New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-06
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
JoHNSON's ORIENTAL RELIGIONS.

JOllNSON'S ORIENTAL RELIGIONS.
ORIENTAL RELIGIONS AND THEIR RELATION TO
UNIVERSAL RELIGION. BY SAMUEL JOHNSON.
CHINA. SVO, up 91j. James IL. OsgOod & ca.
The present volume forms the second installment
of the authors massive work the universal prin
oipes of religion. as manifested in the specific faiths
of the great Oriental nations 1t Is devoted TO the
peculiar civilization OF China, which represents
genuine outCrowth of the and the soil and by
its contrasts with other Asiatic forms, affords
powerful illustration of the common sentiments
which uuderlie every religious system. According
to Mr. Johnson the essential difference between the
Chinese and the Hndoos is that the mental quality
OF the one family may be called muscular, and that
of the other cerebral. In the latter instance, we
fud an imaginative. not a physical race who
refine away matter and averse 10 the
physical toll. which develops its uses; in the for
mer we meet apparently with throng OF ploddng
utihtarians, who regard the world a workshop,
where every atom is intensely real and valuable, and
wh,rc domestic and social uses take the place OF
poetry, metaphysics and religions. The tendencies OF
the people typiied IN the national architecture.
That of India is symbol of the unrealty OF things;
that of China is domestic tangible, Practical The
pagodas illustrate the spirit OF the Chinese religion.
The fantastic creations of the Hnd0O architecture
have gwen way TO substantial dwellings, perhaps
tents each ID oyded with a roof, piazza, pictures
and bells. In leaving the land of Brahmlnism
for that of Buddhism. exchange the region
Of BrMn-pure Thought-tOr that Of muscle
pure labor. The Chinese creative faculty remains
ElthIn the sphere of certain organic habits,
never rising from the Journalism of rules to
the freedom of ideas Its function is TO maintain
and multiply 10 reproduce, not 70 reconstruct. Ii
bures itself IN its materials, instead of going behind
them. The Hindoo c0Smogony makes the world an
emanation of mystic thought; tle Chinese ascribe
/. 90 v.ff sla nil, Wttb them SpeculatlOu
holds fast by the actual and concrete; takes the
human for the divine and positive, visible work for
the best part of the human. The ratiOnalsm of the
Chinese philosophers holds fast to the solid ground
of practical ethics aud social organization, never
separating essence even in idea from material form
The national religion OF China is essentially practi-
cal institution. Its TemotcneSs from the abstrac-
tons OF BTahminism may be seen III the intensity
with which the Chinese mind holds to The reality of
the phenomenal world and the validity OF It's ianil-
lar interests sentiments, and pursuits.
still as described by the author, the Chinese are
not to be regarded as a race of pure materiaists.
Their distinction is that they do not hold ideas apart
from their concrete embodiment, so as to study them
i'm their own right and i'll their capacity for growth.
The matter-of-tact temperament OF the Chinese
without eager choice, or salient enthusiasm-Inakes
them push all work into infnitesimal details. Their
wonderful minutoness of elaboration shows that the
ideal element in their nature is not absent, but alb
sorbed in positive impulses for the perfection OF
work. Out of this labor come eXqulstely delicate
Inanipulations; civil and political structures OF
curious completely; a system of written signs, III
number and intricacy almost beyond conception; a
network Of etiquette and secular ceremony surpass
ing the most refined rituals elsewhere devised for
the purposes of religion. The Chinese ideal Is in
n state of communion. Ii makes solemn earnest of
minute and trivial things. This drudgery of the
higher faculties is expressed in tmOrouS, serious,
impassye air which has led TO the prevailing I'M
preston of detective sense of humor and even
If the ridiculous In fact however, the Chinese are
snguary hght-hearted. passionately fond of conf
cdy. trayc,ty and banter. They have brought
political laupoonng to fine art
TIE constant experience Of limitation both in deed
and actual relations, failing TO recognize the infinite
and absolute. furnishes permanent lesson of mod
Grafton and repression. aud of compromise between
extremes. The password 10 Chinese wisdom, which
pepetualy occurs in their philosophy, politics mau-
ncrs. literature and faith is 1.-THE Middle Path" In
al things the ideal has but one meaning; that is,
balance and harmony Of differing elements-hence
the aim Of society Is not progress hut pToprety. To
this l. due the lack of grandeur aud even OF elevation
i'm most products of the spiritual soil In accordance
with these facts the religion Of the Chinese IS not so
much personal sense Of the relations of man with
tho infinite. a. body of common interests, reduced
10 an average proportion and expressed IN domestic
and poltical institutions. The adjustment of human
relations the preservation Of the harmony.of the
universe. which depends on their mutual fidelity and
rhythmical action. the purpose of religion. Re
liaion is thus an affair of the State not master
but n representative the depostary Of worship for
the people. and It's organized middle term between
heaven and earth.
The Chinese regard human nature as essentially
good The proper regulation Of the human faculties
does not imply their destruction. They regard all
passions and desires ~ valid within their proper
limita and relations. Nor they wanting in the
poetic spontaneous. and religions elements. Chinese
literature everywhere eujoins conscientiOusness in
study aud conduct practical application of what is
believed. and compliance with the just conditions
of success by self-iscpne and by steady routines.
Immoral suggestions have been carefully eX-
Guided The classical books Of instruction enforce
the Law Of purity springing directly out of
the profoundost principle of the national belief.
A. our bodies are Inherited from parents let US
not dare 10 be neg igeut base in treatment of
tbe,n- No nation IN the world of whatever reli gOn,
saws Mr. johnson, possesses religion pure 1t
has been said that there is not single sentence in
the whole Of the classical books that, when translated
word for word may not be read aloud in any family
circle in England
1he attachment Of the Chinese to literature
"a a form of their devotion 10 the art of writ
ing. With them the written word is Thought in the
most concrete fixed visible form. Writing, in their
view sprngs directly from the elements OF Nature,
and the unity of Man with the order Of the
Iniverse II is the FIRST rcyelation-on the sands
the tortoise and the riyer horse, IN the tracks Of