, 1879-08-10

nese OF A1ongo}iap. the Aryan, and the Semitic,
| to signify ''the highest" or 1.-THE supreme OBJ
iect OF Worship are identical, and that, ther-
| fore, there was oneness Of thought and IN
agreement OF expression In the great human
mind rs to the object OF Worship, shared by East
and West alike in their primitive hone and carried
by the several branches OF the divided race to
theirrespective locations.
Mr. johnson is particularly happy in bis re-
marks on Buddhism division IT,. Sec. q, It is
indeed subject OF vast dimensions to
h'nie thoroughly, out according to bis
plan oar author exhausts it for all
practical purnoscs Under the heading, "The
Coming Of Buddhism," and the causes Of its
growth in China, he shows that Mr.. Fergus
sons theory of the origin OF Buddhism iu "ser-
pent worship" is quite untenable; he accounts
rather foEits growth because it was sow-sure
movement. with secular aid, to which he might
the country under the. immediate auspices OF
the reign;ng monarch, and at period OF reviv-
ing literary inquiry after the destruction Of the
books md the prosecution Of the, literati.
Mr; johnson then :, refers TO the
preached first. that is very true; but
we must also connect with this translation of
1.-The Life OF Buddha" into the Chinese, which
was made at the very introduction OF the relig-
lou: aud the simple, touching. and. VIC may say.
. tsuth-tlkc biography of the sage had doubtless
q wonderful effect in winning Disciples to bis
doctrine. The industry OF Buddhist preachers
and scholars is another reason given, and q very
just one, especially when joined with the wonder
caused BY their travels and adventures. The
sympathcs OF Buddhism are fourth reason:
force Of organization another; reaction against
Confuclan CONTEMPT, OF what, pehaps. ne might
call the supposed fna'itN Of Confucianism, this
Is another and a wcightv reason; aud. lastly,
Mr. johnson adds the power OF Its intrinsic
virtues as cause OF SUCCESS. This Ia all Ferv
true and to the point. It would be we'll
II this section were more generally read
and studied bv those who are inter-
ested 10 the religious history OF the Chinese.
Mr. johnson then goes on to consider the
development Of Buddhism through its four
stages. l. as primitive system, concernin"
itself chiefly with the great question OF the cause
OF sorrow and the mode Of its destruction. g.
The HinaTana system, rs it embraces the begin
ming OF conycntual life, and concerns itself
more With Dhilosonhlcal speculations. 3 The
Mabayana system, which, in fact, marks the be-
ginning OF supposed gaosis in reference to
matters which the former systems bad not mcn-
toned. such as the character Of NiEvana. the
on; and, 1, Mysticism, which is tho natural
these headings Mr.. johnson surveys the develop
ment Of Buddhism Lastly, from page 500 to
page 1888. Mr.. johnson sketches out history OF
Chinese Buddhism, or of Buddhism IN China
as distinct from the Buddhism of India. This
part Of the subject is ably treated. but cannot
be fully handled bv anv one until We have more
Of the native literature, faithfully and fully
translated, especially the writings OF the Tsnpg,
or contemDlatiee school. which has taken deep
root in the south OF China. Il