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In the writer’s opinion the highest manifestations of art are 
found in the department of religion. Some have brought 
forth, as arguments to prove the unity of the race, the simi- 
larity of their architecture, pottery and stone implements, 
their language and various habits, but religious belief and 
ceremonies are more deeply seated in the human mind than 
any other customs. 
Those who have attempted to civilise the heathen have 
found them much more willing to adopt the manners and 
customs of civilised nations which have reference to food, 
clothing, architecture, ornament, implements of common use 
and war, and even social, governmental, and educational 
customs, than those which have reference to their religion. 
It is but natural, hence, to suppose that among the savages 
their religious ideas have changed less than the others, and 
that, if there are any customs which become “infallible guides 
in tracing national affinities,” these are the ones. 
When America was discovered it was peopled by an un- 
known race. When and how they came hither, and whence 
they came, are questions which are not satisfactorily answered. 
There are nota few persons, who have. become distinguished 
as scholars, who have maintained that they never came to 
America, but that they were created or developed (according 
to the theory which they hold) on this continent, and that the 
words of the Bible are not true, when it says that ‘‘ God hath 
made of one blood all nations to dwell on the face of the 
earth.” 
It is the object ofthe present paper to examine the religions 
of these natives ; to compare them with those of the rest of 
the world, especially with that of the Bible; and to see if there 
is not here an argument in favour of the unity of the race, as 
well as to sustain various parts of the Bible. 
True, if a stranger were to go among the Indians, and for 
the first time hear the noise and see the incantations of their 
religious ceremonies, he would be likely to say that there is 
nothing like it in all the world, and that Solomon was slightly 
mistaken when he said that there is nothing new under the 
sun; that rather, if he had come to America, he would have 
changed his mind. ‘'o the writer, at least, it appeared so at 
first. 
But a more careful view of the subject has entirely changed 
his opinions, and has led him to believe that Solomon was right. 
tt is probable that he even saw more of savage incantations 
than a large share of the human race. 
Not only does this seem to be true, but the principles of 
their religion, when stripped of their outside ceremonies, their 
