THE LATEST STAGE 263 



Protestant sect favoured by the enquirer, had emerged 

 and proved their adaptation to the environment. 

 Heathen lands might still be painted black on the 

 missionary map, though it began to be realized that 

 there were shades of grey between black and white, 

 which required explanation and apology. 



One underlying assumption made by theologian 

 and sceptic alike vitiated the whole conception of the 

 evolution of religion an assumption inevitable till 

 the lesson of patient study of primitive peoples had 

 been learned. It was assumed that, at all stages, creed 

 and dogma were the essence of religion, and rite and 

 ritual but their expression. 



Now the recent researches of anthropologists fail 

 to accord with this preconception as, indeed, so often 

 facts do fail to accord with a priori theories. 



Far earlier than definite theological beliefs or dogmas 

 are religious rites and ritual observances. It is a com- 

 parative advance to " bow down to wood and stone." 

 When the really primitive man wants rain or victory 

 he does not ask a god to give it to him, but goes and 

 tries to secure it himself. When it rains, the thunder 

 sounds or the frogs croak. If that be all, he can do it 

 too. So he whirls his bull-roarer to make thunder, 

 or hops and croaks like a frog to bring the rain. So 

 rises magic, " that spiritual protoplasm," as Miss Jane 

 Harrison calls it, " from which religion and science 

 ultimately differentiated." Then come ritual, magic 

 dance, and outpourings to fertilize the earth. 



Social observances, necessary for the complicated 

 savage life, become inextricably mingled with these 

 nature-spells. A boy must leave the women who 

 tended his childhood and join the men in hunting 



