1832.] 
ISLAND OF SUMATRA. 
171 
burial-places are regarded with an extraordinary degree of rev- 
erence. 
Beyond the influence of Mahometanism, the Rejangs have 
not, and probably never have had any religion of their own. None 
at least has ever been discovered among them. They have no 
form of prayers, no processions, no meetings, no images, no 
priests. They believe, however, in the existence of invisible 
spirits of some kind, and attribute to them the power of influencing 
their destinies for good or for evil while in this world ; and it is to 
these powers they are accustomed to make their appeals in their 
forms of taking an oath. They are said to have no idea of a 
future state, except such dim glimmerings as have been shed 
upon them by the Mahometan religion. Our own observations, 
however limited, on savage life, have gone far to impress us with 
the belief, that the eternal principle, the vital spark, which is in- 
cased in every human body, however remote from civilization, or 
low and degraded in the scale of human beings, will, under one 
form or another, if rightly understood, give evidence of its own 
consciousness of immortality. , 
" 'Tis the divinity which stirs within us, 
'Tis Heaven itself that points out an hereafter, 
And intimates eternity to man ! " 
If it be not so, why does the Laplander picture to himself that 
after this life he shall traverse verdant plains, ever blooming in 
spring, and abounding with herds of fat raindeer, as a reward for 
his good deeds in this world, or bleak, desolate mountains, as 
a punishment for his bad actions ? Why does the Hindoo believe 
in the transmigration of the souls of men into animals ; why the 
Araucanians bury their dead in rude canoes, with provisions to 
last during the unknown passage across the great water, whose 
tranquil waves, as they believe, wash the confines of another 
world ? These are the dim lights of immortality in the breast 
of rude man. To mark these gleamings of the spirit, and trace 
out their existence, constitute one of the most pleasing inquiries 
of the Christian philosopher. 
Nor will the Rejangs be found an exception ; for they believe 
that tigers are end owed with the spirits of departed men ; and so 
strong' is this superstition, that they will not put one of these ani- 
mals to death, except in actual self-defence. Indeed, the very 
