It is by Max Miiller, who says : " Religion is the 

 perception of the infinite," which is no doubt cor- 

 rect as far as it goes, only does it go far enough, 

 and is it complete enough for a full definition? 

 The subject is of such momentous importance 

 and of such intense interest to the entire human 

 race that I am sure a more or less comprehensive 

 definition is needed. I am not a voracious reader 

 of theology and may thus not be aware of many 

 excellent definitions which have been propound- 

 ed. What I say, therefore, is set down in all 

 deference. 



Fielding's first definition is : " Religion is the 

 recognition and cultivation of our highest emo- 

 tions, of our more beautiful instincts, of all that 

 we know is best in us." Now this seems to me 

 quite wrong. Religion may involve all these 

 things ; but it can not be said that it is itself the 

 recognition and cultivation of what is best in us, 

 and what is best must always be to some extent 

 a matter of opinion and convention. Even the 

 first of my propositions can only apply to some 

 of us and to some religions. Our author express- 

 ly states that he deals with religion generally, 



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