New-York tribune., 1869-04-09
MAX MuLLER,S CHIPS.

years have been able to impair.
MAX MULLERS CHIPS.
CHIPS FROM A GERMAN WORKSHOP. By MAX
MULLER vols l2mo. Charles Scrlbner q 20.
The odd title of this work was suggested to Mr..
Miller by remark Of Baron Bunsen, Immediately
after the latter had succeeded i'll making an arrange
lnen for the publication of the sacred hymns of the
Brahmins IN the edition Of the Rig-veda prepared
by the author Now" said he, you haye got
work for life-a large block that will take years to
plane and polish. But mind" he added, let us have
from time to time some chips from your workshop
The present volumes consist of essays and disser-
tations on subiects connected with the Hindoo my
thology traditions and customs, and those OF other
ancient nations as well the science of religion in
general, which Mr.. Miller has from time to time
contributed to the periodical literature OF the day.
In the first part of the work. he treats of the prni-
tive conceptions Of mankind on the subject OF re-
lpion in their historical development, bringing the
evidence afforded by language to the Illustration OF
his IDEAS aud assuming that the continuity III the
growth of language is the continuity IN the
growth of religion. The radical elements of re-
Iipion in his yiow form part of the original
doyry of the human soul that the startling aSser-
ton OF St. Augustine is literally true that what Is
now called the Christian religion has existed among
the anoients and was not absent from the beginning
"a tho human race until Christ came IN the flesh"
This sentiment forms the key note to the whole
work. which though composed of wide diversity of
materials preserves n general unity of aim. The re-
ligious philosophy Of the author is stamped with
character Of remarkable breadth and comprehen-
veness rs appears from the following passage which
may be taken a fair summary of his opinions on
this subject:
The history Of ancient religion too important, too
sacred subject TO be used us masEea battery
against modern inhdelity. Nor should chris
an Advocate condescend TO defend his cause by
arguments such peader who is somewhat skcptcal
~ the merits OF his case may De allowed To use Dus
which produce the mind OF the Judge the very oppo
site OF that which they are Intended TO produce III
We want to understand the religions OF antiquity we
try, well as we can TO enter into the IeHious
moral and political atmosphere OF the ANCIENT world
We must do what tho historian does. We must be-
come ancenls ourselves; otherwise We snali never
understand the motives and meaning OF their faith
Take instance. There are some nations VINO nave
always regarded death with the utmost horror. Their
whole religion may be said to be light against death,
long hfs ON esrth The PerSan engs TO LIE with intense
tenaeity. aud the same feeling exists among the
Jews Other nations, the contrary, regard death In
different ght Death Is 10 them passage from one hie
10 pssbs e8tnatio Of exstenee aud at the rs
call OF the priest-nay, sometimes from mere selfish
yearing after better fe-they are ready TO put an end
TO their existence earth. Feelings of ths kind can
hardly he called convictions arrived at by the Individual
TheY are national pecularies. and they exercise
Irresistible sway all who belong 10 the same nation
The loyal devotion which the slaronle nations feel for
their sovereign Will make the most brualized Russian
peasant stop into the place where his eoude has Just
! been struck down, without a thought oi his
| he is never again. He does not do this
because, by his own reflection he mas arrived at inc Go
peror or his country he does IT because he knows
That every one woud do the same; and the only feeling
OF satisfaction in which he would allow himself TO Indulge
s that he doing ms duty. H. then, We Wlsh tO UNI
derstaud the gos OF the ancient nations OF the world
must take into account their national character Ma;
tions who value life little as the Hindus ana some or
horror Of human sacrices 0r instance Whch Woud DO
felt by Jew; and the voluntary death OF the widow
| other feeling but that OF compassion aud re-
| gret at seeing young bride follow her nus,
that In following her husband into DEATH she only
| doing what every other widow would do she only
lie throw themselves under tho car OF Jaggernah to
be crushed to death by the idol they believe n where
deah at the door OF his Judge where the philosopher
who thinks he has learnt all which tins world teach
| him and who longs for absorption into the Deity,
quietly steps into the GaDges IN order 10 arrive AT the
mueh we may condemn these practices, we must be
our guard. and not judge the strange religions or such
strange creatures according TO our own more sober code
OF morality Let be impressed with belief
that this life Is but prison. and that he has but To
break through It's walls In order to breathe the fresh
cowarce 10 shrink from this act and proof OF courage
and Of firm faith In COD TO rush back TO that eternal
countenaueed by whole nation sanctioned by priests
| aud haowed by poets ana however may blame and
oathe tho custom of human sacrifices and religious
Cides shall be bound To confess that 20 such
and TO whole nation of such men, the most cruel rites
| will have very different meaning from what they
| would have to US They mere cruelty aud bru
| tally. They contain religious element, aud pre.sup
pose belief In Immortality, aud indifference with
regard TO worldly pleasures which, IL directed In differ
channel, might produce martyrs aud heroes Here
/ nj least, there II danger of modern heresy
| aping ancient paganism and feel at liberty To
press sympathy and compassion with the
degraded OF onr brethren The Fijians for instance
commit almost every species Of atrocty but still
discover, Wilkes remarked in his Exploring Exped
tiOn" that the OF many OF their abh0rent prac
tices Is belief In "a future state guided by no Just
notions OF religious moral obligations They immediate
themselves; they think IL right 10 destroy their best
friends free them from the mseres of this life they
actually consider IT duty, and perhaps painful duty
that the should strange his parents II requested To
do Some OF the Fijians when interrupted by Euro
peaDs In tho act Of stIungllng their mother. snply
| replied that she their mother, aud they
| her children, and they ought To put her TO
| death. On reaching the grave tho mother
sat down, when they ALL including children. grandchi
dren relations and friends took aectOnac leave of
her. A rope, made OF twisted tapa then passed
twice around her neck by her who took hold O 10
stranGled hor after which she put hor grave
with the usual ceremonies They returned feast and
mourn after which she was entirely forgotten though
she had existed. No doubt these are revolving rites
but the phase of human thought which thoy disclose Ia
far from being simply revolving There is these inm0
laOns In their most degraded FORM grain ~ that
superuman faith which admire In the temptation OF
Abraham; aud feel that the time will come, nay thar
is coming when the voice Of tho Angel OF tho Lord Will
reach those distant islands, and give higher and Dettor
purpose To the wild rawlings of their religion.
ltis among these tribes that tho missionary. Il he can