CHAPTER I

PRIMITIVE FAITH: RELIGION BEFORE BOOKS, PAGE 1

Salutatory.--The Morse Lectureship and its provisions.--The Science of Comparative Religion is Christianity's own child.--The Parliament of Religions.--The Study of Religion most appropriate in a Theological Seminary.--Shortening weapons and lengthening boundaries.--The right missionary spirit that of the Master, who "came not to destroy but to fulfil."--Characteristics of Japan.--Bird's-eye view of Japanese history and religion.--Popularly, not three religions but one religion.--Superstitions which are not organically parts of the "book-religions."--The boundary line between the Creator and his creation not visible to the pagan.--Shamanism: Fetichism.--Mythical monsters, Kirin, Phoenix, Tortoise, Dragon.--Japanese mythical zoölogy.--The erection of the stone fetich.--Insurance by amulets upon house and person.--Phallicism.--Tree-worship.--Serpent-worship.--These unwritten superstitions condition the "book-religions."--Removable by science and a higher religion.