CONGRES INTERNATIONAL D’ HISTOIRE DES RELIGIONS. ol 
It acted by developing the spirit of sacrifice, by enforcing 
the principle of authority, by evoking the fear of vengeance 
hereafter, by inculcating (through the taboo) respect for 
property, by sanctioning customs (worship of ancestors, etc.), 
by guaranteeing oaths. The progress of morals, in its turn, 
torces religious and theological traditions to modify them- 
selves, and finishes by obliging men to place ethics above 
rites and ceremonies. The idea of retribution, whether in 
this world or in the next, has contributed much to the 
strengthening of morals. Here, again, however, religious 
ritualism has, at a later date, fettered the upward rising 
towards a higher moral state. But religion contains other 
motives than fear and interest, namely, love of God, and the 
desire for communion with divine activity having good for 
its object. Thus there are continuous and successive action 
and reaction. The feeling of duty regenerates the feeling of 
religion, which, again, strengthens the feeling of duty. 
M. Marillier, one of the Secretaries of the Congress, then 
read a paper upon “ The Relations between Folklore and the 
Science of Religion.” In a series of well-chosen examples, he 
showed how much the survival of ancient beliefs or practices 
in the popular traditions of our civilized countries, and how 
much the methodical study of the religious beliefs of non- 
civilised peoples at the present time, explain the origin and 
evolution of historical religions, and what precious elements 
they furnish for religious psychology. 
The fourth general sitting was held on the 8th of Sep- 
tember, at the Sorbonne. ‘The only paper recorded as being 
read is that of M. Fournier de Flaix, who, with runnng 
comments, gave an account of the statistics of the religions 
in the year 1900, from the censuses, the estimates given by 
missionaries, the works of economists, and consular agents. 
These offered a basis for comparison with the statements 
published in former years, and some of the estimates made 
were sufficiently noteworthy. In all probability statistics 
had never been listened to more patiently than on this 
occasion. 
After announcing the works presented to the Congress, 
the various resolutions passed in the different sections were 
read. They were as follows :— 
M. Marillier to draw up a report upon the terms in use in 
the history of religions, and especially those used by non- 
civilized peoples. 
The Buddhist churches in Japan to unite in the creation 
