOn cliIgs TO deca! ing forms and strive.
TO inspire them with spiritual sign fcanee. The
old words are converted in'o aesthetic symbols and
thus made 10 cover new ideas.
IusieGd Of considering our own religion the proiuct
of gradual growth. - which tLe spfifual sHnshiae
ali and ruin Ct Irevo1s centuries have contributed {,
sthe common tendency 20 sPeaA Of il rfs sli