Sometimes  it  is  used  to  denote  that  body  of  doctrine  which
constitutes  the  Christian  faith ;  but  as  well  might  the
]\Iohammedan  pre-empt  the  word,  and  limit  it  exclusively
to  the  Islamic  faith.  In  order  to  understand  completely
what  Eeligion  is  and  involves,  one  must  acquaint  himself  as
fully  as  possible  with  the  facts  of  its  origin, — an  inquiry
which  would  lead  us  far  into  the  domain  of  the  History  of
Eeligion.  As  such  facts,  however,  are  only  in  a  limited
measure  accessible  to  science,  the  aid  of  the  Philosophy  of
Eeligion  must  also  be  pressed  into  service,^ — which  again
would  lead  us  far  beyond  our  province,  but  in  an  opposite
direction.  Accordingly,  to  the  term  "  Eeligion,"  as  used  in
this  connection,  we  allot  its  widest  and  only  legitimate
meaning  under  such  circvmistances.  It  signifies  the  con-
cejjtion  of  a  siqMrior  authority,  lohose  potency  man  feels  him-
self constrained  to  acknowleclye  and  invoke.  And  certainly
it  needs  but  a  brief  study  of  Comparative  Eeligion  to
demonstrate  that  no  objective  revelation  is  required  in
order  t  j  awaken  most  eager  religious  inquiry  within  man's
breast.    Whole  races,  to  whom  plainly  no  objective  revelation

^  Cp.  Appendix.  Note  XVII.,  page  530.
-  See  Appendix.  Note  XVI.,  pages  52r»  f.
2  See    Faiibaini,  Shuliefi  in   the   Philosophy   of  Jleliijion   and  History,
chap.  i.
218  COMPARATIVE    RELIGION  [chap,  vii

of  the  soit  indicated  has  ever  been  vouchsafed/  are  proved
to  have  been  diligent  and  unwearied  seekers  after  God.
