SECT. I.] CHARACTERISTICS RELIGIONS. 277 



his being has taken root, is always painful, making him feel 

 that for his happiness he requires not merely human society in 

 general, but some definite individuals by whom he is under- 

 stood. It is the great misery to which the Negro is exposed 

 which renders it possible that he nearly forgets this human 

 desire, rejoicing merely in a sensual existence, and finding 

 his happiness in eating and drinking, idling and sleeping. 

 But such facts as these, which can only be explained by an 

 entire perversion of the natural human relations, by no means 

 prove that the character of humanity is absent in the Negro. 

 It is chiefly language which separates and unites mankind, by 

 impressing the national character upon the individual, and the 

 peculiar mode of thinking and feeling belonging to his stock, 

 drawing thus closer the bonds which unite the individuals as 

 a whole. The power of public opinion, to which also the un- 

 civilized man is subject, shows how sensible he is to the 

 applause or censure of his fellow-men. 



"We have now considered the specific psychical activity of 

 man in three directions : in availing himself of surround- 

 ing natural phenomena for his own objects, profiting largely 

 by experience; in giving outward expression to his internal 

 feelings either by language or other visible signs ; in his 

 social relations with their concomitant rights and property, 

 leading to certain gradations in society, and to a closer 

 attachment to his own people. Though we find here the 

 elements from which science, art, and morality gradually 

 arise ; there is yet another principle, leading to a higher spi- 

 ritual development, namely, the religious element. This is 

 nowhere entirely wanting ; and though it may manifest itself 

 in the crudest form, its influence can be traced in the history 

 of every people. 



It has been asserted, that there are peoples among whom 

 there is not a vestige of religion ; and, on the other hand, that 

 all known peoples have their gods. A strict investigation has 

 established that the first assertion is false, and the second not 

 true. All depends on what is meant by religion and religious 

 worship, otherwise the contest about the universality of this 

 principle is merely a play upon words. Though it may be 



