New-York tribune., 1905-07-03

other aspfrant. some or the oeuicalaohs aic
equally weird. ITO the Devil' was the startling
inscription on a novel recently submitted to the
Harpers. In this case the suggestion was
promptly acted on.
Japan is beginning to be able to see Itself In
perspective, judging from the remarks of
member of the Japanese judiciary quoted by the
Rev. A B. Scherer in his new book, Young
Japan" published by the Lippincotts. In esti-
mating the recent progress Of his country he
these words:
From purely materialistic point of view the
civilization but at the same time the process has
been only superficial. and it cannot trrthfully be
or o'q that they are civilized from European point
Sf @ have to be Supplied by the ideaiism of the
West, which has been entirely ignored by Japan,
simulated. 1t therefore seems to me that If we
take in the material civilization OF Europe we must
spiritual soul, it were. Of Occidental enlight-
enment.
The thesis which Frank Morgan Davenport.
professor of sociology in Hamilton College, seeks
to demonstrate in his volume on Primitive
Traits in Religious Revivals.' published by the
Macmillan Company. is that the elements which
contribute TO the spread Of these great, If gen.
orally temporary, religious movements are In
truth revivals themselves of early and long
suppressed human tendencies. The book, in fact,
might almost better be termed "a study in mental
and social ataVism' than "a study in mental and
social evolution" as expressed in the subtitle.
The result of Professor Davenports investiga-
tions has been to lead him to the belief that
what he terms nervous instability" must have
been normal characteristic of primitive man,
and that to the survival Of this characteristic
is due the apparent success of exhorters and
iD5c of tbeir
off their normal balance, acquired by centuries
Of education and training. 1t IS for this reason
that he regards this means of getting religion"
essentially reactionary and revolutionary,
and in the total result destructive rather than
constructive. Primitive man was strong In per-
ception. but weak in logical Interpretation of his
perceptions" the author declares, lacking in
logical connection IN his conclusions =. And
here arises a very interesting advance in the
mental evolution of primitive man. He fills in
the gaps. he makes connection between the per-
ceptions. by the use of his imagination And
so the imagination among primitive people finally
reaches a very considerable state of develop
ment because Of its tremendous utility"
1t Is to the imagination rather than to the
reason of man that the typical revivaIist ap-
peals often consciously or unconsciously avail
ing himself of hypnotic influence, to which his
hearers by reason Of the nervous instability
already referred to peculiarly subject The
author makes a comprehensive survey of the
history of revivalism. selecting typical examples
IN different periods, and comparing them with
such cases Of revivals among the primitive peo-
pies Of the present day as the ghost dance of
the American Indians and the religious senti-
mentalism and excitabilty OF the American ne
gro In both these hypnotic suggestion is
round TO be powerful factor toward so-caIled
conversion" and the methods to differ In no
essential characteristic from those employed by
more civilized men of profound earnestness and
deep religious conviction. That there is In this
crowd psychology" force which may how
ever. be directed with proprIety to a benefcent
end with lasting results, Dr. Davenport is con-
Vinced, and he writes not to tear down. but TO
build up. ito contribute. If possible, to the bet
ter ordering of religious method. that the tide
II 1t comes. may be nationally guided"